As a vehicle ages, it will inevitably require replacement parts, where different components begin to show signs of wear and tear or simply stop working properly after a certain number of years or miles covered. Replacement parts and components are available from a broad range of retailers – but choosing the right parts is essential, particularly for functional or safety aspects of a vehicle.
Design911, the Porsche OEM parts supplier, recommend you purchase any spare parts or replacements from an approved, experienced supplier who can offer suggestions and support if you need any assistance in selecting the most suitable components. The business has years of knowledge and can recommend Porsche parts from both verified OEM and aftermarket parts producers that meet exacting quality standards.
Here the team shares some top tips on sourcing the correct parts and ensuring you make informed choices when deciding which components to buy.
Establishing the Spare Part You Need for Your Porsche
If you are a Porsche aficionado, you may know precisely which part you need or why your vehicle has started making an unusual noise. However, many drivers may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of their engines and need help establishing where the malfunction is, or which part is affected.
The first step is to determine the location of the fault. Some Porsche models have particular parts that commonly need replacing, so it may be easy to diagnose the problem by referring back to forums and Porsche groups or giving our team a call.
In other scenarios, it may be advisable to take your car to a reputable Porsche mechanic to ensure you understand where the issue is originating. It is helpful to:
- Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) – this code can be cross-referenced with manufacturers' guides to ensure the part we supply or source on your behalf is compatible with your exact car model.
- Look for a part code stamped or printed onto the component. Some parts carry identifying codes, although this isn’t always the case, or the code could be concealed beneath grease or dirt. Codes can be checked back against the manufacturer’s catalogues or matched with an available replacement.
We’d also ask whether you are replacing a part for the left or right side of your vehicle, where relevant, such as when purchasing lights, mirrors, wipers or other components which must be configured to fit the appropriate aspect of the car.
Comparing OEM and Aftermarket Parts
Some parts, primarily those for new vehicles or still in production by the manufacturer, can be replaced directly. If a car is still under warranty, you may be able to have the component replaced at no charge if it has proven faulty or failed to meet the minimum expected usage period.
In other situations, you may need to compare different types of spare parts, generally broken down into Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, or OEM, and new aftermarket parts.
As a brief recap of how these vehicle parts differ:
- OEM parts are produced as new replacements made by approved manufacturers to match the specifications of the original component. They are often slightly more expensive than aftermarket parts but provide the best possible quality.
- Aftermarket parts are produced independently and are designed to be compatible, but sometimes with several models or vehicles. Some aftermarket producers specialise in one or two car brands, but most try to make cost-effective parts that are suited to a wide variety of cars.
We typically recommend OEM parts for Porsche replacements or upgrades since you have the assurance of a part that is made by the original manufacturer. You’ll sometimes find OEM parts referred to as factory parts or stock components – all mean the same thing.
That said, there are rare, unusual or discontinued components no longer under OEM manufacture, making it important you source a compatible part that will offer the most comparable performance.
How to Source a Hard-to-Find Porsche Part
Some components are very difficult to track down, usually because they aren't being produced, are in high demand, or because orders outstrip manufacturing capacity. Other parts are rare since they are used for vintage or classic cars or have been made redundant by new innovations or materials, making it tricky to find a like-for-like match.
In this situation, we'd suggest getting in touch at your convenience or using the part number where you have one to browse the Design911 database. We stock thousands of components, from ultra-modern upgrades and performance parts to bodywork, accessory and entertainment system replacements.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, our team can normally source a hard-to-find part on your behalf, drawing on our extensive networks of Porsche producers, manufacturers and specialists. There are sometimes alternatives that will work just as well if the original part simply doesn’t exist.
Limited edition parts tend to be the hardest to come by, and you could potentially decide whether you are happy to wait for a part to become available or use an alternative in the meantime – depending on what you need to replace and whether it is a crucial element.
Tips to Avoid Buying Low-Quality Replacement Components
Finally, we’d advise caution if you’re buying a part from a company you aren’t familiar with, who doesn’t seem to offer any direct communication, or only sells through a third-party marketplace.
Unfortunately, these sales environments tend to attract unethical sellers who may not be selling authentic parts or maybe misrepresenting the quality and value of the components they are offering to ship.
It is important to be careful about relying on second-hand parts, which may potentially be unsafe. Components used for replacements or repairs in braking systems, crumple zone bodywork, collision avoidance systems, airbags, seatbelts, tyres and steering columns should be of the highest quality you can source.
Please search our database by vehicle model to see all the available parts or browse by online Porsche parts categories to determine whether we have the component you require in stock and ready to dispatch.
Read more about Design911 - Design911 Examines The Future For Classic Porsche Parts Ahead of 2030 Ban
About Design911
Design911 has established itself as the market leader, offering trade and retail customers a full range of OEM and aftermarket Porsche parts for general servicing and rebuild as well as restoration and tuning for the UK, European and world-wide markets. The Design911.co.uk website now sports a Porsche parts finder to help you get the exact aftermarket Porsche part your need. The company's impressive 34,000 sq. ft Essex headquarters comprise sales department, warehouse, workshop and body shop, as well as a showroom of classic Porsches for sale. We pride ourselves that we will be the company that can supply 'every part for every Porsche'.
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Source Company: https://www.design911.co.uk
