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Your Boxster or Cayman is in the best of hands at JMG Porsche, where even with servicing we go beyond the factory schedule.
The factory schedule for many models called for a service every two years, which was fine when the car was new and to make the car last beyond the factory warranty without issue. However we strongly recommend that all models are serviced annually, alternating between a minor and a major service each year. Click here and read our article for more information.
Servicing and repair advice for the the Boxster and Cayman models.
Service interval - We strongly advise that all Porsche cars are serviced every year, with a major service every two years.
The service schedule can be confusing with some service items needing to be performed every X amount of years, with other items being specified every Y amount of miles.
At JMG Porsche we have built a database for each model car, where every two years of age for your car, has listed the major service it requires in that year, which combined with every year in between major services the car having an annual service.
This means that for your model of Porsche, we can provide you with a plain price list for servicing, no matter what year your car was made, which makes it easy to see what service items are due and what the total cost will be.
To get a copy of the current service guide and price list for your Porsche, just email us to have your copy emailed to you in PDF format.
Eventually we plan on making it possible to register to the website and be able to download the latest version of this price list - Watch this space!
Engine failures - Not nearly as common as horror stories on the internet would have you believe, but there are still worthwhile ways of avoiding unexpected large engine rebuild costs. One of which is proper servicing by a real Porsche specialist, which may not need cost as much as you think. There are also some ways to avoid unexpected bills by following some of our other advice bellow.
Brake fluid - Did you realise this should be changed every two years? Not doing this can cause problems with expensive parts within your car, such as the ABS pump or any part of the brake hydraulics due to water contamination as the brake fluid actually sucks moisture out of the air (hydroscopic), so even if the car is not used, the brake fluid must be changed every two years!
Water Pump - Often thought of as a part which fails with age, mileage and quite suddenly, leaving you stranded, our expert technicians are used to inspecting these during services, and so may spot tell tale signs of failure long before they become an issue, so saving you from the indignity of being broken down at the side of the road.
IMS Bearing - The famous intermediate shaft bearing (IMS Bearing) is an important bearing within the engine. These can fail on pre 2005 models of Boxster and cause catestrophic damage to the engine, sometimes costing thousands to repair. However there is a better design of bearing available, which our engine specialists at JMG Porsche have developed some cost effective ways to install and remove the risk of this kind of engine failure. Typically, the most cost effective time to replace this bearing with the better design is at the same time as a clutch replacement. However if you do not need a clutch now, or own a tiptronic Boxster, then we can perform this job at any time.
RMS - Rear main seal - Something else you might see horror stories on the internet about, these used to be a real problem and Porsche re designed the part several times to arrive at the current design which is the only one we at JMG Porsche use. Like an IMS Bearing replacement, this is best performed during a clutch change, however on tiptronic models or on cars not needing a clutch, they can be changed at any time.
Transmission services - Not clearly noted by Porsche for when the transmission should be serviced and this vital expensive part of your car should not be overlooked. Just like your engine, the transmission is filled with oil/transmission fluid, which over time degrades. Not only this, but not many realise that many Porsche transmissions also contain a filter, which becomes clogged over time and can starve your transmission of lubrication, causing expensive repairs. We recommend all Porsche transmissions are serviced every 4 years or 40,000 miles, whichever comes soonest.
Air Oil Separator - If your Porsche is producing some smoke, especially when it starts up in the morning, it could be that the air oil separator has failed rather than your whole engine being damaged. This simple device is designed to allow your engine to pass polution regulations and should not cost the earth to replace, at least much less expensive than rebuilding an engine!
Drive Belt - Many of you may have had cars where a drive belt, timing belt or cam belt needs to be changed at a regular interval. Your Porsche model has a belt which should be changed every 4 years. Failure to do so can cause instant overheating, loss of power steering and damage to the engine very suddenly. We recommend you have this changed at least every 4 years.
Heavy clutch? - A heavy feeling clutch which is stiff to use is not normal on a Porsche and often a sign that the clutch has almost worn out. Ignoring this can cause further damage, such as to the dual mass flywheel and clutch fork.
Alarm system - At JMG Porsche we are experts of all Porsche security systems and have reverse engineered all the various control units. This not only means we can program new alarm control units and keys to your car, just as the main dealer can, but in some cases we can repair your old alarm control unit and keys, or in some cases recover your old keys to be used on the new alarm control unit, which is a service unique to JMG.
Alarm system causes - In most cases the cause of alarm control unit failure is water damage, we can perform modifications to your Porsche model to help mitigate the chances of this happening to your Porsche.
Porsche Servicing - Diagnosis - Repairs - Modification
Your Porsche has the potential to be as good as the day it was made, or in fact better.
Annual and two yearly servicing.
It all starts with the very best servicing with attention to detail every year, not just every two years and following the advise of your trusted Porsche specialist.
On a rotation of every 12 years there are specific two yearly items which need attention on your Porsche to build the foundation to keep it in good working order and avoiding breakdowns or expensive bills.
The inspection element of each of these two yearly services is especially important, it monitors numerous points of inspection tailored to your exact model of Porsche. These points of inspection have been developed to spot problems early, where rectification is likely to be much less expensive than allowing the issues to develop further for another year.
Diagnosis.
Getting to the bottom of a problem with your Porsche takes a great deal of experience, skill and the very best in diagnostic tools, but that is just part of the process. To make sure the same issue does not return, a big part of the diagnosis process is not just finding out what is wrong and what is needed to repair the fault, but also finding the root cause so that can be dealt with also.
It is also not unusual for us to diagnose issues that other specialists and main dealers have not been able diagnose, which is something we are especially proud of.
Repairs.
It would be easy to think that after diagnosis, a repair is just a case of replacing a faulty component, but here at JMG Porsche we believe in not just doing the minimum, but going that extra mile to make sure the area of the repair is cleaned, threads and fasteners are restored or replaced, as well as using only the very best quality parts. This attitude to repairs is key to keeping your Porsche forever young.
Sometimes parts are no longer available or on back order, or are deemed to be of poorer quality than is possible by sourcing a better quality improved part, or in some cases working with our partners to develop improved parts or even remanufacturing the original parts to a high or higher standard.
Modification.
Over the years we have gained a great deal of experience in not only modification of Porsche cars, but development of replacement parts.
As far back as the 1980's we were developing our own software and maps for Porsche engine management systems, to not only improve their performance, but to improve how that power is delivered. Less lag with turbo models, improved efficiency or where desired, more power than has been possible elsewhere.
Modification is not just about the engine, but improving handling, braking, comfort or even how the car sounds, through the exhaust or through the entertainment system speakers.
Recent changes.
As time has moved on, we have become victims of our own success. Demand for our time often outstrips availability. Trying to please everyone, often those that have shouted loudest, has at times seen our focus taken away from where it should be, pleasing customers who love their Porsche and want the same thing as we do, which is their Porsche working as well as is possible, maybe as a standard car, or as an improved one, but always as a cherished one.
So to sharpen up our focus, we have had to realise we can't be all things to all Porsche owners, but we need to give the very best service to the right customers.
Make sure you and your Porsche specialist is the right fit.
We are not the cheapest Porsche specialist, if you are looking for the very cheapest price to service or repair your Porsche, then you may be wasting your time asking us for a quote.
We do not use cheap parts, we believe that your Porsche is partly the sum of it's parts, if those parts are Ford quality, then by fitting cheap parts all we are doing is turning your Porsche into a normal domestic car, rather than the wonderful driving machine that is was designed to be.
We do not cut corners and rush your repair and our hourly labour rate reflects our experience, skill and equipment, which we believe offers good value for money, but again does not make for the cheapest repair.
The models we do not work on anymore.
Some models of Porsche have become rare as time has passed by, and some specialists for specific models have emerged who would be the very best option to look after some select models. Such as the Porsche 912, pre 1980's 911 models, the 356, 914 and 928. Although we have a great deal of experience in these models, we would not be providing you with the best value for money and service by working on these cars.
This was a hard decision, but we need to hand these models over to people who work on them every day, rather than occasionally, and I believe all Porsche specialists should also be honest and focussed.
However the 911 models from around 1980 onwards, the 924, 944, 968, 964 and 993, all the way through to the current Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Macan and Panamera models will remain a big part of our focus.
We love our ideal customers as they make us love our job.
Job satisfaction for a Porsche specialist comes from doing good work that we are proud of, but also for customers who are nice people.
We believe we are nice people, and it is so much nicer to deal with customers who are polite, honest and want their car to be right, where both us as your specialist and you, our customers are on the same page, where you feel your car gets better after every visit, and we get to do the very best quality work.
In the past we have tried to be all things to all Porsche owners, which unfortunately has seen that some customers who shouted loudest received the most attention, which has seen the patient nice customers not getting the attention that they deserved. So this has had to stop, our focus is now on those who love their Porsche, where it may be an object of pride, or it may be a car that you always dreamed of buying.
You may be on a budget, or it may be money no object, but as long as you are nice, polite and easy to get along with, we will be a good fit.
Are we a good fit as your Porsche specialist?
If after reading all this you feel we are on the same page as what you want for your Porsche, then feel free to get in touch.
As we mentioned, we are always very busy, so we might not be able to answer the phone (01202 488800), with priority of answering calls going to whoever's car is here, but if we do not answer, please leave a voicemail, or even better send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you have sent us an email in the past, and it was not answered, we have just recently solved issues with our email which was happening for over two years, so please do not feel you have been intentionally ignored, please get back in touch.
JMG Porsche, Independent Porsche specialists for modern classics through to the very latest models.
Porsche servicing, diagnosis, repairs and modifications.
With our roots going back to the early 1970's, we are a family run independent Porsche Specialist spanning three generations.
We have the same or better equipment, training and technical information access as enjoyed by the main dealers, while remaining friendly, honest and with a common sense approach.
Call us on 01202 488800 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your requirements.
