Kia parts, and obscure prices.
 

I just wanted to talk about how some OE parts are not like the rest. And some prices are quite unexpected.

Obviously I work for a Kia dealer. Most of our brake pads are around $105-$120 per axle. I had a shop call asking about a Stinger brake job. The V6TT with Brembos. The front pads, just the pads, were $546.00.

Im curious who else has come across some prices like this that do not fit with the rest of the brand, or dont fit any Menu priced services offered.

Note: This was a while ago, and the price has nothing to do with the price hikes due to Covid.

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A lot of the huge gap in parts prices is simply economy of scale. They can buy the parts for 100,000 cars much much cheaper than for 5,000. There is of course also going to be somewhat of a "luxury tax" price increase on special parts but the majority of the difference will jut be in volumes.

Lol I entered the thread about to do the same thing based on the title.

How is it obvious?

I suppose its not. Im curious if anybody had something like this come up if your in the automotive parts or service industry.

The title is a bit automaton.

I am in the parts industry (Tier 1). I have been for 30 years. I gave you an answer. There is no hidden agenda beyond what I already said.

I know why. No other Kia has giant 6 piston Brembos on it. I wondering if any other brands have this kind of thing. Services that dont fit regular menu priced items. Another example: The Kia Borrego SUV has many Mercedes sourced parts, like the Transmission. The fluid for that one year and model Kia is difficult to find and far more expensive than anything else Kia had at the time.

All brands have similar differences.

There is a visible agenda?

Yes. It is called Capitalism where companies are expected to turn a profit.

Getting the parts from an aftermarket supplier who bought more of them for the same caliper than KIA did will probably cost less.
Some identical Twin parts for our cars have different prices depending on if you buy them at a Toyota or Subaru dealership.

My Tier is so low it is a letter not a number :bonk: