Why are aftermarket prices so high? An exhaust will set you back $500-$800. You can't tell me that it costs that much to make. I understand people want to make a profit and all, but come on! Does anyone else agree with me?

 

It's simple business:

Cost of manufacture, plus overhead, plus profit (which also accounts for "supply and demand&quot Equal Retail Price!

OR, you can just chalk it up to being a MINI-BMW, and bathe in the social cache'

 

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.

 

>>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?

 

One, because it is a kia. Two, becuse it is a kia. And three, because it is a kia.

 

In time, young one, the right parts will call out your name, and you will hear them. You will open your wallet, invert, and enjoy newfound parts in exchange for a reasonable time of wallet-inversion.

Also, there is another phenomenon: "you get what you pay for". The aftermarket segment is very low volume in comparison to production automobiles. This relative low volume in itself is the reason for many seemingly high-prices. Building a few hundred of a product is insanely more expensive per piece than building a few million!

Good luck!
Ryan

 

True, never thought about that.

 

Four...it's a KIA !!!!!!!

 

>>Also, there is another phenomenon: "you get what you pay for". The aftermarket segment is very low volume in comparison to production automobiles. This relative low volume in itself is the reason for many seemingly high-prices. Building a few hundred of a product is insanely more expensive per piece than building a few million!
>>

That is absolutely correct.
Plus, there is another factor in case of replacement parts business. Here's a story.

Most of the case OE parts manufacturers make also after market business as well.
Since all of the car manufacturers ask the parts suppliers to make tremendous price reduction and it end up low margin business for suppliers in OE(or mass production for automobiles production) business. Consequently, most of the after market parts suppliers who do OE business too manage to mark up more on after market business to compesate the total business profit which end up relatively high price.

After the model ends, then volume demand gets much more smaller and this would drive its replacement parts price higher as well.

Welcome to the automotive business world...
But I agree that some after market prices are too high for end users.

 

I can see making a fair profit but some of these items are really gouging.

Example: White replacement lenses for the side directional (replacing the orange). $40 a pair! For 2 small pieces of plastic! That's for JUST the lenses, not the chrome inserts.

There's no way someone isn't gouging - either the sellers or their suppliers (or both) are making a HEALTHY profit on those.

 

CooperSpeed - check out the supertrapp exhaust, it's cheap. Search on threads here for more info. Beware, though, it's not a traditional sound or look.

I don't think that the prices are out of line for a new model. I'm sure that the Honda/WRX/etc. prices all started out the same way. Look into exhausts for the new 350z and I'm sure it's the same story.

Jeff

 

Hey cooperspeed, There are bargains to be found. I was just cruising through the performance mods section, asking about different parts, and up came a PM with an offer for a slightly used exhaust and intake system for almost $400 below retail.

I didn't even look for it, it found me!

Andy

 

Thanks guys, but I don't watn anything used. As for the supertrapp, I don't really like the way it looks. I would also not like to cut a big hole in my bumper. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

the prices r just absurd

_________________
Founder and President of West Coast Chapter of

Young MINI Motorers

 

I searched around Ebay for a while and found a new magnaflow exhaust for my cooper (non S) for $450 with shipping, thats about $100 cheaper then everywhere else I've looked. I've also seen borla and magnaflow exhaust for the S at reasonable prices. I've also bought Euro plates thats say MINI for only $10. Transactions on Ebay and paypal are kinda slow but you can save a lot of $$$.

 

Rfibanez! Love that vid shot in your signature! ROFLMAS!!!

 

It's a car. Good parts cost money. Sorry but that's the case. It's not like tricking out a go cart or a bmx bike. Automobile parts are expensive. If you wanna play you gotta pay.

 

Not that these parts are any better or worse, but you can buy import parts for MUCH cheaper! I don't know if it is the crowd, the car, or what. Intakes from $50, exhaust form $100. I don't know, I just don't know.

 

The pricing I have seen has been totally in line with quality parts for the VW/Audi cars. I seriously wouldn't feel comfortable putting a $100 exhaust on either my Jetta or my MINI. My $0.02.

 

As much as everyone wants this car to be part of something else, it is part of the Sports Compact Car genre. Thus, it should be treated like one...my $0.02

 

>>Not that these parts are any better or worse, but you can buy import parts for MUCH cheaper! I don't know if it is the crowd, the car, or what. Intakes from $50, exhaust form $100. I don't know, I just don't know.

Well Most Import tuners sell a cheasy universal muffler for 100 bucks, that is not a complete, engineered to fit, tested Performance Exhuast system. and a 50 dollar intake must really be worth it. I have modded many vw and even a TechTonics exhuast in steel (non stainless) for a rabbit runs around 175.00. That ois pretty expensive if you figure in that i paid 800 bucks for the car...

I say sell your Mini Cooper S and buy a honda civic and bolt on a universal muffler and a cheap intake, and some stickers and you will have well over 200 hp. And cut the springs while you are at it. :smile: In time you will be able to pic up used performance parts from other MINI owners at a hopefully resonable price.

 

Well, competition is good - usually for both prices and quality. However, the more I think about this, the more I'm glad that MINI aftermarket items aren't dirt cheap. The cheaper things get, the more Neon and Civic owner-types will infiltrate the MINI realm. That will be a sad day. Alas, I fear it is inevitable... but for now, let's enjoy the fact that we're still a relatively genuine bunch that's not jsut modding for mod's sake. :smile:

 

I agree with Dave and John; I would not feel comfortable putting generic low-class "Sport Compact Car-style" parts on my MINI. The MINI is in the same marketing realm as the VW R32, which is "near-luxury Hot-Hatch"

Cooperspeed, this is one of those situations where the MINI will be treated like a BMW. My experience modding my 325i and the prices in that market are parallel to the MINI aftermarket pricing, as I would expect from a BMW-derivative product.

Cheers,
Ryan

_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
*Keeper of the CWFAC list*

 

Before I get flamed about the stereotypes above, please allow me to admit that I did make broad generalizations about Neon and Civc owners. There, I admitted it! ...I think you get my underlying point.

 

I DON'T WANT USED PARTS!!! I want something new. Lets take the Madness Intake for example. How much does the filter element really cost? $100 MAX? And the heat shield? $25? I would buy it for $150-175, but $240?