OEM Type-X vs Aftermarket Bodykit

[Corbic]

Well I'm wrapping up my 240sx rebuild which will include fresh paint. I don't know crap about body kits, but I really like the OEM Type-X kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/Projekets/3ab1a487.jpg

However, finding a set (bumper) has been a major PITA. Some sell them new, but you are looking at +600 for a new set (bumper $226, sides $200, brackets $130, turns $140, fogs $120..)

I found a seller with a used one, $350, won't ship and is 7 hours away, basically my day would be shot and I'd spend ~$100 on gas, I can also grab sides for $275 from him as well... This would be great, but the bumper is rough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/BUMPER-DSC06011.jpg

I'm also thinking of maybe just snagging something off ebay, however I know nothing about what to expect in quality, fit-finish, so forth.

http://www.visionautodynamics.com/vfiber/images/products/F89N240X.jpg

Version Select VI would also be a good pick, but I have no idea where to get one or what they cost...

http://www.versionselect.com/images/180sxv6popup.jpg

[enkei2k]

600 is cheap for a body kit...i spent way more on mine...

V:S? check our vendors section, plenty of people stock them and others. off the top of my head i know THM sells them for a good price.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

so... uh.... i would bash about asking a stupid question, but it turns out there really wasn't a question asked.

[Corbic]

600 is cheap for a body kit...i spent way more on mine...

V:S? check our vendors section, plenty of people stock them and others. off the top of my head i know THM sells them for a good price.

$600 was just for a complete new Type-X bumper. Not a body kit.

[Pandapants]

Save.
Your.
Money.

$600 is more than half of a decent used set.
Just wait a little longer.

[Corbic]

Save.
Your.
Money.

$600 is more than half of a decent used set.
Just wait a little longer.

This shit has been off the road for a year now, I wanted painted on and on the road in 5 weeks.

[pinkarrowsnow]

anyone know how the version select kit fits?

[Brian]

If you are trying to buy a NISSAN part that didn't even come on a USA car, you're going to pay a lot. That's just how it is.

NICE guy price on the front lip spoiler for that bumper was like $350-$400. Retail was WAY more. Cars are not a cheap hobby. Some people try and make it a cheap hobby, but they are the ones that always complain about broken parts, bad parts, junky quality, etc. It's like...... taking a shit and wondering why it smells like poop. Use some common sense in this.

To get the Oem Type X "body kit" you should really expect to spend over $1000 easily.

[reccakun08]

oem front bumper is urethane correct?

[funes]

oem front bumper is urethane correct?

it is made with ABS plastic

[Corbic]

If you are trying to buy a NISSAN part that didn't even come on a USA car, you're going to pay a lot. That's just how it is.

NICE guy price on the front lip spoiler for that bumper was like $350-$400. Retail was WAY more. Cars are not a cheap hobby. Some people try and make it a cheap hobby, but they are the ones that always complain about broken parts, bad parts, junky quality, etc. It's like...... taking a shit and wondering why it smells like poop. Use some common sense in this.

To get the Oem Type X "body kit" you should really expect to spend over $1000 easily.


If by kit you mean bumper, extensions, skirts and rear, that's fine by me. I'm complaining beacuse I don't want to by NEW seeing the bumper alone would be over $600 + shipping.

[CamryOnBronze]

But, you wouldn't have to spend all of that time (and money if you aren't a body shop guy) repairing blemishes in a used bumper. NissanParts.cc sells the brand new OEM front bumper set for CRAZY cheap IMO. Sure, it's $600 or whatever, but you've gotta pay to play- that's just the way it is with this hobby I'm afraid. BH is right.

[Corbic]

Nissanparts.cc is out of stock -_-

[CamryOnBronze]

^ Bummer. They've almost always had that stuff when I have checked in with Russell over the past few months. :/

[s14unimog]

ABS is so much more forgiving... I would go OEM, buy it once, paint it right, be happy and proud when its done. Look at Camry, he's going that route and look how excited he is!

When people ask me how much I've spent on my car, I just say, "Ahh....who knows..."

[n8RPS13]

You can fin version select kits on andys but I dont know if they have the 180SX replica on the site yet. I was looking at that one as well and it wasnt on their site. You might have to call them

Well I'm wrapping up my 240sx rebuild which will include fresh paint. I don't know crap about body kits, but I really like the OEM Type-X kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/Projekets/3ab1a487.jpg

However, finding a set (bumper) has been a major PITA. Some sell them new, but you are looking at +600 for a new set (bumper $226, sides $200, brackets $130, turns $140, fogs $120..)

I found a seller with a used one, $350, won't ship and is 7 hours away, basically my day would be shot and I'd spend ~$100 on gas, I can also grab sides for $275 from him as well... This would be great, but the bumper is rough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/BUMPER-DSC06011.jpg

I'm also thinking of maybe just snagging something off ebay, however I know nothing about what to expect in quality, fit-finish, so forth.

http://www.visionautodynamics.com/vfiber/images/products/F89N240X.jpg

Version Select VI would also be a good pick, but I have no idea where to get one or what they cost...

http://www.versionselect.com/images/180sxv6popup.jpg

[CamryOnBronze]

ABS is so much more forgiving... I would go OEM, buy it once, paint it right, be happy and proud when its done. Look at Camry, he's going that route and look how excited he is!

When people ask me how much I've spent on my car, I just say, "Ahh....who knows..."


That's the right answer. Never start adding it all up or you might have a nervous breakdown, lol.

And I agree, OEM will for sure hold up the best.

[Corbic]

Sadly i have a running spreadsheet. I'm at $6,380 right now, not including those $90 wheels. :-/

That also does not include the car price, as I've owned the car for over 6 years.


*le sigh*

I can get a Version Select (at least its an original, not an ebay knock off) for like $800. $100 more then a new OEM front end... aye. It really is a hard call.

What makes it worse, I think I'm ditching my KA build mid-way for an SR... I want the car on the road bad and my turbo/manifold set up is not working out.

[spooled240]

OEM is pricey but you get awesome fitment and strength. I spent maybe 1500 for all my OEM k's parts + paint + all the jdm lights..this was a few years back when the stuff was rare and pricey tho

[Bushido]

version select kits fit like crap. when they first came out, the fitment was good, but i think the mold has gotten tired since then, all of the VI bumpers ive seen recently don't come close to fitting in the front fender/ hood area...

[Matej]

I found a seller with a used one, $350, won't ship and is 7 hours away, basically my day would be shot and I'd spend ~$100 on gas, I can also grab sides for $275 from him as well... This would be great, but the bumper is rough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/Corbic/BUMPER-DSC06011.jpg
Is the seller JDM Hookup?
If so, it is not a bad deal actually. For the 350$, besides the bumper you also get the fender extensions with brackets, turn signals, the foam support, every single mounting bracket, and all clips.
Unfortunately, yes, the blue bumper is the most beat up out of the three he had.

[silviatunersr20]

Gotta learn to be a smart shopper lol.

1.The kouki bumpers are 225 shipped from a dealership near me. Order the bumper/fender brackets at the same time so they will just throw them in the box (better than paying 7-10 shipped on just those little pieces)

2.Thenismoshop.com gives you a 2% discount for just being a member on their site. Also, you can find them on facebook and get a coupon code for 10% off. Then order multiple things to reduce shipping prices. I ordered the kouki turn signals, running lights and 2 pig tails for the running lights for 185 shipped around two weeks ago.

3.Find kouki spoilers on ebay that has a best offer button. There was one going for 350 I believe so I offered him 140 for it and he took it and after shipping it came out to 240. But, still cheaper than the regular price. I found one for 175 shipped once but didn't have the money at the moment.

4.When you buy the rear valances make sure you get all three pieces cause that middle piece is a bitch to find. I paid 160 shipped for my set but they had 2 cracks in them so I just got my body shop bud to fix them for free.

5.I got lucky and got the side skirts off ebay for 280 shipped and it also came with the front bumper extensions :)

6.good luck on finding a decent priced lip because i'm still looking for that deal.

[sLiDewAys]

I would try going OEM front since the fitment is good, and then version sides and rear since they fit half decent. that might cut your expenses down a tad. check your PM

[CamryOnBronze]

I just picked up another set of rear valences from Dewey at JDMHookup- those guys are really cool and stock some nice stuff. I had a fiberglass center section and it was really bugging me, so I got a full OEM set and sold my old set. For sure find the full 3 piece rear though, it sucks trying to piece them all together.

[ZX88]

buy them all as three the center piece is almost impossible to find by itself

[kuruptR]

i have a rear 3 pc lip, selling it for 220 Canadian.

[projectRDM]

Not that anyone listens, but you asked so you're getting an earful. My 2 cents is to always stick with OEM. Period, done. I've installed aero kits from numerous suppliers for over a decade, some big name like CWest, VS, Veilside, nothing fits like OE. Nothing. If you want the car to look good you have to pay the extra money to make any fiberglass piece fit right so you're still out the same money in the end, and *if* you have a curb run in or other road hazard that flashy fiberglass kit will be in pieces.

Good example, about seven years this local guy saw a Bomex front bumper he fell in love with. No one stocked it, so he ordered it through takakaira.com, paid an assload for shipping, waited like four months. He gets it and takes it straight to a painter, against my advice. We then spend about five hours cutting, sanding, and manhandling it to fit right, still looked like shit I think, he leaves and 45 minutes later hits a dog in the road. The next day he comes over with about 25 pieces and asks if it's repairable.

An OE Navan bumper would have looked better, cost less overall, and been a little scuffed if anything after impact, needing maybe some compound to look right again.

It's your money.

[s14unimog]

That wouldn't be Jerome, would it?

[hOngsterr]

if you suck at driving, i'd suggest OEM, cuz itll scrape but flex

bodykits are usually made from fiberglass, which will break easily lol

[wh0aitznic0]

How come this discussion sounds very similar to discussions in the Kouki 180sx (http://zilvia.net/f/chat/298967-kouki-180sx-aero-thread-ii.html) thread?

[hailandkill]

fuck that

go organic, get oem.

your car doesn't need to have a body kit and fresh sparkle pink paint to be on the road.

get it running, learn how to drive, and then get oem.

why spend twice the money

[lflkajfj12123]

just get the version select kit

it doesn't fit that bad

just takes some lovin

kouki bumper sits high so even if the car is low you're not gonna fuck up the frp

[Matej]

Does not matter what you get, really.
Wheel fitment is the key to making a car look good.

[lflkajfj12123]

what is the key to my heart?

[NoPistons!]

Anyone have the dimensions on the 180sx kouki spoiler?

Pm me.


I'd rather not pay $800 for an fc-specific foresight spoiler from rhd japan.......

[lflkajfj12123]

just get the foresight one

i have seen it in person for the FC its a lot different than 180sx kouki wing

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3600/08012009040.jpg

[Corbic]

fuck that

go organic, get oem.

your car doesn't need to have a body kit and fresh sparkle pink paint to be on the road.

get it running, learn how to drive, and then get oem.

why spend twice the money

Please don't talk to me like I am some 16 year old noob. I've had the car for 6 years now, it replaced an RX-7 when I was in college. I'm hardly some "Drifto-bandwagon" jumper. I've been wanting to build this car since I bought it and only now, after buying a house and having a 350z daily am I in a situation to do so. The car has been torn down for over a year for various reasons.

Forgive me for be a bit frustrated.

[headsup]

Im for oem , i agree fiberglass sucks. What are your plans for your car DD, Drift , Road course?

[Corbic]

Is the Auto-Shine G-spec body kit just a OEM knock-off? Does a OEM front Lip bolt on to it, or is it "molded into it" already?

[udon!]

you should get a sexy style ground effects kit

[Corbic]

you should get a sexy style ground effects kit

Based on?? I'm to poor to swap 5-lugs an run 19's.

[KURTYEAAAH!!]

fuck that

go organic, get oem.

Your car doesn't need to have a body kit and fresh sparkle pink paint to be on the road.

Get it running, learn how to drive, and then get oem.

Why spend twice the money

go organic, i like that

[Bushido]

mounted up my oem 180sx bumper the other day.

fits perrrrrrfect.

[doublestitch180]

I agree with projectRDM. Don't dick around. If your perticular, and care about the details, try to go with the OEM when possible.

I was also making the same decision for my 180 when I was having it fully painted.
So glad I when with the full genuine oem type X. A bit more cost on the frontend will save you alot of headache and issues on the backend.

Just keep in mind you'll need the bumper support and misc. hardware that's specific to the type X bumper for it to fit perfectly. Otherwise, the bumper will just point slightly downward. Don't ask me how I know. lol.