Service charges are now stupid.

[adrianb]

Hi Guys, this is an interesting discussion and I think some dealers are clearly looking to sell some extra workshop hours When I asked my local OPC who serviced my 981 about 4.0 GTS service requirements, was also told by the service dept that a 12month oil change was needed as car had a Petrol Particle Filter. However the OPC I purchased an ex demo from, told me only needs oil change if light comes on and that happens if car doing short journeys and filter is getting blocked which could be sorted by a blast on motorway. My car now 13 months old 6500 miles and no warning light.

 

[SV_WDC]

PS my local indy would do it for £260 but I don't get a biscuit.
What is also daft as to get a REAL oil change it takes at least 3 full flushes

Yes it is correct that a service fill is different to if it were a brand new engine, however, not sure where the '3 full flushes' comes from?

The amount of oil required will partially be informed by how long the garage are going to leave it draining. Overnight will be different to however long an OPC are probably going to leave it. But even then, there will still be bits of oil in parts of the engine you won't get out.

Interestingly I saw a video from AmmoNYC earlier where he took his 992 GT3 into OPC and asked whether people do engine oil flushes and the mechanic basically said no one ever does that

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Guys, this is an interesting discussion and I think some dealers are clearly looking to sell some extra workshop hours When I asked my local OPC who serviced my 981 about 4.0 GTS service requirements, was also told by the service dept that a 12month oil change was needed as car had a Petrol Particle Filter. However the OPC I purchased an ex demo from, told me only needs oil change if light comes on and that happens if car doing short journeys and filter is getting blocked which could be sorted by a blast on motorway. My car now 13 months old 6500 miles and no warning light.

Adrian,

If you’ve not been following this thread it‘s worth a read, although the problem appears to be restricted to the early 718 F-4T cars ATM and not the 4.0L cars. The main issue is that owners haven’t had the warning light to indicate that the GPF is becoming blocked so that that they can perform the regeneration procedure, and it’s possible that something similar could occur on the naturally aspirated cars.

Cayman 718 GPF Failure

Hi Everyone, I have a 2019 Cayman 718, I have owned it for 13 months and purchased it from a Porsche Dealership as a Porsche Approved Pre-Owned Vehicle with 2 year warranty. I had an engine control fault come up on the dash, I contacted my local OPC and they informed me a long as the message is...

www.porscheclubgb.com

Jeff

 

[ralphmusic]

We are not alone…

Porsche Vehicles Ranked Second Most Costly to Maintain Over 10 Years

Owning a Porsche might cost you more than just the price tag, as Consumer Reports ranks it as one of the most expensive cars to maintain ...

rennlist.com

 

[MrDemon]

If you are not willing to live with the real world costs of running a high performance car, sell it on and trundle around in your Golf.

I think Ian you are missing the issues here, my GTS is NOT due any Service work. the other guy tried to start this line of harassment and got all his posted deleted by the admins.

The GTS 1st service which I will have done early is now £1,046.06 All my cars get what they need without fail, the running costs of my fleet are over £20PA plus lets say a bad year of £60k depreciation on the fleet, it's not been a nice 2024 for car running costs.

 

[Scrounger]

I still think you're paying too much for the service on the GTS. I paid just over £750 for the first service on mine back in March.

Strongly suggest phoning other OPCs for a price comparison.

 

[John Sims]

... the other guy tried to start this line of harassment and got all his posted deleted by the admins...

Err, no. But, if it makes you happy to remember it that way, you do you.

 

[MrDemon]

I still think you're paying too much for the service on the GTS. I paid just over £750 for the first service on mine back in March.

Strongly suggest phoning other OPCs for a price comparison.

Seems 2025 prices up again.

 

[pse_SC]

If you are not willing to live with the real world costs of running a high performance car, sell it on and trundle around in your Golf.

Agree /\

 

[John Sims]

Porsche is a business and it all comes down to supply and demand.

Porsche will charge what ever Porsche thinks they can get away with; just the same as any premium brand will. You can't apply simple maths to what is ultimately a complex calculation being "How much can we get away with charging?"

They probably aren't interested in the added complications to their systems and schedules of someone wanting to supply their own oil to save £10. The oil has to be received, stored and then be presented to the mechanic at the correct time in the correct service bay for the correct car. This isn't what will be set up in their systems which will be "The computer says we need to have in stock, provide, and reorder, x,y & z to carry out service ref 12345678."

If you want to wear the badge you have to pay the piper.

If you want a back street, under the arches, service experience (and price) don't go to a Porsche Centre.

 

[fredms]

I use Porschtek in Leeds. OPC quoted me 1800 for a 4 year major incl replacing spark plugs etc. Porschtek quoted me 650 for all the same work and same parts. Came to 800ish because I got something else done but can't remember what now.

My guess is that besides inflation some of these costs are to hedge against the financial impact associated with regulatory demands for EV's etc.

I'm more concerned about what's going to happen in terms of carbon tax and regulation over the next few years

If you are not willing to live with the real world costs of running a high performance car, sell it on and trundle around in your Golf.

Agree /\

These comments are unnecessary
People are entitled to complain about both the product and the pricing of it, and multi billion pound companies don't need you to defend them.
While I fully understand that people can vote with their wallet that doesn't need to be the only course of action - expressing dissatisfaction is valid and in many cases may result in better rates / experiences for everyone, frankly I'm amazed that this needs explaining.

 

[John Sims]

Saying Porsche will charge what ever they think they can get away with isn't defending them, it's just stating a fact.

 

[MrDemon]

But it makes people look daft and rude, why even post up on my thread about service prices if you don't use OPC's or own a GTS 4.0 ? it's just then a personal attack on me and does not add to the thread.
There seem no freedom of speech if I stick up for myself ! I get an admin warning. But people can say I want to live and own these cars beyond my means when I might be a multi millionaire !

I see a post on PH today about the 2 year on their GTS is £1265 !! prices have rocketed up the last 4 years.

I had Porsche's now for a long time and on my 16 or 17th I used to pay £250 for the 2 year ! now they want £1200 , that is way more than inflation.

OPC Service Cost in 2025 - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

As for John and Pauls comments it's a not cricket imo and other posts have said as much are they now calling the likes of JZM and RPM back street, under the arches, service experiences ?? because those are your words if we don't use an OPC !

 

[MrDemon]

Yes it is correct that a service fill is different to if it were a brand new engine, however, not sure where the '3 full flushes' comes from?

The amount of oil required will partially be informed by how long the garage are going to leave it draining. Overnight will be different to however long an OPC are probably going to leave it. But even then, there will still be bits of oil in parts of the engine you won't get out.

Interestingly I saw a video from AmmoNYC earlier where he took his 992 GT3 into OPC and asked whether people do engine oil flushes and the mechanic basically said no one ever does that

I don't mean flush I ment 3 oil changes in a row.
I have dug deeper the GTS will remove 7 or 8l. my GT4RS will only remove about 4l at an oil change, hence it would take 3 changes to get some where close to clean oil, some one did it in the USA and posted pics every time, and 2 changes the oil still looked dirty. 3 seemed to be much better and you got the green look to your oil back.
The GT cars have this new red top oil so if you want that new oil in your GT car , best to get it done 3 times in a row to get some where close to a full change of oil. And can you trust an OPC do do that ? and will they be daft and say an oil change is £607 a go, so to do it 3 times is 3x £607 ? or would they realise that is daft.

 

[tscaptain]

If you're anywhere near PC Bournemouth, they have a 25% discount on services and a 33% discount on labour for other work. See down the list on this page.

Discounts | Porsche Club Great Britain

As well as meeting likeminded Porsche enthusiasts, Club members enjoy a wide range of real benefits. Porsche Club GB - A passion shared

www.porscheclubgb.com

Could be worth waving that in front of other Porsche Centres?

 

[John Sims]

... or own a GTS 4.0 ? it's just then a personal attack on me and does not add to the thread...

I sorry if you don't think the opinion of someone who doesn't own a GTS 4.0 is invalid ... I would perhaps consider that rather rude and inclined to bring out the worst in people. Just my humble opinion.

Nobody is suggesting JZM and RPM are back street and, in many respects, it just proves the point. You pay what you think is an appropriate sum to the people you consider will do a good job. Some people will pay an OPC because that gives them confidence, others may chose to pay less and go somewhere else. That "somewhere else" is also a choice of degrees. Just because they aren't an OPC doesn't make them a back street bodger. And just because a garage is located in a back street doesn't mean they will take any less care or apply as much skill as an OPC.

That is the whole point - if you want OPC service then go to an OPC and pay the bill. If you don't like what they are charging go somewhere else.

You are more than welcome to complain about it at the OPC, on the internet, down the pub, or where ever you like. In the same way (despite not owing a GTS 4.0) others are entitled to express their opinion, whether it aligns with yours or not. Having a contrary opinion to yours doesn't make it a personal slight unless you decide to make it so.

 

[John Sims]

Perhaps buying a GTS 4.0 is like buying a printer? Perhaps they discount the car because they know they will make up the difference on the subsequent servicing?

 

[MrDemon]

Perhaps buying a GTS 4.0 is like buying a printer? Perhaps they discount the car because they know they will make up the difference on the subsequent servicing?

Are we really going there ? , my list price on the GTS 4.0 was £94k, you really need to stop posting imo but as an Admin you can say what you like I guess.
Porsche are in the top 3 vs profit per car sold. "Porsche's profit margin on sales remained stable at 18.0 per cent. This is a remarkable number considering most mainstream manufacturers would consider margins of around 8.0 per cent to be exceptional."
We already over pay to get into a Porsche vs most other brands.

I started the post as my OPC stated I needed work, after a lot of digging and battles, my car does in fact NOT need any work until it's 2 years old or 20k miles, them the facts. I'll pay the £1k service when the cars 2 years old at an OPC. lets close the thread.

 

[John Sims]

.. and will they be daft and say an oil change is £607 a go, so to do it 3 times is 3x £607 ? or would they realise that is daft.

Why is that daft? If their price is £607 for 1 oil change why would it be any less for a 2nd or third? If anything perhaps it should be more as, during the first oil change the mechanic will be doing other jobs on the car and the lift will be in use for a set period. Additional oil changes will take up the lift and mechanic solely for that exercise rather than splitting his time, and use of the facility, over serval other chargeable tasks. They have to pay the same for the disposal of the oil whether it's done 5000 miles or 0 miles.

 

[MrDemon]

Why is that daft? If their price is £607 for 1 oil change why would it be any less for a 2nd or third? If anything perhaps it should be more as, during the first oil change the mechanic will be doing other jobs on the car and the lift will be in use for a set period. Additional oil changes will take up the lift and mechanic solely for that exercise rather than splitting his time, and use of the facility, over serval other chargeable tasks. They have to pay the same for the disposal of the oil whether it's done 5000 miles or 0 miles.

Because all the flooring, defuser etc is off the car which takes a long time to remove and the cars already on the ramp and stripped ! Disposal of oil is not much more than the GTS. As I said the 4RS only drains 4l so 1/2 the amount is drained over my GTS per change.

1: when you book a car in, you goto reception say hi, spend 15 minutes doing paper work with the rep etc.
2: cars in the car park, has to be moved to the service bay, seat cover fitted etc.
3: cars then put on a ramp and all the under trays taken off.
4: oil is changed.
5: cars is put back together.
6: Car is driven back round to the car park.
7: I pay and do the paper work .


for 3 oils changes they don't do all 7 steps 3 times do they !! only item 4 is done 3 times. the rest is the same. so it's not £607 x 3 time wise over all. an oil changes is 2.5 hours booked to cover all 7 steps. Step 4 takes what 20 minutes, lets say 30 mins. So the full job for 1 coil change is 2.5 hours, the time to do 3 is 3.5 hours at the most, not 7.5 hours.

So add another hour and £85 worth of extra oil that adds £325 to the £607 price that is £932 total. If they said it was going to be £1821 I would be pretty shocked. But you would expect a bill even higher than the £1821 ?