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Hi,
There's generally no difficulty in sourcing parts at all. The Federal Trade Commission requires that a manufacturer carry all available parts of a Car for at least 10 yrs. They're available from any number of sources.
But, I wish one of you guys for once would put down the Mask and Gun and lower their margins to more reasonable levels. They see Porsche Owners coming and think they've won the Trifecta. I understand that everyone wants to send their Kid to College, but does it have to be Harvard?
Case in point: The Tiptronic S Transmission has only one acceptible ATF - Esso LT 71141. Many ATFs claim compatability, but in an email from ZF-Getrieb, their North American VP Service told me that only Esso LT 71141 should be used.
If servicing the tranny, only 6 Qts. is lost, but most Porsche and Aftermarket suppliers only sell this in 20Qt. containers @$250+. I have found it in Litres (slightly more than a Qt.) but at prices ranging from a high of $52/Litre to a low of $29/Litre with a mean of $34/Litre.
Then I go to a popular BMW Supplier (the Steptronic is the exact same transmission as the Tiptronic S) and find that not only do they carry it in 1 Litre sizes, but they sell it for $13/Litre w/ FREE S/H on orders over $50!
Another: Many here have painted their Calipers with the G2 Caliper Paint System. Most Porsche Aftermarket Suppliers sell this kit for $39.95. One, when S/H was added came to more than $65! I find a Corvette supplier who sells the exact same kit for $35 incl. FREE S/H!
And, speaking of S/H, why has this become a Profit Center in it's own right? Buy one product, pay S/H, add another small, light product which is even often sent in the same Pkg. (and doesn't increase the weight), and S/H often increases by a third to a half.
The first Aftermarket Supplier to heed this advice will make a killing. I want to support the Porsche Aftermarket, especially the Forum Sponsors, but you guys make it impossible to ignore the alternatives...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
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