[ReidMcT]

Rather than pay dealer prices, I got my neighbouring garage (owner has a 993) to do the four-year service. They got it all done except for the spark plugs, which they and I have learned require a special socket. Others have run into this (here is a thread about it in here somewhere). I bit the bullet and went to the dealer. Total of $871.86 which includes $210.36 for the six plugs. Glad that doesn't need to be done too often.

I also wanted them to look at the seat heating module, which stopped working. They found a connector wasn't connected. Guess who was responsible after installing the short shifter? Duh, I should have looked. $189 would have bought a nice bottle of Scotch for Christmas. Such is life.

$661.50 labor to change the plugs?!?!

 

[ReidMcT]

I bought the socket and wobble extension (free shipping) for $98.50 - so I'm ready for the 4 year service for the spark plugs when the time comes around (2 years, months left to go)

the socket isn't magnetic, but has a steel spring insert to grip the plug

Haus of Tools was the place I used (prior threads on forum had the links)

You overpaid by about $80. The link @RobertM provides is what's needed - a 14mm thin-wall wobble socket.

 

[ReidMcT]

3 1/2 hours. Ridiculous for someone apparently trained. I am going to send a note to the service manager to ask if this is typical.

Ridiculous indeed. I'd think even the flat rate book wouldn't be more than 2 1/2 hours.

Edit: This really rankles me. Unless there was an aftermarket mod blocking access, wouldn't it realistically take a little more than an hour in a normally equipped commercial shop? Maybe add 15 minutes for paperwork, and 15 minutes slack. Two hours, tops?

Even doing it for the first time, working with a floor jack, and taking time to figure out which combination of extensions and u-joints to use for each plug, it still shouldn't be more than 2 hours if nothing goes wrong.

I've only done 4-cylinder 718 plugs; and it looks like a 6-cylinder would not be more difficult; but more time with two more coils/boots to pull (and dust) and two more plugs to R&R.

Would love to hear from someone who's done the plugs on a 6.

I'd guess the service manager you speak to will just say, 'we go by the book.' I think it's an unfortunate reality that many shops are motivated to charge the flat rate time without necessarily spending that much time performing all of the work upon which the flat rate is predicated.

 

[ReidMcT]

FWIW I went to an Indy shop near me and was quoted $500 for a plug swap on my GTS 4.0. 2hrs of labor.

I've DIYd all the services on my 718 so far and all (including plugs) on my 981 GTS so I never really let shops touch my car but this seems like a good exception. I hated doing the plugs on the 981 and it took several hours of fidgeting with extensions and wobble sockets.

Given its $100+shipping for the Porsche socket + $100+shipping for the plugs I'd be $200 in for just for the parts to do it myself.

Paying 2hrs of labor at $150/hr seems a very fair trade at the moment.

Don't kid yourself.

Amazon sells the right wobble socket for $17. And Porsche plugs are $108 at Suncoast.
[Edited to remove unreliable info]

Spark Plug Set

Check out the deal on Spark Plug Set at Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories

www.suncoastparts.com

Sounds like the shop charged $200 for 6 plugs, plus $300 labor? I'd say that's not bad for an indy shop. But it's also much more than DIY.

 

[ReidMcT]

So it’s confirmed that this socket works for the GTS 4.0?

I guess that depends on your standards for confirmation. See post #30 below.

EDIT: NO, it is far from confirmed at this writing. Closer to being confirmed NOT to work for the 4.0 L engine.