Porsche tax ??

[JayG]

My water pump started to fail on that last tour and I got home safely without grenadeing the engine only Boxster
Great tour BTW, thanks Kieth.

So I ordered up a new WP, thermostat and coolant online as it saved me over $100.
One of our members graciously offered to lend me their Airlift to change the coolant, thanks Dallas
So far so good

Saw that I would need a new crush washer for the coolant drain plug on the oil pump housing and drove over to Porsche of San Diego to get the washer.
Told the parts person exactly what I needed and also showed them on the parts diagram.

Told me it was $2.00. Ok, overpriced, but fine.
Also told them I needed a rear seat striker bolt for my 996. Again, identified the part on PET
Asked how much and was told $30. now I had done a little research and that part on EVERY Porsche dealer website I found that listed parts had it as $19-$20.
I told the parts person Ill get it elsewhere

Now the good part.

I paid the $2 for the crush washer and they brought it out. Looking at it, I saw it was the same as the oil drain washer.
I asked them if they were sure this was the correct part and was told yes. I have a bunch of them that I only paid $1.00 each for, but since it had already been rung up and paid, figured I'll keep it.
Drained the coolant from my car and saw that the washer was definitely not the correct one as the water drain plug is much smaller.
Grrrr, now have to go back and get the correct washer. In the mean time, I called Hoen and that told me $19 and change for the seat bolt they wanted $30 for.

Drove back to Porsche of San Diego this morning to get the right washer and also ask them about the 50% greater cost for the seat bolt
Ended up with a different parts person and they immediately said that the washer I got was the wrong one and looked up the correct one. Told me it was $ 0.71
Asked them about the the higher cost of the bolt and was told me that was the price. I told them that Hoen quoted me $19 and asked can then to match the price.
I was told the best they could do was $25.Told them I'll get it from their competitor

Now, with 2 trips, the 71 cent washer has now cost me $4.00 including the extra gas I used having to go back a 2nd time
On top of that I don't understand how they can be 50% higher on a part than every other Porsche dealer.

Not once did they apologize fro me having to come back a 2nd time and wasting my time and gas

This does not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling for Porsche of San Diego.

[niche]

Glad you didn't add the per hour cost of driving back and forth. Not fun. Next time just get your parts from TCs Garage in Vista.

[JayG]

The part I needed is a dealer part.
Probably should have asked Tom to get it for me

I'll remember that next time

[Steve Grosekemper]

Actually is standard part that the dealer has...
It is a 900.123.144.30 aluminum washer.
As listed in PET it is 10x13.5mm.
But a 10x14 washer works fine and is what most shops have in stock.
Probably any shop that works on European stuff will have it.

The moral is call around, any shop that works on Porsches can look it up and tell you if they have it in stock.
Phone call costs nothing.
And many independents are open Saturdays half or full days.
40 cents or 2 dollars is not the issue, your time is.
So whoever has it that is closest wins!

[JayG]

Good point Steve

Still don't understand why Porsche of San Diego is 50% higher than other Porsche dealers on the seat bolt

[Old Guy]

Useful and informative post string. That said, this would have been a great addition to our TECH forum site. Just thinking out loud.

[JivenJim]

Look up the hardware size or bring old bolts and nuts and go to best place I've found.
http://www.marshallshardware.com/ Sorrento Mesa area and helpful pros work there.
I dropped some cash at Porsche store before I learned Metric bolts are common.
They even have those "special" bolts.
or you can buy a 50 stuff over the phone or online from http://www.grainger.com/?gclid=CJep7p6I ... 12175351:s