Are Porsche parts really that expensive? | Project Porsche 911 Carrera

David S. Update by David S. Wallens to the Porsche 911 Carrera project car
Mar 12, 2022

Photography by David S. Wallens

We’ve heard several people lament that they’d own a Porsche if the parts weren’t so expensive. In the dozen-plus years that we have owned our 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera, rarely have we suffered sticker shock regarding typical service items.

However, one caveat: The corner auto parts store doesn’t often have what we need, even regarding standard service items like air filters. So we tend to keep common parts on hand–more or less what’s needed to keep the car on the road for a year or more–and restock as needed. Fortunately several companies serve the marque.

A box from FCP Euro just arrived with some of those regularly used items, and here’s what we like to keep in the garage:

What about the bigger ticket items for an air-cooled Porsche like ours? Some more prices from the FCP Euro catalog:

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Comments
RacerJ
RacerJ New Reader
3/12/22 11:31 a.m.

I currently have three Porsches (911, 912 and Boxster), two Sunbeams (Tiger and Alpine), and an Elva race car and my sons/daughter have an S2000, Type R and BRZ.   I have had my 911 for over 35 years.  Two points:

One, a Porsche is a Porsche for a reason.  If you want the full Porsche effect, and the full experience that a Porsche offers, you want to do it right and not skimp on parts or tires, etc.

Two, I have found that there really is a difference between OEM and true factory parts.  Sometimes it's just a little bit - like the part has been cleaned up and polished.  But sometimes it is a difference in the overall quality and workings of the part.  Yes, the prices are high from the dealer.  But when there is a difference it is often worth it if you really want to have everything the car can offer (though not always).

Also, dealers do offer various discounts, including PCA and others.  And the more they get to know you, the more they find discounts for you.  

So I'm a full supporter of factory parts when possible.

BonBou
BonBou None
3/12/22 4:34 p.m.

I think the real expensive parts are those used to rebuild an engine or a gear box. The prices for other parts are OK.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
3/15/22 12:17 p.m.

In reply to BonBou :

Yeah, true, pistons/cylinders can cost a few. But for the regular consumables, it's not bad at all. (Okay, you do need to buy more than five quarts of oil for a change.)

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