Ins I today

[Angelus666]

So, had the Ins I today over at PMW at Chelmsford....£712 lighter now Excellent service with these guys, the team there really know the S54 well. However, it always annoys/reminds me when you see what you actually get for your money with a BMW inspection. Horn check, seatbelt check, brake pad check, interior switches check, lights check, etc....what a load of rubbish....I really wish you could opt-out of those B/S checks and just pay for the important bits. I swear £100+ of the total cost is just checking the stuff you can do yourself.

 

[mmm-five]

Other than the clearances, I'm sure most people could easily do the rest themselves. The costs are even worse when you get to an I2 - and it goes up by £600 (at BMW) for 1 hour labour, 6 plugs, & gearbox/diff oils.

 

[mr wilks]

Assume the car was dropped off yesterday with regard the valve clearances :?

 

[Angelus666]

Ha, certainly was....they insisted on it. The missus wasn't too happy following me over there to bring me back though

 

[Angelus666]

Needed a replacement pressure valve and just 3 shims, had 6 on the previous Ins II in 2017. Other than that the car is in top condition....

 

[Angelus666]

Andy, what's the spend/cost been like on the 997? I'm sure most on here might go that way after owning an M....be keen to know what the costs have been like?

 

[mr wilks]

Needed a replacement pressure valve and just 3 shims, had 6 on the previous Ins II in 2017. Other than that the car is in top condition....

That would reassure me it was being done correctly , fwiw i don't think £700 is that ott for a main dealer Ins1

 

[Angelus666]

They're not a main dealer...specialist independent. For those in Essex I'd recommend them

https://www.pmwltd.co.uk/

 

[mr wilks]

Andy, what's the spend/cost been like on the 997? I'm sure most on here might go that way after owning an M....be keen to know what the costs have been like?

I really couldn't imagine anyone being disappointed if they did , the S54 ZMs are great cars but the whole package of 997 ownership is a step up & by some margin , i'm not in any way rubbishing the ///Ms but i can't think of one department any of the 3 ZMs ive owned would get the tick over the 997 ( granted original list price not comparable but used values now are not that far apart )
As for the question you asked ? Obviously costs of service are dependent on small indy / large indy / main agent & gen1 cars are slightly less than gen2 on certain services ( plugs being harder to get at on the DFI 2s so more labour costs ) but taken as a direct comparison over 2yr-4yr-6yr-8yr-10yr-12yr id estimate the 997 would be cheaper to follow the advised factory regime .
Note the 12yr marker is deemed the MAJOR in 997 servicing , for a idea on that its around £1200 at a main dealer / £800 decent indy but covers a few more items than a S54 Ins2 ( 4wd box fluid on the C4 / serpentine drive belt / brake fluid / coolant / new tyre gunk )
For a grasp on a range of costs at a reputable indy have a sift through the menu at RPM Technik https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/servicing/fixed-price/porsche-997-c4/

 

[Haggisman]

Andy, what's the spend/cost been like on the 997? I'm sure most on here might go that way after owning an M....be keen to know what the costs have been like?

I really couldn't imagine anyone being disappointed if they did , the S54 ZMs are great cars but the whole package of 997 ownership is a step up & by some margin , i'm not in any way rubbishing the ///Ms but i can't think of one department any of the 3 ZMs ive owned would get the tick over the 997 ( granted original list price not comparable but used values now are not that far apart )
As for the question you asked ? Obviously costs of service are dependent on small indy / large indy / main agent & gen1 cars are slightly less than gen2 on certain services ( plugs being harder to get at on the DFI 2s so more labour costs ) but taken as a direct comparison over 2yr-4yr-6yr-8yr-10yr-12yr id estimate the 997 would be cheaper to follow the advised factory regime .
Note the 12yr marker is deemed the MAJOR in 997 servicing , for a idea on that its around £1200 at a main dealer / £800 decent indy but covers a few more items than a S54 Ins2 ( 4wd box fluid on the C4 / serpentine drive belt / brake fluid / coolant / new tyre gunk )
For a grasp on a range of costs at a reputable indy have a sift through the menu at RPM Technik https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/servicing/fixed-price/porsche-997-c4/

These RPM prices on the menu seem really reasonable. Over here in NZ the used 911 is a better value option (imho) than either a Z4 M roadster or coupe of which there might be 8 or 9 in total ( I only know of 6 ) and finding an Indy who can with confidence deliver on the servicing side could be problematic. In contrast, there are very good independent Porsche technicians throughout the country and good availability of parts sourced locally or overseas. Mind you, there are some very expensive parts that can go wrong on the 911 that would change the equation.
I had 3 air cooled 911’s over a 10 year period, one was used extensively on the track and apart from more regular fluid changes, brake rotors etc, the running costs were not excessive. No reason to believe that Porsche build quality has deteriorated?

 

[mr wilks]

Andy, what's the spend/cost been like on the 997? I'm sure most on here might go that way after owning an M....be keen to know what the costs have been like?

I really couldn't imagine anyone being disappointed if they did , the S54 ZMs are great cars but the whole package of 997 ownership is a step up & by some margin , i'm not in any way rubbishing the ///Ms but i can't think of one department any of the 3 ZMs ive owned would get the tick over the 997 ( granted original list price not comparable but used values now are not that far apart )
As for the question you asked ? Obviously costs of service are dependent on small indy / large indy / main agent & gen1 cars are slightly less than gen2 on certain services ( plugs being harder to get at on the DFI 2s so more labour costs ) but taken as a direct comparison over 2yr-4yr-6yr-8yr-10yr-12yr id estimate the 997 would be cheaper to follow the advised factory regime .
Note the 12yr marker is deemed the MAJOR in 997 servicing , for a idea on that its around £1200 at a main dealer / £800 decent indy but covers a few more items than a S54 Ins2 ( 4wd box fluid on the C4 / serpentine drive belt / brake fluid / coolant / new tyre gunk )
For a grasp on a range of costs at a reputable indy have a sift through the menu at RPM Technik https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/servicing/fixed-price/porsche-997-c4/

No reason to believe that Porsche build quality has deteriorated?

Ive had a 964 & 996 previously , the 996 slated for many things including poor quality build which i wouldn't argue with , my 997 is a 2006 3 owner 88k car , its extremely well crafted & have no reasons so far to believe the build quality isn't back to what Porsche used to be in the air cooled days .
For any previous 911 owner id simply say the 997 feels like a proper 911 possibly the last 911 to do so ?

 

[Haggisman]

I really couldn't imagine anyone being disappointed if they did , the S54 ZMs are great cars but the whole package of 997 ownership is a step up & by some margin , i'm not in any way rubbishing the ///Ms but i can't think of one department any of the 3 ZMs ive owned would get the tick over the 997 ( granted original list price not comparable but used values now are not that far apart )
As for the question you asked ? Obviously costs of service are dependent on small indy / large indy / main agent & gen1 cars are slightly less than gen2 on certain services ( plugs being harder to get at on the DFI 2s so more labour costs ) but taken as a direct comparison over 2yr-4yr-6yr-8yr-10yr-12yr id estimate the 997 would be cheaper to follow the advised factory regime .
Note the 12yr marker is deemed the MAJOR in 997 servicing , for a idea on that its around £1200 at a main dealer / £800 decent indy but covers a few more items than a S54 Ins2 ( 4wd box fluid on the C4 / serpentine drive belt / brake fluid / coolant / new tyre gunk )
For a grasp on a range of costs at a reputable indy have a sift through the menu at RPM Technik https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/servicing/fixed-price/porsche-997-c4/

No reason to believe that Porsche build quality has deteriorated?

Ive had a 964 & 996 previously , the 996 slated for many things including poor quality build which i wouldn't argue with , my 997 is a 2006 3 owner 88k car , its extremely well crafted & have no reasons so far to believe the build quality isn't back to what Porsche used to be in the air cooled days .
For any previous 911 owner id simply say the 997 feels like a proper 911 possibly the last 911 to do so ?

Good to know,I certainly prefer the look of the 997 over the 996 (apart possibly from the GT3). The headlamp treatment is more of a 911 look. 997’s are becoming a reasonable proposition price wise over here now, following your ownership with interest. Cheers

 

[Adam D]

Good to hear PMW are still going well, I used to use them for my 3.0 and was considering the, for my insp 1 service. On your recommendation I think my mind has been made up

 

[buzyg]

Money well spent. £700 is not cheap, but not BMW moneybeither. I paid over £900 for my first ins 1 at a stealer. Got the car back dirty never been back.

 

[abar121]

I really couldn't imagine anyone being disappointed if they did , the S54 ZMs are great cars but the whole package of 997 ownership is a step up & by some margin , i'm not in any way rubbishing the ///Ms but i can't think of one department any of the 3 ZMs ive owned would get the tick over the 997 ( granted original list price not comparable but used values now are not that far apart )
As for the question you asked ? Obviously costs of service are dependent on small indy / large indy / main agent & gen1 cars are slightly less than gen2 on certain services ( plugs being harder to get at on the DFI 2s so more labour costs ) but taken as a direct comparison over 2yr-4yr-6yr-8yr-10yr-12yr id estimate the 997 would be cheaper to follow the advised factory regime .
Note the 12yr marker is deemed the MAJOR in 997 servicing , for a idea on that its around £1200 at a main dealer / £800 decent indy but covers a few more items than a S54 Ins2 ( 4wd box fluid on the C4 / serpentine drive belt / brake fluid / coolant / new tyre gunk )
For a grasp on a range of costs at a reputable indy have a sift through the menu at RPM Technik https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/servicing/fixed-price/porsche-997-c4/

No reason to believe that Porsche build quality has deteriorated?

Ive had a 964 & 996 previously , the 996 slated for many things including poor quality build which i wouldn't argue with , my 997 is a 2006 3 owner 88k car , its extremely well crafted & have no reasons so far to believe the build quality isn't back to what Porsche used to be in the air cooled days .
For any previous 911 owner id simply say the 997 feels like a proper 911 possibly the last 911 to do so ?

It really depends on your expectations, as these are emotive purchases. I come from a 911 background myself, finding a late 993C2 VR just about unforgettable and a great balance between usability, character and involvement. I've enjoyed 996/7s ,991s and at preset a 981S.

All good cars, but for me, an S54 engined roadster is right up there for character, sound and to be honest, the need to drive around it's flaws. Until the latest 718 Spyder / GT4 RS, Porsche have never made a GT3 engined Boxster, which would have been comparable to me.

The 996 Anniversary or 997.2 (non S, manual), are the best cooking modes of their generation for me. The X51 pack with the additional oil pickup / sump mods mean at least you can use it on track without surging problems. Been there, done that. The stock 997.2 C2 with it's alloy doors and without PASM and on 18s, has a lovely flowing, fluid feel on back roads. The engine still feels lacking though compared to an air cooled motor (or S54 / GT3), although it is obviously at least as quick.

All deeply personal and I have had great fun comparing the zed with a friends 996 GT3 Mk1 and 2s. I was very close to buying a 997.1 GT3 a whlie ago, missed that one.