Porsche Original Part vs. OEM/Alternative

I'm in the final stages of making decisions for parts orders for a 3.6 to 3.8 rebuild. As context, I have gone the nickies route, full head refurb, etc.. As I'm getting to some of the sensors and oil cooler, I'm trying to decide on keeping my used part, buy porsche, buy OEM/Alternative. The difference in price for these parts is huge. I wanted to get input on those who have experience with some of the alternative parts. I've been searching and found a few suggestions (usually buried in threads somewhere). O2 Sensor - Porsche $250, Bosch $50 Crank position sensor - Porsche $250, Bosch $70 Knock sensor - Porsche $165, Bosch $28 Cam Position Sensor - Porsche $415, Bosch $70 Oil Cooler - Porsche $300, Behr $110 Just in those items that's $1800 difference in Porsche vs aftermarket. I'm not trying to cheap out at this stage but i do want to make an informed decision. I'm currently leaning towards Bosch on the O2 based on other's suggestions on the site, I didn't plan to change the cam position sensor. I am planning to replace the other items but not sure about Porsche vs. alternative. I don't have any faults on these sensors prior to disassembly. This is purely preventative. Suggestions?

Save the $1800. with what you have listed.

^^^+1

I've used a lot of Bosch replacement parts on the Porsche and our Mini. No problems. There is a time for Porsche OE replacement parts and I certainly do that for certain things. But if I go with Bosch it works. Just replaced the intake and exhaust cam sensors on the Mini. Mini OE was like ~$200 per sensor. I got the Bosch cam sensors off Amazon for ~$27 each. No complaints from the Mini and it is running great.

Just don't use a OE replacement Coolant Reservoir...

OEM for sure!

I agree if they are genuine Bosch parts. I have been running into cheap China parts that have Bosch names and boxes but aren�t. If these parts are from reputable sources that�s better, but the Knock sensors would be time consuming to replace. The counterfeit Bosch fuel pumps seem to be the worst, and the writing and boxes are near copies, you have to have both side by side to see the difference. I became aware of this when I bought a replacement fuel pump for a Chevy truck, I bought a Delco one because I didn�t want to do it twice. Delco on the box and pump, pump died in less than 1500 miles. Looked into it and found I had gotten a counterfeit pump. IT has a China advance auto one in it now, seems to be fine. I use less expensive parts on my trucks and such, but would be concerned about knock sensors and O2 sensors and such being legit.

Quotes source post: 16420815

Dan, you don't need genuine for those items. The OEM manufacturer is just fine for those items. Edit: Just make sure you get them from a trusted source.

Hey Dan, Like Cha rles stated above, look for a trusted source. I've been using this site to check my Bosch parts for authenticity. https://protect.bosch.com/ I've r ead that Brembo is also having some serious counterfeiting issues. Be ca reful with the Ebay sellers, not all are bad, but enough are to make it scary.

Quotes source post: 16423332

Bosch injectors are a great example. They are all made in China now. They do have anti-counterfeiting labels on them to help verify genuine parts.

Thanks so much everyone! I was looking at warehouse33 but will check to make sure they are Bosch authentic.

Porsche sources a large percentage of parts from third party vendors. This is particularly true with sensors, clutch parts, brake parts and more. Often you can find the same parts at a much lower cost and the only real difference is that the box does not say Porsche on it. Counterfeiting can be a problem though. The best example of savings from sourcing parts from elsewhere is the AC Compressor for my car. A few years back I had to replace it. The list price from Porsche is $1,758.82 and you can get it for closer to $1,300 at some of the online dealer. It is a Denso unit and I got it from Rockauto.com for about $265.00. When I change it out it was the exact same unit that I took out of the car, same model number etc. on the old Denso unit and the new one. I can understand Porsche marking it up but 600% is ridiculous.

Quotes source post: 16423685

Jason at Warehouse33 is legit. I'd have faith in items he is providing, based on my experience.

In almost all cases car manufacturers DO NOT make their own parts. Bosch is an oem supplier for Porsche for a ton of their parts. Since you have it all apart, take a good look at each part, most of the time you will find the suppliers name on them. The O2 sensors are a good example. They are most likely made by Bosch or Denso. If you buy them in a Porsche box they are $250. If you buy them in a bosch box they are $50 I wrench for a living. In the past few years we have noticed a major trend of evap purge valves failing on Ford products. If we buy it from Ford its $180 bucks. From the local parts store we can order a BWD brand for $39.99..... funny part is that it is a factory genuine ford part in the BWD box, but the spot where it would say FoMoCo has belt melted off the plastic. This has become common practice with parts vendors. Find out who made the oe part and order it from the. Dont pay tripple for the Porsche box

Quotes source post: 16425011

Hey !! Porsche has to pay the power bills too !! Disclaimer : Porsche is the most profitable car company in the world. Total Disclaimer : Porsche Mechanics are NOT the highest paid Mechanics in the world, I made twice as much working for FoMoCo..

Quotes source post: 16425142

My Disclaimer : I am hard working mechanic. I make a really really good income. But i own a Porsche 911 C4S that I track and am building a BMW E36 track car that take my income from me as fast as i make it. Its all with a smile though!

Quotes source post: 16425156

Right !! Get your kids into race cars, they'll never have money for drugs !!!

Quotes source post: 16425189

Hell, I raced motorcycles and barely had enough money for racing, let alone drugs

Dan, I don't want to hijack your thread and I hope this question contributes something more to your original question. I was just doing some organizing and cleaning in my workshop and started to look at the collection of O-rings and gaskets I have from the M96 motor I'm working with and it got me to thinking about this thread. I've noticed that some O-rings and gaskets I have purchased for other cars have almost the same appearance and others have a considerable difference in quality from the Original pieces and that makes me wonder which aftermarket gaskets/o-rings are gonna work as well as original and which are better sticking with Genuine Porsche? Or should I just stick with the genuine parts only? Any thoughts?

For gaskets and o-rings. I'm sticking with Porsche. That's the general recommendation that I have from trusted sources and at the end of the day, the dollars involved are not significant. You can buy a full rebuild gasket/oring kit for about $400 for reassembly.