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Old 09-22-2009, 06:40 AM   #5
RandallNeighbour
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 7,243
Max, you will quickly learn that Porsche hasn't made quality, long lasting parts on their cars for a long, long time.

On previous cars, I had no idea how to locate the strut, control arm, drop links, or oxygen sensors. I remember hearing something about a buddy's 25 year old vintage collectible car needing wheel bearings, but never thought about them on on any car I've owned in the past.

All these things (and much, much, more) have been replaced on my boxster in the 5 years and 30k that I've put on the car.

Porsche uses what they call "high performance, ultra light" plastic and aluminum parts in their cars. They say it's to save on weight, but I've learned they're cheap with manufacturing like everyone else these days.

For example, why would any engineer with half a brain design a corrugate, paper thin plastic tubing for an oil filler in a hot engine compartment?

I'll tell you why. His boss' boss told the department to cut X pounds from the car "and while you're at it, to make sure we see you're a company man, cut costs too."

The hood and trunk struts are a great example of overly cost-conscious engineers. The actual lids on our cars are not that heavy... especially the rear one and it's designed with scissor hinges to make it open easily. Those struts shouldn't go out until the car is 25 years old like my buddy's chopped hot rod.
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