What should I budget for rebadging?

[kidquick07]

Understanding that I'm at least 1 year away (more like 2-3) from possibly buying a Genesis sedan (Currently drive a 2004 Lexus ES 330 with only 41000 miles--other cars that will be considered/shopped with be Used Lexus LS vs new Lexus ES vs new CTS vs new 1 Series):

While I'm not enough of a snob to very seriously consider the Genesis (its the leader in the clubhouse at this time--best blend of size, performance, looks and gee-whizery technology at the price), I am enough of a snob to not want to share the standard flying H logo (I'm not alone after exploring this site extensively).

So, let's pretend I go for gusto and get the 4.6, tech package, black on black and I want:

1) the winged rear badge.
2) the winged wheel caps.
3) the winged air bag replacement (not sticker).
4) No front rebadge (I think the front of this car is PERFECT as is).

How much should I budget for parts and labor (I'm just not a DYI guy, I want to be, but the reality is, "A man's got to know his limitations")? Dearler vs. mom and pop place? Should I have a preference?

Given that I have some time before this purchase, if I know what a reasonable charge for parts and labor for the "upgrade" will be, I can plan accordingly (save my pennies).

Also, given all the "discussion" on "ride quality" (which, I think is an extremely subjective experience) what are the thoughts on the factory tires? Would it be in my interest to budget for a tire upgrade right away too? If so, which ones'?

Thanks.

V.

 

[Disaster]

1) the winged rear badge.
2) the winged wheel caps.
3) the winged air bag replacement (not sticker).
4) No front rebadge (I think the front of this car is PERFECT as is).

1. $15 and $80 to install.
2. $200 for V8 version. You definitely can pop these off and on yourself. Worse case, the dealer should do it for free.
3. $150 for cover on Ebay and $80 to change.
4. I felt the same way but am glad I changed it. The front looks generic without any indication of manufacturer on it.

 

[kidquick07]

Thanks for the reply.

Perhaps I could do the caps myself.

I've always thought that the front does reveal the model of the car with subtle winged emblem along the top margin of the grille (of course, its easy to miss--and impossible to notice if one is not even aware of the alternate KMD badging).

Again, thanks for the reply.

Plus, did anyone here cross shop the cars mentioned in my OP? Thought?

V.

 

[ilovemygenesis]

Understanding that I'm at least 1 year away (more like 2-3) from possibly buying a Genesis sedan (Currently drive a 2004 Lexus ES 330 with only 41000 miles--other cars that will be considered/shopped with be Used Lexus LS vs new Lexus ES vs new CTS vs new 1 Series):

While I'm not enough of a snob to very seriously consider the Genesis (its the leader in the clubhouse at this time--best blend of size, performance, looks and gee-whizery technology at the price), I am enough of a snob to not want to share the standard flying H logo (I'm not alone after exploring this site extensively).

So, let's pretend I go for gusto and get the 4.6, tech package, black on black and I want:

1) the winged rear badge.
2) the winged wheel caps.
3) the winged air bag replacement (not sticker).
4) No front rebadge (I think the front of this car is PERFECT as is).

How much should I budget for parts and labor (I'm just not a DYI guy, I want to be, but the reality is, "A man's got to know his limitations")? Dearler vs. mom and pop place? Should I have a preference?

Given that I have some time before this purchase, if I know what a reasonable charge for parts and labor for the "upgrade" will be, I can plan accordingly (save my pennies).

Also, given all the "discussion" on "ride quality" (which, I think is an extremely subjective experience) what are the thoughts on the factory tires? Would it be in my interest to budget for a tire upgrade right away too? If so, which ones'?

Thanks.

V.

First off i would like to say thanks for visiting the site even though you have a competitor's car. Budgeting for the rebadging is a good idea, I paid $20 each for the front and rear wings (personally i think you should get the front badge, if you see it in person you will know why). The dealer installed for $120, I'm not a DIY like you so i guess they saw me coming,lol. I used the sticker on the airbag (i don't see the need to spend over $100 for the whole airbag system when you can get the sticker for $15 and IMO they looks the same to me). I didn't get the wheels done, this was not a major issue for me to change. Matter of fact i like it when people come up to me and ask me what i am driving, when i tell them its a hyundai they don't believe me, then they look at the wheels and they say ohhhhh yeeeaaaaaaahhhh it is. As for your question on the OEM tires, frankly they suck, seriously!!!!!!! you will definitely have to get new tires, check out tire rack or other tire blogs on this site to find out which ones are good. Good luck

 

[scottdk]

I used the sticker on the airbag (i don't see the need to spend over $100 for the whole airbag system when you can get the sticker for $15 and IMO they looks the same to me).

With all respect, then you have not seen the KDM airbag installed in person. I was one of many people who purchased the sticker for the airbag. Realized after a short amount of time how terrible it look on a car of this (Austin Powers)..........Caliber..... I decided to "go big, or go home" and buy the actual korean airbag and am SOOO glad I did. It's a sticker compared to an embedded, flush emblem, that has the proper color tones and feel.....and size. It's perfect. BTW, I sold my OEM airbag for $150 on ebay. My investment.....$95 for an airbag. Airbags are expensive, and I believe that I provided a great deal for myself. Anyone else feel the same??

 

[kidquick07]

I think it really boils down to taste.

I showed my wife a picture of a steering wheel with the totally replaced airbag vs the cover for the H and she said "I like the cover better".

Its the same thing with the frequent suspension discussions. For some, no issue; for others, intolerable.

I test drove a 2009 3.8 black on black with tech and did not feel the ride was "too harsh".

The only negative I perceived in my brief time behind the wheel was that the steering wheel itself felt cheaper than the remainder of the interior (which is otherwise awesome). Perhaps it was that H staring back at me; perhaps it was that the wheel didn't have with wood upgrade.

 

[hbv2020]

I got a good price on my Genesis and as a final bargaining chip, I asked the dealer to throw in the rebadging and he did. Originally he wanted $600.

 

[kidquick07]

Thanks for the tip.

Also, how many people have run into dealers that are unaware of the rebadge? I live in a pretty rural area and the dealership is not a high volume place.

Heck, when I went to test drive a 3.8 one day for kicks, I definitely knew more about the car than the sales guy...

So, anyone run into dealers clueless on rebadging?

 

[dataguy]

My dealer said they could rebadge, but they would have to mark it up for labor and profit, so I was better off doing it myself, which I did.

I hear that a number of dealers are rebadging cars, either at additional sticker or to encourage sales. The fact that is occurring should be a clue to HMA that they should just badge the car that way. The attempt to build up the Hyundai brand aside, I'll eat my hat if they don't do that when they do the soft, in-dealer launch of the premium branding.

 

[Mark_888]

My dealer said they could rebadge, but they would have to mark it up for labor and profit, so I was better off doing it myself, which I did.

I hear that a number of dealers are rebadging cars, either at additional sticker or to encourage sales. The fact that is occurring should be a clue to HMA that they should just badge the car that way. The attempt to build up the Hyundai brand aside, I'll eat my hat if they don't do that when they do the soft, in-dealer launch of the premium branding.

The is a big difference between replacing a few badges for $50 and setting a new dealership (about $5 million each).

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[dataguy]

The is a big difference between replacing a few badges for $50 and setting a new dealership (about $5 million each).

Definitely. I'm more saying that my bet is on Genesis branding for the "dealer within a dealer" a la Scion or Mini. In which case, the rebadging will likely be unnecessary.

It's interesting to hear stories about dealers having the gall to charge $2K for a rebadging, whereas others do it as part of their marketing expenses.

 

[Mark_888]

Definitely. I'm more saying that my bet is on Genesis branding for the "dealer within a dealer" a la Scion or Mini. In which case, the rebadging will likely be unnecessary.

That is certainly a reasonable alternative. However, one of the main reasons why they imported the Genesis (and soon Equus) is to boost brand recognition and brand credibility of the Hyundai brand, so there is somewhat of a quandary there.

It's interesting to hear stories about dealers having the gall to charge $2K for a rebadging, whereas others do it as part of their marketing expenses.

There is no end to what car salesmen will try and get away with. Back in 1992 when I bought a Camry, there were import quotas and all kinds of dealer/distributor add-on charges they tried to stick people with. One add-on was a $500 paint sealer protection package (which the dealer claimed was already included by the Toyota regional distributor and they had to charge me for). When I opened the glove compartment, I saw a bottle of clear paint protector to be applied by hand like a wax, which was the paint protection protection package they wanted $500 for, and claimed it was already applied.

 

[prbwantedalexus]

For those of you that quoted installation costs, where is this work getting done?

Thanks