Ok here are some of the problem areas. I am going to have my bumpers repainted so that everything blends in better with the kit. I just want it to look great. This shop is well known in my area and they did my rx300 coach conversion, my 2IS lip kit, and my es3 re-spray. They do "factory like" work and have lifetime warranty on their work and paint.

I could at this point just use some filler and paint for cheap (maybe get outta there at 1500) but I dont want to cut corners. Everything is first going to be sanded because it comes primer black however is covered with tiny holes and corners might be squished in which were not apparent to me when I first inspected them. Painting like that would cause problems down the line and just look bad.

My shop is high end but they do not charge alot on labor, they do however take their time to make sure things are spot on. Also keep in mind this is two stage paint when I give you guys final cost comparisons.

 

No they havent quoted 2800 for paint and install, I am saying thats how much they would for it to be about the same amount of money. You might be right there might not be a big difference. I guess I am taking one for the team here to show a cost comparison. Either way I am not cutting any corners and making sure it looks great, Im also sanding and repainting the bumpers so that the kit blends in perfectly. While its there I am also having those stupid pin stripes wet sanded out...I wont be including bumper repaint or the pin stripe removal in my comparison though.

 

Hey Robert, Thanks for the updates. I hope you've received our emails and our attempts to help you with partial reimbursement. My mom has an SC430 so I am going to try to bring it one day and see I can see if there are any issues with fitting this kit on her car.

 

I got your email, thanks for trying to help. Dont try to test fit unless you really tape up both the bumper and the lips...trust me.

 

Hi Rob, How's the update ?

 

Here are some pics

 

Ok so the results are in, my shop charged me around 2k to fix the body kit for it to line up and curve with the bumpers etc. There were a ton of pin holes that needed to be filled in on the kit that took alot of time. Parts did not line off straight out of the box so cutting was necessary.

Overall the cost is $2150 for the body kit to be prepped, modified, and then installed/painted. Add around $650 for the kit after shipping (got a small amount back from ED). Thats around $2800. I believe that is still cheaper than buying an Authentic and then installing/painting. However the difference is not as large as we are made to believe especially if the authentic has very good fitment and little to no pin holes.

Now as a disclaimer I mentioned 2150 but thats not what I paid, I had more stuff done to make this even look better. My front and rear bumpers were both re-sprayed to ensure a perfect color match with the lip kit (additional cost not included in 2150). I also had my pin stripes wet sanded out and I also had to pay Florida sales tax.

I am satisfied with the result, it looks awesome. If I had to do it again I would go authentic like I have in the past if I had a couple of extra hundred bucks to save myself some headaches and save on the amount of time my car would be in the shop. But overall there is a cost savings and of course people can probably get this done cheaper at lower end shops (dosent necessarily mean less quality just less cost). My shop is pretty well known around here and they charge a premium but their work is spot on and there is a life time warranty on paint and work.

Hope this helps!

 

that came out awesome!

 

Hi Robertrios,
Your car come out looks very nice !
For the blend in the color for the bumper. I think the Wald kit still need to do it anyway !
But as least looks good.

 

Looks like your shop did a nice job in the end. It just takes a ton of work to get "replica" kits there. (And a good body shop.) I suspect a lot of people don't put the money into fixing them and just ride around with a kit that doesn't fit.

 

yea i suspect the same thing, from far away it looked okay and im sure some people just put in filler and then paint it with the lip on the bumper...i figured do it right once.

 

Looks good Robert! Time to update that Sig of yours, lol.

 

Thanks so much robertrios! Your pics and detailed description of the challenges and total cost in going with this kit was really helpful. Ive been tempted to pull the trigger on those Duraflex kits for about 2 years now but was always worried about fitment and the total cost. Your shop did a great job, but i see that the rear skirt has a noticeable transition. I guess all this is to be anticipated when a company buys and original kit and creates a mold, the molded product is going to be bigger. But I'm like you, if i can get the same look for cheaper, hey! But I'm glad i chose to delay the kit and go with 3-Piece Wheels and lowering springs.. the kit will be my last mod but the Duraflex one seems like one to avoid. The fitment i somewhat understand but there is no excuse for the pitting (tiny holes) Thanks again!

 

We were able to offer a partial credit to Robert for some of the work. Once again, Robert was in a hurry to get these parts on, we offered to exchange out anything, any piece that he was not happy with. But I can understand its not that easy when your vehicle is already at the body shop. We stand behind our products 100% and will exchange/credit/refund a customer if he/she is not happy with what they received. When I say refund, I mean COMPLETE refund, we will even give you your money back for shipping and we will pay for return shipping. This is how dedicated we are to keeping the buyer happy. Thank you!

 

Different parts from the same mold are going to fit (or misfit) the same way. It's a lower quality product than a genuine kit. And it will cost much more to prep and install. So long as people know this going in, it's their choice.

That said, I work in a creative industry and I'm personally not a fan of taking someone else's design and selling it as your own.