Dealer vs outside parts vendors
 

I just bought my first Boxster - A 2000 base model (high miles 103K) - so I'm doing whatever maintenance a Newbie can do without getting into too much trouble. The other day I bought a replacement part at the local Porsche dealer and got the part for a price cheaper than I found online. Going with the logic that the dealer's prices were good, I went back to the same dealer and got a cabin air filter (without checking the net). I paid just over $50.00 for the air filter and installed it.

Since I like to torture myself, I checked online and noticed a wide range of prices for the Mann filter - anywhere from $50 to $12.00. Since I don't want to get reamed again, who are the best vendors to get the best prices (I already know about Pelican - since I've bought parts in the past for my 914).

Thanks in advance

The big question is what part was it that you got cheaper at the dealer than online.

Unless you know the parts guy or there is a dealer coupon, almost always the parts are cheaper online.

Congrats on your new Boxster!

It was a replacement cigarette lighter... And thanks, glad to be back in the Porsche world. Sold my 914 and ran a Miata for the past 3 years, but my heart kept wanting another Porsche.

There are two types of cabin filter, regular, and with activated charcoal. The $12 filter is most certainly the basic one. And it's more than likely that your dealer supplied you with the activated charcoal filter for $50, which is not a bad price.

I've had good luck with the following sources in no particular order;
Suncoast Porsche in Sarasota (but I live in FL)
******************************** AZ
Rock Auto
Pelican

@Seventythree - they wanted $80 plus for the charcoal one...

Another vote for Suncoast (sorry, Wayne).

Try auto haus AZ, aftermarket charcoal filter was around $20............

Since your in Oregon, I'd get my parts from Sunset Imports. That's where I usually get mine. They are friendly, knowledgeable, quick and price competitive.

I didn't want to mention them cause they were actually pretty nice, but Sunset Imports was where I got the filter from. In the future, I'll just do a better job of shopping around first - expensive lesson to learn.

Got my Pollen filter here:

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Very happy with the filter. Since it doesn't have a cover and is very open to the elements and is in a very precarious location I took out one of my home hvac merv rated filter and covered the P Filter with it and snuck it in place. Don't ask why, just thought it would be better.

BTW, I do order form Pelican and Sunset. Even my local dealer. Go figure!