High cost of 2yr 20K service at Porsche Austin

[Hirschaj]

My Taycan is due for its 20K mile service so I contacted Porsche Austin to see how much. They quoted me $1399.95 and provided the following explanation when I questioned the high cost given how limited the service really is...

"The service includes a brake fluid flush, cabin air filter and new tire sealant. All these items get replaced every two years. The biggest cost in this service is labor. It’s not as easy to perform a brake fluid flush on a Taycan compared to a regular petrol vehicle. There are extra steps that are needed to bleed the system. The technician has to use our Porsche diagnostic computer to be able to communicate with the brake system control modules. "

So I called down to Porsche San Antonio and they quoted me a total of $595 for this service which broke down to $415 for the brake flush and $180 for the pollen filter (they didn’t mention the bottle of tire sealant but that is easy to replace). The $180 for pollen filter is insane so I can just change it myself (I've already done it once) but it's crazy how much Porsche Austin wants for this service. It's just a money grab.

I live on the South side of Austin so driving down to San Antonio is not a big deal for me. I'll happily drive down there, get my car serviced, go on a nice date with my wife in SA that evening, and have loads of cash left over that I didn't have to pay to Porsche Austin.

I did let them know about the price differential and asked if they would match it. They were very polite when they said no.

If you live in Austin and need this 2 year service, I suggest you consider taking a drive to SA and having some fun with the $800 cost savings.

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[Jasper4S]

“It’s not as easy to perform a brake fluid flush on a Taycan” this is just… This screams incompetence and what a stupid and unprofessional explanation. Total rip off.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Great intel on this service details and costs. However, let me expand on the Tire Sealant.

I recently had to use a Tire Sealant that dealer gave me as a gift that I kept in the Cayenne, because I removed the spare tire to save weight and have more room for longer trips. On a short out of town trip, when coming back home, a tire caught a nail, and we were 100 miles away from home on a Saturday. The kind of bottle that they gave me is the one below that simply connects to the compressor that pushes the sealant into the tire without removing the core and deflating the tire. The process took no time and sealed the tire and we got home safely. Tire was replaced, sealant was easily washed off, no damage to the core or TPMS sensor. Replacement sealant bottle was $145 retail and I got a couple of them, compatible with the Cayenne.

However, as I look at what came with the Taycan is not like the one above and requires going through the steps of removing the valve core (cannot see the valve turner tool D in the package with the sealant bottle), manually pushing the sealant, then putting the valve core back and inflating the tire. Also, not sure about the 2 year story, but my sealant that came with the Taycan has a date of 02/2027 on it.

Needless to say, I will not be replacing Taycan sealant and only using the one with the yellow top that requires no valve core removal, as I will not be able to do so, if I have no core removal tool.

This is from the manual, and no thank you, I will try the yellow top first.

 

[Hirschaj]

Great intel on this service details and costs. However, let me expand on the Tire Sealant.

I recently had to use a Tire Sealant that dealer gave me as a gift that I kept in the Cayenne, because I removed the spare tire to save weight and have more room for longer trips. On a short out of town trip, when coming back home, a tire caught a nail, and we were 100 miles away from home on a Saturday. The kind of bottle that they gave me is the one below that simply connects to the compressor that pushes the sealant into the tire without removing the core and deflating the tire. The process took no time and sealed the tire and we got home safely. Tire was replaced, sealant was easily washed off, no damage to the core or TPMS sensor. Replacement sealant bottle was $145 retail and I got a couple of them, compatible with the Cayenne.

However, as I look at what came with the Taycan is not like the one above and requires going through the steps of removing the valve core (cannot see the valve turner tool D in the package with the sealant bottle), manually pushing the sealant, then putting the valve core back and inflating the tire. Also, not sure about the 2 year story, but my sealant that came with the Taycan has a date of 02/2027 on it.

Needless to say, I will not be replacing Taycan sealant and only using the one with the yellow top that requires no valve core removal, as I will not be able to do so, if I have no core removal tool.

This is from the manual, and no thank you, I will try the yellow top first.

This is great information. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Hirschaj]

It's disappointing for sure. I just don't like giving money away out of principle. Also, I called Porsche South Austin (owned by the same group, as you said) and they quoted $1100. Porsche South Austin seems to be cheaper than the North location for anything I've called them about. Still, $1100 is a complete rip off.

On another note. I tried to give Porsche Austin my new tire business but they were somehow unable to order the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 tires that I wanted. I sent them the links to each tire on Discount Tires website but they were unable to source them for some reason. They asked me to buy the tires and ship directly to them but that seemed like a hassle compared to just making an appointment with Discount Tire on the website when I ordered the tires. Thankfully I'll have new tires this Thursday (~21K miles on the original Pirellis).

 

[Hirschaj]

Great intel on this service details and costs. However, let me expand on the Tire Sealant.

I recently had to use a Tire Sealant that dealer gave me as a gift that I kept in the Cayenne, because I removed the spare tire to save weight and have more room for longer trips. On a short out of town trip, when coming back home, a tire caught a nail, and we were 100 miles away from home on a Saturday. The kind of bottle that they gave me is the one below that simply connects to the compressor that pushes the sealant into the tire without removing the core and deflating the tire. The process took no time and sealed the tire and we got home safely. Tire was replaced, sealant was easily washed off, no damage to the core or TPMS sensor. Replacement sealant bottle was $145 retail and I got a couple of them, compatible with the Cayenne.

However, as I look at what came with the Taycan is not like the one above and requires going through the steps of removing the valve core (cannot see the valve turner tool D in the package with the sealant bottle), manually pushing the sealant, then putting the valve core back and inflating the tire. Also, not sure about the 2 year story, but my sealant that came with the Taycan has a date of 02/2027 on it.

Needless to say, I will not be replacing Taycan sealant and only using the one with the yellow top that requires no valve core removal, as I will not be able to do so, if I have no core removal tool.

This is from the manual, and no thank you, I will try the yellow top first.

I found the sealant you recommended online for $93.73...

https://vw.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-sealant-8r0012619d

When I typed in the part number from your screenshot it got translated to 8R0-012-619-D. From the pictures it looks to be the same exact stuff.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I found the sealant you recommended online for $93.73...

https://vw.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-sealant-8r0012619d

When I typed in the part number from your screenshot it got translated to 8R0-012-619-D. From the pictures it looks to be the same exact stuff.

Most likely identical and I pushed them to match the $100. However, my Parts department only goes by the part numbers that match the VIN, in my case was Cayenne, so I went for it at a premium price. The sealant is just something simple that washes off with water and soap, and the yellow top part is just a daisy chain from inflator to bottle, to valve to push the sealant into the tire. It worked perfectly, so I am having one with me now at all times.

 

[JWreck]

I replaced the cabin air filter myself, and the brake fluid was taken care of via the TSB out for pedal travel issues which I had (and arguably still continue to have).

I’ve enjoyed my relationship with my service advisor in Austin, but the handful of times I’ve talked to a salesperson they seem not to give two shits.

Alas, this is the problem in Austin generally. Limited competition means dealers get to be more trash than usual.

 

[Jayyvr890]

Wonder how much they charge at Audi for the Etron GT - mechanically identical to the Taycan right?

I replaced my tire sealant from Audi, identical kit for about half the cost.

 

[BMonte13]

Yep. Total rip off. I called several places in NorCal and was quoted about $1000 each time. No choice but to pay although I did decline the tire sealant replacement.

 

[r553]

I did the two year service myself and showed the receipts for the brake fluid & cabin air filter. The Taycan brake flush with the MityVac was no different than on my 987, 981 or Cayenne. I paid the dealer to do an inspection for $178 that reset the service indicator. The best deal I've found for Taycan cabin air filters is from Pelican Parts ( under $20 ).

 

[abatis]

I just had my 2 year done including brake fluid, cabin filter etc at Gee Porsche in Spokane WA. Wife wanted an $80 Porsche shirt. Total bill was $743. Austin is a rip.

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