Okay, I got sucker punched by my local dealer Paul Miller. First visit with the Turbo I had the car in to have a failed sensor repaired under warranty. I took the call from them while in a meeting, and asked if I wanted to have the oil changed. I knew she was due, so I said yes, thinking how much could fifteen minute work be. Afterall, the turbo is the easiest car I have every owned for oil changes. No bellpans, etc. Couple of hours later I get the word my car is ready, and the Total is $462! First reaction was they were charging me for the repair, but no it was only for the Oil Change.
Me: "How it could be 462 for all of 15 minutes work.
Dealer "Well, the Oil is over $100 by itself".
Me: Then what was the other $300 for? Is your labor rate $1200 per hour?"
Dealer "Well its a Turbo so it costs more."

The bill itself doesn't list time, only a code CP250, for $250 in labor, but $150 in parts.
So the morale of the story is ask first, and realize there are dealers out there which charge not because of the time/effort for the work, but because they think they can charge whatever they can get away with.
Hope this post will be a warning to other owners to be careful!

I've posted this in a couple of forums, as I don't want anyone else to learn the hard way.

 

That's weak on their part. Good looking out of others.

 

I've done dozens of oil changes on my old 996TT and 997TT...it certainly takes more than 15 minutes...and I can see how oil and filter parts can cost about $60-70, but it still leaves labor at $400.

There was recently a thread on the 997 forum discussing the merits of paying more to establish a good relationship with the dealer. I don't really subscribe to that theory and in this case, I believe you got taken.

 

wow...I feel your pain dude...I too learned the hard way when I took it in for the first oil change...never again...I changed it myself now & it cost 1/3 less than $462

 

I change the oil on my performance cars, but the honda and beemer get their $100 oil changes. I wonder if they could deny warranty if they did not do the service themselves and do any software resets necessary / stamp your warranty book?

 

that's what is cost in New york...1st service was about that much..it's more than just the oil...it's overall inspection, parts lubrication...etc.


It's an "exotic"...and therefore charges for an exotic "premium" at least at the stealerships...

 

It's the whole "car cost more" so we can screw you on the servic charge! I love Poreche don't get me wrong but the gouging should stop at the manufacturer, should not continue to the dealer. Even when I'm making $2 Million a month on subscriptions there is no way in hell I will be paying that much.

 

I just bought a 996tt the other week and changed the oil myself today. Got 9 quarts of Mobil 1 0w40 at Walmart for $6.50 each, and a $18 wix filter at O'rileys. Took about one hour, but I was using a floor jack and this was the first time I did it and I was following an online guide and being patient for 20 minutes during engine and oil pan drains. I am not the type of person who loves to work on cars, but this is such a menial, quick job that the money Porsche charges is highway robbery. Even if I had eight figures in the bank, I'd perhaps change my own oil out of principle b/c it just pisses me off when I feel like I'm being taken advantage of.

 

The first oil change usually includes the front bumper removal and cleaning around the radiators. Newport Beach charges $600 for the first oil change.

 

i paid $430 the first time i changed the oil.
it took about 45 minutes to let all the oil completely drain out, there are 4 places the oil is drained from... replaced with mobil 1
i now currently pay $250 for an oil change through the shop i use

 

Recently got a coupon from my dealer for 2 changes at half price (they don't mention what full price is on the coupon though LOL). Had the car in for something else and they reminded me about the coupon. It was time anyway, so I said sure. I think it came to about $179.

 

I am not a fan of Paul Miller... We have been ripped off in the past by them. After going there for one service we switched to getting all our non warrenty work done by ProtoSport. Their mechanics are much more knowledgeabl and don't stick it to you just because you have an expensive car.

 

They didn't do any other work. The radiator still had a few large leaves in it. I'm going to speak to the service manager on Monday. Trade Commision laws are pretty strict in regards to publishing the cost of labor per hour, and the hours worked for the repair. Neither is on the reciept. Only the catch-all CP250

 

you should also show them this thread...not good p.r. for the dealership...good luck with them.

 

Carousel Porsche in Minneapolis charges $136. Change your dealer.