How do Porsche part costs compare with BMW?

[PushingMyLuck]

I do not own a Porsche, but am considering it.
I wouldn't even be considering this unless I was capitalized far beyond the purchase cost of the car.

So, while I expect repairs to be a quantum leap over Honda and BMW, I'd now like to get a little more concrete idea of what exactly that cost leap entails.
$100 windshield wipers? $2000 brake rotor? $10,000 tune-up each year?

I happened to look up window regulator motor and noticed they are $250.
This was the first part I actually looked up for a Porsche. Are all parts this seriously marked up? How do you feel about that?

Honda window motor = $55 (Dorman)
BMW window motor = $150 (Bosch)
Porsche window motor = $150 (Bosch)

I understand that we can't compare an aftermarket Dorman to OEM,
but maybe we can compare comparables like the direct from OE supplier like Sachs, Bosch, etc.

How about some more examples of newcomers who may wonder the same thing.
Can you list a typical part (or service item), and compare the ballpark price of Honda vs. BMW vs. Porsche?

[Noah930]

Never had a Bimmer, so I can't answer your question the way you asked it. And I suppose perspective on this depends on how deep your pockets may be. But I don't think Porsche parts are that much more out of line compared to even my wife's Acura (just a fancy Honda). Within the past year, on her '05 Acura I've replaced the starter motor, headlight, and power door lock actuator. The starter was $130 (from Autozone, as the Honda part was considerably more expensive). The freakin' headlight bulb was $160. The door lock actuator was $95. I also replaced her battery, but those cost the same whether Acura or Porsche. If I can stomach Acura parts pricing, I can stomach Porsche parts pricing.

[GG Allin]

I bailed out on my 964 to get in to an E36. The reasons were parts prices and aftermarket options. Comparing those two, it's night and day and the cars offer similar performance. Can't speak for the newer cars.

[GG Allin]

Now, compare the price of an E36 M3 water pump to the price on an E46 M3 water pump.

Right here on Pelican Parts:

E36 - $298.30

E46 - $822.60

Yikes!

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Never had a Bimmer, so I can't answer your question the way you asked it. And I suppose perspective on this depends on how deep your pockets may be. But I don't think Porsche parts are that much more out of line compared to even my wife's Acura (just a fancy Honda). Within the past year, on her '05 Acura I've replaced the starter motor, headlight, and power door lock actuator. The starter was $130 (from Autozone, as the Honda part was considerably more expensive). The freakin' headlight bulb was $160. The door lock actuator was $95. I also replaced her battery, but those cost the same whether Acura or Porsche. If I can stomach Acura parts pricing, I can stomach Porsche parts pricing.

Thanks for the data points.

Acura Starter motor = $130
BMW Starter motor = $125
Porsche starter motor = $250 ??

Acura door lock actuator = $95
BMW door lock actuator = $70
Porsche door lock actuator = $125 ??

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've owned both and would say they are comparable. The Porsche will be higher quality and better made, I hate working on BMWs because everything is cheap plastic that crumbles when you take it apart. Working in my Mini reminded me how much I hate working on BMWs.

[RANDY P]

ANY BMW will nickel and dime your ass. Porsche generally a better screwed together car...Lots of stupid little things go wrong, and they are needlessly complicated.

That said, I've had 7 of 'em...

rjp

[PushingMyLuck]

What's another example of a Porsche part where you were like "What? $XXX just for a ______? Are you serious?"

[KNS]

I own an '04 325i and I've owned Hondas and my wife has owned several Acuras. I find Honda/Acura parts not that much different than BMW parts. Some Porsche parts are comparable and even cheap. Some Porsche parts are breathtakingly expensive.

[Rick V]

Porsche parts are slightly more than BMW parts, that being said the Porsche will require less of them over time. I have made a living wrenching on BMW and Porsche and the bottom line is the Porsche is actually cheaper from a standpoint of the pocketbook. You want to buy expensive parts buy a Mercedes. The only advantage to a Mercedes is they hardly ever fail, but when they do bend over.
Owning a Porsche isn't about the repair costs, it goes way beyond that.
What vintage are you considering because that has a great deal to do with your out of pocket expenses

[Rot 911]

Having completely rebuilt an '86 911 engine and suspension, not to mention brakes and all the other wear items over the years, sticker shock doesn't really come into play until you start replacing engine and transmission parts. I've owned a BMW E36 and E46 and agree with Matt. Quality and ease of maintenance goes to Porsche. When you fix something on the 911 it generally will stay fixed for the next 20 years.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

What's another example of a Porsche part where you were like "What? $XXX just for a ______? Are you serious?"

I choked a bit when I bought these for my engine rebuild. $3.50 a piece x24 required...$84 worth of rubber rings that don't even fill up a sandwich Baggie. All the little parts required for an engine rebuild add up quick.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 99-0579-052-M820

[stealthn]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Porsche parts are slightly more than BMW parts, that being said the Porsche will require less of them over time. I have made a living wrenching on BMW and Porsche and the bottom line is the Porsche is actually cheaper from a standpoint of the pocketbook. You want to buy expensive parts buy a Mercedes. The only advantage to a Mercedes is they hardly ever fail, but when they do bend over.
Owning a Porsche isn't about the repair costs, it goes way beyond that.
What vintage are you considering because that has a great deal to do with your out of pocket expenses

Rick said it perfectly, you will replace more BMW parts over time so it will actually cost more over term. But you didn't say what year or models you are looking at.

[johnsjmc]

I,ve found most items which routinely require replacing are reasonable on the Porsches Rule 1.Things like brake pads ,rotors ,shocks ,plug wires etc. However rule 2 items NOT usually replaced like a fender or a bumper are rediculous. Then some interior items also not normally replaced are also very high. An engine rebuild or trans overhaul climbs rapidly because of a lot of while you are in there and price guide rule 2 applies. Rebuilt a 915 trans some years ago now and a zip lock baggie of parts was over $1000. The race program needs to be supported somehow.
If you avoid a major overhaul your cost of long term ownership won,t be bad at all.

[RANDY P]

If you are buying a car to drive hard, seriously, buy the Porsche. A modern BMW isn't the car to go throwing around.

Let's put it this way: The chances of you getting stranded and needing a hard-to-find and hideously expensive part are exponentially higher with a BMW VS. a Porsche..

That said, you can't travel with 3 people in a 911....

rjp

[PushingMyLuck]

I'm considering a '84-'89 3.2 Carerra.
I'm in no rush, so I am enjoying the learning and research process (half the fun)

I am budgeting about $18k-$25k for the car, and setting aside another $20k for unexpected repairs.
I have no interest in any performance mods, so that should help manage costs.
I think $20k is reasonable to allow a $6k top end rebuild, as well as $14k of other routine maint.
But, $20k isn't high enough to absorb a full $15k rebuild, which would possibly mean being $50k into a $25k car.
I'm hoping that's a low probability event.

Earmarking a meaty reserve fund means I am never worried about repairs.
In fact, I'd rather not own a sports car if I only had a shoestring reserve.
I'd rather save up more, and come back and buy it when it made more sense.

After doing some research, I bought my 120k mile BMW anticipating the possibility of investing another 100% of the purchase price in parts and repairs.
Almost 2 years later, and I'm pretty close to the 100%, and I've DIY'ed most of it myself.
More importantly, I've never worried about a penny I've sunk into it, b/c I was mentally prepared before I pulled the trigger.
The financial hit is the initial purchase, which mentally includes the reserve fund.
So, all subsequent repairs and projects are viewed with a positive light.
I've already "spent" the reserve money, so now, when something breaks, I actually get something back, and the car is improved.

If I didn't DIY the small things, and know the best places to buy parts, maintenance would have been double the cost of the car!
But, I don't know 911 repair costs, and have no idea how much is DIY friendly (engine drop? Out of my league. I can only do basic R&R)
So, $20k might barely be enough. Who knows.

As far as parts prices, responses seem conflicted. Some parts are crazy expensive, while others are not.
And a major overhaul will blow out your cost projections, so have a serious reserve fund

[RANDY P]

With that budget you can do some MEAN suspension upgrades...


Pack a spare DME relay, watch the oil level and remember to double clutch the transmission, and keep the fluid real fresh at all times with Swepco, nothing else. You'll be fine. An aircooled 911 (especially a 3.2 Carrera) is leagues above the average BMW in durability....

I'd even go so far to say even more reliable than the average Jap car....They just don't die. You are way over prepared..

[RANDY P]

You do it right - lower to Euro height (or slightly lower), maybe some stiffer torsion bars, give it a good tune up and spend money upgrading the AC that would be a killer car...

rjp

[PushingMyLuck]

I've never been interested in suspension mods.
I am just not an aggressive driver, so any benefits it would have may not apply to me.
A stock Porsche suspension is fine for me, I am sure.
Also, I don't like the look of "squashed" lowered cars, but it seems the 911 crowds is a little more moderate and tasteful.

I think I would just leave the A/C quagmire alone, at least until I got to know the car, and felt it was a keeper.
I guess I prefer to spend my maintenance dollars in more core mechanical areas.

For a newly purchased car, I would do nothing but drive it for a while.
Then, it will be clear where the money is best spent.
No need to blow the reserve fund in the first few months!

[Evans, Marv]

You've got a great plan. Stick with it.