H2

Already, we're seeing the Chinese manufacture and sell replacement parts for many kinds of automobiles, from a broad array of vintage to modern cars. In fact, we've seen "rebranded" Bosch parts, gas pumps, etc. show up already. If the demand exists, it's certainly not out of the question that some of the needed 928 bits we'll be needing could show up in our mail boxes. In fact, some of you/us may have some Chinese parts on our 928s and not even know it! Remember the scam of parts moving from China through Australia, being reboxed there and sold here as original Bosch manufacture?

A different question entirely is the issue of quality. However, each year, we're finding that when the manufacturers are held accountable, their quality can be OK. With time, OK will be excellent...or may be our only option.

Us old guys remember when "Made in Japan" was a joke. Those days sure changed. Well, maybe that's not a good example with all the recent recalls.

H2

fraggle

Accountability in chinese manufacturing? Careful that flying pig doesn't drop something on you!

SeanR

A perfect thread as a reminder to buy form a Vendor as opposed to taking a chance with E-bay. Then again, there is vendor which has no issues selling this crap. Funny thing is more and more are seeing it.

xschop

Remember the melamine?

billtool

IMHO - Don't just run. Run like hell. Chinese parts should today - be the absolute last option taken. Especially when tolerances or attention to real detail matter even in the slightest. I've seen it, work with it, and compete against it every working day of my life. Chinese manufacturing processes in 2011 suck, and I expect they will continue to suck well into the first 1/2 of this century. Perpetual half-assed reverse engineering of stolen technology. Bring on the J-20 fighter - let's see how it does head to head with an F-22.

axis of evil

Same color as milk.....it's milk.
(they did shoot the people responsible- not enough of that happening these days.

danglerb

China is not Japan. Japan recognized the crisis they had in low quality, took a nationwide big step in quality control and adopted strict export quality controls.

China has no real centralized control of export quality or even safety, which means its up to the importer and seller, and that makes it essential to deal only with trusted vendors.

Landseer

Exactly

Every level of quality is available from China.
The Chinese work exclusively to contract terms and specifications.
The money for a batch is released by a bank after the specifications have been met.

Generally, what we are buying is stuff that is contract manufactured directly on behalf of big western companies that lurk quietly behind the curtain.

In my experience its true greed in the outsourcing process that drives the issues.

To get prices rock-bottom, the corporate buyer (and his/her puppeteers that run "the business") follow a fishbone diagram of decisions right down the rat hole.

Hayk928

We recently ordered some parts for testing from ebay.com which were that that they very likely couldn't be original (window switches and LASO pumps). Especially the pumps are highly dangerous since the the package has been a well made copy, but not the pump itself...

Same days ago a friend of mine installed on a customers request some brake pads which he bought from ebay - and they promptly failed and caused a bad accident.

I'd never ever trust on Chinese copies for important parts (respecting the driver's or car's life), since they're commonly made just to sell cheap on the price of a cheap material. And that isn't something a normal customer can verify with his eyes unless the part fails....

Time to remind: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Landseer

Counterfeit parts, then?
Not sanctioned.
That is a big problem.

rexpontius

I wonder where those crap quality imitation igintion switches are made.....

Tony

Lockheed Martin knock offs also!!!

nothing to see here ..move on...

Chinese stealth fighter...looks like an f22 huh!


going a bit OT..but the fact that they have canards on the front and "canoes" under the wings for the control hinges or hard points, tells me they definitely dont have the aerodynamic nuances figured out

Landseer

They flip up for extra stopping power, for landing on the new carrier?

SteveG

I believe they were made in eastern Europe. The Chinese don't have a corner on poor quality.

H2

I recently purchased some Bosch ignition parts from a Porsche dealer. Some came in poor quality boxes and I noticed the parts were made in several countries so it's a low bid issue thing it seems. I installed them and crossed my fingers that Bosch was holding the manufacturer's feet to the fire.

I just received a few new parts and notice that the new 928 cam gear has a maker's mark of KWG on it. The box says it's "Made in Germany. Porsche Original" I hope they mean the gear, not the box.

H2