Hi Everyone,

Brand new owner of a 2001 Carrera here. Just got told that my coolant tank needs to be replaced as it's leaking. Quote from the dealer is $822. Seems a little nuts for a $140 part. I saw on an earlier post that the DIY replacer took 6 hours to do similar work. So is the $822 reasonable? (at $130 an hour or so... dealer rates...).

Other work needed:

- 2 new Pirelli Rossos installed $850
- Alignment $300
- Wipers replaced $240 (this seems truly obscene)

Thoughts anyone? Thanks.

 

you can do it yourslef, not too hard, in my case, it took 3 hours from start to finish. and you can learn a lot about your new p-car by this way, and save money as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's a sure fire way for me to cause much much bigger problems than a leaky coolant tank!

 

- 2 new Pirelli Rossos installed $850
- Alignment $300
- Wipers replaced $240 (this seems truly obscene)

I hope you get counseling, because you are getting raped.

 

I don't care who you are! Stay away from the dealer unless there is no independent around . None of these things need doing at a dealer!

 

Momentum Porsche in Houston charges $150 for a 4 wheel alignment.

Porsche of North Houston wanted to charge $300+ for a 4 wheel alignment.

Old school body shop in Nashville (recommended by well regarded indy Porsche mechanic) charges $69 for a 4 wheel alignment.

Moral of the story: shop around!

 

Yes, search around for an Indy to help you. I also got the $250 alignment quote.....ouch! Hey, you can always ask if they'll throw in the KY to make it a little less painful....HA!

 

I bought a set of the OEM wipers, with the curved drivers side (not theaftermarket variety) for about $30 shipped from an online source. You can by themall day for $50 or so. Took maybe 10 minutes, if that, to install them. So if they are asking $240 to replace yours they are making close to $200 on the work. If it was me I would run, not walk, out the door and never return there again.

 

I did this very job last weekend. I bought the tank, cap, a gallon of porsche antifreeze, and the coolant level sensor because I cracked the old one getting everything apart. All those parts came to $351. The job itself isn't fun, the tank just barely comes out or goes back in where it needs to be. That said, it isn't a bad job, and one I'd gladly do again before I'd spend $500 more for someone else to do it.

Oh yeah, While I was there, I took five more minutes and replaced the accessory belt with a new one I had on the shelf. You might want to do the same.

--Woody

 

822 for the plastic can at the left part of the engine??

 

I replaced my reservoir myself as well. It took 3 hours start to finish. I bet I could do it in two now that I have the experience. The dealer must be letting the new guy do it for it to take 6 hours.

 

I think I read somewhere that it is an easier job on an MKI than an MKII.