TMc993

1997 C2 94,000+ miles, daily driver.

It looks as if I will be replacing my starter motor soon. I've been looking around to determine what it's going to cost me and am somewhat amazed at the variation in cost.

Here are some examples:

Sunset – $1002.71 (New OEM Genuine Porsche)

Rock Auto - $ 265.79 (New Bosch OEM Supplier)

Pelican - $ 778.50 (Rebuilt OEM Genuine Porsche)

Pelican - $ 260.75 (Rebuilt Bosch OEM Supplier)

There are several other listings for new Bosch OEM starters similar to the Rock Auto price and several other listings for Original Porsche starter for as much as $1500.

This is a daily driver car...Not concours or anything like that...All I want it to do is start. That said, is there any reason to pay four times the cost of a Bosch OEM starter for an Original Porsche starter?

Thanks

bcameron59

Nope.

Might think twice if it was a camshaft or rebuilt distributor, but really... A starter? Not exactly high tech.

vincer77

Bought mine at Autohaus AZ

This brings up a question. I still have the starter that came out of the car. If the difference between a OEM starter and a Bosch starter is $700+, should I hold onto the old one instead of collecting the $100 core?

TMc993

Thanks guys...That's what I thought, but the huge difference in prices had me a little spooked.

P-daddy

Thats ludicrous. Go with Bosch then keep the change for the slippery slope.

993_TJC

What are the starter symtoms? My starter was intermittently grinding when trying to start at 90,000 miles. I took the starter out and cleaned the shaft that the gear rides on. Installed and worked fine.

CHJ

Chuck
PS And then if no luck I'd go with the Bosch

pp000830

The rule for parts in the automotive aftermarket go something like this:
The OE Service New (aftermarket) starter is made by Bosch and branded Porsche.
The Bosch Service New (aftermarket) starter is made by Bosch and branded Bosch.
Since the warranty period for the OE part as put on the new car in production is probably much longer than the Porsche or Bosch Service New part there will be some subtle construction and specification differences from what the original part had on your car even though they are made by the same supplier. This has to do with the relentless cost reduction efforts that all automotive parts go through both OE & SN.
The reman part is exactly that and has significantly different and lowered standards for construction than a Service New part.

TMc993

My symptoms are:

1. Starts fine when cold.
2. When engine is hot and sits for a few minutes, starter initially turns normally for a few revolutions, then stops in an abrupt manner almost as if jammed.
3. Occasionally on hot starts the starter turns normally for a few revolutions and then the starter motor spins freely without turning the engine (Like what I used to hear on cars with a bad starter solenoid).
4. Symptoms 2 and 3 are gradually increasing with passage of time.

I'm going to check the ground strap on the starter and switch relays for the starter relay, but I really think it's the starter motor.

993_TJC

The shaft on mine was very gummed up so the gear would not throw forward whe the starter turned. Sound like uour last symtem. Like all the 911 parts, the starter is built to last. You could always clean it and take it to an auto parts store to test. They will hook it up with a tester.10-1 it just need cleaned. Good luck with the top bolt.

CHJ

Sounds like the brushes may be worn also though. For $265, you'll have your baby healthy again.

Chuck

TMc993

Yeah, I'm aware of the infamous top bolt...

nile13

Mine sometimes makes a grinding noise, only when hot. How difficult is it to take the starter out in a 993?

TMc993

http://p-car.com/diy/starter/

nine9six

Usually a rebuild consists of a good cleaning, brushes n bearings.
I wouldn't give up a problematic core for $100, just to see it rebuilt and sold for $778.50!

The Bosch OE unit would be the plan for me, but only after checking into cleaning and/or rebuilding the OEM starter I remove.