Opinion on $109 ebay special lip?
 

I've always liked how the STI lip looked but didn't want to fork out $400 for one. If only they had been available when I ordered the car and it had been included in the loan...

Anyway, I found this thing on ebay and its nice and cheap. Anyone have any experience with it? The pictures look decent but that doesn't really mean much. I'm tempted but I don't want to end up with something that doesn't fit worth a damn.

You get what you pay for with this sort of thing.

It's poly so even if the fitment is poor it will be flexible enough that you'll be able to get it on the car easily enough but don't expect it to be functional at all or have much longevity to it.

I have the 2013-16 rep STi lip, and I compared it to my coworker's legit STi lip. The quality, finish, and fit are obviously non-comparable. The legit lip looks way better and the fit is superb. However, I'd still choose the replica. Because if I had to replace the lip, I'd much rather pay $100 than $400.

I view lips as consumable.

You can drive as carefully as you want, but if it's your DD it's going to touch stuff, if you go on long road trips there will be stuff in the highway. I've used the Bayson R lips from ebay and my opinion is that they've done a good job protecting my bumper. I'm down about 1.5 inches, and there are some entrances that are so steep, or such a drastic change from the road way that they just touch, and I'm glad it's scratching that $60 piece of plastic and not my bumper. I sanded it down with 500 grit to even out the finish, and I hit it with Wurth Cockpit when I'm doing underhood detailing.

I agree with above. I have had a Bayson R lip ($60) for 2 years now, and i'm SO glad I have it. The lip scrapes and takes a beating that the bumper would otherwise (it's great insurance). And you'd be amazed at how often the lip will scrape on something if you are even an inch lower. The first time you scratch an expensive lip you will realize that it's not worth it to pay more than $100.

In my opinion, the Bayson R fits perfect. It's a great match for a $25k sports car.

Get the replica.

It's a DD not a show car so no one is going to have their eyes that low to the ground inspecting it.

Besides the first time you scrape the authentic lip, it's going to look like shit anyhow close up.

Body kit items and wheels take a beating. Do yourself a solid and save put the $300 you save on regular maintenance for your car.

I bought a rep 2017 lip and it didn't fit worth a damn. Had to dremel quite a bit on one side to match the bumper contour. Wish I would've just bought the STI lip.

But, I wouldn't suggest cheaping out on wheels like you would on a lip :bellyroll:

Was just mentioning another common item that sits low to the ground and gets beat up, not making a wheel recommendation. That's a whole 'nother bag of popcorn.

Nearly all professional installs of any body kit parts (name brand or replica) will involve shaving the parts to get the absolute best fit. Plastic changes shape during storage and transit. Fiberglass can be easily dented. Most hand laid or molded parts have millimeters to even centimeters of variance depending on the size and shape of the part. It helps to lay plastic parts in direct sunlight for a few hours so they can return to their original form. Still, those variance remain and should always be cleaned up prior to install. A few minutes shaving plastic with a Dremel is worth $300 to me. Heck, I'd gladly shave parts all day for that kind of hourly rate. :)

I bought the absolute cheapest PU lip off Ebay. I think it was $79.00 shipped. I also bought 2 side skirts for $100 shipped. I bought everything to paint the parts too.


Sand paper 200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000 grits
prep solvent
sticky rag
adhesion promoter
primer
Scion D6S paint
clear coat


I put the lip in the sun to heat it up and let it "un-warp". It looked good...
I ground on it for a few hours. Then sanded it with all the grits. Then I painted and installed the cheap lip.


It was crooked on one side. I took it off and carefully reinstalled it. This only helped a little. (you can sort-of see in the second pic the driverside lip edge turns up slightly...)


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=10261


A week later I was pulling into a spot at the lake. I hit a bump and ripped the lip halfway off. I was already over it at this point; so I took it off and threw it away.


Long story short: It did not fit without lots of work. It was warped. And, unless you are stock height, it is pretty darn low. I am only lowered 1".




The side skirts on the other hand worked out perfect. I love them! I ended up making aluminum mudflaps that protect the end of the side skirts.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=10259
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/pictu...ictureid=10313

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll probably end up getting one but not until next spring when its a little warmer out. I'm at stock ride height so I'm not too worried about bashing it on anything.

Those little aluminum flaps look great. Nice DIY's man.

I have a Bayson R lip, well worth the money I think. I also made a plywood splitter with DIY frame mounts. Works great on the track, protects the front of the car, and being plywood easy to replace if it gets broken.