Sunline or Shine Auto

happytheman

Alright, I know this subject is relatively taboo here, but I'd really like to have an open, objective discussion regarding the downsides or merits of using a replica bodykit. While the main focus of this thread is with respect to the Shine Auto and Sunline Racing kits, discussion of other replicas/originals are invited as well.

I respect and completely understand feelings of brand loyalty, and wanting to ensure that a given original manufacturer receives the monies for research and development. With that being said, I'd like to discuss replicas strictly based on build quality and fitment.

Also, please...no flaming. I am trying to make an informed decision as to whether I should spend three to four times the money for a kit that looks the same as its much lesser costing replica.

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--Brantly--

tonybui

Its your money, spend it how you want it. The kit looks exactly the same. Me personally will get flame, But I would go with replica, less burn in my pocket !

kenchan

replicas are garbage. remember this.

get the real thing. say no to fake!

Apoc370z

I understand where you are coming from but i have to sincerely disagree. Body kits are not like branded bags or watches where the value lies within the brand and materials they use..

For kits they udually use the same materials as the original and since it is an exact replica modded from the original, you can hardly tell the difference.

Difference is the cost, especially the international shipping cost and the insane mark ups. Of course it would be better if you can get the original but
I rather get the rep, for half the cost.

cheshirecat

Not all replicas are the same. Shine has a well deserved reputation for building great kits. Both the fitment and durability are usually very impressive.

There are horrible replicas out there. I'd even say the majority are bad. Shine is not part of this club.

OP, I have the Shine sunline-style front lip and Aerojacket sides/rears. I'm not too thrilled with the fitment of the non-Shine pieces, but the front lip is perfect. It's your money. Spend it how you want.

kenchan

no you do not understand where im coming from... and im not going to be the one educating at a car forum especially since im not being paid by the designers in Japan. hahaha.

i hope someday copycats get penalized and retro-fined for every piece they sold.

Apoc370z

You dont have to 'educate' anyone but what am i missing besides the point on people spend a lot of time and effort to design and create the kits only to have it copied and sold at a lower price?

Please enlighten me, if you have the time of course

happytheman

/\ Exactly the point of my of my original post. I understand that supporting replicas prevents the monies that go into the research and development of the original product.

With that point aside, it would seem that the general consensus with respect to the Shine Auto products is that build quality and fitment are very close to the Sunline kit.

I think a good analogy that can be made would be a comparison of sunglasses. There is no way that a $500-$1000 pair of designer sunglasses is worth the money. I can (and have) spent $50-$100 and been perfectly content with the quality and fitment.

Ken, please understand that I am merely trying to make an informed decision!

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--Brantly--

370Z JT

Buy what you can afford. In the end, sun line racing loses.

I bought the shine auto thinking they were all the same.

But Im not gonna take them off now jus bc they're fake.

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happytheman

Did you have any issues with the Shine Auto product?

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--Brantly--

370Z JT

I just bought the rear spats. Some small gaps on the top on both sides. And it didnt come with any brackets,bolts .

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docaam

Im running on my second Shine auto kit first the lipkit and now amuse.

How I take this thing is I dont mind replica but kinda prefer if the manufacturer is nice, have spent a lot on other performance mods some of which are Japenese (Work/Tein etc) as could have bought Volks/Work replica but compromising on performance is not something I am comfortable with. And bodykit is something which I change quiet often

Regarding fitment the issues are very small as compared to the cost difference which you will save. there was a very small gap in one of the rear spats and side needed screweing both of which painted fixed in two hours.

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Old 370Z SOLD but not forgotten
370Z 40th, G37s, S30 RBZ, Hakosuka Skyline

delusional

I personally think body kit replicas are worth it. At least quality ones are. They're usually made of the same material as the original but half the cost. But as for engine/performance mod I would never buy replicas for those.

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happytheman

Thanks guys! I appreciate your feedback!

Docaam, you and I have spoken about the Shine Auto kit before and your feedback then is what has kept me on course with the it.

While there are many kits out there that have interested me (Mines, Varis, Bomex, Vizage, Carbon Creations, and Evo-R) I continue to return to the Sunline/Shine Auto look that Docaam and Kevr6 were presenting in photo shoots!

Thanks guys, and I appreciate any further input any may have.

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--Brantly--

docaam

mine was shine lipkit but if I remember correctly Kevr6 was sunline

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Old 370Z SOLD but not forgotten
370Z 40th, G37s, S30 RBZ, Hakosuka Skyline