Hey guys i went by my bodyshop after work today and see how the fitment went, and the results was that the rear and side are of pretty good fit with minor adjustment here and there (but NO WAY perfect fitment)

but the front just went down to the ****hole on the passenger corner (headlight area), it does not fit AT ALL, major work has to be done with the front. i didnt' take any close up pictures, but i'll b sure to do that next time i head over to the shop

i'm really pissed off because how come G352NV's frds replica front fits so well, and mine doesn't? sigh... here are some pictures.

 

Where did you buy the kit from? The rear doesnt look all that bad.. cant tell from the pics though. Hmm, now this makes me think about getting the kit. Good luck

 

Here are some other thoughts you might want to factor in when purchasing a kit. If you're saving 2 grand by buying a replica, but you have to spend $150 extra to modify it to fit properly... is it still a good deal?

 

I wouldnt go replica either. As I see it, why go cheap when your car is expensive? At least give it the propper treatment.

 

Which company made that replica?

And I agree with the poster above. I thought once I would save money by buying replica M3 style side mirror for my BMW and ended up paying almost as much as the original and it was still not perfect. I regretted it up until I sold the car.

 

my guess would be a replica from 350forums?

 

write this down.replica NEVER has a perfect fits.they are vary from kit to kit.if you are lucky,you'll get one that require less fitting.but that's a factor you have to face for paying less.

 

I can't imaging paying anyone anything to f my car up with anything like that. Looks like ****.

 

thanks for the unconstructive comment.

 

but from what i hear, even originals may have fitment problems and may require a bit of manipulation for proper fitment. am i correct...especially fiberglass kits?

 

Yes, even originals have fitment problems and require some manipulation. I spent almost $1000 for my Top Secret front facia and was rather disappointed with how it fit.

Dave

 

There's really nothing different in terms of the way a replica is made from that of its original counter part. The process and material is the same, the only thing thats different or in question is the fact that the replica is molded off the original and in that process "things can go wrong" and quite often there's the infamous shrinkage you here many talk about and parts just don't line up right. When an original or one off piece is designed, how well its molded and how well that mold is encased and or built determines how well the duplicate part will come out. This often means you need to spend more $$$ on the mold and how its designed. Most molds are a rubber like material (one part agent one part harder) which is rubbed (or painted, or poured on) on the "original" and then held in a hard shell (often fiberglass) and then supported with wood or metal. It's how well this "support" is designed that will ultimatley keep every part consistant in quality. Most "original" designers simply have more $$$ at their disposal, which means the parts they design all come out to spec and are pretty much equal to one another, whereas a replica or knock-off shop, who's job is to pretty much design a cheaper version, may not have (or want to spend $$$) the same resources or take the correct steps to prepare a good mold and mold shell. This is where cutting the corners a bit, hurts the end results, and why replicas often come out with minor fitment flaws. Its not a question if the quality is there, because lets face it, the fiberglass, resin and epoxy they use in replicas is the same stuff they use in originals. I hear a lot of people say "replicas just dont have the quality, originals do" and for the most part, I have yet to see that being the case. Fitment issues are the problem (once again usually do to improper mold handling and or design) if anything, but since it's fiberglass, it's SO easy to work with. A good, knowledgable body shop can do wonders with this stuff, so minor fitment issues shouldn't be "issues".

 

looks alright to me..........im sure it will turn out fine

 

Someone should but that bumper with the rest of the greddy kit and the car would be smoking

 

are all the nice kits for the G glass or just the replica ones??? I'd be too paranoid to have a big glass lip/bumper on my car...seen too many shattered at shows...

well that is IF I can get my g next week.