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981 Boxster S - 6 year service - replace brake discs/pads and spark plugs?

E

elliotw

New member
An OPC has just done a 6 year service of my 981 Boxster S. Much more expensive than the 2 and 4 year service I may add! The car has done 26.5k miles.

A few things they identified that not sure if they needed doing:
  1. Front brake discs (and pads and sensors). They say the thickness of the front brake discs is 25.8mm and this is below the minimum thickness limit of 26mm.
  2. Rear brake discs (and pads and sensors). They say the thickness of the rear brake discs is 18.2mm which is 0.2mm before maximum wear.
  3. Change of spark plugs. Apparently I should have had it at the 4 year service but I turned this down.
Should I go ahead with this work? Each of the 3 above is quite expensive and I'm a little surprised the brake discs need to be changed - especially the rears given the mileage and the fact I don't use the car for race days etc. Of course I will go ahead and do if necessary, but want to make sure it is sensible!
Incidentally the OPC also suggested a few other minor items that do not seem necessary and/or can be done much cheaper elsewhere (e.g. air conditioning service even though it blows pretty cool air, clearing radiator vents).

Thanks for your advice!

E
 
Clearing the Radiators/Condensors is an absolute MUST
If it where my car I would do it every 2 years - especially on low mileage - Guess they would quote 2 hours shoul;d ave new Condensors and Radiators. Leaves and debret get in there and destroy the Radiators/Condensores

If you don't race or drive hard a lot I think the Discs would last another 2 years. (Maybe 8k miles)

Plugs at 25 k Really !!

The problem is they have to cover themselves and also keep that expensive showroom and staff running

Your car is 6 years old ??

Of course you should do everything they say but I doubt its necessary

I did ALL you have said on my 997.1. Discs and Pads Brembo 240.00 ALL 4 WHEELS, New Condensors 190.00 PLugs I think where about 80 (Look for the 50% on Euros offers
ALL from Eurocar parts and all original manufacturer just dont have a Porsche Part no, or price. Fitted them myself

Discs and pads a mornings work, Condensers an afternoons work and if you can get the car up in the air Plugs 2 hours



Presume PDC are talking around 2.5 k!!

I love Porsche centrs and if you get one that tells you what you really need they are great. The problem is that they assume you can afford anything.

REgards

 
My thinking would be get them done. Do you have an extended warranty through Porsche on the car? If not it would make sense (to me) to consider using a specialist for the work. Get quotes from both?
 
Thanks both, really helpful.

I have an extended Porsche warranty until September 2019.

Here's the full list of what the OPC said needed doing (other than what was covered by my extended warranty and the service price) - in bold my comments:
  1. Spark plugs overdue. Vehicle has missed the 4 year mark to replace spark plugs as it wasn't carried out on last service. Recommend replacement today : £465.26 Sounds like I can skip this?
  2. Radiator vents require clearing out due to a build-up of debris : £70.20 Presumably quite easy for me to do this myself?
  3. Front wipers smearing, Recommend replacement : £102.72 Easy to buy and install myself!
  4. Tyre sealant has expired, recommend replacing : £59.00 Don't see why this is worth it?
  5. Air conditioning service is due on this service, due every 2 years as per the Porsche handbook: £216.00 Can get at Kwik Fit for about £50, but again, the air is coming out cold so not necessary?
  6. Front brake discs are below the minimum thickness, recommend replacing front brake pads and discs : £1040.24 Think probably get this done, but independently.
  7. Rear brake discs are 0.2mm above the maximum wear limit, recommend replacing rear brake pads and discs : £937.67 Think I will skip this.
Let me know if you agree?

Thanks again
 
Maybe I’ll sell before 6 yr service then if it’s much more than the 4 yr service as that was £3500!!
i had done all they recommended and always do but I’m thinking of going Indy again after the last one
 
elliotw said:
Thanks both, really helpful.

I have an extended Porsche warranty until September 2019.

Here's the full list of what the OPC said needed doing (other than what was covered by my extended warranty and the service price) - in bold my comments:
  1. Spark plugs overdue. Vehicle has missed the 4 year mark to replace spark plugs as it wasn't carried out on last service. Recommend replacement today : £465.26 Sounds like I can skip this? [FONT=arial black,avant garde"]£165 from my local Specialist.[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
  2. Radiator vents require clearing out due to a build-up of debris : £70.20 Presumably quite easy for me to do this myself?
  3. Front wipers smearing, Recommend replacement : £102.72 [FONT=arial black,avant garde"]Easy to buy and install yourself! Got mine GSF about £50.[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
  4. Tyre sealant has expired, recommend replacing : £59.00 Don't see why this is worth it? [FONT=arial black,avant garde"]Try here : http://www.airman-uk.com/...nt/450ml-valve-through[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
  5. Air conditioning service is due on this service, due every 2 years as per the Porsche handbook: £216.00 Can get at Kwik Fit for about £50, but again, the air is coming out cold so not necessary?
  6. Front brake discs are below the minimum thickness, recommend replacing front brake pads and discs : £1040.24 Think probably get this done, but independently. [FONT=arial black,avant garde"]Easy to do yourself, Try here : https://type911shop.co.uk...ries/Shop/10/1692/1703[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
  7. Rear brake discs are 0.2mm above the maximum wear limit, recommend replacing rear brake pads and discs : £937.67 Think I will skip this. [FONT=arial black,avant garde"]See above[FONT=verdana,geneva"]
Let me know if you agree?

Thanks again
Click to expand...


See my highlighted italic comments above.
 
£465.26 for a spark plug change!!

My OPC quoted me:
Spark plug change - £241.28inc VAT This is the PCGB price.
 
I would get the plugs done by a specialist.
Then get the specialist to give you a second opinion on your discs.
However if you are wanting to extend your warranty you may have to get the plugs done opc and you will need everything else replaced with oem stuff but a specialist could fit.
 
The issue with the spark plugs it not so much that the plugs themselves might need changing but more that fact if they are left in place too long they can seize in and then sheer off when trying to be removed and should that happen then its mega-bucks to fix.
I had a 987.2 before my 981 S, which I owned for 15 months and looked into replacing the plugs myself and for a competent DIY mechanic it is not a difficult job as you might think providing they do come out.

A few months ago I replaced the AC condensers on my 981 as one had failed, parts from Euro Car Parts on one of there weekend deals (my 981 is still under warranty from purchase but I assumed the ac condensers would be excluded).
Total price for job including re-gas was less than £300, I suspect OPC would charge more than £1000.

I suppose it depends on whether you intend to extend your Porsche warranty from Sept 2019 with Porsche in which case all parts must be OE quality and documented who fitted them, as in an indy specialist if not OPC.

The brake discs have only just reached their limit so I would think they could be put off for a while but what condition are the pads in?
I understand that it is the inner faces of the discs that rust & wear quicker than the outers unseen, unless you do actually do some severe braking every now and then to scrub the faces up.

Disc & pad replacement is not a difficult job but if you are not a DIY mechanic then you have to entrust the job to someone who knows what they are doing and then its personal choice as to what you are prepared to pay for that service.

I would like to know what they actually do for an ac service for £200.
 
I paid £500 plus (twice) for a full service including plug changes at an indy

OEM brake disks and Pagid pads were £230 front AND back from Design 911 plus labour from a local specialist to fit so I reckon you should be able to do both for say £600. Not £2000

I've changed the condensers on my car (parts again from Design 911) and had Kwik Fit drain and recharge the system
 
elliotw said:
An OPC has just done a 6 year service of my 981 Boxster S. Much more expensive than the 2 and 4 year service I may add! The car has done 26.5k miles.

A few things they identified that not sure if they needed doing:
  1. Front brake discs (and pads and sensors). They say the thickness of the front brake discs is 25.8mm and this is below the minimum thickness limit of 26mm.
  2. Rear brake discs (and pads and sensors). They say the thickness of the rear brake discs is 18.2mm which is 0.2mm before maximum wear.
  3. Change of spark plugs. Apparently I should have had it at the 4 year service but I turned this down.
Should I go ahead with this work? Each of the 3 above is quite expensive and I'm a little surprised the brake discs need to be changed - especially the rears given the mileage and the fact I don't use the car for race days etc. Of course I will go ahead and do if necessary, but want to make sure it is sensible!
Incidentally the OPC also suggested a few other minor items that do not seem necessary and/or can be done much cheaper elsewhere (e.g. air conditioning service even though it blows pretty cool air, clearing radiator vents).

Thanks for your advice!

E
Click to expand...


I see cars classed in tiers, if you missed the services at the right times it’s now a 2nd tier car , also at 6 years you need the belts Doing also.

rear disks wear now days due to PTV sadly.

the cars hold value so well and it’s only a service every two years, seems a shame to limit its value and resale going forward.
 
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