As title says: What's the general perception on the quality of aftermarket parts , vs the "original" Porsche parts. Well worth the extra money, or is aftermarket a reasonable alternative? Specifically looking at quality and finish of deco (bumper, skirt) strips, rubber seal parts. I know Porsche doesn't make all parts themselves (but, which ones?).
Thanks for any experience!
Tom
It varies both in terms of quality and accuracy. Some aftermarket parts are rebranded by Porsche and just cost more. Others are Porsche unique but often generic to model year and so not always accurate. Repro parts aren't always accurate either for a given model year, being built to cover E,F and G bodies for example. Or superseded parts become exposed rubber hose instead of fabric covered hose for example. Some aftermarket reproductions are works of art (Soterik, jaudette3 as examples).
This board is your guide, but even here, people's experience from 5 years ago may not be a reflection of what is on the market now. Suppliers change. Original is best if the original isn't worn out or can be reconditioned. At least in terms of accuracy and any market value associated with that adherence to originality. Does it really matter if the rubber band that holds the evaporative canister under the cowl is round or square profiled? Functionally no, but for accuracy, yes. Does it matter if the door plugs have 15 circles or 12? Only if top marks at a concours or top $ at auction are your goals. Does it matter if the turn signal and wiper stalks are stamped steel (original) or solid round (OEM since the late '70's)? Only you can decide. A new signal switch is likely to last longer, but an old one is correct but may be prone to failure.
It also depends on how much you are willing to compromise on other things. I had a hexagonal pattern roof liner that looked to be the cat's meow but was actually too thick for the proper door and window seals. Some people seem to have managed to make it work. My restorer, who even advises Porsche on how to restore Porsches, was unable to do so without a poor fit at the seals. So I went with Porsche OEM.
My own personal feeling is that a future buyer will be able to tell how much a car was loved by both the quality and accuracy of the parts that go into it. And that parts that Porsche would use to repair a Porsche are nothing to be ashamed of, even if they don't match how the car came. That said, I've tried to stick with original and NOS wherever possible unless an 8 month search came up empty at which point I buy what's available. At some point you have to get in the car and drive it (or get it out the door if you are a restorer).
Ravi
none i guessQuote:
Originally Posted by swisscheese
Has Porsche ever made its own parts? I believe not. At least, that is what the guide said when I toured the Porsche factory many years ago. Some parts suppliers were "OEM" to Porsche for long periods, whereas others came and went. So, "OEM" has always evolved over time. My observation is that, while the quality of current repro parts varies, that is also true of OEM parts, and the quality of at least some current repro parts is superior to even NOS OEM parts (e.g. some horn grilles).Quote:
Originally Posted by moito
For parts, I usually follow the following order:
1. NOS
2. slightly used old original
3. restoration or reproduction made by members here (Ie. John Audette)
4. Porsche parts
5. Chinese reproduction parts
Here is a video link below (although pre-911), the Porsche factory used to press their own body panels. I think Karmann did too.Quote:
Originally Posted by raspritz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbFu1r_erw0
when we first started business in 1978, we had no problem with parts variations. There was only the original equipment supplier and all were made in Germany. Hence we had only one part number and everyone could be assured of getting a top quality no excuses part. Much much later the Chinese and the global economy entered the picture, and there became a glut of aftermarket copies many of them total crap. We had to wade through the crap, redesignate every part number by a prefix so people knew what they were getting. Now even many genuine parts are cheap remade copies from china (porsche makes their hood badge in china). Bottom line, if you deal with a good firm you can ask them their recommendations and they will tell you. Also will ask you about how nice your car is as to what you should purchase.
Agree. In terms of repro products by Eric Linden, it’s probably as good as NOS.Quote:
Originally Posted by Milou
Thanks for the response; In my (current) restoration process, I'm trying to find a way in the parts jungle and thought it was extremely disappointing to find that (even) the Porsche parts are not what you would expect for the money (i.e. dashboard) and the stature of Porsche Classic. As such, I'm baffled by the fact that you have to doubt every manufacturer until their parts are proven "correct" (as also mentioned, only for that moment).
I understand that you have to balance (the type/state of) your car to decide what quality to choose, but how to know what quality those parts are? (of course, for the 911S, only the best will do ;) ) I need new rubbers/seals, with prices ranging up to triple for the (seemingly) same part.. no clue on quality differences. Same for outside trim parts.
At the same time (for other parts) happy to discover the forum members making parts available!
The search continues...
If its rubber,,,Porsche only !!! Wait until you try and fit a repro windshield seal, or try and make the hood shut on an aftermarket seal.
Marco Marinello from elevenparts does have both NOS as well as good repro, I know Marco personally
https://www.elevenparts.com/index2.php?f=rare&p=911
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to what parts to use in a restoration. Some repro parts are works of art, but you will also have to pay for the quality. Many people get hung up on this, why should I pay $300 for a part when I can get one from a repro vendor for $75, because you get what you pay for. Other times cheaper repro parts will look ok but it takes hours upon hours to get them to fit, so there is money spent there if you're paying someone to do you car. A safe but expensive move is to always use OEM parts, either restored or NOS, at least you know it will fit, but you can't always count on availability and prices can vary wildly sometimes. It also depends on how correct a restoration you are trying for. Many parts will work fine, but won't look 100% correct, while others are barely seen so 100% isn't a big deal. I've watched guys get obsessed about the hues and shades of cad plating on parts you would have to be a contortionist to see.
So before you buy anything decide what level you are shooting for with the restoration of your car and make decisions based off of that, then do what a previous post said and study the forum for that pieces work well and which ones don't. Also, don't get in a hurry, hoping to buy everything you need in one shot. A restoration is a journey and while it's fun spending money, take it slow, you'll make less mistakes that way.
---Adam
Thanks Ed. I read above that Porsche isn't making their own (Classic?) parts; So, who makes the rubbers then? I get so many supplier saying that " it's from the Porsche OEM manufacturer, but without the logo"...Quote:
Originally Posted by edmayo
[QUOTE=swisscheese;1024116] (bumper, skirt) strips,
I make the muffler skirt if you are interested , here is a link to the add
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ht=marek+skirt
Marek
The my favorite, I remember ordering a part from one of the vendors one time, paid extra for OEM Porsche. It came in a white box, in a plastic bag, no logos, no nothing. The vendor said it was made in the same factory in the Czech Republic as the stuff for Porsche...Quote:
Originally Posted by swisscheese
---Adam
Hi Adam, I hear ya.. :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc
It's a JUNGLE! I take it slow (17 years resto)...
Generally World -Pac or Stoddard.
Thank you Eric …… For what you suggest here … and all that you have produced. A sticky parts catalog/analysis would make this site far more valuable. (it would also give encouragement/support to those who would do the right thing). bob
Let's try a sticky until a longer term option is established...
I am sensitive to this dilemma having done small batch high quality boutique restorations for years. I have a round of cars coming up with almost 100% original parts in all the areas it counts. How do you do that? Start collecting many many years before and hoard the stuff. Unfortunately this may be my last run of all original parts on a restored car.
Dashes are one of those items that will never make people happy. I bought a number of Lakewell dashes and they were great, vinyl pattern a little off but the shape was right on first glance. Now you get these totally different dashes coming out that don’t look right on first glance and the manufacturers say “well these are better because they won’t crack anymore” (what I see are changes to make manufacturing easier and lower cost not improvements).
There are far fewer great parts manufacturers than there are people that will sell you something because they can make a buck off it. A few of the the greats - Auto Foreign, Audette, International Merchantile, Jimmy T.
Others...
URO - a guy from IMC that went out and manufactured parts in China - don’t buy a single rubber item from them as it is crap, couple good plastic parts, it’s 50/50 with this stuff but most of it you will be disappointed
Jorg - I wish these guys didn’t go knocking off other people’s knock offs, this ruined a few good suppliers and now we get some totally inferior parts from them. I think there is some good stuff too but I was put off early by some f their items. This is just Sierra madres parts made at the lowest price possible
Marek - makes great parts but can’t get a hold of him
TMP - been around forever and most likely all your decos on all your cars are supplied by them. The decos are ok and can be made to work - stay away from the plastic lenses, bumperettes (oh these fit so terribly), horn grills no good. The owner is not sensitive to our dilemma
Porsche classic - half their stuff comes from Carpoint anyway so it’s not exactly official. The orange bar hood badge Porsche Classic offered in fancy display cases showing the care and love blah blah blah they fall apart in weeks and aftermarket is better here. What major corporations care about a 1 year only parts? Or special rare parts that fit only a few hundred cars? None. Some of their parts are just fine and I’m glad they made the effort. Of course if you ever talk with “Porsche Classic” employees you quickly realize that the private specialized Porsche restoration shops have the know how and Porsche Classic restoration is more of a happy feel good theme that Porsche likes to present these days.
I find most parts counters you call have people that know a very little about the parts they sell and with so many models they don’t know the area you are working on. It is probably impossible to hire a parts counter person these days that really really knows early Porsche.
Most of your mechanical keep you going parts are generally the same, Pelican basically has the SSF catalogue online and if there is an OEM Genuine Porsche wheel bearing vs a SKS wheel bearing then they are exactly the same part but with an OEM markup... now if there is a 3rd option at a much lower price then this is usually the Chinese part. Sometimes there is issues like lead in bearings & German EPA laws, then moving production to South Africa so all the Glyco rod bearings are not as good anymore - here someone stepped in and made Mahle rod bearings to their spec and while they are 4 times the price they won’t fail.
Milou put the order right on parts priority. NOS from the 90s and older is all 100% consistent and from the same molds best quality.
We should support the small guys who put love into their parts, actually trying to make a part that fits rather than a part that will sell. Pay up for quality as it’s worth it in the long run. In a disposable world it is hard to get away from the lowest bidder part offering but when you think about it our vintage Porsches are not disposable so you have to think old world and realize that these parts are still cheaper than stuff for your late model modern luxury car is.
thank you for your overview, Mark and sharing your experience! Jorg = JP? And Sierra Madre makes their own parts? Am missing Stoddard here in the list? thnx again!
recently, I purchased Dansk shock tower mounts. They look ok except the hardware they give, the floating pieces of metal for adjustment, are larger in size... I also ordered the Dansk engine mount and got something strange, looks more like a 9/14 mount, but not... When I googled the part # on the box it showed this strange mount and said it was for the 1968 9/11 Porsche. obviously a mistake ….. Is there a good source for engine mounts, or do I have to just buy the Porsche mounts from Porsche.... thanks for the help...
I hope so because I have a buzzillion parts to buy ….. well maybe I exaggerate ...only 1/2 buzzillion