[ds968]

As frustrating as the realization that more and more 968 parts will be NLA with the passage of time, when I hear what other people with newer cars face when replacing any given broken part, I go into shock <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I never opted for extended warranties ; not for electronic equipment, not for appliances, nor cars, but anyone who buys a new car and does not extend the bumper to bumper warranty once the factory or dealer one expires may be in for a much more unpleasant surprise than our so-called pricey Porsche parts and related labor to install them.



There is so much integration of functioning components into various "systems" for newer cars ( even as far back as as the '05 or thereabout models ) that replacement of one single malfunctioning component is no longer an option - you're forced to buy the entire system, or the entire assembly, and often times those also require taking apart virtually half of the damn car to get to it.



You hear what sounds like absolute horror stories and many seem incredulous until you talk to friends or acquaintances who have had something go wrong with their out of warranty new cars and they tell you

they spent thousands of dollars just to have a heater fan switch replaced, or a coolant leak fixed, or a burned out tail light bulb replaced which includes the removal of the bumper off the car..



" - yes sir, it seems you have a $ 20 relay that went bad , but it comes only as part of the integrated

operating system we sell, so that'll be $ 900 and please see our service department to get an estimate for labor to install it - it cannot be installed without using the factory computer only dealers have to sync the commands required for it to function with all the other electronics that interact with it " <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I'll keep my 968 forever, thank you , the worst I can expect to hear there is : " part is NLA, you have to find an aftermarket replacement "

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[flash]

that is exactly what keeps me from getting a new car to replace the 968, and why i got this one to begin with - i looked at it and said "that's a car i can tear apart" - i can't say that of any of the newer cars i might want



that being said, the NLA issue, as well as the over-engineered complexity of the 968 is pushing me toward the simpler direction of a simpler car, like back to the MGB - it was 1000lbs lighter, could easily have 225hp (which at 1900lbs makes a better hp/wt ratio), and all the creature comforts of the 968, as well as better handling, nimbler driving, quicker, and nearly as fast

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[lbpesq]

Ah yes, the old MGB. Truly a lovely car, but don't forget about the "Lucas" factor! And you better get out there once a month tightening bolts with your handy bottle of loctite! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Bill

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[flash]

i got around that lucas thing easily by installing a GM alternator, and going entirely through the wiring harness



as for the bolts, on the last one, i changed out every nut and bolt on the car, and installed higher grade hardware



were i to do this again, it would be a ground up build, not a refurbishment or restoration - this is what i did with the last one, and it NEVER gave me any grief in over 20 years of running

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[ds968]

As primitive as everything may feel when driving an old car, there's something refreshing about being able to drop your entire self inside the engine bay and fit there with plenty room on either side while working on it <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , not to mention that the most complex replacement of a part involves removing two bolts and a gasket <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> EVEN I CAN DO THOSE JOBS ! That's it, I'm buying a '67 Mustang <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ds968]

I know there was another thread on this forum which had a growing list of NLA 968 parts , but for some reason search brought only this thread up.. not sure if anyone else can find it , or if to start a new thread , or continue on this one , but I wish we could assemble an updated list of which 968 OE parts are NLA, but even more importantly those NLA parts for which there are no substitutes at all , either from other car brands , or aftermarket parts which will work well as a substitute .

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[ds968]

I was watching a show about restoration of classic cars,where they featured a laser reader device which can be pointed at any given object reproducing an exact, precise sized 3 D image replica of the item.  Actually “4 D “  :blink: because the even more remarkable aspect ( if I understood them correctly.. )  is that the laser penetrates the surface of the object and reads / reproduces all of its components as well.   That sounded way too sci-fi for my simple brain to grasp, but I suppose technology has evolved to where that’s not such a big deal .. Subsequently, that image is imported to a 3 D printer,  and the item is reproduced in whatever material of the original part is, or , a comparable material with the same or even better functionality and capabilities ( heat tolerance, friction resistance, flex, etc.. ) .   They were talking about everything from leather car seats, to transmission gears, to all suspension components, etc., etc.  Any and all parts of a car, interior or exterior.   I can’t even imagine the cost associated with producing complex components and I suspect it would be cost prohibitive for most of those, but at least it gives some faint hope that there may be a solution for NLA parts and our cars are not necessarily destined to become 3,000 lbs. paper weights if we can’t find this or that thingamajiggy for it .  BTW, the laser reader device was approx $ 100 K .  They did not indicate the cost of printing anything because that range would be vast, depending on what you’re printing..   

 

It looked something like this  ( maybe be modeled after a coronavirus molecule    ) 

 

   

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[Rap]

Imagine if we could use that on humans?

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[Waylander]

that's a no no, we could end up with multiple Trumps

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[MCL968]

Good Point! Might be time to re-watch Sleeper with Woody Allen when he was still somewhat funny and not yet discredited.

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[ds968]

Lol, cloning is already ( and has been for a while ) a turnkey technology,  so I’m just waiting for the “green flag” to put my order in for Gal Gadot and Margot Robbie ...  3D printing 968 parts falls in a distant second place ..

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[Roboman]

Green flag from whom? Mrs. DS? It's the new perfect crime DS ...... we'll die trying while they die laughing ..... .


But more seriously, is there an NLA equivalent parts list on 968forums? I've also just searched and couldn't find one here. It will certainly become increasingly useful.

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[Waylander]

Not worth trying to maintain a NLA parts list, mainly because Porsche Classic will start producing some parts


If it will work on a 944 then there is a fair chance you will see it again


https://content.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/...lsrc=aw.ds

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[ds968]

Not worth trying to maintain a NLA parts list, mainly because Porsche Classic will start producing some parts


If it will work on a 944 then there is a fair chance you will see it again

https://content.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/...lsrc=aw.ds

 

   

 

That’s very encouraging news !          ( and thanks for posting the reference / link !  ) 

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[Waylander]

There is a USA version of that site

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