As a collector, finding parts can be a difficult. The best place to start is at a local or near by salvage yard.  Specifically a Porsche salvage yard. In you live in a large city, more than likely you will find one but not to worry as your local salvage yard could also be found online. Tip: Go to your favorite search engine, I like to use Google as they seem to provide more sources of information. You can search by city, county and state.

However, if you live near a Porsche salvage yard, visiting one can be a great experience. There are all makes and models that are already parted and you can generally find the 911 part you are looking for. When I used to have a Porsche 356 I would always drop by my local salvage yard. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and the local yard was located in Emeryville, Ca. The place was called EASY, European Auto Salvage Yard. I was like a kid in the candy store. In fact everytime I would go there, I would always see some skeleton frames or a few cars that were wrecked waiting to be dismantled.

You can tell if the Porsche car parts salvage yard is good because they will have a large inventory on a variety of dismantled cars. You’ll even be able to buy new OEM parts or special order them from the factory. Most salvage yards should have inventory ranging from the 1950’s to late 90’s models.

Many of these Porsche salvage yards show the more popular moving parts like bumpers, headlights, tail lights, seats, steering wheels and seats display near the front or close to the front desk. And the bulk of the parts are are stored and inventoried in their warehouse.

I found that it is always useful to talk to the counter parts person, especially if you are not certain about the part you are looking for. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you identify the part you are looking for. It amazes me that these professionals really know their Porsche parts.

Here’s another tip when your are looking for porsche 911 parts: Avoid the inexpensive parts for mechanical, maintenance or labor intensive components. Although you are looking to save money or get a great deal on a part, this can be a waste of time and money. It is recommended that you purchase from a reputable after market oem manufacture and best best way to find out is to talk to your Porsche salvage dealer who has all the contacts and resources for your 911.

But if you are a collector or just happen to save your money to buy a pre-owned Porsche, without a doubt you knew that finding Porsche parts is part of the joy of owning this magnificent car.

If you’ve ever visited a Porsche salvage yard it can be an eye opener. It would be equivalent to shopping in a specialty retail store. You will see all makes and models that are ready to be dismantled. Perhaps you’ll see some skeletons or a few cars that might be wrecked being prepared for dismantling.

The parts are housed in a warehouse. More than likely near the front desk you’ll see parts like bumpers, headlights, tail lights, seats , steering wheels and seats display as these are the more popular items that sell quickly.

A good Porsche car parts salvage yard will have a excellent inventory on a large selection of dismantled cars as well as new OEM parts that are in their current inventory. You should make sure that your salvage yard has the inventory spanning 1950’s to late 90’s models.

If you are able to determine its variety of inventory you’ll know that if a part is not available, asking the counter person or owner about that part, you will get some answers of getting that part. Or they may even refer you to another source.

When you are replacing a part for your Porsche, you should avoid the inexpensive parts for mechanical, maintenance or labor intensive components. This can be a time and money waster. Not unless the mechanic that is rebuilding has the credentials to perform the work. Instead you are better off purchasing from a reputable after market oem manufacture.

Here is a short list of the types of Porsche parts to consider through an after market supplier, which your salvage yard could also recommend:

ABS Charging Switch
Weatherstrip-Seal
Carburetor Top Gasket
Cooling Fan Relay
Heater Motor Screw
Anti-Rattle Spring
Back-Up Light Switch
Output Shaft Bearing
Trunk Lock
Valve Thrust Nut
Hub Dust Protector
Cam Bore Gasket
Suspension Fluid
Door Handle Trim
Trunnion Nut
Fuel Transfer Switch
Glove Box Latch
Hand Brake Lever Boot
Tailgate Wiring Harness
Control Arm Shim

These are just a few of the parts that by paying extra from an after market supplier will give you the peace of mind that your part  will work and if it doesn’t, you have a warranty to protect you.

As you can see there are Porsche car parts available just about anywhere. You will have to do your due diligence when you find a supplier or salvage yard but for the most part, many of these parts and salvage yard are more than happy to help you find the part that you are in need of.

Depending on where you live, you may have access to local salvage yards that specialize in porsche parts. That can be very convenient and a short drive to the salvage yard can both save you time and money. If you are able to visit a local salvage yard you can even gain a wealth of knowledge and understanding about parts and market prices. One thing that you will learn is that porshe parts many times can be interchangeable and who should know about that but the guy that takes porsches apart and inventories them. So with local knowledge, you will learn that some parts will be available.

If you have an idea of what part you are looking for, going online to eBay is a super market for getting used porsche parts. You can identify your parts by part numbers, photos and many times the seller is expert at knowing about the parts. You can email the seller with questions, even ask them to take extra photos of the parts they are selling. You might even take photos of the part that you are replacing to show the seller and there might be a match. One other idea is to ask the seller if he has other parts that are he is willing to sell outside of auction and express to him that you are an interested buyer .

In recent years, the internet has allowed many established porsche salvage yards to create their presence through their websites. While they may be thousands of miles away, you actually are able to get into their inventory and find the parts that you need. Even picking up the phone and calling adds to the convenience for you and of course the website owner is looking to expand his business and adding new new customers. It’s a win win situation so don’t forget to go online.

Another source for your used porsche parts can be found right in your own city. Many times porsche repair shops can provide you the parts you are looking for or even match you up with their customers who may happen to be selling their car or parts and have asked the porsche repair shop owner to do word of mouth advertising for them.

As you can see that finding used porsche parts is not like trying to find a needle in a hay stack in fact can be quite easier than you think. While it is recommended that you first should start in your own community or city to seek parts for your needs, you will be able to learn quite a bit about finding those rare parts just because you’ve taken the time to look, talk and establish local resources. Happy used porsche parts hunting!