LA Area Cayenne Mechanic Recommendation

[RNajarian]

DISCLAIMER: I am NO WAY affiliated with TRE either financially or through relation.

My '05 Cayenne was due for its 40k service (odometer actually reads 36k) While the car was under warranty I would bite the bullet and take it to the dealer for service, but since she is 7 months out of warranty I thought I would check around this time.

The major service consists of oil change, new plugs, pollen filter, air filter, oil filter, and brake flush.

Dealer wanted $1,400
Independent shop #1 over $1,000
Independent shop #2 -supposedly Porsche experts- sounded like I was talking to Curly Howard- never got a complete answer

TRE Motorsports in Van Nuys - Half of what dealer wanted.
Job done quickly and professionally.

I've trusted TRE with my 944, 911 Cab, 911 Targa and now they get to service my 955

I know there are a lot of good Porsche Mechanics in the area but my recommendation for whatever it is worth is on TRE.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

We like to recommend TLG in North Hollywood as well - no affiliation, but both excellent shops.


-Dmitry

[MIK911]

How much, and what type of 'special' tools/diagnostics/equipment does an indy shop need to diagnose/repair a modern 2011 (Type 958) Cayenne?

Since these newer Porsches are so electronically integrated/computerized, it's not like tuning up a 80's Carrera.

Since my 2011 CPO Cayenne is now out of warranty, should I get it serviced by my 911 shop? or get gouged by Porsche Stealership?

[RNajarian]

Sorry for the late reply. . .

SHORT ANSWER - Get it serviced by a quality Local Independant Porsche Shop.

LONG ANSWER -
As with anything of value I would recommend you do a little research and ask questions of the wrench who is touching your car. If memory serves me correct in 2008 the US mandated that vehicles be compliant with the ISO CAN bus, prior to that it was the ODB2 system (starting around 1994).

I am no expert on the topic but I know Snap On sells the appropriate equipment to read the vehicles brain via the ISO/CAN system. The mechanic must subscribe to get updates. The subscriptions are ongoing, scan units cost about $4,000 and the updates cost $1,000 every six months (best estimate on the updates, (the price of the Snap on Solus Scanner is on their website). In addition, you must buy an ADDITIONAL software kit for speciality cars. The Snap On European software kit is $1,029. Not sure how often you need to upgrade that.

Speaking ONLY for a shop I am familiar with, TRE, I know they stay current on all the diagnostic software equipment they have, because in addition to wrenching cars as early as the 50's (which obviously had no computer interface) they wrench Modern Porsches many of which are still in warranty. The modern car needs the ISO hookup to do a brake job, something about telling the computer the vehicle has new brake pads. Bidirectional something or another.

https://www1.snapon.com/diagnostics/us/SOLUSEdge

Common sense tells me that a mechanic in Anytown USA who works on 20 Toyotas a day will subscribe to the basic SnapOn (or similar) diagnostic setup, the mechanic in Beverly Hills will get the additional subscriptions for the exotics.

So my recommendation is (after this long diatribe) a quality Independent Shop that regularly services modern Porsches will do as good a job as the dealer. I would steer clear of a shop that doesn't service Porsches regularly. Changing the oil in a Cayenne requires removing several protective panels, you don't want some kid barely out of high school to learn as he goes.

Regards