Servicing

[conoroneill]

Alright chaps.

My newly purchased Cayman S is due it's first service (2007 with 6000 miles) and I am debating on whether to take it to Porsche themselves or to a local Porsche specialist.

I know for a fact that the local specialist is more than competent.

I will be supplying him with 0W40 Mobil 1 and he will charge a lot less than £591 (as I was quoted from Porsche).

Would this adversely affect the resale value of the car?

Any pros / cons to consider?

How often does the Cayman S need serviced?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Dylan1]

needs servicing every 2 yrs/20000mile if you take it to a good reputable indi i dont think it will affect resale to those who are in the know-the only issue is warranty and i believe yours hasnt got the extended anyway(i think). also of course many good indi`s are offering their own warranty now anyway. i get mine serviced at JZ Machtech who are starting their own warranty imminently and i also get them to do an oil change and general check annually (for a small fee)between the 2yr services,coinciding with the first mot this yr.this may not be deemed necessary but i do it for peace of mind!

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Woooah...stop right there!! Porsche have fixed servicing for the Cayman, 1st service would be due in 2 years or 20,000 miles and within manufactures warranty...from memory for this service its under £300.00...in addition, they will suggest to change the brake fluid for about £100. The next service is at 40,000 or 4 years...this a major service and costs are around the price you quoted. Therefore servicing is required every 2 years or 20,000 miles, although some owners prefer to change their oil every year regardless. Personally, I've not changed the oil outside of recommended servicing, as Mobil 1 is in my opinion about the best oil made (should be rebranded as Carlsberg[]) .

 

[uknick]

From the Porsche site as of today (all prices incl VAT) 2 year (20k) minor service £438 4 year (40k) major service £577 Brake fluid (every 2 years) £153

 

[BlackGator]

Hi, This is my first post here, and I have been trying to research exactly this problem for my Cayman S, also with 6K-ish miles and service now due. Interestingly, JZ Mztech some months ago advised me to get the 20,00 service done by an OPC; thereafter they would be happy to take on regular servicing. I spoke also to Henry who advised taking it to an OPC unless, and I quote, "you want to destroy your car's value". So, even in the opinion of respected independents, it looks like we should both consider our cars' first service before the warranty expires, at an OPC who will not charge an extortionate fee, but who will do a proper job - could someone please recommend one of those? p.s. my local independent would charge me £195

 

[Black80XSA]

The OPC price will include the brake fluid change which isn't part of the fixed price menu servicing, - at £153 they are taking the mickey, i though it was bad when i paid £120. My local indi will do mine next time round for £50. Its almost 2 years ago now, but i paid the OPC £345 for my first serviuce incl the brake fluid - i supplied my own oil which shaved about £100 from the service bill, and cost me about £60 to buy - £40 better in my pocket than theirs. I also got the 10% PCGB discount for the elements that it applied to. I was asked if i wanted either of the air con services as well, one was about £50 (basically a can of deodorizer let off in the cabin, which you can do yourself with a canister bought in Halfords for £12), or a service and regas for £250.

 

[Dylan1]

Interestingly, JZ Mztech some months ago advised me to get the 20,00 service done by an OPC maybe jonas has changed hhis mind as he was emphatic a yr ago that it was fine to use jz for 1st service!! also i am afraid i think he does a much "Better job" than opc (imo) i shall continue to use him for all my porsche needs.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

So to recap, it's better to put the car within warranty to your local OPC for the 1st service...if anything is spotted then it's done for free. Unless you are taking on the continued warranty, then its just as good/considered better/cheaper to go with an independent for any servicing thereafter. Porsche serving costs currently are : 2 year (20k) minor service £438 4 year (40k) major service £577 Brake fluid (every 2 years) £153 On the servicing as said previously, you have the right to supply your own mobile 1 oil and ask the service department to fit it! (dont be embarressed, I know a number of owners who do this)..then again as mentioned, produce your club membership card for a further 10% discount. Simple![]

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Nick, Just noticed your avatar, did you know you've got a spitfire on your roof rack?[]

 

[Black80XSA]

To be clear, you c do not have to use Mobil 1 if you supply your own oil - there are about 60 Porsche approved oils to choose from.

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: conoroneill Alright chaps. My newly purchased Cayman S is due it's first service (2007 with 6000 miles) and I am debating on whether to take it to Porsche themselves or to a local Porsche specialist. I know for a fact that the local specialist is more than competent. I will be supplying him with 0W40 Mobil 1 and he will charge a lot less than £591 (as I was quoted from Porsche). Would this adversely affect the resale value of the car?

I would say Yes, it would affect the residuals of your car, I'd go as far to say I wouldn't even consider a car that has not has at least one service at an OPC... There no way on knowing what recalls or modification the car may be due, Okay the indy will service the car up to the proper standard- but when I put my car in for its first service I know that any upgrades to hardware or software would be done as part of that service. Fine supply your own oil and make the saving, as pointed out there is a list of other oils perfectly usable in your car. Get it in before the warranty is up and as pointed out there repairs will be done free of charge for you... your Indy cannot offer that, so for that reason- I'd be out [] I think the reasoning behind JZ suggestions may be along the same lines garyw

 

[Dylan1]

my transmission was sticking from new and got worse as the year wore on-went back to opc twice-claimed nothing wrong-just before 2 yr service they eventually agreed wasnt right but must be wear and tear.not impressed.quoted squillions to replace.took it to JZ who replaced part for half the price-run beautifully ever since.not spent a penny at opc since .jz gets all the work,including the first service.they know their stuff and i wouldnt hesitate buying a car with every stamp from them

 

[conoroneill]

Some good responses there chaps. Bearing in mind that I only ever keep a car for a year / year and a half tops and do under 5000 miles per year, I think my first service should be carried out by my local OPC as I probably won't have the car in 2 years time. That one service will mean the car essentially will have a full Porsche service history and the couple of hundred lost to Porsche should be regained ten fold in the car's resale value. As for engine oil I am a fan, advocate and stockist of Silkolene Pro S 5W40. I've used it in my Evo IX GT and my previous car so I will bring a couple of jars with me I reckon. I also stock and recommend Mobil 1 to a lot of customers as it's fundamentally a great oil albeit a little dated in it's technology. As most of you will know, Silkolene along with Motul are two of the few oil manufacturers to embrace the use of ester based engine oils with high shearing capabilities and an ability to stay in true grade even in temperatures above 110 degrees. I won't be having the brake fluid changed by Porsche as it is a little extraneous in my opinion. I will have it done later in the year and properly bled by my local specialist using only the finest fluid for the Brembos! PS - just received my new wheels today so I fitted them this evening. So glad I had a change of heart and went for the Carrera classic style wheel instead of the 997 turbo ones. Here's a quick pic (excuse the camera phone quality and the glaring sunlight!):

I'm over the moon with them and the tyres. I was concerned that the ride would be harsh on the 235/35/19 - 265/35/19 combo but was amazed to find that the ride is actually a lot better with these Michelin Pilot Sport 2 N1s compared to the 235/40/18 - 265/40/18 Continental Sport Contact 2 combo! Much more pliable ride. I haven't got a chance to feel just how good the tyres perform as I'm gently rubbering them in for the first 80 miles or so but my initial feeling is very good!

 

[Dylan1]

looks great!! i found exactly the same with the michelin pilots-will never change from them in future as they ride like a dream enjoy the car

 

[uknick]

ORIGINAL: Alan Armstrong Nick, Just noticed your avatar, did you know you've got a spitfire on your roof rack?[]

Yes; unfortunately that's one of the the hazards of visiting RAF stations. But it does "fly" round corners now []