Cheaper parts since new generation coming?

[BlackCaGuy]

I've been looking around and see a problem. For many cosmetic overlays, such as carbon fiber door handle covers, front bumper lips, e brake boot, armrest cover and dashboard instrument cluster, and other various interior and exterior parts, seems to want roughly 4 times I would expect parts should be. An example I saw was $80 for the circular air vents in carbon fiber. Can I get a black plastic and I'll paint it. Climate control knob covers to me should be $20, hood gas springs... under $50. I don't want carbon fiber this or that. I just want a simple plastic piece.
Since the new version is coming, does this mean that some reduction in parts cost? Will I have to wait until the next full remodel version, at this rate may be another couple of years.

[shiumai]

Unless they have an overstock of old pieces they can't sell off, I don't see why prices would be reduced. Production costs are the same.

[Tcoat]

Prices for these are based on supply and demand just like everything else in the world. If demand drops and supplies stay high the price will come down. Like Shiu said unless there is an overstock of parts then the prices will stay pretty much where they are. Since these cars are only made in limited numbers and we can expect the face lift version to use the same parts for three more years or so the odds of the parts getting cheaper in the short term are pretty remote.

[NyC Zn6]

MY17 interiors are 90% the same as 2013 to 2016 and carbon fiber replacements will always be expensive.

[Shinigami301]

Originally Posted by BlackCaGuy

I've been looking around and see a problem. For many cosmetic overlays, such as carbon fiber door handle covers, front bumper lips, e brake boot, armrest cover and dashboard instrument cluster, and other various interior and exterior parts, seems to want roughly 4 times I would expect parts should be.

Composites engineer here.

Let me guess. You aren't involved in manufacturing composite parts (or anything else), right?

There are a lot of costs that you are probably overlooking here. There's generally a substantial difference in cost between something made to look like CF and something actually made from CF.

Besides that, most of this stuff is pretty low-volume, tooling costs and R&D need recovery, and some of this stuff is made to order.

That's why 3M makes Dy-noc, after all. Because for many people, shopping at Walmart is an everyday reality.

[PandaSPUR]

And here my friends with German cars keep telling me how all my parts are so damn cheap.

[FX86]

buy used..it will always be cheaper then