The Death of Tuner Companies

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08-06-2009 | 11:46 AM

#31

pjinca

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My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirksqjaw' post='967756' date='Aug 6 2009, 11:44 AM

Agree completely... well, mostly. I think that yes - R&D is reflected and SHOULD be reflected in the MSRP. I think a great company that does this is RPI, due to the amazing amount of testing and proven gains their stuff gives. It's clearly quality product. If someone came out at half the price, claiming the same design as RPI, I seriously wouldn't even consider it.

BUT, and this is where some may disagree with me... Body kit parts. Specifically, lips and spoilers and other silly little crap. Some of these pieces cost more than full blown OEM bumpers! The prices are absolutely riiiidiculous. I think some of these mod companies stick it to consumers based purely on the fact that it's a high end brand car.

I agree - to an extent, even companies like RPI need to do a cost/benefit analysis and see if a product can be profitable and affordable. For example, I doulw buy RPI exhaust because they are reasonably priced for the $$/HP ratio. Where as an exhaust costing 3 times as much becomes stupid, are you getting 3 times the power - no? Then you were stupid to pay much more.

As for body kits - I definitely agree, an OEM M_Tech is what? 22-2500 painted and installed. If you are an aftermarket company that should be your target, if you are charging 4-5000 for the kit alone (like ACS and others) you deserve to be copied or cheaper because you use the same Chinese factories the reps do. You are just charging way more.

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