has anyone tried bodykits.com? Im planning on buying the vader 3 from there. Will there be fitment issues?

 

I just ordered The NISMO replica(fiberglass) kit from Performance Nissan.

Like everyone I've been concerned about quality and fitment of replicas. These kits are less expensive than the genuine but aren’t cheap.

After speaking to several NISMO replica(fiberglass) owners I found that all of em only had good things to say. Most had their kits for more than 6 months. All of them paid top dollar for their kits and installs. The only comments that could be negative were facts about any fiberglass kit, they are more susceptible to cracking or chipping under stress than other materials. Most said to clear bra the front bumper up or else! But that’s true
of the OEM bumper. I am sure there are horror stories out there. I just didnt hear any.

*So for me it came down to this

cant get the US version and don’t wanna pay crazy$ for an imported one.

My car is in the shop now so I am saving a bunch of $ on parts/paint/install as the kit replaces some of the current repairs and they are already painting. Shop is A rated.

I’ve heard good things about this kit and I am buying from a reputable Vendor. That means a lot

With a replica it can potentially be a hit or miss. I think in order to have a good experience you have to eliminate as many of the negative possibilities as you can.

I wouldn’t buy a kit from EBay or some place no one has heard of before. To me that’s taking an additional risk. Stick with recommendations of those who have experience with the kits. From The owners to the Shop/Vendors.

In my case the body shop is only gonna spray the Parts. They have no experience in aftermarket installs. I am having an experienced kit installer do the install.

When all is said and done and if I am happy with the results that’s all that matters.
It’s possible things can turn out less than I expect but the chances a greater they wont.
At the end of the day it’s only a car

For all the guys that say you paid 40K for your car and why go replica see * up top.

Coming Soon...

 

Hey that looks like my car...hehe

 

So El Diablo do you recommend getting the NISMO body kit from performance nissan? I am so glad I read these posts because i was about to get one from ebay. Is that your silver track you posted up or is your car in the shop still? Please write up how everythign went with fitment and such and post some pics please. thanks

 

I'd avoid Ebay, I am sure some people have had a good experience but who can say what could happen.
I would only Deal with a reputable Vendor with experience not to mention the best customer service.
So
Yes. I highly recommend Performance Nissan as would many members of this board. They have an Excellent reputation.
Jeff, Jason, and Jenny are the best.

Also they have Excellent Prices!

My Z is still in the Shop. been waiting on the CF bumper, comes in Monday. the job should be completed either by late next week or very early the week after next.

I'll post a bunch of pics when I pick my Z back up.

Good Luck
-EL

 

Can't wait for the pics and review.

Bat™

 

I did a quick search on EBay for NISMO kits
just to seee what would pop up

typed this in the search "nismo body kit 350z"

Just picked the first one and here are what my findings
and thoughts are.

03 Nissan 350Z 350 Z Nismo BODY KIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2462675653

It does not mention any reference to it being a replica.
Misleading ? you decide.

Here are a few items the seller has sold.

A lifetime membership to foursources for $1.99 3 DAYS ONLY!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=20924

BRAND NEW ASYLUM FX5200 256MB VIDEO CARD $118.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=40161

95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse BOOMER BODY KIT $390.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2452270995

You wanna buy your kit from a seller with 11 previous transactions,
sold a video game card, and life time memberships for $2.99 ?

Maybe there are some legit kits being offered on EBay. I just
Wouldn’t take the chance.

What do you think the Chances are that this kit is gonna compare to
one 3 times the price from a known replica manufacturer from a
Reputable vendor?

My vote is its total crap.
hey but what do I know

There were a few other kits up for bid
from much better looking auctions but
they still didnt make me feel like I
wanted to buy.

I am sure you can find a seller on Ebay that
has legit kits, maybe a shop or a third
party dealer moving product. Maybe the seller
has an amount of positive transactions that
makes you feel comfortable. You might make
the purchase... I wouldnt.

Just my spin on the EBay replica topic.
To each thier own. not knocking those with EBay kits

of course the surest chance of satisfaction is
the real deal

 

My "EBay kit" is going to be painted, fitted and installed starting the 22nd of this month.

Who knows, maybe Joe (JOENISMO) will be kind enough to take some pictures along the way with my camera so I can post em.

After the install I'll post a review and pics. Stay Tuned...

 

So how did it come out?

 

In my opinion, which ever why you go (replica or not) your going to end up paying around they same cost. If you buy a replica, chances are your bodyshop will have to do alot of work on it. They can make it fit....but your going to pay for it. So the way I look at it is your either going to pay for more work done to a replica or your gonna pay for a better kit (that needs alot less work) If you know your bodyshop pretty good or you know you can get a good price (no matter how much work) then I see nothing wrong with the replica.
And by the way.....there's a guy that sells replica kits on ebay tuning411, he has sold around 1000 kit on ebay, and out of the 1000 there had only around 25 complants. I don't recall any of the complants being about fitment, they were all complaints about shipment (taking longer than expected)....but out of 1000 shipments there's going to be some problems. He's starting his own web site.....last time I looked it was still under contruction but here it is: www.tuning411.com

 

It should be out of the shop today or tomorrow. While the kit was reasonably cheap cost-wise, It needed a lot of work. The front bumper was too narrow, and was the worst of the pieces. They had to cut the front bumber in 4 separate places just to get it to fit on the car. Some of the lines and curves on the pieces were very prominent and rigid, while other structured lines seemed nonexistent. Near the headlights, where the bumper touched the fender, you could easily see a wavy line and assymetrical construction. The sideskirts were much better, but still showed some sort of mishapen characteristics. I saw the car midway through, and I'm confident the guys at the shop will have the car looking in pristine order, although it has taken longer than expected due to the amount of body work necessary.

You definitely get what you pay for, and it seems like you spend just as much for a cheap replica that requires a lot of bodywork as you do for an expensive replica that doesn't. It's really your choice whether you want to spend the money on bodywork, or the actual kit. If I were to do it again, I would spend the money on a quality kit, not bodywork. I'll post pics of the car within the next few days.

I'm anxious to see what it will look like finished, as it will be "slightly modified" from the original nismo kit.