Opinions on Porsche parts vs off-brand parts?

[911SCRVA]

Some people will only use Porsche parts. Some are less strict.

For instance, I just replaced my oil filter with a Mahle filter. But the one I removed was installed by someone who only exclusively uses Porsche fill in the blank.

I also just bought a Porsche hard oil line, but made an exception and bought off-brand rear oil lines.

Do you take a hard line or do you make exceptions. Curious where you stand and why.

Thanks for sharing.

[porsche930dude]

I buy whatever is cheapest. If it turns out to be absolute crap then ill go for the better stuff on the next order. I take the chance because sometimes the cheap stuff is good and sometimes even the good stuff is bad. Sometimes they are the same part.

[Ok here we go]

Often times Porsche-branded parts are just marked-up reboxing of OEM parts. Depending on what I'm buying, I look for known brands such as Cohline for hoses and hard lines, Bosch, Continental, Victor Reinz, and to a certain extent URO (their CHT sensor works just fine), etc.

Like Porsche930dude says, "sometimes the cheap stuff is good and sometimes even the good stuff is bad. Sometimes they are the same part."

[dgtlhybrd]

when it comes to rubber/seal products I feel like you strictly need to buy Porsche hands down
All the aftermarket stuff ive bought in regards to seals, never make the cut - or are weird sizes.

I usually only buy aftermarket when word of mouth says its the way to go

[yelcab1]

When it is deep in the belly of the beast, I only buy factory parts. For example, rear main seal, front seal, piston rings, head nuts, clutches, those are only Porsche parts.

Oil filter, air filter, spark plugs (except for the 911 turbo plugs), those are non Porsche brands.

[FrenchToast]

Pandora's box question, I've been flamed on Rennlist for my posts regarding it.

As you probably know, Porsche itself doesn't make very many parts. Usually body panels (until the tooling is scrapped or purchased by someone else) and engines.

For everything else, someone else manufacturers it. For example let's take Bosch. Just because Porsche part number XYZ is made by Bosch, that doesn't mean the Bosch version is the same part. It may be, but it may not. It is possible that the Porsche-branded part uses Porsche-owned tooling, materials of stricter specification, stricter QC standards, etc. than the Bosch part. I suppose the opposite is also true but I don't know of an example.

I suppose there is a gray area when you compare a used Porsche part compared to a new Bosch (not Porsche branded) part. Depends on if there is a potential for wear or fatigue on the part.

In my opinion, if the part is crucial to safety I only use a Porsche branded part (unless said part is known to be problematic and a version documented to be superior does exist). It's not worth my time to experiment or attempt to research the differences.

The quality of the part I seek is usually directly proportional to its contribution to safety or damage potential.

Buy once, cry once. Or, the version I like; "I'm not wealthy enough to afford cheap parts/tools." I coined neither phrase but use them frequently.

[deemsriddle]

Porsche is an automobile assembler and not a manufacturer, just like GM etc. As mentioned above, there are few parts actually manufactured by Porsche. Porsche insures specifications and award bids on parts that they market as Porsche parts. Presumably Porsche's specifications exceed that of a generic manufacturer, but that doesn't always work out in reality.

Look at Bosch's ratings on coils for early CIS cars. We presume that Bosch is a OEM part as Porsche doesn't sell coils in Porsche boxes. The failure rate of the Bosch coils is quite high. So much for buying OEM. I am currently living in early Borsch coil hell.

You have to pick and choose based on your experience and opinions of others. Buying on price alone can easilyl leave you paying more, in the long run. Having the Porsche name on a part box doesn't rule out the fact that there are a lot of aftermarket parts that will perform as well. Having this forum is a blessing. There are thousands of knowledgeable people helping us all better enjoy driving 70 year plus technology.

[911SCRVA]

Thanks for all of your perspectives. Good things to consider.