Carbon Signal Raptor VS authentic Fujimura
 

Just curious, those of you who have the raptor, how was fit and finish? How durable are each of them? Do either of them utilize a FRP material, or a more rigid breakable/crackable fiberglass? Looking for something fairly durable especially if I am dropping over $2k for a bumper. I really want the authentic Fujimura, but the $2200 price tag is a tough pill to swallow. Does anyone here have the authentic Fujimura bumper? I've read the differences between the knock off Zele and the authentic Zele bumper, and it definitely makes me lean towards an authentic bumper. I'm guessing the same would apply to the Fujimura.. Plus if I'm going to have to wait to have something shipped and imported regardless I'd rather wait for an authentic bumper from Japan instead.. I've heard the horror stories bout getting stuff from Dubai, and that makes me leary as well. Unless the differences in quality and fit don't justify the extra $1400.. I'm not trying to make this into a typical authentic vs knock off thread.. I'm looking for hard evidence and experience on these 2 specific bumpers.. thanks

http://www.zshop.ca/wp-content/uploa...issan-370Z.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/jjade...t-bumper-2.jpg

Mods can you move to tech area please thanks

Look up member kellyfields he has the raptor and is pretty active on the forum. So you will get a quick response from him. I have had one rep, and one authentic kit now. So for me authentic is the only way to go from now on.

What was the difference between the knock off and the authentic if you don't mind me asking.. if you would prefer talking via PM thats ok too. Thanks

Interested also...the pic above shows the Fujimura w/ lights and a silver bezel thing in the center....is this add-on or provided w/ the kit?

I have a knock-off kit. One reason for doing so was the addition of carbon-fibre to the piece, the other reason was i read that the fit is very good (it is). I had heard the authentic kit had fitment issues.

Having said that, I did have a manufacturers flaw in my rear bumper. As a result I needed some customer service to rectify the issue. The customer service was horrible. I will go authentic next time just for the hopes of getting better customer service incase there is a problem.

Unfortunately most of these businesses that deal with aftermarket automotive parts don't care what happens after they receive your money.

Ppl ask whats the different between replica and authentic?

Authentic spend money on their R&D to make a good looking body kit and they barely make profit to cover all the part wasted in R&D process..

While Replica just copy the authentic body kit without paying a cent on R&D and sell it for a lot more than what it should cost...

You choose which route you feel you wanna go

Difference meaning quality, durability,form, fit, and function.. The R&D part alone I don't care about.. As I stated this isn't a thread about authentic vs knock of based on purely that.. I'm looking for hard evidence, reasons to go either way. Such as the authentic having fitment issues. IF that is true it would make sense to go with the replica for better fitment.. Anyone else have experience with authentic Fujimura fitment?

I think you have the last sentence backwards but there lies your answer. The authentic will be the closest thing you will get to a perfect fit as they invested the R&D and created the mold that fits the car. Their name relies on how well the fit and finish is. Where as the replicas take the design and mold off of it. Depending on who they are this introduces fitment issues with things not lining up correctly. Again not all replica's have this issue but this is where the problems are introduced.

To say to go authentic vs replica is a personal decision. Just note that if EVERYONE went replica then the design houses that bring you these beautiful pieces would close shop as they would make zero money on investment. It is up to you whether that is worth it alone to pony up the extra cash for authentic or if you can live with a kit they may take some fabrication at the end of the day to get it to line up correctly for a replica.

SPEEDFREAK: Although normally you would be correct, there was a claim made that fitment on the authentic bumper "had fitment issues" So yes while I would normally agree with you, I am trying to research this claim further. This in my mind would be a reason to go with a replica over authentic. IF in fact this is the case :driving:

[QUOTE=GaleForce;1988919]I have a knock-off kit. One reason for doing so was the addition of carbon-fibre to the piece, the other reason was i read that the fit is very good (it is). I had heard the authentic kit had fitment issues.

No I read your clarifying statement before my post. But if in fact what you state is true from what you have heard that an authentic piece has fitment issues and the replica is better then all bets are off.

oh god! Those poor poor companies that rely on the 370z platform for all of their revenue.

I'm waiting for the time when US companies come up with a hot design and JP makes replicas of it to return the favor.

dude no kidding. we throw everyone under the bus on here...

if you want to sell your kit " gale force let me know
thanks

Z

I don't care whether its a authentic or a replica.. Which ever one fits better, and is a better product is the one I will go with. Regardless of the cost

I've been meaning to ask this same question about the amuse replicas out there but since there are so many people making replicas and replicas of the replicas and so many members hating on replicas I figured I would not be the one to open up that can of worms and ask but since we are on this topic. what company would you go with for replicas......aerojacket, carbon signal, shine auto project, uam, lcr autoworks. What company have you guys used and how was the fitment/customer service.

Who cares what everyone thinks about replicas.. My reason for this thread is to find out which is better.. Aside from name

Mine is from Carbon Signal, which they sell Shine's kit (one of the original reproductions). The fit is very good. My problem was with a manufacturing flaw and the lack of customer service. You might get better customer service if you buy direct from Shine. I would ask some what-ifs before you buy.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5235/7...a42feb2a_z.jpg
DSC_0996 by J M Gale, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7...c3f1447e_z.jpg
DSC_0994 by J M Gale, on Flickr

And I agree with you I would like to know the same thing.

[QUOTE=GaleForce;1990179]Mine is from Carbon Signal, which they sell Shine's kit (one of the original reproductions). The fit is very good. My problem was with a manufacturing flaw and the lack of customer service. You might get better customer service if you buy direct from Shine. I would ask some what-ifs before you buy.

Good info and thanks for the pics, sorry to hear about the crappy customer service. These are the things we need to know about these replica companies. I have heard good things of shine auto project.

[QUOTE=MIGHTYMOUSE;1990188]And I agree with you I would like to know the same thing.

Was this for the Fujimura or the Amuse that you have or are talking bout?

The quality of the parts is night and day. The replica amuse kit I have fit perfect...so I thought until I applied the Authentic Zele kit. It seriously was bolt on (check my build thread) The difference in money will be spent on the replica to get it paint worthy.

Without spending and hour typing it up:
The replica feels weaker in all areas. I had to add my own fiberglass in key areas to strengthen it. The gel coat if that is even what it is, was so thin that when sanding some of the mold lines off it went all the way into the fiberglass. Inconsistent areas in the mold (high low spots) that may need to be filled to lay paint smooth. ETC!

The authentic was predrilled, sanded mold lines, and immediately felt more rigid. It is hard to explain but it definantly felt and looked expensive lol

From someone who has used both kinds of kits, take my word, save more for the real kit.

Thanks MrMrs exactly what I've been looking for in this thread

I think most of them all get their kits from the same supplier. With the acception of CS I think they come from dubai, I could be wrong though.

CS resells the Shine Amuse kit. Everything else is direct from CS.