Dead battery, new alternator, $2700

[DaveBerry]

So I am out on Friday, a day off for me, doing some shopping. When I start the 2000 Porsche Carrera 2 I notice all the dash lights on! WTF is this? So I stop and re-start the car 2 times. The lights remain on. Crap!!!! So I decide to drive by Momentum Porsche to see what they say/recommend. When I tell the story to the Service Tech, he says, sounds like a dead battery or bad alternator...... The car will not start for him. OK, that is fine, I know the battery is 5 years old, how much can a new battery cost? SHOCK: new Porsche battery = $450 installed, new Interstate battery installed for $350. I choose the $350 battery and go off to lick my wounds in the waiting area........Then the shoe drops! The new battery cannot hold a charge because the alternator is bad. The replacement costs $2300 installed, OH, don't forget the $350 for the new battery. Drive out price was $2700 and change....
Why does it cost so much to replace the battery and why is a new alternator $1700?
Maybe I could save some money by owning a Ferrari instead of a Porsche?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by DaveBerry

... Then the shoe drops! The new battery cannot hold a charge because the alternator is bad. ...

What is the time lapse?

They put a new battery in and 5 minutes later they tell you that it can not hold the charge!!!

[DaveBerry]

Well.... The service Tech said that when they replaced the battery, the car would run for 5 minutes then die because of the bad alternator. He said they tried to recharge the old battery but it would not hold a charge. Thus the need for both a new battery and new alternator.

[djantlive]

someone else was charged that much at a dealer. he later found out the parts of a Bosch alternator was only $350-400 instead of $1200.

if you had went to an indept and brougt your own parts, you could have save $800 i suppose. but you never expected that. it's one of those things. at least u have a 2 yr warranty from the dealer.

btw, a battery from walmart is only $70. go there next time. if you want it installed, sears die hard gold with 3 yr full replacement battery installed is about $150.

[DaveBerry]

I see Pelican parts selling alternators for $500-$600 rebuilt.
I am sure I have purchased a Porsche alternator, meaning it is $1000 more than any other replacement.
As for replacing the battery, I also know that Porsche does more than just replace it, but why so much?
And why $100 more for a Porsche brand vs Interstate brand? OH, never mind, I just answered that question!

[bell]

I have seen numerous occasions where the actual problem is the engine battery cable, more so on 997s than 996s....but have seen a few......
keep your eye on the charging system, the dealer knows of this issue.....

I'm apprised they said dead battery first without checking the charging system....surely it would've shown the alternator not charging....

[DaveBerry]

Well.... with the 911 sitting in their service drive not able to start, it seems reasonable to first replace the battery. When the car was not able to continue running, I am pretty sure they figured out the alternator was the problem.
I am just shocked at how much it all costs!

[KNS]

The Porsche dealer alternator was most likely a Bosch alternator. As stated above you'll easily find a Bosch rebuilt for much less.

Your car is long out of warranty - stop going to the dealer and you'll save a lot of money.