going rate for 1000 miles & 3000 miles service

Not sure why you would take your replica to a Porsche shop.  Do you have a Porsche engine?

My engine is an aircooled vw 2332 dual weber carb 48 ida. I bought it from a Porsche specialist...so it will be easier to take it back there....no warranty questions or hassles !

Seems high to me. Where are you located? Are you taking it back to the same shop that built your engine?

Before I started doing it myself, the place I took it to was less than half that amount for valves, oil, timing, etc.

If you're talking about carb work or ignition issues it goes up accordingly.

i am in Houston, TX

Thanks Terry - I does seem high to me too- I was thinking of taking the car back for service at the Porsche Specialist that sold me the car (new with a warranty). They merely sell and maintain cars. They do not build engines. I understand my engine is from CB Performance.

I would search out an air-cooled VW mechanic in your area. Maybe someone here could recommend one. Perhaps re-post under that title?

You can also check in on the Samba. http://thesamba.com

If you're interested in learning how to do the job yourself, there are various tutorials available on YouTube as well as the excellent "Bug Me" videos. 

Better yet, find a good "shade tree" mechanic in your area that is willing to help you.

Zdouga, what exactly are they going to do for the $500?  Did they give you a list?

Most of my Houston/Spring/Woodlands clients use Ricky at Texas Aircooled.  Hard to get in touch with at times, works later than normal hours (like noon to late evening IIRC), but knows his stuff and is not expensive.  I'd be surprised if you had 1/2 of that $$$$ into a typical 1000 mi service (but find out for yourself), As mentioned above it is hard to make a comparison without knowing exactly what they are doing.  I'd consider a typical initial service to be valves, oil, carb sync, inspect/change fuel filters, check fluids, grease front end, brake adjust (if any drums) and a general inspection of bolts and wear items.

Thanks Terry

Ron - For the $500, they would do the standard 1000 miles maintenance, as prescribed by the engine manufacturer.

I am told adjusting the intake/exhaust valves is the most time consuming and most of the $500 would be labor related...

Carey - I appreciate the tip - will check out Texas Aircooled !

Zdouga

You'd be amazed at how easy the valve adjustment is. It's only time-consuming if you have to drop the exhaust system to get at the valve covers. Even then, 1 hour, tops.

Adjusting valves is the most time consuming?

Prior to purchasing my VS last year my enitre tool kit consisted of four screw drivers, a rusty pliers, a ratchet and odds n' ends of sockets, and near zero experience... But I had Larry Jowdy's explict 'connect the dots' valve adjustment instructions!!

Squatting on my butt working blind around my mufflers is far less than an hour...and that's with a coffee break between #2 and #3. 

500 IS A RIP OFF

Those of us that have A1 Sidewinders have to remove a portion of the exhaust to get at the right side valve bank.  It definitely adds some time to the process.  This winter, I'm having Carey tack weld the bolt onto the bracket on the front side of the muffler so that it's a one-handed and non-blind operation going forward. That should really speed things up.

Ouch - can't take more than 2 hours and $225/hr is steep ($50 in parts assumption).  Isn't 3k the normal oil change/valve adjustment/carb synch/lube maintenance schedule?  I can see initial purchase/new engine 1k oil change.  What's in the 1k schedule.  Assume you are in a major metro area for those rates? 

VW owners repair manual has 6k oil change and valve adjustments etc. Assume Speedsters are driven harder and less miles over time so can see 3k being reasonable.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/arc...4beetle/74T1-D05.jpg

A valve adjustment/oil/timing adjustment should cost $250.00 max!!!!