What All Porsche and BMW Repairs Have in Common

What to Expect From a Porsche and BMW Repair

When it comes to a BMW repair or a Porsche repair job, in both cases you are dealing with the absolute epitome of German engineering. Both of these marques pride themselves on producing performance models that, on average, are faster, handle better and are more enjoyable to throw around a track than immediate rivals.

Unfortunately, there is a large price to pay – in many cases, quite literally – to keep your 911 Turbo or M3 on the road. Maintenance costs have kept pace with the increasingly complex technology under the skin. As a result, where you could once take your E30 325i to your mechanic pal up the road, today the current 3 Series needs the attention of a much more knowledgeable and skilled hand.

The same holds true for Porsche. The bulletproof, air-cooled motors popular in the 1980’s gave way to more powerful but complicated units thereafter.

So, whether you own a BMW or a Porsche, what do these two marques have in common when it comes to repairs?

First off is the dreaded case of oil leaks. Many of these motors feature multiple seals (especially in comparison to your average Japanese sedan) and as a result, a greater chance for a leak. One of the most destructive is a rear main seal leak, which can quickly destroy your clutch. Less severe but more common are valve cover leaks, affecting a number of 911 6-cylinders and e46 3 Series models. If you suspect a leak on your BMW or Porsche, never designate it as ‘just a small leak’ and always have it immediately checked and repaired.

Transmission-wise, several BMW and Porsche models use ZF-sourced gearboxes from the respected German car parts maker. Although exemplary gearboxes with smooth and lightning-fast gear changes, they often require careful removal to facilitate a repair and prevent further damage to the car’s mechanics.

Braking systems on German sports saloons are often under a great deal of stress because of the performance they offer, and earlier Porsche Boxster models were reported to eat their way through brake pads rapidly. Here, preventative maintenance is key, as keeping your brakes in good condition (and the components that work together with them) will serve you well in the long term.

If you own a BMW or Porsche that is still under warranty, it’s critical that you use original parts and fully inform yourself of any action that could void your warranty, as these manufacturers are particularly picky about work done and parts used outside their control. You can find out more about this here.

It’s also important that you seek the services of a German car specialist when having repairs done to your vehicle. Not sure how to find one? Well, no genuine specialist shop would have 10 individual makes in their service area and claim to be a specialist in them all. Continuous technician training and evolving technologies mean that just a handful of makes require a dedicated team to stay on top of.

Finally, whether you drive a BMW or a Porsche, these German cars demand a maintenance and servicing schedule that is thorough and done on time, every time. By keeping records of work done, you’ll also benefit greatly when you decide to sell and convince a potential buyer that your car has been treated well. Do this right, and you’ll likely avoid the hassle and prohibitive cost of serious mechanical failures in the future.