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Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 2:17 pm
by BigPhil
The OPC's aren't perfect.

They charged me £60 to replace the puncture repair gunk can at the 20k service until I reminded them I didn't have one as I'd specced the spacesaver spare. They were a little embarrassed to say the least.

Makes me wonder what what else they charged me for but didn't change though.......

BigPhil

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 3:44 pm
by Guy
BigPhil wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2017 2:17 pm The OPC's aren't perfect.

They charged me £60 to replace the puncture repair gunk can at the 20k service until I reminded them I didn't have one as I'd specced the spacesaver spare. They were a little embarrassed to say the least.

Makes me wonder what what else they charged me for but didn't change though.......

BigPhil

Gosh that's a little concerning. You just made me revisit my first service bill and do a bit of Google translation from Romanian! :?

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:00 am
by Bigboyrolo
Guy wrote: 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

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?
You probably mean upgrades like Cobb tuning etc. This video https://youtu.be/EV8KNAPcl44 is a great endorsement for a tuned Macan S, even an after market exhaust and Michelin Alpins. As you say US OPC’s don’t appear to have a problem with this type of work. I would certainly do mantenance and servicing if I had to, but with 2yr intervals and a reasonable cost I won’t bother. As you can see I had my calipers hand painted, a huge improvement in looks behind my VG Wheels imo. Only positive comments so far, even from an OPC, so no big deal but if and when I sell, I’ll have them put back to standad silver.

86E7BEB5-100A-45A9-A257-F69535387CA4.jpeg


Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:40 am
by catalinktn
Hello! My macan is with halogen headlight, is posible modify with bixenon headlight?

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 12:45 pm
by Paul
catalinktn wrote: Sat Nov 04, 2017 11:40 am Hello! My macan is with halogen headlight, is posible modify with bixenon headlight?

Not cost effectively no.

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 1:30 pm
by SAC1
Just up grade the [halogen] bulbs. The Auto Express "best buy" [as published in their 17.11.17 edition] is GE Megalight Ultra +130.
"Recommended" are Bosch Gigalight Plus 120 and Phillips Racing Vision.
Halfords have 2-for-1 offers too. :idea:

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:11 am
by Roddacom
Hi All, I use these, worked very well. All the lights look the same colour now and much brighter. Has the DRL/Low Beam H15 HID too. Left the fogs standard.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Maca ... #vi-ilComp

Comments?

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:20 am
by Paul
Does that price include the full gyros and headlamps washers?

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:39 am
by Nuclear Nick
Great post Guy! Fully agree with what you say and, and likewise will do DIY maintenance and servicing. I've always done it on cars and bikes since I was a kid, and that includes full engine and gearbox overhauls, tuning modifications, etc. Warranty issues aside, there is a case though for having franchised dealerships see the car or bike every now and then to check for updates and recalls.

Having lived in the US for a while I would say that consumers over there have much more influence and/or clout. Just look at how powerful their consumer regulators are, witness VW dieselgate compensation, compared to our pretty pathetic lot. There is another cultural difference in that the Yanks have always been much more into modifying their cars, eg hot rods, etc, and the associated market for equipment and spares is enormous. The necessary technical information for maintenance is also much more readily available over there, partly due to regulation but mostly because of consumer demand.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your diagnostic scanner, did you mean ELM327, and what you use it for?

Re: DIY Maintenance and Modification

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 9:23 am
by Guy
Nuclear Nick wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:39 am I'd be interested to hear how you get on with your diagnostic scanner, did you mean ELM327, and what you use it for?
Hi Nick - sorry only just seen this! I did get hold of an ELM327 and tried it in the VW Golf - it connected OK but to be honest I just played around with a few of the free apps that read out engine parameters etc, rather than trying to be too ambitious and change or reset anything!

I wasn't brave enough to try the ELM in the Macan - whilst googling advice I found someone whose Macan had 'shut down' totally when he connected to the OBD2; he had to get the car trailered to an OPC to reset it. I figured that I am not currently that inquisitive, but don't rule it out for the future!

Interesting side discussion re protective grills on the site viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7414 - it seems that many members are not averse to a few sensible modifications.