Mercedes Oil Change Cost: How Much Should You Pay?

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Tankut Basar

Mercedes Oil Change Quick Answers

Mercedes brand offers a wide range of models in their catalog, and depending on the one you own, an oil change could cost you on average around $120 to $160 at an independent mechanic or $160 to $220 at a dealership. However, we have a cheaper way to offer you the do-it-yourself (DIY) method, which should cost you around $80 and less than an hour if you follow our instructions below.

According to Mercedes-Benz, their engines need an oil change every 10,000 miles or a year, whichever comes first. But, we recommend you change it sooner than that. We will explain the various reasons for that below in this article.

If you want to save money on your repairs and maintenance, you will need a reliable mechanic who is also honest and not greedy. Visit one of our recommended independent mechanics near you, and you can make sure you’re going to get an excellent service for a reasonable price.

https://elements.envato.com/close-up-of-mechanic-adding-oil-with-a-funnel-SWVLW4X

Why Does a Mercedes Oil Change Cost This Much?

If you drive and enjoy a Mercedes, you should already know that maintaining it will not be cheap. The price structure is pretty much the same for every kind of mechanic. They usually add the price of the parts needed, labor, and taxes to come up with the number. So let’s break down these costs and explain them.

Parts Required

A new oil filter, oil filter sealing ring, a new drain plug seal, and synthetic engine oil are all the parts you will need to replace your oil. For Mercedes, these parts can cost you between $60 to $100, depending on the model. The most expensive item on the list will undoubtedly be the oil itself because Mercedes engines only use synthetic oil, and it will certainly be more costly than mineral oil. Keep on reading to find out why there is a price difference in oil types and why it is necessary for your car.

Buying the necessary parts online for much cheaper is a good idea, but you should always check with your mechanic beforehand because most of them won’t accept outside spare parts. They usually would want to charge you the full price even though they are getting them for a lot cheaper. If you ever see a sign offering you a $19.99 oil change, drive to another mechanic because they won’t use the quality parts your Mercedes needs.

Part	Mercedes Mechanic Costs	Do-It-Yourself Costs
Synthetic oil (6 to 10 quarts)	$48 to $80 (@ $8 per quart)	$36 to $60 (@ $6 per quart)
Oil filter & sealing ring	$30	$20
Drain plug seal	$4	$2
Parts Total	$82 to $114	$58 to $82

Labor Cost

The oil and filter replacement procedure takes around 15 minutes to 30 minutes with special equipment. Mechanics usually charge you an hour of labor for it because of the high labor rate. Expect to pay around $80 to $120 in labor, depending on your choice of mechanic. Negotiate and try to get the best deal, or better yet, do it yourself with the help of this article.

Taxes & Other Fees

Depending on your state, 10-15% tax will be added to your parts and labor cost. There is just no legal way of getting around it. Some shops may also add a disposal charge on your bill for your old oil.

When Should You Change Your Mercedes’s Engine Oil & Filter?

An engine provides an efficient drive with the synchronous operation of multiple components. For all parts to work smoothly, a material that facilitates friction always is needed. Engine oil, which forms a slippery layer between the engine parts, prevents wear during friction. It offers a more comfortable working principle, but it does have a short lifespan, and neglecting replacement will create significant problems for your engine.

Mercedes’ recommended oil and filter replacement interval is 10,000 miles or a year, whichever comes first. However, we at eCarGuides, prefer to change it every 5,000 miles. Trust us; if you take our recommendation into account, you can ensure that your vehicle’s engine performs better, consumes less fuel, and has a longer engine life.

You should also know that some usage habits may also require the engine oil to be changed ahead of time. For example, the constant stop-start traffic or driving on dusty roads means you will need engine oil changes at shorter intermissions. Similarly, problems in the engine oil filter may cause the oil not to be filtered well and cause it to become particulate over time. For this reason, the engine oil filter should be changed during the engine oil change.

Which Engine Oil Should be Used on Your Mercedes

Choosing the right oil for your car can seem like a daunting task. While there’s a ton of information about the various oil options, the first step is honestly pretty straightforward: Check your car’s manual and engine bay or ask your authorized dealer. Mercedes engines use synthetic oil only, and you can never use any mineral oil on your engine.

In a regular Mercedes oil change, your most significant expense in parts will be the oil itself because the oils produced for high-tech engines or heavy-duty use should always use synthetic additives. The labels of these oils indicate whether they have passed rigorous specialized testing for superior, long-lasting performance in all critical areas, from viscosity index to protection against deposits. As a result, they flow better at low temperatures and retain the highest viscosity at high temperatures.

We highly recommend you to use Mobil 1 European Car Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40. You are driving a European car, so you will need an oil made special for your vehicle. We trust this one because it is also the factory fill for most European brands. Mercedes also approves Valvoline and Castrol branded oils.

What is the Difference Between Synthetic Oil and Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil is mined from the earth – it’s just refined crude oil. On the other hand, synthetic oil is created in a laboratory. This is the main difference, and it changes everything!

In synthetic oil production, the oil is not only refined but also subjected to a distillation process and then refined into essential molecules. Then the base oil is made from these molecules and improved with the help of additives. The final product will have exceptional operational properties: reliably protect from wear, exposure to extreme temperatures, and the formation of sludge deposits. This process allows not only to remove more impurities from crude oil but also to process each oil molecule according to the needs of a modern internal combustion engine. Such “processed” molecules provide higher levels of protection and efficiency and help the engine run longer without any problems.

Can You Change Your Mercedes’ Oil Yourself?

The short answer is, yes, you can. It is not hard to replace your oil, and you won’t need any professional tools. It would be best to be very careful and take all the safety precautions your owner’s manual suggests.

Here’s the list of items you will need to perform an oil change.

https://pixabay.com/tr/photos/mercedes-araba-oto-lüks-araç-1229234/

Getting Started

Before starting the engine oil change process, prepare the tools listed above. Then, run the vehicle’s engine for 5 to 10 minutes. This action allows the engine to warm up and the oil to flow more easily.

Lift your vehicle with the help of a jack and place it on your jack stands. This point is crucial, and it will be dangerous to get under a car supported by a jack. Before getting under your vehicle, check the stability of the floor and jack stands.

Purchase the ESCO Jack Stands on here on eCarGuides – FREE SHIPPING

Beware of the risk of burns; because even if the engine is not running, the oil inside and the exhaust may still be hot! Try not to touch them, and you can use gloves against the risk of burning.

Draining the Old Oil

Loosen the oil reservoir cap on your engine under the hood. Next, get under the vehicle and remove the plastic cover protecting the oil pan. The oil drain plug is located under the oil pan.

Put the draining pan under the plug and loosen it with the appropriate hex bit socket wrench. The oil will begin to flow. Remove the plug and the gasket together so that it does not fall into the pan. Wait for the old oil to drain well! While you wait, move on to change the oil filter.

Replacing the Oil Filter

Loosen the oil filter slowly with the appropriate socket and remove it by hand. Make sure to remove the gasket together with the filter. Apply some new oil to the sealing ring of the new oil filter with your finger to prevent leakage during use and be easily disassembled at the following change. Tighten the new oil filter first by hand, then with the appropriate wrench. It should twist on easily when it is positioned correctly. Check your manual and torque it to spec.

Filling the New Oil

Get under your vehicle again and install the oil draining plug into the slot using a new plug washer. You can use your hands to position it correctly, but afterward, you should use the hex bit socket again to torque it to spec. Next, install the crankcase protection sheet of your vehicle. Lower your car safely by jacking it up a bit and removing the jack stands from under your car.

Slowly fill in new engine oil through the oil cap on the engine using a funnel. You can check how much you have filled using the engine oil dipstick. Tighten the engine oil cap firmly and start your engine to warm up the new engine oil. Don’t overfill the oil to avoid damaging the seals! After running the engine for a while, check the dipstick and add oil if necessary.

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Dispose the Old Oil

Now you can use your Foxwell NT530 Diagnostic Scanner (for Mercedes) and reset your engine oil light. You can also reset this light by using your car’s dashboard computer menu if you haven’t passed the service time limit.

Disposing of the Old Oil

It is strictly forbidden to dump waste oils on the ground (just like used tires) or into the sewer due to the excessive damage to the environment! However, you can contact repair shops or environmental agencies, and they will help you dispose of it correctly.

Summary

Our recommended oil&filter change intermission for Mercedes is every 5k miles or one year, whichever comes first. It will cost you on average around $120 to $160 at an independent mechanic or $160 to $220 at a dealership. If you are willing to do it yourself, it’s going to cost you around $80.

Here at eCarGuides, we care about your car’s wellbeing, and we always aim to help you get the best service possible for a reasonable price. So find a highly-rated mechanic near you, and also don’t for to check out our detailed DIY guides.

BMW Oil Change Cost: How Much Should You Pay?

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Tankut Basar

BMW Oil Change Quick Answers

A BMW oil change costs on average around $180 to $250 at a BMW dealership or $120 to $180 at an independent mechanic. However, for around $80, you can do-it-yourself (DIY), which we’ll explain in this article.

BMW recommends you to change the oil in your car every 10,000 miles or a year whichever comes first. But you should change it sooner than that if you want to prolong your engine’s life. More on that below.

You can also save money on your oil change by visiting a recommended independent mechanic near you.

Why Does a BMW Oil Change Cost This Much?

BMW is a European luxury car manufacturer and, like everything under the “luxury” category, it’s not cheap to service. Both independent mechanics and dealerships use the same price structure. The price of parts, labor, and taxes determine the whole budget. Let’s take a look at how much you can expect to pay based on whether you DIY, visit an independent mechanic, or go with a dealership.

Parts Required

You will be paying around $60 to $100 just in parts, which will consist of genuine BMW or OEM quality synthetic oil, an oil filter, an oil filter sealing ring, and a drain plug seal. You can save money by purchasing these parts online and either doing-it-yourself or going to an independent mechanic that accepts outside parts. While it might seem strange that you can buy parts online for cheaper, dealerships and independent mechanics certain get their parts for cheaper but typically do not pass the savings onto customers. So now that you know how much genuine parts and fluids should cost, run away from any place that offers you an oil change for $19.99!

Part	BMW Mechanic Costs	Do-It-Yourself Costs
Synthetic oil (6 to 10 quarts)	$48 to $80 (@ $8 per quart)	$36 to $60 (@ $6 per quart)
Oil filter & sealing ring	$30	$20
Drain plug seal	$4	$2
Parts Total	$82 to $114	$58 to $82

Labor Cost

You will be paying around $80 to $120 in labor depending on whether you go with an independent mechanic or a dealership. Labor costs are usually broken down into two categories, labor rate and labor time required. BMW dealerships and independent mechanics usually charge around an hour of labor for an oil and filter change. However, it usually takes them anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes to do with specialized equipment.

Taxes & Other Fees

There are only two things certain in life, death, and taxes! So, just like almost everything, factor in an additional 10-15% on top of everything for taxes and miscellaneous fees such as environmental, disposal, and shop supply fees.

When Should I Change My BMW’s Oil?

There are many different engine oils that car manufacturers use. The oil and the service interval are specified by the factory according to the engineering structures of these engines and the climates where they are used. This range is based on miles and time, so even if you don’t use your car at all, there is an expiration date for the engine oil and filter.

BMW recommends an oil change every 10K miles, which is a longer service interval than manufacturers that use conventional oil. However, you may need to change your oil more frequently based on your driving style (e.g. daily commuting, track driving, etc). We recommend replacing your engine oil every 5k miles or 1 year, whichever comes first, because this is an easy way to extend the life of your engine.

Which Engine Oil Should be Used on Your BMW

You can easily find out the most suitable engine oil type for your vehicle by looking at the oil change chart located under the hood, on the chassis, or around the engine block. BMW engines use synthetic oil only so you should be careful when you are choosing a brand.

Our recommendation is Mobil 1 European Car Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40, which is custom made for European cars and is the factory fill for most BMWs and luxury European vehicles. Motul and Liqui Moly are also very popular among BMW owners.

Why Synthetic Oil?

Engine oils consist of base oil and additives. Since synthetic oils contain more refined base oils than ordinary mineral oils, they provide outstanding protection and performance and last longer than conventional oil. Synthetic engine oils also offer a variety of benefits, including anti-wear, engine cleaning, improved circulation, and corrosion resistance to keep your engine performing at its best for years to come.

What Happens If The Engine Oil Is Not Changed?

As engine oil ages, its viscosity decreases and so does the oil filter’s ability to filter abrasive particles. Engine oil that has lost its properties cannot lubricate an engine properly which leads to increased engine wear and potential overheating. Old engine oil can also cause noisy engine operation, serious mechanical problems, and even total engine failure.

Does Engine Oil Change Improve Vehicle Performance?

An oil change won’t improve the performance of a healthy engine. However, not changing your oil will lead to premature engine wear and, ultimately, engine failure. Major parts such as the engine bearing, pistons, rings, and cylinder walls need lubrication to prevent metal-on-metal contact, friction, and overheating. So while an oil change doesn’t improve performance, it prevents your engine’s performance from degrading over time.

Can I Change My BMW’s Oil Myself?

Safety always comes first when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Therefore, if you are changing the oil for the first time or even if you have changed the oil many times before, there are some rules that you must follow to perform the engine oil change process safely and efficiently.

Let’s take a look at what you need before changing your engine oil;

Getting Ready

Cooled oil will not be drained correctly. Therefore, before starting work, drive your car for 5 minutes to bring the oil up to normal operating temperature. Park your car on a flat and level surface, then turn off the engine. Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap, which will allow the oil to flow freely when you drain it.

Next, you will need get enough clearance under your engine for you to slide under. If you need to jack up your car, start by placing wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Jack the front of the car up and place your car on jack stands like these ESCO jack stands. NEVER get under a car that is only supported by a jack.

ESCO 3 Ton 10499 Performance Jack Stand (Pair) — **Purchase the ESCO Jack Stands on here on eCarGuides – FREE SHIPPING**

Drain the Oil & Remove the Oil Filter

Remove the panels under your engine and place a drain pan underneath the oil drain plug to collect the draining oil. Using the appropriate socket, break the drain plug free. Then, with a glove on, carefully remove the drain plug by hand. Quickly remove the drain plug and move it and your hand out of the way of the flowing oil, which will be hot. Do not let the drain plug drop into the drain pan. Also, if the drain plug seal is still on, remove it since you’ll be replacing it with a new one.

While the oil is draining, locate and loosen the oil filter with the appropriate oil filter wrench or socket. Place a drain pan underneath the oil filter and carefully remove the oil filter without touching any of the hot engine components. The oil filter may be heavy as it may be filled with oil. Therefore, slowly lower it away from the engine and empty the contents into the drain pan. Some oil filters are in a horizontal position and can leak dirty and hot engine oil when loosened. Be prepared for this spill by carrying a rag or cloth with you.

Install the Oil Filter & Fill the Oil

Take the new oil filter and seal and install it into the oil filter cap. Apply a light coat of new oil to the oil filter seal. Screw the new oil filter onto the engine. The filter should screw on easily when placed correctly. Tighten the filter manually until it is snug, then use a torque wrench to torque it to spec. Now, clean the drain plug, place a new seal on it, reinstall it onto the drain pan, and torque it to spec.

Lower your car. Do not start the engine at this stage. Otherwise, significant damage may occur. On top of the engine, place a funnel into the oil fill. Fill your engine with new oil, but add 0.5 quarters less than the oil capacity to prevent overfilling. Replace the cap and wipe up any spilled oil. Start your engine and let it run for a few minutes, turn it off, and then check the oil level again with the dipstick. Top off the engine oil as necessary.

Finally, reset the oil indicator using a diagnostic tool like the Foxwell NT530 Diagnostic Scanner (for BMW).

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Dispose the Old Oil

The last and, in a way, the most important step in your oil change process is the correct disposal of the old oil you drained from the engine. Old engine oil is very harmful to the environment and its safe disposal is of paramount importance. Transfer the old oil to a sealable container and recycle it at your local auto parts store.

Summary

Change your BMW’S engine oil and filter every 5k miles or 1 year, whichever comes first, so you can enjoy your ultimate driving machine for a long time. It is going to cost you $180 to $250 at the dealership and around $120 to $180 at an independent mechanic. If you are going to do it yourself, expect to spend around $80.

Here at eCarGuides, our goal is to help car owners make the best decisions possible when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. Find a highly-rated BMW mechanic near you and detailed DIY guides for your BMW.

Bike Rack Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Tankut Basar

Planning to take your bike on a vacation or a cycling event? You are going to need a bike rack to safely carry your two-wheeled pride and joy. Invest in a good bike rack and you won’t have to worry about how to bring your bike on long trips ever again. Let’s cover the different style bike racks, discuss their pros and cons, and determine which bike rack style is best for you.

How to Choose the Best Bike Racks

When purchasing a bike rack, the first thing you need to determine is where on your car you want to mount it. Car bike racks can typically be mounted in one of three locations: on the roof, on the trunk, or behind the trunk via a tow hitch. Choosing the right one depends on what type of car you own, how many and what types of bikes you want to carry, the weight of those bikes, and how much your budget is.

Let’s take a look at each style and the best examples.

Trunk Bike Racks

This type of bike rack attaches to a car’s trunk or hatch via a series of straps and pegs. This type is almost always the cheapest option and usually doesn’t require any additional hardware. Although, if the bike rack and bikes obscure your license plate, you may need a separate license plate frame.

Loading heavy bikes on trunk racks is relatively easy as you don’t need to lift the bikes very high. Additionally, trunk racks have less of an impact on your fuel economy than a roof rack because the rack and the bikes are behind the car and out of the wind.

On the flip side, you need to make sure the rack is compatible with your trunk or hatch design and most trunk racks are limited to a maximum of two or three bikes. Also, with bikes loaded, your trunk will be inaccessible and you also need to careful not to load the trunk rack beyond the weight your trunk can handle.

The Saris Bones Ex is our choice for trunk-mounted racks.

Saris Bones EX Bike Rack – A tried and true, versatile trunk rack

Saris released Bones in 1996 and since then it became an absolute classic. Its updated version, the Bones Ex is the latest design from the American firm.

According to Saris, the Bones Ex has an updated design that prevents interaction with the vehicle spoilers and can be installed on 90 percent of the vehicles.

The increased compatibility of the Bones Ex has raised the price a bit to around $250, but the standard Saris Bones version is still available for just over $200 in 2-Bike and 3-Bike variations.

Reasons to buy

Compatible with 90% of vehicles
Can hold up to 4 bikes
Tried and tested design
Cheaper than other options
Easy to load & unload
Less impact on fuel consumption

Reasons to avoid

It can restrict rear window visibility
Restricts trunk access
May require separate license plate mount
Can scuff paint if trunk rack moves around
Could dent trunk if bike rack is overloaded or you hit a big bump

Roof Bike Racks

Roof racks are great for keeping your bike(s) on top of your car while providing unrestricted access to the trunk. Depending on the rack design, you can carry up to four bikes at a time. To use a roof mounted bike rack, your vehicle will need to have roof bars, which can also be used to carry other things like rooftop cargo carriers and ski racks.

However, it can be difficult to load bikes on a roof rack, especially on taller vehicles. This might even be more problematic if you are short and/or your bikes are particularly heavy. Roof racks are also the least aerodynamic option and can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%. If you are thinking about using a roof rack, you should watch out for the height-limited parking entrances and overhangs!

If a roof rack seems like the best option for you, we recommend the Thule ProRide.

Thule ProRide Roof Bike Rack – The perfect roof rack that won’t break the bank

Thule is one of the best names in the world when it comes to carrier racks for vehicles. They are usually expensive but the ProRide is a cheaper roof-mount option from the manufacturer.

It’s easy to use with a frame holder and wheel trays where you can place your bike. The rack has a load capacity of 20 kg and is compatible with most bikes. Thule even offers a thick bike adapter for super-thick tires.

The Thule ProRide can only carry a single bike, but this helps keep the price down to just under $300. However, you can mount multiple ProRides to carry as many bikes as you need.

Reasons to buy

Affordable roof-mounted shelf
Does not restrict visibility or access to the trunk
Easy to use
Lockable
Heavy load capacity

Reasons to avoid

Only carries one bike
Carbon frame protector not included
Low parking entrances/bridges might become a problem
Requires roof bars
Not easy to load & unload
Higher impact on fuel consumption

Tow Hitch Bike Racks

Finally, let’s take a look at the tow hitch-mounted bike racks. They usually come in two styles, either as a platform that holds your bike from its wheels or a suspension rack that carries the bike from its frame. They are usually very easy to load, have the least impact on fuel consumption, and should not damage your car’s paintwork or body, because all the weight is supported by the tow hitch.

Tow-mount bike racks have many advantages over the roof or trunk-mounted alternatives, including ease of use (no messing around with ratchet straps or carrying your bike to the ceiling).

However, there is no escape from the fact that they are expensive, especially if a tow ball needs to be fitted. Some models may restrict access to the trunk and may also need a separate license plate holder.

The Thule T2 Pro XT is our favorite tow hitch mounted bike carrier.

Thule T2 Pro XT – A reliable and convenient folding hitch bike rack

The Thule T2 Pro XT is a great all-rounder with a reasonable price tag. This particular model has a capacity for two bikes and it’s easy to load your bikes thanks to the adjustable wheel trays and ratcheting arms.

The folding design allows you to tilt your bikes out of the way to access your trunk and tilt the bike rack up when you’re not using it. Additionally, the Thule T2 Pro XT includes a 24″ integrated cable that you can use to lock your bikes up. Need to carry more than 2 bikes? Just add the Thule Pro XT Add-On and you’ll be good to carry up to 4 bikes.

While the Thule T2 Pro XT comes in at around $450 and is more expensive than trunk and roof mounted bike racks, it is well worth the investment if you are serious about biking.

Reasons to buy

Easy to install and operate due to tool-free design
Available in both 2″ and 1.25″ receiver options
Carries two bikes and is compatible with 20″-29″ wheels
Very easy to load and unload
No risk of scratching the bike’s frame
Easily tilts to allow trunk access and storage when not in use
Lockable so your bikes will be secure
Least impact on fuel consumption

Reasons to avoid

Requires tow hitch
Only holds two bikes
May require a separate license plate holder
Most expensive option

Best Alternative Bike Rack: SeaSucker Talon

Not all cars are compatible with trunk, roof, or tow hitch mounted bike racks. This is where the SeaSucker Talon comes it. It is an innovative (albeit expensive at nearly $300) alternative that doesn’t require roof bars.

SeaSucker’s innovative design uses rubber suction cups to secure your bike to the roof or rear window. If the thought of driving down the highway without a single nut, bolt, or ratchet strap makes you nervous, don’t worry. The. SeaSucker Talon features a pump on each suction that creates an extremely strong vacuum and indicates when you have a rock-solid seal. SeaSucker claims that each cup has a draw ratio of 210lb, so it’s not going anywhere.

The Talon is SeaSucker’s single-bike design and is very quick to set up and very compact to store. However, if you need to carry more bikes, the SeaSucker Mini Bomber and Bomber can respectively carry two and three bikes.

Reasons to buy

The best option if your vehicle is incompatible with tow, roof, and trunk bike racks
Quick installation and removal
Compact design
Super strong suction cups

Reasons to avoid

Expensive price tag
Holds one bike only
It can restrict visibility if you use it on the back window

Bike Racks FAQ’s

Q: Will bike racks damage my vehicle?
A: When installed correctly, bike racks should not damage your car or your bike. Always use the instructions given by the manufacturer to install/remove and you should be safe.

Q: Which style of bike rack is the most common?
A: Trunk-mounted racks are more common than roof or tow hitch mounted racks, which usually require a roof bar or a tow hitch. If your car does not already have them, you will have to take a trip to the garage for them. Without even buying the rack itself, you will significantly increase the damage to your wallet.

Q: Why can’t I carry my bike in my trunk?
A: Depending on your car and your bike’s sizes, you might be able to. However, you will risk damaging both the interior of your car and your bike.

Q: Will bike racks affect my car’s handling?
A: Roof racks can have negative aerodynamic effects, but the trunk or tow hitch mounted bike racks have less of an impact. However, with any bike rack, the added weight of the rack and the bikes will have some effect on your vehicle’s handling and you should factor this into your driving style.

How To Properly Jack Up a Porsche 911 (996, 997, 991)

Posted on February 15, 2021 by ecarguidesllc

If you plan to do your own maintenance and repairs on your Porsche 911, you will inevitably need to raise the car off the ground. This comes in handy for routine maintenance jobs like oil changes, spark plug replacements, and various fluid changes. While raising a Porsche 911 onto jack stands isn’t difficult, it does require a specific procedure.

Before you get started, check out this tutorial video from Car Fanatic:

Tools You’ll Need

	4 Jack Stands: You will need 4 high quality jack stands. We recommend the ESCO 10499 Shorty Jack Stand because its unique flat top design works perfectly on the Porsche 911.
	2 Floor Jacks: If you are going to lift your Porsche 911 onto four jack stands, we highly recommend using two floor jacks like this Torin aluminum floor jack. While you can use just one floor jack, if done improperly, the car could slide off the jack stands.
	4 Wheel Chocks: When raising your car, you will need to use wheel chocks like these to prevent the car from rolling.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Park your vehicle on a flat and even surface.

Porsche 997 Parked on Flat Surface — When working on cars, it is an absolute must that you park the vehicle on a flat and even surface. This will help prevent the car from rolling or slipping off the jack stand. In addition, be sure to apply the parking brake before you get started.

2. Chock off the wheels

Porsche 997 Wheel Chocks — Now, let’s get started with the procedure. To prevent the car from rolling, start by chocking off the wheels on the side opposite to which you will be lifting first. Place wheel chocks in front of and behind each wheel.

3. Set the jack stands to the appropriate height

Set of 4 ESCO 10499 Jack Stands — Set all the jack stands to the same desired height, so you don’t have to fiddle with them while the car is in the air. Make sure the jack stands are all set to the same height, so your car is lifted up evenly.

4. Jack up one side of the vehicle using the rear jack point

Locate the rear jack point just in front of the rear wheel and along the bottom of the rocker panel. Because the vehicle is so stiff, you can raise an entire side of the vehicle via the rear jack point. Raise the rear until you can set a jack stand under the front jack point. To increase grip and prevent jack point damage, use a hockey puck, jack pad, or piece of wood.

5. Lower the car onto the front jack stand

Porsche 997 Front Jack Point — Once the car is raised high enough, place a jack stand under the front jack point located along the bottom of the rocker panel and behind the front wheel. Lower the car until it is sitting firmly on the front jack stand, then lock the floor jack to keep the rear end of the car supported.

6. Keep the rear end supported using the floor jack

Porsche 997 supported by Floor Jack — Don’t lower the floor jack all the way. Instead, use the floor jack to keep the rear supported at the same height as the front. This will make it easier to get the rear jack stand in place.

7. Raise the rear of the car using the rear subframe

Porsche 997 Alternate Rear Jack Point — Since the main floor jack is underneath the rear jack point, we will need to jack up the rear using an alternate point. On the Porsche 911, as shown in the picture, there is a strong part on the rear subframe that we can use. Lift the rear up at this specific point and use a jack pad, hockey puck, or piece of wood to prevent damage. DO NOT jack up the rear using any other component.

8. Lower the car onto the rear jack stand

Porsche 997 Jack Stand on Rear — Slide the main floor jack out, then slide a jack stand underneath the rear jack point. Lower the car until it sits firmly on the rear jack stand.

9. Repeat the steps above on the other side of the vehicle.

Porsche 997 on ESCO Jack Stands — You now have one side of the car supported by jack stands. To raise the other side of the vehicle onto jack stands, simply repeat the prior steps on the other side of the vehicle. Once your car is on all four jack stands, give it a strong shove to make sure it is secure. We also recommend throwing spare wheels underneath the car as an extra precaution.

10. Lower your car

Getting Porsche 997 Off Jack Stands — When you are done working on your car, you can lower it back onto the ground following the prior steps in reverse.

Conclusion

As you can see, the process for getting a Porsche 911 onto jack stands is a bit more complicated due to having only four jack points. However, once you learn the process, it is straight forward to get a Porsche 911 onto four jack stands. Here at eCarGuides, our goal is to help car owners make the best decisions possible when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. For more tips, check out our detailed DIY guides or find a highly-rated Porsche mechanic near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just support my car with floor jacks?

NEVER! Floor jacks are designed for lifting and not for prolonged supporting. Never get under a vehicle that isn’t properly supported by a car lift, jack stands, or vehicle ramps. If you are unsure on how to properly support your car, we recommend you visit a professional.

Which jack stands do you recommend?

Because the Porsche 911 uses flat jack points, the ESCO flat top jack stand works best. The built-in rubber pad also adds grip and prevents damage to the lift points. Other common jack stands are the ratcheting and aluminum racing styles. We don’t recommend these other types of jack stands because their saddle designs aren’t ideal for the Porsche 911’s flat jack points. As a result, we only sell the ESCO jack stands on our website.

What if I just want to get the front on jack stands?

Getting just the front of a Porsche 911 onto jack stands is even easier. Starting on one side, jack that side of the vehicle up using the rear jack point. Slide a jack stand under the front jack point and lower the car down until the front is supported by the jack stand. Repeat this on the other side and you’re done!

What if I just want to get the rear on jack stands?

Chock off the front wheels. Then raise the rear of the vehicle by jacking up one side the rear subframe member. Place a jack stand under the rear jack point and then lower the floor jack until the car is resting on the jack stand. Repeat this on the other side.

Porsche Windshield Replacement: How Much Does It Cost?

Posted on January 11, 2021 by ecarguidesllc

Quick Answer

The cost to replace the windshield on your Porsche will vary significantly depending on your model and whether you use a genuine or aftermarket windshield. If you use a genuine Porsche windshield, expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000. However, if you use an aftermarket windshield, expect to pay between $500 to $1,000.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

You’re driving down the highway while listening to your favorite music, then you hear a loud, “POP!” A small chip appears, but, one week, the chip has grown to become a several inch long crack. If this sounds like your situation, then you will most likely need to replace your windshield.

A car’s windshield affects your visibility and keeps you safe in an accident, so you should replace a damaged windshield ASAP. In addition, most states have laws that prohibit you from operating your vehicle if the windshield damage exceeds specific criteria.

The cost to replace a Porsche windshield will vary based on these primary factors:

What Porsche model do you own?
Will you use a genuine or aftermarket windshield?
Will you use a Porsche dealership or a glass repair company?
Will your vehicle require special calibration?

Depending on your situation, here is how much you can expect to pay:

	Aftermarket		Genuine
	Glass Co.		Glass Co.	Dealer
Cost Items	Low	High	Low	High
Windshield Glass	$350	$550	$600	$1,200
Mounts	$20	$50	$30	$100
Window Seal	$0	$100	$120	$150
Adhesive	$30	$50	$30	$100
Labor (1-2 Hours)	$50	$100	$170	$440
Calibration	$0	$300	$0	$500
Taxes (10%)	$45	$115	$95	$249
Total	$495	$1,265	$1,045	$2,739

Why is a New Porsche Windshield So Expensive?

The average vehicle’s windshield costs around $350 to replace, but it is significantly more expensive on a Porsche. While the cost of your windshield replacement will vary based on your model, a Porsche windshield replacement is so expensive for these three reasons:

Part Costs
Labor
Technology

Parts Costs

The largest expense to replace your windshield is the windshield itself. While a genuine Ford F-150 windshield costs around $300, expect to pay at least $600 for a genuine Porsche windshield. Additionally, a new windshield may also require a new window seal, adhesive, and mounts for the rear view mirror and rain sensor.

If the Porsche tax is something you don’t want to pay, you can save some money by purchasing an aftermarket windshield. Here are the typical prices of genuine versus aftermarket windshields for various Porsche models:

Model	Porsche OE	Aftermarket
2017-2021 Porsche Boxster & Cayman	$800	$350
2013-2016 Porsche Boxster & Cayman	$600	$450
2019-2021 Porsche Cayenne	$1,200	$550
2011-2018 Porsche Cayenne	$1,500	$550
2019-2021 Porsche 911	$1,100	$500
2012-2018 Porsche 911	$1,000	$450
2015-2021 Porsche Macan	$700	$500
2017-2021 Porsche Panamera	$1200	$550
2010-2016 Porsche Panamera	$750	$350

Labor

Windshield Replacement on a Porsche 911 / 997 — Windshield replacement on a Porsche 911 / 997

Properly replacing the windshield on your Porsche takes an expert between 1 to 2 hours to complete. Since Porsche dealerships charge anywhere between $170 to $220 per labor hour, expect to pay between $170 to $440 for labor alone. If you want to save money, you can use a reputable glass company like Safelite and pay around $100 for labor.

Technology

Replacing the windshield on a modern Porsche is not a simple job like it was on cars made before the era of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Modern Porsches are packed with technology that is affected by the windshield. For example, a new Porsche Cayenne can be equipped with forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and heads-up display.

If your Porsche has some of these options, there’s a good change the vehicle’s sensors will need to be re-calibrated. Expect to pay around $500 for sensor calibration at a Porsche dealership or around $300 at a glass repair company.

Do You Really Need to Replace Your Windshield?

Every windshield chip and crack is unique. However, in general, you can repair windshield damage that is smaller than the size of a quarter. Anything bigger, especially straight line cracks, usually will continue to spread even despite a repair.

Repairing a Porsche Windshield

Bullseye Rock Chip on a Porsche Cayenne 955 / 957 — Easily repairable bullseye rock chip on a 2008 Porsche Cayenne

A windshield can be repaired using a special resin. Think of this resin as liquid glue that can penetrate into a chip or crack and cures to become hard and clear. When a windshield chip or crack is properly repaired, the damage is nearly undetectable and permanently fixed.

To give yourself the best chance of salvaging your windshield, it’s critical that you prevent the chip or crack from getting worse. As soon as you notice windshield damage, take these following steps:

Take a thumb tack or needle and use it to clean out broken glass from the damaged area.
Apply clear tape over the damage to prevent dirt, debris, and moisture from getting inside the damage; this will allow the repair resin to create a strong bond with the glass and cure as transparently as possible.
Avoid parking in the sun or leaving your car out in the extreme cold; any windshield expansion or contraction could cause the cracks to spread.
Visit a glass repair specialist ASAP.

Most glass repair specialists charge around $50 to repair a typical chip or crack. However, before paying out-of-pocket, see if your car insurance company offers complimentary windshield repair; most major insurance companies do. Alternatively, if you are somewhat handy, you can purchase this inexpensive Permatex DIY kit and fix it yourself.

To learn how to repair the windshield on your Porsche, check out this video from Car Fanatic.

Replacing a Porsche Windshield

Windshield crack on a Porsche 911 / 997 — Failed Repair on a Porsche 911 / 997 that grew into a long crack

When a Porsche owner decides to replace a windshield, usually two questions pop up:

Should I go to a Porsche dealership or a glass repair company?
Should I use a genuine Porsche or aftermarket windshield?

If you aren’t concerned with money, we recommend you visit a Porsche dealership. Their technicians are highly trained, so you can rest assured that a genuine windshield will be installed correctly and that your vehicle’s features will continue to work properly. However, if you are budget conscious, it’s perfectly fine to use a reputable glass repair company like Safelite.

Main Suppliers of Porsche Windshields

If you go with a glass repair company, they will give you the option between a genuine or aftermarket windshield. Typically, Saint-Gobain Sekurit makes genuine Porsche windshields while Pilkington, Guardian, and Fuyao (FYG) are the most common aftermarket windshield manufacturers. While you may be skeptical of aftermarket windshields, Pilkington, Guardian, and Fuyao are original-equipment manufacturers for many of luxury automakers such as Audi, BMW, and Range Rover (just not Porsche).

For Porsche owners who decide to go with an aftermarket windshield, we recommend the following tips:

Use a highly reputable company, such as Safelite, that will guarantee the quality of their work and supplies.
Insist on using a genuine Porsche window seal to ensure your new windshield stays properly sealed for the life of the windshield.
Inspect the aftermarket windshield for visual distortions and other defects; if you see any defects, ask to see other windshields from the same and different brands.

If you’re still unsure about using an independent glass repair company and an aftermarket windshield, check out this helpful video which documents Car Fanatic’s experience.

Will Your Car Insurance Replace Your Windshield?

Most car insurance companies offer additional glass coverage, which will cover the cost of a windshield replacement at no cost to you. If you don’t have glass coverage, but have comprehensive coverage, you can still get your insurance company to cover the cost. However, you will have to pay your deductible and the claim could potentially raise your insurance premium. If the windshield replacement cost isn’t much more than your deductible, we recommend you just pay out-of-pocket.

How To Prevent Windshield Damage In The Future

Biggest culprit of rock chips to avoid driving behind — Avoid driving behind dump trucks

Windshield damage occurs when a rock or other small debris strikes your windshield. This almost always occurs because another vehicle either drops or kicks-up a rock or object. Here are some tips to help you prevent windshield damage from occurring:

Don’t follow cars in front of you too closely.
Avoid driving behind dump trucks, construction vehicles, pickup trucks, and off-road vehicles.
Avoid driving on lanes directly beside highway shoulders littered with gravel and debris.
Slow down…the faster you drive, the more damage that will occur if your car strikes an object.
Be particularly cautious during and after days of heavy rain as rain tends to wash rocks and other objects onto the highway.

Our mission at eCarGuides

Here at eCarGuides, our goal is to help car owners make the best decisions possible when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. Find a highly-rated Porsche mechanic near you and detailed DIY guides for your Porsche.

How Rich Should You Be to Buy a New Porsche?

Posted on December 24, 2020 by ecarguidesllc

Photo courtesy of Porsche

Depending on the model, to responsibly purchase a new Porsche, you should earn anywhere from $120,000 to $400,000 per year after taxes. Now you might think that this means all of your friends and the social media influencers driving fancy cars are wealthy, but some are probably living above their means. In this article, we’ll help you understand the following:

How should you budget for a new car?
How much car can you afford?

Here’s a video version of this article, but, more details, check out the rest of the article.

How Should You Budget for a Car?

There are many rules-of-thumb on how people should budget for transportation costs, but most aren’t specific enough for people’s individual situations. Let’s take a look at a few popular budgeting recommendations.

Purchase price as a percentage of annual income

Many financial gurus recommend that you can buy a car that costs up to 20 to 35 percent of your annual, after-tax income. This rule-of-thumb includes taxes and financing costs in the purchase price. However, this method is flawed because it does not consider other car-related expenses like insurance, maintenance, gas, registration, etc. All of these other car expenses can vary drastically depending on the vehicle you purchase. For example, if you drive 50 miles per day on average, you will spend considerably more driving a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S than a Toyota Prius.

Transportation costs as a percentage of monthly income

The next common rule-of-thumb is that people should spend no more than 10 to 15 percent of their monthly, after-tax income on transportation, which includes the car payment, gas, insurance, maintenance, and other car-related expenses. However, this rule-of-thumb isn’t perfect either because it doesn’t consider the length of the car loan. Clearly, the monthly car payment is going to be significantly different if you finance a car for 84 versus 48 months.

The Car Enthusiast Budget (20/4/15 rule)

A versatile rule-of-thumb that we like is the 20/4/10 rule. This rule recommends that you make a 20% down payment, finance for only 48 months, and spend no more than 10% of your monthly, after-tax income on the car payment and other transportation expenses like gas and insurance. While we like this rule because it considers all transportation expenses and financing, it doesn’t recognize that car enthusiasts also see their cars as a hobby.

We think it’s reasonable for car enthusiasts to modify the 20/4/10 rule to 20/4/15, which we dub the “Car Enthusiast Budget.” Most financial experts agree that it is reasonable for people to budget 50% of their monthly, after-tax income to “needs” (housing, transportation, food, etc), 30% to “wants”, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. If owning a Porsche is something you’ve been dreaming about, it’s financially reasonable to allocate 5% of your 30% “wants” budget towards transportation.

How Much Car Can You Afford?

By now, you should have a good sense of why we recommend the Car Enthusiast Budget. To determine how much car you can afford, let’s assume the following monthly operating costs such as insurance, registration, gas, and maintenance.

Vehicle Price	Monthly Operating Costs
$30,000 & under	$200
$30,001 to $60,000	$300
$60,001 to $90,000	$400
$90,001 to $120,000	$500
$120,001 to $150,000	$600

Based on the Car Enthusiast Budget and these assumptions, here’s how much car you can afford based on your income and the interest rate you qualify for.

	Interest Rate
Monthly Income (After Taxes)	2%	4%	6%
$2,000	$5,750	$5,500	$5,250
$4,000	$23,125	$22,000	$21,250
$6,000	$34,500	$33,125	$31,875
$8,000	$51,875	$49,750	$47,875
$10,000	$63,375	$60,875	$58,500
$12,000	$80,625	$77,500	$74,500
$14,000	$92,125	$88,500	$85,125
$16,000	$109,375	$105,125	$101,000
$18,000	$121,250	$116,250	$111,625
$20,000	$138,125	$132,875	$127,625

For a more precise estimate, make a copy of this spreadsheet tool and input your values.

Conclusion: How Rich Should You Be to Buy a Porsche?

Photo Courtesy of Porsche

Alright, we’re almost ready to answer this question, but we need to make a few more assumptions:

The total price of a new Porsche includes an additional 15% and 8% respectively for options and sales tax.
The car loan is at a 2% interest rate for 48 months.
The monthly expenses vary primarily based due to fuel economy and insurance premiums.

So, how rich should you be to buy a new Porsche? To be financially responsible, you should make anywhere between $120,000 to $400,000 per year (after taxes).

Porsche Model	MSRP	Car Payment	Monthly Expenses	Annual Net Income
Macan Base	$52,100	$1,112	$400	$120,978
Cayenne Base	$67,500	$1,441	$500	$155,279
718 Base	$59,900	$1,279	$300	$126,300
Panamera Base	$87,200	$1,862	$400	$180,924
911 Carrera Base	$99,200	$2,118	$400	$201,418
Taycan 4S	$103,800	$2,216	$400	$209,274
911 Turbo S	$203,500	$4,344	$700	$403,545

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How To Permanently Eliminate Bad Car Smell

Posted on October 25, 2020 by ecarguidesllc

We know how terrible it can be to have a stinky car. No matter have much air freshener you use or how many times you get the interior professionally detailed, the smell still lingers. That’s because these methods cover up and remove some of stinky culprits. However, they fail to eliminate smells that live deep within the carpet and other porous materials. In this article, we’ll show you how to permanently eliminate the smell inside your car using a cheap, easy, and sure-proof method.

Method

To permanently eliminate the bad smell in your car, we will be borrowing a trick from Mother Nature. You will need an Ozone generator such as the Enerzen model above (Amazon link). To understand how this method works, let’s jump quickly into basic chemistry.

Ozone is O3, which is just three oxygen atoms combined. While two oxygen atoms combine to have a very stable bond, think of the third oxygen atom as a third wheel on a date who’s barely clinging on. Because of this weak bond, O3 is unstable and easily willing to shed the third oxygen atom. When O3 encounters other molecules, the third oxygen atoms break away and bond with them. As a result, this chemical reaction changes the composition of these stinky odor causing molecules and, thus, eliminates the bad smells.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Place the ozone generator inside the car

Ozone is damaging to your lungs, so start by ensuring there are no people, children, or pets around your car. Then, place the ozone generator inside your car.

Step 2 – Set the timer on the ozone generator

With the ozone generator plug disconnected, set the timer dial on ozone generator. Typically, you should only need to run the ozone generator for 20-30 minutes to remove all the odors.

Step 3 – Turn the ozone generator on

Place the ozone generator plug outside of your car, then make sure all of your car’s doors and windows are closed. Plug in the ozone generator to an extension cord and let it run until the timer stops.

Step 4 – Turn off the ozone generator and let the car air out

After letting the ozone generator run its course, disconnect the power. Ensure there are no people, children, or pets around the car. Then, while holding your breath, quickly open all the car doors to let the ozone escape. Wait two hours before getting inside your car.

Step 5 – Repeat as necessary

When you return to your car, the smell should be completely eliminated. You will have an ozone smell, which is hard to describe, but it should go away in a few days. If your car still smells, repeat this process as needed.

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981 Porsche Cayman S: A Real Owner’s Perspective

Posted on October 25, 2020 by ecarguidesllc

In 2013, I met Alex while we were both pursuing our MBA degrees in Boston. We didn’t hang out much, but, little did we know, we would later form a close friendship three-thousand miles away. Fast forward to 2016. Alex had just moved out to the SF Bay Area and had gotten a new job at my company. During our first conversation in over two years, our secrets came out. We are both GEARHEADS.

However, we didn’t quite get along. You see, Alex was a diehard BMW guy who drove a 4 Series. On the other hand, I was a Porsche fanboy who believed the answer to anyone’s sports car itch was, “Porsche, there is no substitute.” Slowly but surely, I began to pull Owen into the world of Porsche. “Hey Alex…what are you doing this Saturday? Nothing? Great, want to join me for a Saturday cruise with the Porsche Club of America (PCA)?”

The rest is history. I don’t know if it was the PCA Cruise or my constant enthusiasm for my 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S, but something got Alex to sell his BMW, learn to drive stick shift, and buy a 981 Porsche Cayman S. In this article, we interview Alex to learn more about his journey to Porsche ownership and how he’s enjoying it so far.

Alex checking out a friend’s 981 Boxster GTS

How did you become interested in cars?

I got into cars when I first got my driver’s license as a teenager. I loved the experience of driving, of freedom, even if at that time, the only car I drove was my family’s Toyota Sienna minivan.

What cars did you own before you purchased your 981?

Before my 981 Cayman S, I was a BMW guy. I owned an E93 BMW 328i convertible, an E85 Z4 roadster, and an F32 430i.

What drew you to the 981 and did you consider any other cars?

What got me into the 981 was actually my experience with my Z4. It was (and to be honest, still is) the most fun car I’ve owned to date. It was my first time with a two seat roadster and my first time driving stick. Unfortunately, it started becoming a bit unreliable given that it was over 10 years old so I wanted to find a car that could take the Z4 formula to the next level. The 981 I found did that – two seater, six cylinders, with a stick (although I ended up with a coupe instead of a roadster this time.) I also considered a base 991 with the stick, but it didn’t seem to be worth it since the performance was about the same but it was much more expensive.

How much did you get your 981 for and how was your purchase experience?

I bought my car for $47k at CarMax. It was a good buying experience. The car was in Arizona but thankfully, I had my good buddy and car expert Dennis there who kindly agreed to check out the car for me. It passed Dennis’s test, so I asked CarMax to ship it out to me. A few weeks later, it arrived. I test drove it myself and the transaction was fairly straightforward.

What do you primarily use your car for and what’s your favorite thing to do with the car (ie: weekend cruising, track, etc)?

Before COVID, it was my daily driver, but since COVID, I’ve been working from home and mostly using it for fun drives in the mountains.

What do you like and dislike about your 981?

Likes: This car has been a huge blessing, especially during COVID, remote work, and shelter in place. I thank God for giving me the car. I like the handling, the sound, and the ease of working on it (for a Porsche). I also love the looks. In my completely biased opinion, I think it looks better than the 718, 991, and especially the 992. I am not a big fan of the ergonomics.

Dislikes: The seats are uncomfortable (no lumbar support) and the buttons are placed in weird positions. Your left knee rests on the speaker grille if you have the Bose option which means if you wear shorts, your knees will hurt after a few minutes of driving. And, the brake and gas pedals are positioned in a way where heel-toe is difficult unless you are full on braking. (I wear size 12 shoes and had a much easier time with heel-toe in the Z4.) Overall, for me, the car is not a good daily driver but it is a great mountain/weekend/fun car.

Have you had any issues with the car?

Reliability wise, the car had a few rattles, the inside door panels were coming loose when I bought it, and the infotainment system restarts by itself every once in a while. All of these have been or will be fixed under warranty.

What advice do you have for other perspective 981 buyers?

Make sure you know what you are getting into. If you are coming from BMW (like me) or from another luxury brand, these cars skew much further into the sport part of the sport/luxury continuum. For me, it was not what I expected – it does not drive like a BMW – but it ended up being perfect for what I use the car for now. For others, this may not be the best fit for a car.

What car do you want to own in the future?

Maybe the new 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 or a 991.2 Carrera cab for a fun car. Tesla Model 3 and Model X for potential daily drivers.

Are there any other questions you think would be relevant and helpful to prospective buyers?

Make sure you know how much maintenance costs, or are willing to do it yourself. I don’t think I would have bought the car if I couldn’t do the maintenance myself given the high cost of doing it from the dealer (and even from independent mechanics.)

Final Thoughts

Alex’s journey to Porsche ownership and mine are pretty similar. We are both gearheads who have owned cars commensurate with our stages of life. At fairly young ages (~30 years old), we purchased our very first Porsches secondhand to get the best values possible. We also wrench on our cars not just to save money, but because we enjoy doing things ourselves. If our backgrounds resonate with you, then a used Porsche Cayman, Boxster, or 911 could scratch your itch. Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

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Don’t Buy a Porsche as a Daily Driver, Buy a Lexus Instead

Posted on October 11, 2020 by ecarguidesllc

Porsche makes undoubtedly great, sports-oriented cars, but does Porsche make great daily drivers? In this article, YouTuber, Car Fanatic, will share his personal experience using his 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo as a daily driver and why he recommends going with a Lexus instead.

Backstory

In 2014, I purchased my first Porsche…a beautiful 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S. This became my weekend car that I would take canyon carving and occasionally to the track. However, just 2 years later, I developed an itch to replace my aging 2008 Subaru Forester with a Porsche Cayenne.

After a couple months of searching, in late 2016, I test drove a 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo with 70,000 miles. During the test drive, I immediately fell in love with the dual-sided personality. On the one hand, it was a properly rugged, heavy SUV. On the other hand, it drove like what you would expect from a performance SUV–sure-footed composure in the curves and enough power to throw you back in your seat at nearly any speed. After some back-and-forth negotiations, I pulled the trigger and purchased the Cayenne for $26,000.

Then came the issues

My new-to-me Porsche Cayenne came with an extensive service history. In its 8 year life, the prior owner had spent nearly $8,000 on maintenance and repairs ranging from a $2,500 brake job to a driveshaft replacement to two water pump replacements.

While I knew maintaining a Cayenne would be more expensive than maintaining a Toyota, I didn’t expect the first issue to strike in just my first month of ownership.

As I was driving from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe for a weekend ski trip, I noticed the check engine light flashing followed by engine hesitation when accelerating. I immediately pulled off the highway and contacted my independent mechanic who quickly diagnosed the issue as a faulty ignition coil.

Just my luck. I had been planning to replace the ignition coils, which are known to fail. After getting the vehicle towed and picking up a rental car, my family and I finally arrived to our destination at 1 AM the next morning.

After this stressful experience, I purchased an aftermarket warranty for $3400, which provided 3 years and 36,000 miles of coverage. At the end of the policy, I would come to realize that this was a great decision. After 3 years of ownership, here is a breakdown of all the unplanned repairs I encountered.

Caveat: All of the items after 90,000 miles were proactive repairs that my aftermarket warranty was willing to cover.

Mileage	Repairs	Costs
70681	Full Spark plugs, Ignition Coils, and Engine Torque Arm Replacements	$621.48
80396	Vacuum Pump replaced	$985.43
82894	Thermostat Housing, Thermostat, and coolant replaced	$1,637.02
90630	Sway bar bushing replacement	$167.94
90630	Front upper & lower control arms, strut top mounts, & sway bar drop links replaced	$2,065.67
90630	Driveshaft support replaced (with aftermarket design)	$792.91
105	Engine and transmission mounts replacement	$3,267.88
Total Repair Costs		$9,538.33
Warranty Coverage		-$7,748.91
Out-of-Pocket Costs		$1,789.42

Even when reliable, the Porsche Cayenne is expensive to operate

As you can see above, the Cayenne is an expensive vehicle to fix when issues come up. Fortunately, my aftermarket warranty covered the majority of the repairs. However, even when the Cayenne is running properly, it’s an expensive car to operate for 5 main reasons:

Porsche parts and labor are overpriced compared to ordinary cars.
The Cayenne is a gas guzzler and only averages around 13-15 MPG in mixed driving conditions.
Since the Cayenne Turbo runs 21″ wheels, a set of tires will set you back around $1,600.
Replacing the brakes, even if you do-it-yourself, will set you back about $1,000.
Because the Cayenne weighs over 5,000 pounds, it burns through tires and brakes every 25,000 miles and 35,000 miles respectively.

As shown in the table below, after three years of ownership, my Cayenne’s total cost of ownership comes out to roughly $11,000 per year! This is staggering especially since my Porsche Cayenne had already lost 75% of its original value when I purchased it.

Total Maintenance Costs				4,950.79
Repair Costs				11,638.32
Warranty Coverage				-7,828.90
Warranty Policy				3,400.00
3 Years of Registration & Insurance				3,900.00
Gas (35K miles @3.20/gallon & 15 MPG)				7,466.67
Depreciation				10,000.00
3 Year Total Ownership Costs				33,526.88
Avg. Annual Cost of Ownership				11,175.63
Total ownership cost per mile				0.96

However, the Porsche Cayenne is still an amazing SUV

Despite all the issues I’ve had with my Porsche Cayenne and the expensive running costs, I still have enjoyed my ownership experience. While the Porsche Cayenne isn’t the most-trouble free SUV, it is the SUV that can do it all. It performs great on-road, yet is rugged enough to get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. For better or worse, my love-hate relationship is what has made my Porsche Cayenne memorable.

Here are some pictures of me taking my Porsche Cayenne on off-road trails frequented by Jeeps.

Additionally, even with all-season tires, the Porsche Cayenne performs very well in the snow as shown in this video:

My advice, don’t buy a Porsche Cayenne as a daily driver

Unless money is no object to you, I don’t recommend buying a Porsche Cayenne as a daily driver and will not be making the same decision again in the future. Here are 3 reasons why:

The Porsche Cayenne is a terrible value like other luxury SUVs. Even a brand-new base model will set you back over $65,000 and you’ll lose a lot of money on depreciation.
The Cayenne can be a headache to maintain. General maintenance will run you 2-3 times that of an ordinary car, but, also, the over-engineered nature of Porsches means there are more opportunities for things to go wrong.
As a daily driver, a Porsche Cayenne just isn’t practical. It gets terrible gas mileage, isn’t anymore enjoyable than an ordinary car when sitting in traffic, and is bound to get damaged from everyday usage.

Buy a Lexus instead

After everything I learned daily driving my Porsche Cayenne for three years, here are 5 criteria I recommend for any daily driver:

Safety: Sorry fanboys, Miata is not always the answer. Your life is important, so daily drive a car with modern engineering and safety features.
Dependability: The last thing you want to worry about when rushing to work is car problems.
Value: A daily driver just needs to get you from point A to point B without breaking the bank.
Practicality: While we all want to drive sports cars, face it. We spend more of our time running shopping errands than we do carving canyons. A daily driver should be able to accommodate those ad-hoc Costco runs.
Something you don’t care about: Lastly, a daily driver shouldn’t add stress to your already stressful life. You shouldn’t have to worry about where you park or your kids making a mess inside the car.

Listening to my own advice, I recently purchased a used 2004 Lexus RX330 as my new daily driver. This car checks all of the boxes above and is the epitome of a perfect daily driver. For just $6,100, this 17 year old, 150,000 mile car drives great, has more convenience and comfort features than my Porsche Cayenne, and everything still works. In addition, it offers trlemendous reliability and generally only requires routine maintenance (e.g. fluid, brake, and timing belt replacements). What more could you ask for in a daily driver?

Final thoughts

While I think the Porsche Cayenne is one of the best SUVs that can do it all, it comes at a hefty price tag. While money may be no object to some people, if you’re like me, you probably are value conscious to some degree. If you want a fun car to use on the weekends, buy a Porsche. However, if you want a reliable, stress-free daily driver, stick with a Toyota or Lexus.

What do you think and what is your daily driver and why? Let us know in the comments.

Our mission at eCarGuides

How To Clean Your Car Interior In 5 Easy Steps

Posted on September 29, 2020 by ecarguidesllc

Did you know that most drivers spend anywhere between one and four hours inside their cars each day? As a result, car interiors tend to be dirty and cluttered spaces. Not only can you expect to find dust, dirt, and trash inside your car, but it’s not uncommon to find dead skin, hair, and other gross things as shown in this Top Gear video. In this article, we will show you how to clean the interior of your car in five easy steps.

Step 1 – Remove items from the interior

Just like cleaning a room in your house, start by removing all the items inside your car that might get in the way. This ranges from floor mats and seat covers to things like old beverage cans, used napkins, and receipts. Also, remove everything from the glove box, trunk and other storage compartments. In doing so, you will not only make the cleaning steps easier, but you will also have the chance to separate the things you need to keep in your car from the unnecessary stuff.

Step 2 – Wipe down all interior surfaces

With everything out of the way, start by cleaning all the interior surfaces except for the seats and carpet. To avoid transferring dirt from one spot to another, we recommend starting from the top and working your way down. Use an automotive glass cleaner and paper towels to clean the windows, which will remove thin layers of buildup that can obstruct visibility. You may need to repeat this a few times to achieve a spotless finish.

Next, move onto the dashboard and other plastic trims. Although dust is most common on these surfaces, you may also find other types of stains. In most cases, you can remove these stains with a microfiber towel and a little bit of warm water. However, if you encounter any stubborn spots, you may need to use a gentle automotive interior cleaner and soft brush to agitate the stain loose. Additionally, be sure to clean in between the cracks and crevices with a soft brush.

Recommended Products

Be sure to use a gentle interior cleaner, so you don’t create a chemical reaction with any interior parts. Here are tried and true products we recommend that are both gentle yet effective:

Step 3 – Vacuum the interior

With the glass and plastic trim taken care of, it is time to remove the dirt and dust from all seats, carpet, floor mats, and storage compartments. You will need a strong vacuum cleaner and several suitable extensions, which will be helpful for the hard-to-reach areas. If you have any tough to remove carpet stains, check out this video and follow these simples steps:

Vacuum the carpet first to pick up any loose dirt and debris.
Saturate the stain with carpet cleaner and wait a few minutes for the carpet cleaner to begin working.
Use a stiff brush to agitate carpet cleaner, which will trap dirt and debris.
Wipe away or vacuum up the dirty carpet cleaner residue.
Allow the carpet to dry.

Step 4 – Protect the interior from harmful UV rays

Now, your car interior should be very clean. However, you still need to protect the interior from harmful UV rays, which can cause fading and cracking. When picking an interior protectant, avoid products that leave a greasy, shiny residue as this will attract dust and dirt. Instead, go with a quality protectant like Aerospace 303 UV Protectant, which cleans and improves the interiors appearance. To apply protectant, simply spray the protectant onto a clean microfiber towel and work it into the interior surfaces. When you are done, buff the interior surfaces dry with a clean microfiber towel so you have a nice even finish throughout the cabin.

Step 5 – Clean and condition leather surfaces

Just like your skin, leather needs regular cleanings and moisturizing to prevent from drying out and cracking. While cars today use numerous types of natural and synthetic leathers, here’s a simple maintenance regimen that works on virtually any type of leather. As shown in the video above, follow these simple steps to keep your leather in great condition.

After vacuuming the seats, spray an all-in-one leather cleaner/condition like Sonax Leather Foam directly onto the leather surface.
Allow the cleaner to start breaking down the dirt.
Before the cleaner can dry, use a soft brush to agitate and trap any dirt remaining.
Use a microfiber towel to wipe away the dirty cleaner residue.
Lastly, use a clean microfiber towel to buff dry the leather so you have a nice even finish.

Conclusion

A dirty and neglected car interior is much more than just an aesthetic issue. Whether it’s the start of a groggy morning or end of a stressful workday, a clean interior will make you feel better and keep you safer on the road. However, with these 5 simple steps, you can keep your interior looking great for years to come.

To see how you can save money on maintaining your car, check out our detailed maintenance guides. While we encourage car owners to do-it-yourself to save money, we understand DIY is not for everyone. Check out our service center recommendations to find a highly rated mechanic near you. Thanks for reading and subscribe to eCarGuides to get the latest information for all of your car ownership needs.

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