>> If one company came out with cheap items, then they would have my business.

As stated before, why not own a KIA?
I'm just trying to understand your logic, is KIA not a company that "comes out with cheap items"?......Therefore, will have your business.

I'm not trying to stir any flames, here, just trying to figure out how cheap is cheap to you. Would you prefer a MINI to look like this.....


Disclaimer: *No malicious intent on KIA, a fine motor company*


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MINIhune:'03 MC VR/VR

 

damn kohu where'd you find that....w w looks really fast...
but serious you bought a european car not a honda. there are cheap aftermarket parts for honda because every aftermarket company and their mother has jumped on the import bandwagon and catered to them(damn APC). european parts have always been expensive found that out when I had my jetta but i found out their expensive because they're quality stuff made for the car. that and when I bought my car there was no aftermarket items for my jetta. example bought a universal muffler for my car no added power just a loud sound, then I bought an actual exhaust system noticeable power difference nicer sounder. yeah you can go cheap but you'll regret it in the end. Now cheap prices for quality stuff now that's hard to find...but let me end my $.02

 

Just a quick word about prices. Yes some of these prices are too expensive and yes some dealers are price gouging to make some extra money. Case in point, I was looking to install the Factory Driving lights and here's a break down of prices I got:

MINI Dealer: $400 for lights, $89/hour to install

MINI Mania: $385 for lights, no install option

MINI Spares: 120 pounds ($187) + $40 shipping from UK

If you do the math, MINI Spares was under selling MINI Mania by $158 and my dealer by $173.

My point being, shop around, just because you can save money doesn't mean it's a crappy part. Do research and shop till you find a price that works for you.

 

Sure the stuff isn't cheap but come on! My exhaust pipe cracked last year on my '97 Escort. It cost $800 for a new one! A cheap, crappy, NON-STAINLESS STEEL exhaust for a cheap car!!! And the new exhaust would probably crack or rust again within another couple of years. The MINI aftermarket exhausts are all stainless steel. They should last LONGER than your MINI. I wouldn't want to put ANYTHING less on mine - right on Dave in Denver.

The fact is, that's life. You pay for quality and good service. And I'd rather wait and save up money and get good quality and service. That old saying is great - I forget how it goes. But you can buy a cheaper product several times (b/c of poor design and durability) or you can buy once. I'd rather buy a top quality product once and be done with it.

 

Don't underestimate the cost of shipping, product development, marketing, manufacturing, research and design. It's like Dave said, you gotta pay to play. :smile: So if cost is a huge issue for you, you may want to wait and save up...or wait for the prices to fall over time.

R

 

"I'd rather buy a top quality product once and be done with it. "

greatgro hit the nail on the head. That applies to almost anything - whether it's a gas grill, power tool or camera. Quality performance products, car or otherwise are machined better, usually have high quality finishes and are made to last. You can tell garbage on a car pretty quickly, and I suspect most MINI owners want their car to maintain a sharp look. Not something cheap and obnoxious. Check out the pricing on some of the Dinan stuff for the M Series. Makes the MINI stuff look like a bargain.

If you had to replace the stock exhaust on the Cooper or Cooper S after your warranty ran out, how much would that run? Cheaper than aftermarket? When I need new brakes, pads or rotors, I'm more likely to drive down to Helix in Philly and have those guys do an upgrade. I can't see the dealer being cheaper...

 

Well I guess there is no way around it (DAMN)! I too must succome to the aftermarket.

 

The volumes are still really low on most of this stuff. I mean, how many sets of clear taillights do you think have been sold, worldwide, so far? I bet it's only a few hundred. There are significant development costs associated with a lot of these products, and there are a lot fewer MINI drivers to spread those around to than with other cars.

That's not to say that all of the prices are justified, but I think that with exhausts in particular, you're paying for a lot of trial and error stuff that you should be thankful isn't hitting the market (well, except for that Rogue for the S).

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2003 Cooper, Borla exhaust, Moss intake, Magnecor plug wires - Brookline, MA

 

>>>>Gosh darn it! I can't afford the prices that are out there. If one company came out with cheap items, then they would have my business.
>>
>>Why not own a KIA?

KIAz rule!! At least these guys think so... KIA Power!

They took the old site down, but luckily I saved this for posterity.



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I would rather get a Hyundai or a Daewoo personally...LOL.

 

A note on cheap aftermarket parts - my friend bought an air filter from a well known aftermarket supplier, Stillen, which actually SLOWED HIS CAR DOWN. The new air filter was less effective than stock! He got a good price, though!

 

Cooperspeed...If you are so interested in saving money..why dont you buy the parts and make it your self!!!! Thats what I plan on doing and no, I dont have a work shop either :smile:

Have a GREAT day!!

 

Germany-
Actually, if I really wanted too, I could. My dad has a full machine shop at his shop. Included in that is a $500,000 boring mill. Hell I could machine a whole new MINI out of solid steel if I wanted too. The problem with making your own parts is that they haven't been tested. Unless you had the designs for the parts so you could make exact duplicates, you could be on the road for disaster. I guess the high price you are willing pay covers the testing and the assurance that thios part is going to be a good one.
-CooperSpeed

 

Looking at some of the sponsor websites, there is some difference in prices for the same parts. As long as people are willing to pay the high prices, the prices will remain high. I, for one, don't need an overpriced exhaust that is not much better than the stock one. Look at the Grassroots article for their H stock MINI and what each of the parts did for hp/torque gains. Is the money worth such small gains?

 

Cooperspeed.. I must say I'm impressed!! But you are correct that it takes a lot of research and time to make a part that is safe and reliable...hence the exorbinate price, however to make a air intake box doesnt require a 500000.00 boring mill!!!
just a little time :smile:

Have a GREAT day!!

 

I know, but I just thought I would make all of you jealous... ...If I had the money, to be able to pay for research and engineering, I could start a business of my own...too bad I don't have the funds....yet.

 

>>The problem with making your own parts is that they haven't been tested. Unless you had the designs for the parts so you could make exact duplicates, you could be on the road for disaster. I guess the high price you are willing pay covers the testing and the assurance that thios part is going to be a good one.
>>-CooperSpeed

Hey, now you're catching on... The MINI is a new car and the aftermarket parts require a lot of testing and trial and error. You're not just paying for the materials, you're paying for the development and such. Once they recoup their development costs and they start mass producing them you'll see the price drop. That's the other thing, if you have an assembly line producing a large quantity at a low cost the price will be low. However, most quality products aren't mass produced because most people will buy the cheaper stuff. Look at a lot of the ricers who put on the exhausts that don't do anything but make the car louder. It's cheap and they think it looks cool. I want something that's going to give me some HP. Sound tends to be a by product that I really don't care about.

However, just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good! Do some reasearch and decide what is best for you. I also can't afford much right now so I'll save up and then when I can I'll probably get the MINI Madness intake and then once I save up a little more, I'll get the magnaflow, etc...

I think the prices are about on par considering they are not generic parts (for the most part). The Magnaflow is custom for the MINI which will drive up the part because the only market is people who own MINIs and want a new exhaust. Just stop and think about it from the makers point of view.
-Chris