How much should I pay for a Major Tune-Up?

[PorscheZen]

All, I just recently purchased a 1990 964 C/2 with 40K miles:

I have located a garage in my area (New York City) that also does lots of race preparation and is really to my liking.
The owner quoted me $995.00 for a major tune-up which would include checking valve clearances.
He also quoted me $250 for replacing the rear brake pads.

Since this is my first P-car, does this sound fair? Is this less or more than a dealership would charge?
THanks

[Oh Haha]

Do it yourself and spend the extra money on goodies for the car.

You can replace your rear brake pads for around $40.
Do you have any of the Porsche manuals or 101 Projects yet?
If not, head to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy.
Or order it here along with the brake pads and other "tune up" bits.

EDIT: Sorry about that. I see you have a 964.
101 Projects won't help much but the factory manuals can.

You can still do a the work on your car yourself if you are at all mechanically inclined.

[PorscheZen]

Yea, i'm a DIY guy BUT those were the days when I had a garage...
Now I live in an apartment building in NYC.

I've worked on my motorcycle on the sidewalk. What sux is having to pack everything up when you have go to your apartment to get one more tool! Also, people feel the need to stop by and start a conversation -

[ecm911]

Depends what is included in a "major tune up" - the parts can add up quickly - in addition to spark plugs, rotor does it include dist wires & cap air filter?

Rear pads are cheap and very easy to do.

Valve adjustment at little involved but if you won't or can't change the rear pads forget about.

I would encourage you to do as Oh Haha suggested.

BTW does it need a tune up?

earl

[PorscheZen]

He's including "normal" parts that would go with a major service which includes valve adjustment/valve gaskets, spark plugs but no plug wires etc...

[ecm911]

It has been some time since I paid for a tune but it does seem a bit high to me.

FYI- I purchased a tune up kit ( plugs, air filter gaskets etc) for around $90 from a dealer .

Valve adjustments do take a few hours - some exhaust pieces need to be removed. but still seems a bit pricey??

When was the last one done ? Factory recommends every 15K , I think.

[bmgmd]

how about looking outside of NYC, like jersey or conneticut? gotta be cheaper than manhattan...

brake pads are easy; you can do it at your parking space.

[caliber60]

Valve adjustment alone is $500 in Los Angeles from independent Porsche shop. Honestly, it should be called valve checking. Not adjutment. Usually I only found 2 valves that a little out of spec that needs adjustment.

[john walker's workshop]

a late 89 to 94 service with valve adjust will be in the $1000 to $1200 range.

[Mookster]

The valve job alone is in the neighborhood of $400-500 plus the gasket kit.

As others have suggested, do the rotor, cap and plugs yourself. This can be done in a parking stall with little difficulty.

You mentioned you live in an apartment/condo/townhouse. If you don't have the tools..jack, jack stands...pay someone else to do the repairs you cannot do.... or meet some people in your neighborhood and see if other board members can assist.

My suggestion for a tune up is

1. Change all the fluids, oil, trans, and brake fluid. This is a must!
2. Replace plugs, cap and rotor
3. Put a sniffer up the pipe and be sure O2 levels are correct (not sure if you vehicle requires this).
4. Valve adjustment if the records do not show when last completed.
5. Brake pads if needed
6. 4 wheel alignment

Get yourself a good base line and enjoy the ride.

Owning the car is just the entry fee....

[BeyGon]

My 45K mile valve adjustment for my 89, oil change, tune up, new plugs and filters, air and gas etc. $600 in Dana Point Ca.
I didn't know if it was low or high but the guy seemed good.

[Hugh R]

Don't know 964's, but my neighbor has an 84 coupe, I have an 84 Targa, and he pays $900 for plugs, all filters, oil and valve adjustment, he may get a rotor and cap. He may get a clutch adj. But certainly not an ebrake adjust cause it still doesn't work. I did all of the above for about $100 with parts from pelican the first weekend I bought the car, and never having worked on or knowing squat about a pcar. It took all day, but in the end, it was good. I did have experience working on cars in general though.

[gduke]

I changed 12 plugs, 12 wire, 2 dist caps, and used all good Bosch stuff which cost about $1000 if I remember. The items aren't cheap.

Gary

[Flat Six, Inc.]

Yeah.....what John Walker said.........

[Wayne 962]

Zero dollars: http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne