[Barryng]

I just paid for my Boxster yesterday and will take delivery at the Atlanta PEC a week from Wednesday. Of course, the financial guy had to go through all the extra cost warranties etc. that I invariably turn down. However, one caught my attention, the extended maintenance contract, and I would like to find out more about it before I commit to it. Also, they really pissed me off telling me I had to buy it before I take delivery of the car even though it will have no impact until the second required service, probably a year or more from now.


Unlike my BMWs (this is my first Porsche) only the first scheduled maintenance is covered in the price of the car. The dealer offers a $2,800 maintenance agreement that covers four years and four scheduled maintenance activities instead of paying out of pocket for each one. That averages out to $700 per maintenance activity and based on what I experienced over a lot of years I not only pay a lot less at reputable private shops for these services but private shops do not do as sloppy work as dealers tend to do. However, the dealer stated yesterday no matter how good a private shop is they cannot do software upgrades if any are available. This can be more than trivial importance as sometimes (as with my BMWs) they do software updates that more enhance or improve something rather than to just fix a problem. The dealer did state, over the course of 4 years, if I did not buy the service contract, I would pay 30% more for the same services.



So, what have others done with respect to buying a maintenance service contract when you buy the car new and where do you get your scheduled maintenance done (other than the first one covered by Porsche).

 

[ANGST]

Sounds like a bunch of BS , I would not do it.

I know the Ford plan covers stuff like brake pads , belts , rotors , wiper blades, and filters , does Porsche?

We bought the Ford plan for my wife’s Explorer sport , and they’ve done the accessory belt , rear brake pads and rotors , air and cabin filter , plus the oil changes and we maybe have barely broken even .

 

[ANGST]

Also , are you paying cash for that or rolled up in the financing? Consider that .

 

[Hilltop]

I got the maintenance plan last year when I got my car. I was not going to and told them no as I never had bought one for any other cars. I had signed the papers but not picked it up yet as I was having it ceramic coated . The dealer called and said at the end of the month they had a discount on the plan that made it attractive so I took it. I was going to go to the dealer where I bought the car anyways as they have an excellent reputation. You might ask about them going on sale before you dive away in it .

 

[Porsche2018]

You have to do what makes you comfortable but I have owned cars for over 40 years and have never purchased either a maintenance package or an extended warranty and I have never regretted it.

 

[718isPorsche#1]

Before I purchased my 718 June 2017 I asked one of there service writers about maintenance $. He said the 4 year service is about $2,000.

 

[misterllaneous]

Barryng I agree with ANGST. That's a load. Where are you in Florida?

 

[Swdea]

The maintenance plans are negotiable just like the price of the car. If you decide to buy one, make sure you negotiate and don't pay the list price.

 

[Barryng]

OK, thanks for the opinions.


I don't agree that the method of buying the maintenance package (financing/cash) influences this decision. It has to paid for one way or the other and I am just looking at its cost without financing as being absurd because financing is just going to increase its cost somewhat due to interest etc.


I have one call to make to a local mechanic that is highly thought of by the local PCA group but I expect, as always, I will not buy it.


misterllaneous, I am in Jensen Beach (Treasure Coast). Where are you?

 

[misterllaneous]

Barryng, I am in based in Miami. I have been around the Florida PCA and races for a number of years now. There are several very reputable shops around FL that offer quality service at a much lower price than the dealerships. These guys below have been in the Porsche shop business for many many years and have developed excellent reputations.
I just did an H&R spring swap on my GTS at Ansa and they went as far as measuring rotor and brake pad thickness, thread depth (to name a couple) for the purpose of their records. Next time I am in, they can measure wear and predict longevity based on my use and track days. They go the extra mile in making sure everything is done right.

I would recommend you call/visit one or all of them to see what you like the most. Good luck.

Ansa Motorsports
305-760-2966
805 NW 159TH DRIVE,
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA
(Alain Nadal)

KMW Motorsports
1800 NW 1st Ave
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone561) 392-3020
(Kevin Wheeler)

ZOTZ RACING INC.
6625 Edgewater Drive, Unit A
Orlando, Florida 32810
(Ron Zitza)

 

[Barryng]

Thanks for the references.



Curious why the frown symbol with KMW? They would actually be the one I would call as they are the closest at only 65 miles away.

 

[Third]

Because it's a mid-engine car, basic service is more involved on these than most. That might address at least part of the reason the cost of maintenance is higher than one would generally expect. Also, if you haven't already, consider the probability you will own the car for longer than four years in order to take full advantage of prepaying. I would like to think I'll have mine for at least four years, but you never know. For that reason I passed on the four year prepaid plan, but I did prepay for the 2nd year service at a 25% savings to the service department's quote for the same that day.

I assume the $2800 you were quoted only covers the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year service. Three services, not four, since as you mentioned the first service is included in the price of the car. At the same time, if I'm not mistaken, the 2nd and 4th year services (and every 2 and 4 years after) are more comprehensive than the 1st, 3rd, and so on which are more along the lines of an oil change. That is to say, I think you can expect even year services to be more expensive than odd. (The even year services differ in cost from one another as well, with the four quoted approx. twice the two.)

 

[misterllaneous]

It was actually a cut and paste error. Parentheses was interpreted as an emoticon. All these guys are top notch.