hello, all my p-car friends, i am about to turn 20,000 miles on my 05 carrera S, and was wondering if you guys did the 20,000 mile service at porsche?, is it necessary or should i just get the oil changed. i change my oil every 3,000 miles anyways. and if you guys feel that it was necessary what types of prices were you guys paying?, my closest dealership and the one i always go to for service is Beverly Hills Porsche. they are probally going to charge me a arm and leg. thanks in advance for your help
-jason

 

anyone?

 

The 20k requires inspection of various items. Other non-dealer shops may be qualified to look things over. Check your owners manual, there's a list of items for inspection.

 

thanks big-o for the reply, i did see that in my owners manual that 20,000 miles is the first major service. i was was just wondering if it was necessary to take it to the dealer just to have the oil changed and visual inspections of the tires and belts etc, etc... i was just wondering if my fellow 6-speeders passed on the 20,000 mile service or had it done at a porsche dealership? anyone? with a 997 over 20,000 miles have an answer for me?

 

I am due for my 20K service also on my 05' 997. I am going with just and oil change at a certified Porsche Independant garage since I had a dealer do a free inspection on a promotion recently and said the car was perfect. Having a dealer do an inspection is BS since they charge you and arm and a leg and do a rushed job to get the next car in. If I were you, take it to an certified independant and do a cheaper OEM oil change maybe have them do an inspection also. 20K service is basically and oil change and mostly inspections anyways. I have a recomendation for a place but it's in South Orange County.

 

thanks jabed92694, i was thinking the same thing, just take my car else where for a oil change and inspection at a independent place, what is the name or the shop that you take yours too? i dont mind making a little drive to have a good shop preform the oil change and inspection.
-jason

 

I did my 20K service at the dealer at around the 15K mark, mainly because I have been tracking the car a lot. I paid about $750 which for a $100K+ car still under warranty I think is quite reasonable. I normally go to an indy for oil change about every 3-5K miles. But for the 20K, I figure going to the dealer would save me a lot of headache if I should need warranty work later.

 

Good feedback guys. I am due for my 20k service on my car as well and was just thinking the same thing. I did have a question: If I don't get it serviced at the dealership, and my car is under warranty (CPO until March 2011) does that void my warranty? Am I required to take it to an actual dealership to get the 20k service done?

I just had a PPI done on it not even 3 months ago so is the inspection really necessary?

 

I got my checked out by a qualified independent shop here in south OC. They did the visual inspections, and did an oil change.

 

You don't void the warranty by going to an independant, that's BS. I took my old Boxster S for 7 years to an independant for oil changes and brake work while getting my warranty issues taken care of at the dealer for 4 years. In fact the dealer knew I was taking it to an independant and the independant was pointing out issues that can be taken care of by the dealer under warranty and Porsche never had an issue. I imagine they may have had an issue if I never did an oil change or used the wrong oil!
I would recommend going to Hergesheimer Motorsports in Lake Forest. Ask for Mark or Laura and tell them I referred you. No point paying $750 to a dealer when an independant will do it for much less and do a much more thorough job. By the way, they use factory parts and OEM oil.

Jon

 

Anyone know of a good independent shop around Atlanta?