DIY Maintenance and Modification
Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 10:34 am
Having spent a bit of time on the US Macan forum recently, I notice that a significant proportion of their forum members seem far more prepared to carry out DIY maintenance and modification than us Brits. They have entire threads/topics devoted to both modification and maintenance.
Given that the Macan was only released in 2014, the majority of subject Macans must be under warranty, but those in the US seem to be much more prepared to do work themselves, often will the full knowledge of their OPC. US forum members have purchased spares and occasionally even sought advice from Porsche dealers/technicians.
Some of the US forum stuff that I have seen discussed from a DIY perspective include:
- Engine performance upgrades (far beyond the ‘power chips’ that are occasionally mentioned here!)
- Suspension modifications.
- New sound systems – complete new systems of amps, speakers and subs
- PCM modifications including CarPlay retrofit and screen mirroring through ‘video in’ adaptors
- Retrofit of Porsche options such as smokers pack, tow-bar or comfort/LED lighting
- Hardwired dashcams
- Hardwired radar detectors (allegedly )
- Routine maintenance from oil/filter changes through to brake pads/discs.
Avid readers of this forum will also remember one of our Australian colleagues who thought little of removing all the doors from his Macan to retrofit running boards – although to be fair remoteness from the nearest dealer was a factor here!
Meanwhile, back here on MacanForums.co.uk we seem to be limited to replacing wiper blades and (for the very ambitious) topping up AdBlue! Changing headlight bulbs is viewed as a ‘no-no’ by many UK forum members, and even something as benign as painting brake callipers is looked upon with horror – even when getting an expert to carry out the work.
Some consumables are easy to replace – cabin/engine air filters, oil/filter etc – so why don’t we give it a go? There’s no reason why you can’t use Porsche genuine parts, or approved oils. In the same way that ‘taking your own engine oil’ to a service should reduce its cost (as recently discussed), there’s no reason why you can’t turn up have already replaced air filters etc.
I am looking forward to carrying out some of the less ambitious non-safety-related work or repairs, but probably only once my car is out of warranty. Guides are available (YouTube, the US Forum etc) for most things, and there is only a limited requirement for specialist tools or test gear/diagnostics.
Are most members (like me) worried about warranty implications, or simply happy to pay ‘through the nose’ for routine maintenance for the short period of their ownership, leaving DIY to the second and subsequent owners. Thoughts?
Given that the Macan was only released in 2014, the majority of subject Macans must be under warranty, but those in the US seem to be much more prepared to do work themselves, often will the full knowledge of their OPC. US forum members have purchased spares and occasionally even sought advice from Porsche dealers/technicians.
Some of the US forum stuff that I have seen discussed from a DIY perspective include:
- Engine performance upgrades (far beyond the ‘power chips’ that are occasionally mentioned here!)
- Suspension modifications.
- New sound systems – complete new systems of amps, speakers and subs
- PCM modifications including CarPlay retrofit and screen mirroring through ‘video in’ adaptors
- Retrofit of Porsche options such as smokers pack, tow-bar or comfort/LED lighting
- Hardwired dashcams
- Hardwired radar detectors (allegedly )
- Routine maintenance from oil/filter changes through to brake pads/discs.
Avid readers of this forum will also remember one of our Australian colleagues who thought little of removing all the doors from his Macan to retrofit running boards – although to be fair remoteness from the nearest dealer was a factor here!
Meanwhile, back here on MacanForums.co.uk we seem to be limited to replacing wiper blades and (for the very ambitious) topping up AdBlue! Changing headlight bulbs is viewed as a ‘no-no’ by many UK forum members, and even something as benign as painting brake callipers is looked upon with horror – even when getting an expert to carry out the work.
Some consumables are easy to replace – cabin/engine air filters, oil/filter etc – so why don’t we give it a go? There’s no reason why you can’t use Porsche genuine parts, or approved oils. In the same way that ‘taking your own engine oil’ to a service should reduce its cost (as recently discussed), there’s no reason why you can’t turn up have already replaced air filters etc.
I am looking forward to carrying out some of the less ambitious non-safety-related work or repairs, but probably only once my car is out of warranty. Guides are available (YouTube, the US Forum etc) for most things, and there is only a limited requirement for specialist tools or test gear/diagnostics.
Are most members (like me) worried about warranty implications, or simply happy to pay ‘through the nose’ for routine maintenance for the short period of their ownership, leaving DIY to the second and subsequent owners. Thoughts?