Jon B.

So, today I was going to the local Porsche/Mercedes dealer to get a couple things for my wife's Cayenne. Once I was done getting what I needed, I figured "what the hell" and asked if he could look up a part for my '86. Specifically, I was asking about the front fuel damper on my car. I'm already getting this part and it's hose from Roger, but I figured I would see what the parts counter could find.

Well, long story short, it took two guys about 10 minutes to figure this out. They kept asking things like, "what is the part again?", and "it's for WHAT year?". They didn't believe that my car had fuel dampers to begin with, and that it has two, plus a regulator kinda made them look at each other funny. OH, and they still couldn't find it. I told them not to worry about it because I was just curious.

Figured I would share.

AO

At least they tried...

jpNcos

Takes my local guys 20 min to get me my oil filter every time. Even with a heads up call.

pcar928fan

And dealerships wonder why they NEVER see 928's anymore! They can't even find their proverbial butts with both hands!

jej3

It is fun to have a go at them on the older cars.... I stopped in to get a drain plug for my Cayenne and asked about parts to replace the rubber fuel lines under the hood on my 1990 928, the guy started sweating and said it would take a while to put together the list I told him, that was okay: I'd come back with part numbers (even though I R&R'd them with Roger's kit)

I did end up buying all 10 of the drain plugs they had because I couldn't believe they were only $3.20/each and now I don't need to go back for another few years

Mrmerlin

are drain plugs disposable??
or are you using chopstix to remove them?

Jon B.

Stan,

Porsche saw it in it's infinite wisdom to supply the Cayenne with an Oil Pan drain plug that has a crushable washer that CANNOT be replaced. It's one unit. That's actually one of the things I needed today.

Mrmerlin

ouch

blown 87

Cut it off, the washer and get a rubber lined washer from a Jag.

Jon B.

Greg, I thought about that for after this change actually. Not from a Jag, but I figured I could find something that would fit and not have to replace the whole plug each time. I did want to replace the whole thing this go round since this is the first time I've done the work myself on the wife's car.

I'm assuming this is what you do in your shop?

Bertrand Daoust

Those guys probably didn't even know what a 928 is and/or didn't care!
Good chance we have part suppliers like Roger and 928Intl that know and care about their customers.

Jon B.

^^^Agreed! Got off the phone with Roger just a bit ago. Great guy to deal with!

dr bob

FWIW, before you spring dealer $$ again for the Cayenne parts, Roger (and the other Porsche-sanctioned suppliers can get those parts as easily as they can 928 bits. Roger has also sourced M-B bits for those that swing both ways. Worth asking!

Jon B.

Good to know. I really only needed some oil change stuff. But I did order a trim piece that I figured would be $$, turns out it was only about $30. LOVE it when that happens!

svpmx83

+1 on Roger and his parts variety - Not only Porsche and MB, but Audi and VW as well.

As for Parts Guys, in my experience it is a combination of Age, Training and Attitude.

My Toyota - I purchased the car new from the main dealer in 1992 and ever since their senior parts guy retired, I've had no end of trouble, including being told twice now that the car is a grey import and they aren't allowed to sell me parts.

My Porsche - My dealer has a parts guy that is properly trained and knows his stuff. I suspect he may have memorised PET over the years.