Like I did on my other Porsches, I anticipate ordering $1000-$3000 or so worth of basic preventative maintenance parts after my '88 S4 gets delivered next month. Just replacing the Tbelt/WP/Rollers/rebuild tensioner/replace rubber hoses, electrical, pumps, etc. will eat up a lot of that, not counting any surprises that I may find. I only want Porsche brand parts....and no rebuilt stuff...or rubber/sensitive parts that have been sitting on a shelf a long time. Has anyone done a recent price comparison between Sunset Porsche of Portland and the other suppliers? Often Sunset has to order from Germany so I'm assuming the parts are relatively fresh. I've always had good luck with at least two of the Big Three and if costs aren't a great deal different I prefer to go with them. However, on a larger order I want to make sure that I get fresh stock, Porsche brand, and best price (if there's a significant difference.) If you have a feel for this and are afraid of offending anyone, PM me. I will hold the confidence.

I know that on my 968, I could often get parts cheaper from Sunset...while some of the other Porsche Parts stores that catered to the 944 crowd often sold "alternate" replacement brands cheaper (without telling you)...and sometimes of obvious inferior quality (causing me to replace a main seal that leaked upon installation due to a manufacturing flaw and replace an inferior quality belt. Unfortunately, 968 owners aren't lucky enough to have a big three to turn to. Like on my 968 I will want a Porsche new WP if available..and Porsche rebuilt if not. Too many war stories about Water Pumps damaging the engine blocks...although the Porsche brand may have the questionable metal impeller. Maybe I'll change my mind on the WP? These are things I'm planning ahead and I hope to get the first of several orders out the door the day after the S4 rolls into my garage.

Thanks,

Harvey
Praying that the PPI was good and there are no unusual or expensive repairs on the line. This is a car I'm going to want to keep until I'm in a position to buy an extraordinary GT or pretty good GTS.

 

When I was ordering parts for the Boxster a few months ago I got a few price quotes on things I knew would be coming up soon on the 928. The prices were close to the same or a little bit higher at Sunset when compared to 928 Spec and 928 Intl.

With the delivery time of 3 weeks from Germany and not having much knowledge about the 928 it was just another confirmation to always trust the ones who truly love the 928 and work hard to keep ours on the road.

Sunset does get all of my Boxster parts orders, though. Can't beat them for newer models that don't have any dedicated parts guys out there.

 

The Big 3+ will get Porsche brand parts if you ask for it. I don't think that is any guarantee they will be "fresh". So few people buy new Porsche water pumps that it is likely they are old. Stan at motorsportslc got one that leaked within 500 miles probably from a dried up seal.

 

If 928Intl has it, thats where I will buy it, unless I have a good reason to go otherwise. That said I have no problem with OEM parts, like buying Bosch or Sachs, instead of through Porsche.

Something like a waterpump Porsche has ZERO incentive to improve the product, and suppliers to the big three have both the incentive and damaged old parts to work from. We also have to consider that Porsche drops some parts every year, if we don't cultivate an aftermarket to rebuild parts we are going to be screwed a few years down the line. I was looking at my $63 former dash light dimmer and this is a part built to LAST, except for cheesy thin wiper arm that gets smoked. Some little operation should be replacing the wiper arms and selling rebuilts.

 

If it is a factory part I have never had better pricing than Sunset, although many parts must be ordered and take about a month to get. I have been amazed at how much I could save on 944 parts (usually 40%) over any performance shop. 928 parts are not quite the same. Most parts are reasonable at the big 3 and are in stock vs drop shipped from Germany but you still need to shop amongst the 3 as they vary also. I have had good experiences with the big 3 and Sunset.

The advantages of the big 3, as everyone has said, is experience and first hand knowledge. Sunset is only good if you know exactly what you need as where the big 3's knowledge is worth paying a slight premium for sometimes. Also depending on the Euro, Sunset pricing can vary week by week and day to day.

You really can't go wrong with any of them.

 

There are cheaper places than the 928 Intl and 928 Specialists, but they rarely have as much in stock and they rarely can give advise on what you're buying. I have bought parts from another Porsche supplier that is usually much cheaper than Sunset, 928 Intl, or 928 Specialists. If it's something that I need help or advice from the experts on or need it fast... I call the 928 experts first.

 

I do find it interesting, and refreshing, that 928 International once talked me out of buying $200 in parts for my 928, stuff I didn't need; whereas Sunset sold me a Tbelt roller for my 968 that shows up in the PET as a legitmate part, and was manufactured and in stock, BUT NEVER actually was ever used on 968s. A roller w/o a place to install it. I still have the roller around although I'm sure they'd take it back. But they deal with every Porsche model and can't know all these little things like the Big Three who specialize.

I recently went to purchase the Horseshoe shaped gas hose at the rear of the 928 engine and everyone I contacted said they didn't make it anymore, However Automobile Atlanta...told me they had a new one in stock....so i ordered. But they later called and told me the hose was NLA and suggested a used part they had that was in good shape. Later, a brittle and very old hose later showed up from dC Automotive (Rocky Mount, NC) that was way worse than the one I was replacing. I call dC and explained my concern and the nice gentleman (a 928 owner) said he'd look for a better hose and send it. That was Nov. 13 so it looks like a good hose won't be coming. I paid AA $52.64 for an unusable hose but at least the ends are good. Ordering parts is not always easy. On used parts I'm sure that 928 International would have given me better service and no questions asked trade back. Live and learn. I've not had much luck ordering used parts and have a box of parts that were misrepresented as being good but are worn out. Some from Rennlisters who I'm sure meant well. Sometimes eBay is OK and sometimes you get taken. If the part is available it's usually best to buy it new.

Harvey

 

Part of the basic upkeep of the 928 is the support of the 928 service community. It's false economy to save a few bucks on a particular part and jeopardize the availability of all the others.

 

I second the motion!

 

Hey lets all show our support and order some parts ... oops closed this week.

 

One good aspect of buying parts from the big three or 4? Is they frequently turn over parts...so you don't have to wonder if your waterpump sat in a wharehouse for years......One other thing I like about 928intl is the used part option....for example relays could be $80 new...or $40 used..both have a 1 year warranty.....so why not save some $$ and buy the used one!