A fifteen- or twenty-year-old Porsche isn't a car you leave just anywhere, which is why some owners look for a Porsche mechanic beyond Málaga, even with 130 km to cover. In La Línea we work on the 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne and Macan, and we know where their weak spots are.
The 996 and 997.1 generations of 911, along with the 986 and 987 Boxster with the M96 or M97 engine, are known for the intermediate shaft bearing, the infamous IMS, and some 997s for bore scoring. Both are worth checking before they announce themselves. First-generation V8 Cayennes have another classic: plastic coolant pipes in the engine's V, which crack with heat and age.
Then there's the enjoyable side. A custom stainless exhaust for a 997 or a Cayman, TIG-welded and made for that car, changes its character completely. And on Macans and Cayennes with air suspension, the airbags and compressors have a limited life.
We're not an official Porsche centre. We're an independent workshop that treats these cars with the care they need and tells you plainly what's needed and what can wait.
≈ 98 min
by car
≈ 129 km
Driving route to the workshop
Your Porsche from Málaga
La Línea is about 130 km from Málaga, roughly an hour and 40 minutes by car. The AP-7 is the calmer choice for a low car; the A-7 runs through Marbella and Estepona with more roundabouts. Take the San Roque turn-off for La Línea. If you'd rather not drive it down, collection and delivery is possible, priced on request depending on where you are.
Porsche work
IMS bearing
Inspection and replacement on 996, 997.1, Boxster and Cayman with the M96 or M97 engine.
Cayenne coolant pipes
Replacing the plastic pipes in the V of V8 Cayenne engines.
Custom exhausts and valves
Stainless systems for the 911, Boxster and Cayman, and repairing the sports exhaust valves.
Air suspension
Tracing leaks and diagnosing airbags and compressors on the Cayenne, Macan and Panamera.
Models we see
- Porsche 911 (996)
- Porsche 911 (997)
- Porsche 911 (991)
- Porsche Boxster 986 and 987
- Porsche Cayman
- Porsche Cayenne
- Porsche Macan
- Porsche Panamera
Frequently asked questions
Should I replace the IMS on my 996?
It depends on the year, which bearing it has and its history. The first step is inspecting the car and the oil. We'll explain the options without scaremongering.
Do you work on modern Porsches or only older ones?
Both. Current 991s, Macans and Cayennes come in for exhausts, suspension and mechanical work. If you're unsure about your model, just ask.
Will a custom exhaust affect the ITV or MOT?
It can affect the ITV, the MOT and noise rules. We build to your spec and explain what that means, but keeping the car road legal is the owner's responsibility.
Are you a Porsche dealer?
No. We're an independent workshop. We work on Porsches often, but we have no official link with the brand.
How long would the car be with you?
It depends on the car and the job; we tell you when we quote, so you can plan the trip back to Málaga.