Dealer or Independent Wrench

[cactusdtd]

'87 just crossed the 60K miles mark. In the esteemed opinion of Pelicans everywhere, is there any utility in taking the car into my local dealer for the 60K service or, considering the age of the car, am I just as well off using a reputable independent. If it matters, I don't anticipate selling the car for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the input

[kqw]

By all means...go to the dealer and get christened......

Seriously though....you have a few options:

1. DIY. it'll cost you approximately $200.00 - $300 total in parts because of the O2 sensor interval which added approx. $180.00.

2. An independent (reputable) should cost you approx: $700.00 because this is the interval where the O2 sensor should be replaced.

3. Go to the Dealer and hold your A$$

Regards

[scottb]

Don't bother going to a dealer. Most dealers these days don't have the "old timers" working there that know the difference between an SC and a Carrera. Find a good local wrench and develop a relationship with him. If in doubt, contact your local PCA chapter and ask for a referral.

On the subject of the O2 sensor...you can easily replace it yourself with a generic sensor. About $75 and some time to attach the connector from your old sensor.

[jorian]

Dealerships are for warranty work. DIY or go independant.

[Porschekid962]

I say independant. I am lucky being in socal with so many great shops around. I went to Rusnak the local dealer to ask a question about the WUR on my dads 78 engine and they had to call three other shops to get an answer. Sad stuff.

[aigel]

There is a reason people call them "Stealerships".

If you were to sell this after the service, I'd recommend the dealer. But if you stay with the car, find a good independant. I second that the local PCA will be the place to get a recommendation.

George

[Willem Fick]

Someone once told me that "good mechanics are good enough to be able to make money on their own, the mechanics you find at a dealer aren't..."

Skip the dealer!

[Victor]

It's old - speaking locally I don't think the Porsche dealership here would know what it is. Your neighborhood may vary.

Find a good independant by speaking to other people with old 911's at a regional club meet.

[asphaltgambler]

I would only look into independant shops, word of mouth reccomendation.

[cactusdtd]

Thanks all. As I figured. Found a shop where a few fellow PCA members take their cars. It is staffed by two Porsche mechanics that were trained at and worked for the local P-car dealership over 15 years ago.

[jtratza]

I don't entirely agree with the statement that the dealers don't have the experienced people. I know at least one dealer (Advatage in Houston on I-10) that has a mechanic whose been there since at least the late 1980's. And he's German too. I don't use the dealer since they are about $25/hour higher than the local shops plus the shop I use will think outside the box when making repairs and not immediatly reach for a Porsche part.

[Sunroof]

Hey Dan.
Your just a few hours from Atlanta if your considering a local independent for the 60K service. Let me know if you want a list of guys who would provide excellent work down here.

The comments about the dealers are pretty accurate. The wrenches these days are younger and trained on the new cars that are over engineered with electrical gadgets that makes the Apollo space capsule simple!

Most if not all the shops here are operated by the older and experienced folk who were dealer trained and went off on their own. Personnally, I only use the dealer for rare parts, t-shirts, key fobs and that free coke.

Look at the 60K list and certainly you can do 30% - 50% of all that is required. Use a Jiffy Lube type facility to change out the tranny fluid (these guys love that stuff). They will only charge a few bucks if you bring in the fluid (Swepco of course), transfer pump (Pep Boys - cheap) and 17mm allen wrench. Lube you own hinges, replace your own wiper blades, change your own plugs, oil and filters. Assess what you can do and the independents will fill in the rest for a decent savings........................

Regards
Bob
73.5T

[juanbenae]

Originally posted by scottb
If in doubt, contact your local PCA chapter and ask for a referral.

very sound advice.

[cactusdtd]

Sunroof,

Thanks for the advice....just shot you a PM