Leather gaiter

[aporschefan]

My car is with RPM for the annual service. I have asked them to change the gear linkage and also change the leather gaiter. (Its currently worn and needs to be replaced really.) RPM suggested replacing with the original. Apparently after market versions are not as nice or don't fit as well or don't last as long etc.

Anyway, I wanted to ask where is the cheapest place to source the original leather gaiter from?

--edited to correct spelling errors

 

[Kongsodoken]

I got one from E bay aftermarket but dam good, company call top gaitors cost about £10 I think,

 

[Copperman05]

I would agree with RPM, but it depends on what you would be happy with. The issue with most of the aftermarket leather gaitors is that the leather is not thinned out at the top of the knob, leaving it looking baggy and poor fitting.

The only alternatives to prevent this it would seem are to buy the Porsche leather item at £200 odd quid or get it re-trimmed by someone like Southbound, Sounthbound being the cheaper of the two but still using OEM leather and by proper craftsmen (who thin the leather). The Porsche item also come with the leather gaitor already fitted to the the gear stick shaft and black gear selector/indicator on top.

Personally I went for a new Porsche gaitor and obviously it looks and fits perfectly, this was however before I found out that Sounthbound could do the job for less, it may be worth giving them a call, I dont know how much they charge but I do know that they laughed at me when I told them how much I paid for the Porsche item.[]


Edd

 

[Kongsodoken]

£200[8|] and thought I was mad spending the amount I do[]

I'm sure the oem gaitor is better leather and better made, but not 20x better.......... having spent over 3K on my interior in the last few months the £10 gaitor does not look out of place[]......(picture is the old interior).....

 

[Copperman05]

I know thats what I thought, but if the Porsche item lasts another 22 years before needing replacement then perhaps its not too bad?


Edd

 

[944 man]

From Porsche you buy a new gearknob with the leather gaiter already fitted.

 

[bmnelsc]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

....
Personally I went for a new Porsche gaitor and obviously it looks and fits perfectly, this was however before I found out that Sounthbound could do the job for less, it may be worth giving them a call, I dont know how much they charge but I do know that they laughed at me when I told them how much I paid for the Porsche item.[]


Edd

Not sure what their customer service rating is like but laughing at potential customers suggests you might have trouble resolving any disputes that may arise....[8|]

 

[Copperman05]

Its a term of speech, they didnt literally laugh at me, the guys at Southbound are nothing but professional and courteous.


Edd

 

[wolfie308]

As 944 man said, Porsche only supply the whole gear knob with gaiter.

You could try http://www.prestigeparts.co.uk/ who still have them listed and they offer an exchange/fit servive and a range of colours. I replaced my shabby black one with linen about 3 years ago and am very happy with the fit and quality of the leather.

 

[aporschefan]

Thanks for the feedback chaps.

RPM confirmed what you suggested. The leatherette option is approx £50 and the leather option is over £120 more!

I'm happy enough with the leatherette option.

 

[Eldavo]

I've just fitted one of the eBay top gaiters ones and am very happy with it. It's a little baggy where the ball of the gearknob meets the stick when compared to the original. However I'm very happy with it and it's great VFM!

 

[robwright]

I fitted the replacement gaitor from Porscheshop and it fits like the preverbial glove. Cost was about £30 I think. Real leather as well as far as I could tell.