Im going to preface this with, I am the guy that pays the extra "enter price" for the good stuff. However............

When talking about a gialla grille from say... www.japanparts.com and then this knock off from these guys http://www.ionicdynamics.com/G35grill.html . Other than name, whats the difference? The one from ionicdynamics is only $289 shipped and painted to match, whereas the genuine one, is $321 before shipping and painting.

Anyone have any insight on this? Or maybe a more US based place to purchase a Gialla from?

Thanks!

 

the authentic has a center support bar behind the mesh. the idea is that it helps with the gap between the grille and hood.

i would go with the ionic, though. most authentic gialla grilles ive seen still have the gap, regardless of the support bar.

 

+1 and i think that bar is fugly as well

 

some vendors that make replicas of aftermarket parts have actually proven themselves to provide better fitment than the actual originals...

 

It's all about quality; I don't care about authentic or replica, just who makes the better item at a better price.

In the case of the grill, Ionic makes a great product and the fitment 99% of the time I've seen is dead on. I wouldn't think twice to buy the Ionic grill over the real thing. In fact I may do just that in the coming weeks. Ionic also makes a Data Systems grill that has even BETTER fitment than the authentic.

Then you have other companies like Top Secret where their authentic $1000 front bumper is known for fitment issues, whereas klumyzee has a replica that fits equally well if not better, for half the price. Again, replica wins.

On the other hand you have trash like the X02 exhaust and its many clones, which are all knock offs of the HKS exhaust. The tips are brown, they are sunken into the diffuser, and the fitment is hit or miss. I put my authentic HKS on in 15 minutes with no adjustments, and after half a year when I got my oil changed, the exhaust still looked brand new when I checked it out under the lift.

Sometimes you pay for quality, and other time an independent vendor steps up and puts out an identical or better product at a lower price.

 

^^+1 I have the Ionic and the fitment is perfect. Its all about the quality of the product over the name of it. Cause im sorry but i dont think $140 oil cap is gonna work any better than a regular one just because it says ARC....haha

 

I see, well thanks for your inputs. And, if there are any ionic vendors here, please do not take my statements negatively. I was not trying to "talk down" on your company nor its parts.

Looks like the Ionic will get my business then. Part of the point of this question was to drum up folks with experiences with both companies. Thanks again all!

 

^^^^This is sooo true, for example why pay tripple the cost to get a upper strut bar that has that little name plate the says ARC when Richie's bar works just a well? I have Nismo oil and radiator caps that are JDM and didn't cost what ARC's does....and they work fine! Now if were discussing intakes I really love the ARC just for looks, maybe winter wear only. As far as Eric's body kits, you'll never find better quality....
Gary

 

You guys are missing the point of ARC (and other big name) products. They're expensive because they're exclusive, not necessarily because they perform better.

 

^+1

 

Exclusive to what Cal, ARC makes parts for various vehicles and anyone with a dollar can buy them. That's not any more exclusive than Nismo, they just charge more because some members think they're cool. (and they are)
Gary

 

^^ Exclusive?? You can buy the ARC template thingy on ebay for $15...haha They even have it mispelled just like ARC lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARC-E...QQcmdZViewItem

Just shape some sheetmetal and slap one of these babies on their and save yourself $650 Its aluminum and rivets people!!!

 

This will always be a debate, but to be honest the "Genuine vs. Fake" argument only applies with certain things. If it's a fitment issue, then obviously the genuine part will fit better and that's the way you should go, no matter what the price. However sometimes fitment is the same, and in that case I would go the cheaper route. Take the Honda S2000 (My previous car)...the front lip from Honda is over $350 but it's painted and fitment is perfect. If you get one from eBay it will be under $100, and provided you can find a cheap paint shop, you'd obviously save a lot. I came to find that the knock-off was more durable, and fit almost exactly the same as the genuine part. My (idiot) friend slammed the front of his car into a curb late one night (he had the knock-off, btw) and there was almost no damage to the front.

Point is...be careful what you buy but I'm always one to be open to cheaper parts, as long as you can't entirely tell the difference

M

 

Thanks again for all the insight. I've decided on the Ionic Gialla knock off. Will be ordering after the long weekend.

 

Hello Brandon, it's Thursday....order them today and Ionic will have them shipped by Tuesday. Tell Jose that Gary sent you....
Gary