Ebay Wheel Crests

[Ebell914]

I guess it is just me. I buy quality Gold Toe socks because they last...

To me, the key to long lasting love is attention to the little things as the affair goes on....I don't want my Porsche becoming more and more Chinese as the years go by. A piece here, a piece there. My car is bone stock and 100% original, with the only exception being the LN Engineering IMS bearing I am very proud of this fact and plan to keep it that way. When something is worn or breaks, I fix it immediately with a factory original part - no Chinese crap going here. But again, this is just me - to each his own.

$200 is too much? You do realize you guys bought a Porsche, right?

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Ebell914

I guess it is just me. I buy quality Gold Toe socks because they last...

To me, the key to long lasting love is attention to the little things as the affair goes on....I don't want my Porsche becoming more and more Chinese as the years go by. A piece here, a piece there. My car is bone stock and 100% original, with the only exception being the LN Engineering IMS bearing I am very proud of this fact and plan to keep it that way. When something is worn or breaks, I fix it immediately with a factory original part - no Chinese crap going here. But again, this is just me - to each his own.

$200 is too much? You do realize you guys bought a Porsche, right?

do you actually think that there are no parts in a Porsche that come from China?

[epapp]

The Porsche wheel cap factory in China is probably the same factory as the ebay knockoffs...the ebay sellers just take their molded plastic and paint it in a separate, cheaper paint booth with 'china' paints

Originally Posted by JayG

do you actually think that there are no parts in a Porsche that come from China?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by JayG

do you actually think that there are no parts in a Porsche that come from China?

Not that a Chinese-made part is necessarily bad, depends on who made it and who it was made for. New Corollas come with Chinese-made alloys, for example. If there is proper QC in the build process, consistently, then there shouldn't be any issues with the overall quality of the part.

However, it's not exactly a surprise that there is a massive number of counterfeit parts made in China. That could potentially explain the center caps being low in cost, as genuine parts shouldn't fade within a year.

Personally I won't put knockoff parts on either of my cars. Will I use parts made by an OE supplier? Sure. In many cases, the OEM parts for my Mercedes come with the MB star and part number on them, since it's made by the same manufacturer. If I can't get an OEM part (Hella, Behr, Bosch, Reutter, Lemfoerder, etc.), then I'll go OE. Used when available if not a wear item.

[Giller]

Since we are talking a bit about quality - it is good to note that although the lower cost caps do fade (hitting them with some clearcoat does slow the fading) the OEM parts are not perfect. Two years ago rims were replaced and new OEM centre caps were installed (by previous owner). In those two years, two of the centre caps lost their logo. If you search on this forum, you will find this is not uncommon. Therefore, not sure how much higher quality the OEM caps are?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Giller

Since we are talking a bit about quality - it is good to note that although the lower cost caps do fade (hitting them with some clearcoat does slow the fading) the OEM parts are not perfect. Two years ago rims were replaced and new OEM centre caps were installed (by previous owner). In those two years, two of the centre caps lost their logo. If you search on this forum, you will find this is not uncommon. Therefore, not sure how much higher quality the OEM caps are?

A very valid point. One of my caps has lost the crest due to the adhesive letting go. I used to see this frequently with VW center caps in the late 1990s/early 2000s. My mom's 987 has center caps like the ones in the OP (except OE in silver), and are still looking quite minty. The caps on my dad's 964 are the all-silver debossed variety.

When I replace mine they'll be the newer style without the crest glued on.

[tonichristi]

^ You do realize that your Kia is worth more than your Porsche, right?
Would you pay $200+ for some bits of plastic for the Kia?

Are you pissed because you overpaid? Makes sense now
It's a WHEEL CAP, not some vital part. Do you work on your own car? Are you a Porsche certified mechanic? No?
You do realize that you drive a 986, right?

[Ebell914]

Originally Posted by tonichristi

^ You do realize that your Kia is worth more than your Porsche, right?
Would you pay $200+ for some bits of plastic for the Kia?

Are you pissed because you overpaid? Makes sense now
It's a WHEEL CAP, not some vital part. Do you work on your own car? Are you a Porsche certified mechanic? No?
You do realize that you drive a 986, right?

Oh wow.... Yes, in fact I joke that my Soul cost more than my Porsche all the time...Am I pissed I overpaid for what? No, I am just not a cheap son of a biyatch. I respect my Porsche...and the six I owned before it....And yes, I buy nothing but factory parts for my Kia...I do not get parts from Autozone for either car. And by the way, I have rebuilt several Porsche engines....I may not be certified, but I know what I am doing.

I guess that is the difference between you and me...I bought a 2000 986 because it is the exact car I wanted....you bought one because it was all you could afford. :dance:

[dghii]

Originally Posted by Ebell914

I guess that is the difference between you and me...I bought a 2000 986 because it is the exact car I wanted....you bought one because it was all you could afford. :dance:

The smiley face doesn't make up for you coming across as an arrogant, factory certified A_hole.

[Lobo1186]

Originally Posted by dghii

The smiley face doesn't make up for you coming across as an arrogant, factory certified A_hole.

In his defense, tonicristi started the nonsense.

[Tucker2]

Originally Posted by tonichristi

^ You do realize that your Kia is worth more than your Porsche, right?
Would you pay $200+ for some bits of plastic for the Kia?

Are you pissed because you overpaid? Makes sense now
It's a WHEEL CAP, not some vital part. Do you work on your own car? Are you a Porsche certified mechanic? No?
You do realize that you drive a 986, right?

Go easy on him. Really to each his own. I just changed the oil on both my Cayman and Boxster and I went fully OEM + the Mobil 1 Synthetic I-Am-Super-Expensive-Oil because I think that's the right thing to do. $200+ dollars for 4 small pieces of painted plastic that *literally* probably cost under $1.00 to manufacture is to much for me. I will say that if Porsche's OEM caps were in the $40-$50 (still insane) I would purchase the OEM version. But the current price point is complete madness.

[Ckrikos]

My wife bought me a set as a Christmas gift a long time ago for my boxster. The crests came off after 10 years and needed to be glued back. My take is if the eBay ones appear ok what's the big deal. I need some plain gold ones for my996tt as they are a bit faded and worn. let me know who sells decent ones. I hear some don't fit well.

[Leebherron]

I have a set of four caps in silver, new and perfect from Porsche. The first decent offer can have them......shipped. Lee NY

[Giller]

I'm still not sure how spending $200+ on 4 caps makes the Porsche more of a Porsche? Centre caps are not vital pieces. Hey - where's your TV from? What about your computer? Probably all Chinese. Why? Cause they actually do make some good stuff....they just know how to make them cost effective. It's because I'm smart with my money I can afford a few nice cars....I spend my money on the important things.

[gomarlins3]

I have them as well. I chose to spend my money my way and save for larger, more important items in my life, not wheel center caps.

[Xpit77]

I think I read somewhere the OEM`s gave at least 2 more HP than the knock-offs.

[Giller]

Originally Posted by Xpit77

I think I read somewhere the OEM`s gave at least 2 more HP than the knock-offs.

D'oh! Totally forgot about the performance upgrade OEM parts give. I'm sold - get me some $200+ caps!

+1 Xpit77

[jrblackman]

I could Like, Upvote or +1 your comment

Originally Posted by Xpit77

I think I read somewhere the OEM`s gave at least 2 more HP than the knock-offs.

[Rob175]

Just installed the $10 eBay colored caps and they look great.. Sprayed a few coats of clear over them and popped them into place. I have to say, for the $10 they are a great buy. Even if they only last a couple of years $10 is nothing for a set. But since this is a summer "sunny day" car that never sees snow (or rain for that matter), I bet they last a lot longer....... and they DO add about 25 hp more!....lol

[Dlirium]

Yes, bought a set of the black ones. They are fine.