Yea yea yea, say all you want about research and all the other BS. But someone should be able to make an affordable ($100-$125) sway bar and upper strut brace.

I mean really, materials can't possibly cost all that much. So what's the deal? Who's going to do it? Not all MINI owners are Big ***** ya know...

 

>>Yea yea yea, say all you want about research and all the other BS. But someone should be able to make an affordable ($100-$125) sway bar and upper strut brace.
>>
>>I mean really, materials can't possibly cost all that much. So what's the deal? Who's going to do it? Not all MINI owners are Big ***** ya know...

I think I remember someone else saying this a few years back. He ended up starting http://www.thepilo.com with his first cold air intake. It is still a very reasonably well priced kit. I'd say go for it and try to design one. I agree they should be more reasonably priced. If you made a reasonably priced one that fit over the aftermarket CAI, you could make some good money. I think though that you may find it costs a little more than you think. Dan had thought he could build an intake for under $100, but it came in at over $100. If you wanted small margins you could probably do it, but by the time you buy the material, have someone bend it for you, buy the hardware, powdercoat everything, mark it up (which would include a small profit, extra for possible returns, and some for advertising) that it might not be so cheap. There are strut braces in the low $200 range and some rear sway bars in the $180 range.

 

The pulley @ $120 is the best "bang for the buck" part I know of

 

Buy used stuff. I just sold my Magnaflow exhaust for $325. I'm sure there are people who want different/no strut brace and/or swaybars.

 

I realize there is cost in R&D, and profit margins need to be... profitable... I do appreciate people like Dan taking a stab at helping out the little guy. Soon enough, though, the "Microsoft" of the MINI aftermarket industry will probably put an end to that.

It just seems that most companies are still out there to charge as much as humanly possible, and there are no alternatives.

To Andy's point, I'll post something in the Marketplace to see if I can fish in any used goods.

 

The best part about buying used stuff is the depreciation is much more of a binary operation than it is for, say, whole vehicles. My rule of thumb is used parts in decent shape = 1/2 price of new parts. So, but a used part, use it for a year, and sell it for what you paid.

 

I agree that material cost is not that much, but research and development cost certainly adds a lot to that equation. I should know as my other hobby is metal working (have full shop in my basement - another expensive hobby my wife is not thrilled about).

For example - when I received the Pilo CAI, I opened the box with great anticipation as I was expecting some magical stuff. Then it hit me. Duh is that all? A bent sheet metal box with openings for tube fitting (I actually had to double check the box as I thought there were more stuff that I missed).

If I were to copy that design, it would of taken about 2-3 hours (if that) with about $10-20 in material. I'm not sure how much those green filter would cost, but it would work out to $10-20 for stainless sheet + $3 for clamps (at home depot) + filter.

Then I tought about what it would take me to make other stuff from scratch. The design of any item take time and lots of wasted material (there is saying in metal working - if you can buy it, just buy it).

Still, since I'm not so shy about making my own parts (I'm still new to this stuff), I'll probably build my own swaybar (one that go in the engine compartment).

I'd just check the price on strongest 3"widthX 1" thick X 2 foot stainless steel bar and its $32. Its easy to machine that to fit in the compartment (with Y shape end for attachment). Only problem is I never saw one in person - So I don't know the thickness, width, etc. Anyone have that spec?

 

>>Yea yea yea, say all you want about research and all the other BS. But someone should be able to make an affordable ($100-$125) sway bar and upper strut brace.

Yes we all agree that prices are not very good for budget minded MINI modders. If vendors and builders of aftermarket items could get cost down really low by producing these products in foreign lands and hire workers at lower prices then these savings could be passed along to you.

This is much the case in the Phillipines. Copies are made and parts are produced very cheaply. Are they as good or better than the original designs? You decide if you want to buy four rims that look good for $400 or less or pay $1000+.

>>I mean really, materials can't possibly cost all that much. So what's the deal? Who's going to do it? Not all MINI owners are Big ***** ya know...

Materials generally are not too bad unless it is an exotic metal or alloy. Production costs may be raised if fabrication runs into trouble. Most of the cost is passed to the consumer due to wages/ and the cost of doing business.

What is your definition of an affordable upgrade part? If you want it to be about half the price of current things then the used part market if the way to go. Exhausts go for half price once used. Similar for used rear sway bars. Some argue that the front tower strut brace is more jewelry than functional.

Join a MINI club and ask when they have a used part sale or let people know that you are looking for good deals on used/gently exercised parts.

By the way, Big ***** is my friend. Err, I mean was my friend

 

leer wrote:

Every time you make a copy of a copy of a copy, the end result is farther from the original.

 

"Every time you make a copy of a copy of a copy, the end result is farther from the original. "


what a hysterical movie.. multiplicity.. who starred in that??

 

Why Batman of course.

 

Buying used works for me, but its not everybody's thing...like my car came with a few poorly touched up scrapes on the bumper, but I can live with that...I'll fix them someday if I want to...

And my mods I frequently find on sale or used..

Alta Rear Swaybar 22mm new....$135 ebay-vendor "overstocked"
(at full price I'da bought Hsport)

Helix ShortShifter--its cheap, easy to install and I LOVE it...

Exhaust...used Quicksilver--$400...

Other stuff I watch for sales...kinda my thing, but to each their own. I pay full price when I when its worth it to me....like the pulley....Have fun with it!

 

"Hi...Steve-Dave."

What a great movie.

M

 

I think the other aspect of it is how long the MINI has been around and the demand and the perception of the MINI's cost. For example, you can buy a strut brace (quality, of course, is suspect) on Ebay for a Civic for under $25. I think there are three reasons for this:
1) There are a LOT more Civics around than MINI's. The market's bigger, so the price is cheaper. For every MINI aftermarket part sold, there's probably 10 Civic parts sold.
2) The Civic has been around a lot longer than the MINI. Seems like there are new parts for the MINI every day. Give the market time. Prices will probably drop.
3) A parts shop knows that somebody who paid $2500 for a used Civic will probably not pop for a $200 intake. MINI's are brand new and used ones are still close to new prices. They probably figure since you paid more for the car, you'll pay more for the upgrades. (Granted, you paid sooo much, there's probably nothing left, but you get the idea.)

-Rob

 

BMW is already messing with the developers and resellers..and soon it might all change.

I know that some (if not all) aftermarket exhausts bought in 02-03 will not fit on an 04...same will go with the engine mods once we get a new motor...so I think prices will actually increase a little, BUT people will be selling old parts like mad in the used market

L

 

Unless there are a lot more MINIs on the road, like in the range of Hondas, prices for aftermarket parts will stay up there. Classic minis have been around since '59 (and they've been raced ever since then) but a set of 4 pistons costs more than a set of eight for a chevy. Roller rockers same thing. Valves are more than $20 each. If there was a bigger market, prices would drop (not necessarily cheap.. just less expensive). Like the old saying goes, "speed costs money... how fast do you want to go?

 

You might want to check out jscspeed.com. They have a 19mm H&R rear sway bar for $155, and the Alta pulley for $109 currently - both very good buys, but of course you have installation on top of those costs. I love my Pilo intake and I'm happy that Dan went through the efforts. Now if I could only get a deal on a Miltek exhaust!

 

>>You might want to check out jscspeed.com. They have a 19mm H&R rear sway bar for $155, and the Alta pulley for $109 currently - both very good buys, but of course you have installation on top of those costs. I love my Pilo intake and I'm happy that Dan went through the efforts. Now if I could only get a deal on a Miltek exhaust!

Someone driving around a nifty 20K car should really not moan about the price of upgrades......people put time and effort into these things and should be well rewarded for that and their talent, and yes, as much as the market will bear....that is what is wonderful about the system we live in, competition......and then of course there is the unfair competition, like buying the same thing from people who pay starvation wages to say...Philipinos, to make knock offs.....you save 20 bucks, they get to feed a family of five, live and go to school on a buck a day........wonderful life we foster.....

 

Thumbs up to Pilo for a great product. Looking at the way the others
were making these short ram semi-CAI anyway, it's not worth spending any
more than what the Pilo is offering them for. Plus, you get the very responsive
support of Dan who is very willing to help and has great customer support. not
to forget the free-cleaning kit! :smile:

If you don't have the money to spend modding your car, just leave it stock and
save your money for your future car purchase. the MINI is good enough without touching anything.

 

I've seen that there is a demand for more inexpensive peformance mods, and I have been working hard to develop my first product: the 3mm sway bar for the budget-minded MINI owner!

Here is a pic of the first prototype in the earliest stage of development!




_________________

SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me

 

>>I've seen that there is a demand for more inexpensive peformance mods, and I have been working hard to develop my first product: the 3mm sway bar for the budget-minded MINI owner!
>>
>>Here is a pic of the first prototype!

_________________


Questions or Comments? PM me

 

My stock on hand consists of bronze metal and white painted finish, but the 3mm sway bar can be spray painted in any krylon color!