I did my research ahead of time when investigating cost of ownership, and I knew what to expect. My dealership actually publishes a pamphlet that outlines expected service and the exact cost of each one. And they do this for each model.

I have also received nothing short of exemplary service at my dealership. Additionally, the service for a Macan for most folks is only going to happen about once per year. And I get a loaner for every service, even something as small as a routine oil, filter, lube service.

I am not disappointed.

 

Of course you are not the first forum member to complain about the cost of routine maintenance.

No reason to pay dealer prices as you pointed out...except you don't get the free Porsche loaner car

 

I continue to be amazed by the number of people that seem to have overlooked the cost of ownership of these vehicles. It astounds me that they're actually surprised when confronted with the cost of servicing their Porsche.

I reckon that, if they don't like it, they should sell their Porsche and buy a Toyota.

 

What's "Oil Express"? Something like Jiffy Lube? No way would I let them touch any car worth more then 10K...

 

Yeah, I have also read some of the threads about service. You are right, things like oil changes or brake flush should not cost nearly $700. I asked my sales guy last week and I think he said 10k service was about $250. If I remember correctly, the big one comes at 40k and I believe he said $1400 for that one. That is what I spent for the 100k service on my Tahoe.

 

I wonder what others have experienced in this matter.

Going to cost you the same when the car is worth $10K too in a few years. In fact, its going to get worse. Macan arrived in May 2014. About 2019 the tire sensors will go. Wait until you get that bill. Maybe $800 or so with valves & labor. Here you go, do it yourself Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories: Maintenance Schedule Kits. As long as you don't care about campaigns, no need for PIWIS either.

I'm not making light of this. Whether someone buys a base Macan and pays $49,000 or a 911 Turbo S at $220,000, labor is labor and costs the same. Thats the price of entry.

 

I don't know where OP lives, but I guess competition plays a big role here.

In SF Bay Area there are probably 10 Porsche dealers. I had my first oil change done for $140 at a local dealer, and got another offer for next oil change for $180. So it's not too bad. Oh, I also got a free Boxster loaner too, which I drove the helll out of it.

Brake fluid flush can be done at any good shop, or you can do DIY.

 

Prepaid to 50K $3325, locked in, it's not great but it's not horrible either. I have a good indy but imo and from my point of view and in particular in these next few years where we really start to learn about the durability of this offering I want it serviced by those who really know the vehicle. But the truth is my dealer is always sending me coupons and incentivising me to have service done there so I will likely carry on there after the prepaid. Plus it's conditioning, for the Carrera.

 

Having multiple Porsche dealers in an area definitely drives down prices. However, I have noticed that most Porsche dealers have posted hourly labour rates. Their master mechanics are trained in Germany and I'm sure their regular mechanics earn a little more than the average one. While an oil change should not cost hundreds of dollars most Porsche dealerships charge what they do because they can. They know their clientele and the average income of that clientele. The Macan has definitely raised the amount of complaints on this issue given the price of entry.

 

Their master mechanics are trained in Germany

I'm curious where you came across this information.

 

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone with a computer and access to Google.

German cars are expensive to maintain.

However, my experience is that I have paid more over the life cycle for cheaper, less reliable cars. Limited sampling to be sure, but not hard for me to justify.

 

Agree. My Touareg TDI service was not cheap. $189 for oil change and other service intervals approach $750.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

"Price of entry" is making excuses for crooks. I wonder how many people in this camp inherited all their money. The rest of us didn't get to afford a Porsche by getting the worst end of it. The numbers posted by the OP are outrageous for any marque. Unfortunately for him, he's stuck unless he can find a good indie or is willing to drive far for service out of spite.

The market rate (not considering coupons or PCA discounts) seems to be around $200 for the minor services and $400-450 for the bigger ones, which isn't that bad considering the Porsche loaners.

If I were the OP I'd sit down with the GM of the dealer and say listen man, I get that you can get that number from some people and good for you but you're only getting my business if it's $X. You want it or not? Very, very high chance the answer is "yes, but keep your mouth shut & come see me when you're ready to upgrade to a 911." Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

"Price of entry" is making excuses for crooks. I wonder how many people in this camp inherited all their money. The rest of us didn't get to afford a Porsche by getting the worst end of it.

There is nothing new here and the OP noted that. Its as old as the marque. Its just being rehashed because of new group of buyers into the marque. I don't know anyone, literally anyone, who says "Wow, I just love going to the dealer and paying their prices", but it is the price of entry "if you use the dealer". That's your choice.

I used to build ramps and use them in communal parking, drive up them, and change my oil in the street. Today people have lifts installed in their garage. Anyone is free to do the maintenance themselves. Try to do that for a 911. You have to take the back end off. It's not 1965 anymore nor 1985. Everything is computerized. All the campaigns are logged in Stuttgart. Data is sent back and forth on your vehicle. And pricing is value based pricing. Anyone is free to use an indy that has leased PIWIS (I don't think you can buy it). Or you can take your chances with that 20 year old at Jiffy Oil Change or you can buy the parts try to do the simple stuff yourself. Go to a PCA Tech session. They teach this kind of stuff. Your very lucky as you are near PCA hq and have a nationally recognized premier indy near you. Maybe they will take Macans.

There is nothing in the warranty that says you have to use a dealer. This is a new thing, maybe because of leasing or people bought "maintenance" wrapped into the cost of the car (e.g., BMW). Besides being trained in the special tools and things being computerized, PCNA also has a hand in dealerships. They grade them, clipboard in hand, to ensure everything meets their standards, unlike Joe's Quick Porsche repair with his two employees renting a few bays. Any dealer who sold a Carrera GT or 918 needs to buy the equipment required to maintain them. Don't forget besides $48,000 Macans they also sell $1,000,000 918s. The equipment is so expensive that to make profits, they need to sell several of the halo cars. All this stuff adds up. But MM also protects consumers who are free to also go to Joe's Quick Lube and Mufflers too provided their level of service and parts meets Porsche standards.

 

My perspective on this is a little different from most people posting.

I'll *gladly* pay a few dollars for these scheduled services. it's the unscheduled problems I've had in my other cars that are expensive.

About $5500 to fix up my not-very-old Ford Explorer before I sold it. Transmission and AC were both crap. I made the mistake of selling it to my brother in law and IIRC he wound up with even more transmission repairs a few years later.

Similar story with my BMW X5. Some dots on displays on the dash started to flake out --- of course the entire dash needs to get replaced. Now there are missing dots on the radio display; I can still read it so I'll avoid fixing it. The alternator broke. Ok, so that happens, but did you know it is water cooled? That makes the repair a lot more expensive than it should be. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Compared to the cost of repairs for cars, the cost of service is truly insignificant.

 

Year 1 I found a dealer that was charging $199 for the first oil change (big promo during holiday season). About $400-$500 at other places.

This year for the 2 year, dealer prices ranged from $900-$1,200+. I found a reputable Indy about 40 miles away who quoted $435 for the WHOLE service (brake flush included). They said my cabin filter and brake fluid were so new, they didn't do those services (and they ran a test to confirm the condition of the fluid wasn't near replacement spec), so I only paid $230+ a few dollars in tax. I'm sure a dealer would've done the full service even though I didn't need two items serviced, thus I saved almost $1K (of course I'll likely have to do those two services next time, still at a far lower cost than dealer).

Couldn't be happier. In fact, as much as I love my dealers (have taken it to more than one) service bays and people, I even preferred the very individual treatment and ability to translate my OCD nuances to the owner himself at the Indy.

 

My wife and I also researched this ahead of time. At the time of purchase we negotiated a service package that includes all scheduled service over the 4 year warranty period. The package cost was 45% of the typical cost of 4 years of service if you were to pay out of pocket ( I believe we paid something like $2500). We just had our first service done a few months ago. Oil change was $480 taxes in (Canadian funds) plus $75 for routine inspection as per the service template. At the end of it all, the service advisor handed us the keys and we walked out--no money exchanged. Allegedly, the 2 year service is quite expensive (something in the order of $1500 Canadian). The package seems to be well worth it.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Carfax show the locations where you get your car serviced? I'm not sure it's beneficial for resale to have "Luby Joe's Oil Shack" listed there?

 

You don't need to be a master certified porsche tech or have a degree in rocket science to change your car(s) oil. Some of the dealers are probably using students from an automotive college to do the simple routine maintenence. Going to an independent shop I trust is the route that I would take.

 

What can possibly go wrong? https://youtu.be/fPy3Ue2gGSE?t=6s or https://youtu.be/nvpWGQbj7vQ

 

Also, it goes without saying that there's a huge difference between a Porsche specialist indie, and a generic oil shop. I would never take my car to anything less than a Porsche specialist, as those indies know the brand front and back. And if you get a good one, you aren't getting a spec less than what you get at a dealer, aside from the fancy building, coffee, water bottles, sugar treats and loaners.

 

While there's no question there are some repairs that should be directed to a dealer or specialist indy, I would point out that changing the oil in a Macan is no more difficult than a Ford Taurus. That being said I would not trust most fast lube places if I owned a Taurus

 

I don't like to overpay for things but then again, we all overpay for choosing a brand like Porsche. So I knew the cost of admission ahead of time as well. Would I like to pay less for maintenance on my Porsche ? Yep. Do I trust anyone with my Porsche besides a Porsche specialist? Nope . I'm sure there are good alternatives but I'm too dang busy ( ahem lazy) to find one.

Whatever works for you and keeps your vehicle in good shape is good.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

I would not quibble over a few hundred bucks for a Certified Porsche Mechanic to work on my Turbo. They changed the oil, updated the computer with current updates and did my State Inspection. Cost me about $275.00.

Thankfully our area Porsche Dealer is reasonable.

 

Is there a new software update out? I called my dealers before I took mine in and they said no new updates pulled up for my car (it's been over a year since they released one from what I know).

 

Sounds like some of us just didn't do all of our homework prior to our Porsche purchase. Cost of ownership should always be part of the equation.

And for all those who espouse the idea that this is the "price of admission" to be a part of the Porsche family, your local dealership will be sending you a gift basket.

 

Somehow the Porsche specialists in my local area are as expensive as the dealer.

I have the oil changes done at the dealer with free comprehensive inspection and whatever software updates needed. I do the cabin air filter and brake fluid flush (if needed) myself.

 

Porsche mechanics here are not trained in Germany. Every marque has special technician training, and any ASC Blue Seal mehanic is at least the equal to Porshe's. Damned if I am going to be ripped off if I can avoid it. I can spend the difference on my grandkids. I love my Macan, but I will not buy another Porsche and be some kind of cash cow.

 

I love and accept paying the Por$che tax at every opportunity.....said no one ever.