Price of a new MAF (mass airflow sensor) and part numbers

[xmac]

I noticed the dealer price for a MAF is $500-$600 when the same part number in a Bosch box is ~$200. Is there something special about the one the dealers source? Is there some value add or is it simply demand driven to the age of these cars?

Based on reading several posts, stick with the model you have in your car when purchasing a new one. Posting this info in case others need it:

99660612300 non-egas a.k.a cable throttle (Bosch Part # 0280217007)

99660612400 e-gas or M620 option C4's and others (Bosch Part #0280218009)

99660612500 or 99660612501 newer egas version from 2002 up but may require firmware update of DME (Bosch Part #0280218055)

both numbers are stamped on the side of the MAF

[Ahsai]

The way I undersatnd it is Porsche do furhther QC and accept only those that pass the tighter tolerance and return the others back to Bosch (similar for all other OEM parts not just MAF). I guess statiscally you have a better quailty one from Porsche but by how much I don't know.

[Dharn55]

It costs a lot of money for Porsche to have their name put on the boxes :-)))

In all seriousness the packaging is the primary difference. You can often find part from the same manufacturer that Porsche buys from that don't have the Porsche Name on the box and cost significantly less. The markup that Porsche makes on the parts it sells in huge.

[xmac]

In troubleshooting a rich at idle, lean at speed issue, I replaced my MAF with a yellow boxed one. As far as I know the one replaced is the original. Since there are so many knock-offs, I used a reputable vendor and double-checked the authenticity. Essentially, you download the TecIdentify app on your smartphone and scan the 2D barcode. After scanning you get a green verification or red problem screen.

Look for the seal on the box with codes and Bosch Hologram:

Download, the tecIdentify app

Find the 2D barcode on the other side of the seal and scan it:

Look for a green square in your verification page of the app:

You will notice the code submitted matches includes the 3 groups of codes printed on the seal (3YBJP4 K31BTN C1WCGD) and the last group of characters is duplicated in the hologram.

Hope this helps folks make sure they are not buying junk parts.

Edited May 15, 2014 by xmac

[judgejon]

this may not be helpful at this late date, haven't checked in for a while, but...

Put in a new Bosch 0280 218 055 on March 25 to resolve a CEL issue, codes P1502, 1120, 1122.

$265.00 via Indy's shop.

I agree with Dharn55, Porsche name on a battery trickle charger added about $100+ to price tag.

Nice to look at though....

[EleCTriCT]

we successfully use the bosch ones in the yellow box available from many aftermarket parts suppliers