Mechanics !@#%^

[marcviln]

OK I admit I'm a n00b (though a lifelong admirer of Porsche), having just bought a used '99 Boxster. And I'm WAY out of my depth mechanically speaking (what can I say? I admire Porsche design and love driving). And I know that these things aren't a bargain to own. And I realize that 10-yr old cars have issues, even great ones. But I just got a repair estimate that took my breath away.

Here's a breakdown:

bad valves - $462

ONE O2 sensor - $371 (or FOUR for $1380)

O-rings on spark plug tubes - $686

front brake pads and rotors (incl. flushing brake fluids) - $790

serp belt (wasn't replaced at 60K as it should've been) - $251

H20 pump - $865

Including diagnostic service, cleaning the motor (because of the oil leak around the plugs) and cleaning the cowling around the top (where a bunch of debris had, unbeknownst to me, accumulated), I'm going to be out in the neighborhood of $3700. I have nobody to blame really because I thought if I inspected the previous (and only) owner's maintenance records, I could avoid having to take it to a mechanic for a more thorough review (and of course I was afraid a good deal would get away). So chalk one up for all those people that say, "ALWAYS GET THE CAR INSPECTED BEFORE YOU BUY IT."

I guess what I'm asking here is: Are these charges reasonable (or expected) for a indy mechanic specializing in high perf vehicles? Or should I look elsewhere for pro help? I shudder to think what would've happened if I'd gone to the dealer!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to share. It may be time for yours truly to become more mechanically inclined.

[txhokie4life]

OK I admit I'm a n00b (though a lifelong admirer of Porsche), having just bought a used '99 Boxster. And I'm WAY out of my depth mechanically speaking (what can I say? I admire Porsche design and love driving). And I know that these things aren't a bargain to own. And I realize that 10-yr old cars have issues, even great ones. But I just got a repair estimate that took my breath away.

Here's a breakdown:

bad valves - $462

ONE O2 sensor - $371 (or FOUR for $1380)

O-rings on spark plug tubes - $686

front brake pads and rotors (incl. flushing brake fluids) - $790

serp belt (wasn't replaced at 60K as it should've been) - $251

H20 pump - $865

Including diagnostic service, cleaning the motor (because of the oil leak around the plugs) and cleaning the cowling around the top (where a bunch of debris had, unbeknownst to me, accumulated), I'm going to be out in the neighborhood of $3700. I have nobody to blame really because I thought if I inspected the previous (and only) owner's maintenance records, I could avoid having to take it to a mechanic for a more thorough review (and of course I was afraid a good deal would get away). So chalk one up for all those people that say, "ALWAYS GET THE CAR INSPECTED BEFORE YOU BUY IT."

I guess what I'm asking here is: Are these charges reasonable (or expected) for a indy mechanic specializing in high perf vehicles? Or should I look elsewhere for pro help? I shudder to think what would've happened if I'd gone to the dealer!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to share. It may be time for yours truly to become more mechanically inclined.

Order your parts from Sunset and save a ton on the parts and then

see if you can find a good Indie -- I work with a mechanic here that would be able to do a complete engine rebuild (not counting parts) for way less than that!

If you were in Texas -- I would hook you guys up!

mike

[JeTexas]

Aside from the valve work, none of that stuff is hard. Most of the cost is labor, so if you want to take a stab at trying some of it yourself, you can really save a ton.

You can get a set of Mintex pads and rotors and wear sensors for around $300 on ebay. There's great DIY instructions here. Changing them out doesn't require you to mess with the fluid, but I suggest after you change them, have it flushed by a brake shop because old fluid causes breakdown of the seals in your calipers.

A rebuilt waterpump with a lifetime warranty is $150 at NAPA. It takes a couple hours to disassemble and reassemble things to get to it, but again, it's not hard. It just bolts up.

O2 sensors are incredibly easy to change out.

The serpentine belt is easy to change out.

I really think you should search the DIY section to see if you want to attempt some of this because it would save you a ton of money.

Generally shops have set labor hours for each task, so it all comes down to what the labor rate is at the shop. Porsche dealerships are usually on the high-end at about $150/hour while some independent shops may be as low as $70/hour.

[bmohr]

not sure how much time you have, but I stress you sort some of these things out yourself with the help of a few DIY writeups found on this forum. I don't want to sound critical of your INDY on his pricing, but several of those repairs/maintenance can be done by the in experienced joe with a bit of direction, courage and basic tools. Give it a go.

1. Do NOT let someone else change your polyrib belt for 250 bucks. Please don't do that. It will take you 10 minutes and cost you 60 bucks or less.

2. If you have or buy a lift and you can easily replace your brake pads and even rotors fairly easy. At least, the very least tackle the pads, but if you've gone that far the rotors aren't much more of a stretch to replace. (do you even notice "thumpiness" when braking?).

3. O rings on spark plug tubes - check out the Sparky Plug Change out DIY. A bit more advanced but still very doable.

4. Exellent Waterpump replace DIY write up here. Search, you can do this.

5. Bad valves and brake flushing you might want to let him tackle. These cars are Mr. Potato Heads. Components are easy to swap out with all the expert advice and great techincal DIY write ups you will have access here. Search and ask questions and you will be amazed and proud of what you can do....and save an unbelievable amount of money. Just don't be paranoid you will break your car. Courage, you can do it!

Edited June 3, 2009 by bmohr

[marcviln]

Thanks guys for your incredibly quick responses! I should stress that I may have mis-spoken -- the mechanic is a reputable shop (I assume so anyway) in the Northern VA area that locals will have heard of and some on these boards have even recommended (I just don't think it's fair to name them since I'm just trying to get a sense of what is what).

I also appreciate your thoughts about DIY -- I guess it's time to start gettin' my paws dirty. I will start reading the DIY section, which seems to be quite rich.

Again, I thank you for your replies.

Best,

Marcviln

[JP Rodkey]

You've already got sound advice. For those of us who do virtually all of our own work, those prices are indeed head-twisters, and a big reason we do our own work. That "bad valve" figure of $462 does not seem realistic to me. These engines are unique and major repair (I consider valves a major repair) tend to be quite costly. Assuming the head(s) have to be removed, I would bet the final bill for valve work alone would easily be in the $1000's range.

[phillipj]

Agree with all of the posters. Learn to work on your own car and you will be a happy Porsche owner. I started out with a simple project at first and work your way up. The tools needed on these cars is minimal for most jobs.

If I have a job that absolutely needs a lift I have a mechanic in town He will let me bring my own parts and charge me minimal labor charge.

You can do all your own service and save a ton of cash. :lol:

Water pumps, Alternators, Radiators , AOS, starter are very inexpensive parts (not purchased from the dealer) but will cost you a fortune if you have your mechanic do the work. All of these are all relatively easy DIY's. There are great step by step instructions on this site. In most cases you can probably find someone from the forum in your area to even help you do the job the first time.

Once you do one project you will be eager to tackle the next one. :clapping:

Welcome and please change your own belt next time!!!!! (that pains me.)

:welcome:

Bmohr, I love the "Mr. Potato Head" analogy!! :lol:

Edited June 3, 2009 by phillipj

[JeTexas]

I wonder if the bad valves are actually the secondary air/EGR valves. If they are, those parts are very easy to change out as well.

[Glyn]

Get a second opinion on the required work.

Cant believe valve work is relating to the inlet/exhaust valves as this would cost considerably more than the price stated.

All the work descibed though is dead easy, Disks and Pads are a doddle and quite cheap to do all four corners - wheel nuts off, two bolts that hold the brake calipers and two screws that hold the disk on - simple as that.

Spark plug tubes - just take the plugs out and pull out the tubes - new O rings and tubes and push in - not quite so easy as its a bit fiddly but a reasonable DIYer or home mechanic could do this job.

The Serp belt - well a complete novice could change this part, Inspection panel behind the seats off (just a few 10mm nuts) and the belt is there to be seen, loosen the tensioner - fit belt - re-tension - job done

And whilst the belt is to be fitted - inside this same panel is the water pump.

If your not mechanically minded dont give it a go yourself but in all honesty you dont need a Porsche specialist to do any of these jobs - If you have a trusted mechanic in any garage then get them to do it - you get the parts and take them along - All these jobs together will take less than a day and cost you a fraction of what youve been quoted - You really can save a packet on this job even if you give your mechanic a big tip (total under 1000)

Edited June 3, 2009 by Glyn

[blundgren77]

OK I admit I'm a n00b (though a lifelong admirer of Porsche), having just bought a used '99 Boxster. And I'm WAY out of my depth mechanically speaking (what can I say? I admire Porsche design and love driving). And I know that these things aren't a bargain to own. And I realize that 10-yr old cars have issues, even great ones. But I just got a repair estimate that took my breath away.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to share. It may be time for yours truly to become more mechanically inclined.

I too bought a 2001 Boxster a little less than a month ago. To date, I've changed radiator caps, plugs and tubes, flushed the brakes, oil change, swapped the cig lighter, and replaced a pasenger side seat belt buckle to fix the airbag light. Each of them addressing something I noticed was wrong (and found the answers here) or just wanted to check off the maintenance list. By trade I'm a computer engineer and not all that mechanical, but grew up around my Dad always working on our cars. I have always changed my own oil and done basic maintenance, but I'm not about to attempt an engine rebuild or something very complicated that involves a lot of dissembly.

But, thanks to the fine folks here, along with the Bentley service manual that you can pick up from Amazon or any good book outlet, I found everything I needed to do the entire list of projects above.

For the prices you're looking at, you could pick up the parts, a durametric, a complete set of tools to do the work, and a 6 pack of your favorite frosty beverage, and still have cash left over, if you're willing to give it a try. :)

To give you an idea.... a good socket set, sparkplug socket, an old boat drain plug, and your time, along with 6 to 7 bucks each for the spark plug tubes and o-rings, and you can change them in your driveway. Check out suncoastparts.com or some of the other sites mentioned here for parts, and you'll save a bundle! Not to mention by working on my own, researching here and asking questions, I've learned a ton and appreciate the car and engineering that went into it that much more.

Good luck!

[txhokie4life]

For the prices you're looking at, you could pick up the parts, a durametric, a complete set of tools to do the work, and a 6 pack of your favorite frosty beverage, and still have cash left over, if you're willing to give it a try. :)

I recommend the six pack before the repair -- that way your sober enough after the repair to jump right in

and start driving your beauty! (that an you won't notice the scrapes on the knuckles quite so much :-)

m

[Glyn]

Blundgren77 - now thats the sort of spirit we need on here - get stuck in and dont be afraid

[jmatta]

My feeling is don't be afraid to work on the car yourself...worst that happens is you screw it up and then take it to someone for repair.

Better yet, ask around and see if there is someone near by that can lend you a hand...lots of folks enjoy wrenching cars on an afternoon. My friend has two lifts and has shown me how to do projects I never would have tackled on my own (pulling the 911 engine, swapping trannys and installing coilovers, just to name a few projects).