After getting angry at the cost of the B-Pillars (side pannels near windows) at the dealership, I found the replacements online through

http://www.mimousa.com/home.asp?dir=wherebuy

Progressive auto parts has the lowest price at 70 bucks, but most of the companies listed on that site range from 70-100 bucks for the set of 4. With shipping its about 80 bucks. Thats way better than the 500 bucks at the dealership.

You can take them to a custom body shop and have them installed if you dont want to go through the trouble of doing it yorself which is what I'm doing. I'll post pictures once complete.

Don't be no fool and go to the dealership...Its a rip off there at 500 bucks. I personally think that they should just replace them for free because its obviously a defect.

Zenally

 

Great find. Let us know how the fitment come out.

 

Can you link us to the actual product you purchased? The link provided doesn't display the product.

 

Here you go, this is what I found from his info. If the fitment is good, that is not a bad price for a new set.

http://www.progressiveautoparts.com/...tail?no=653312

 

When I talked to them, they seemed to be very confident that the product would fit exactly. I'll see when it gets installed!


-Zenally

 

I thought you were saying these were all new pillars. The link you provided ssems to be CF overlays. Good find none the less

 

I'm confused, you said 'found replacements online' this is just a layer over them.

Are you getting a cover or a replacement set of pillars for $75?

 

You know what, these are the overlays. I didnt know that. Thanks for telling me. I called again and asked if they were the overlays and the guy said yes. What would I do without this site!

However, they would look a hell of a lot better than the originals which even if they are replaced will do the same thing within a couple of years. At least with the overlays, that wouldnt happen.

I'm headed over to the auto paint company to see if they can strip the originals and put a gloss finish on them. Maybe that would be better.

Whatever Acura is using for finish is clearly not holding up to the wheather.

Hope these conversations help everybody else too. They sure so help me.

Thanks guys,

Zendre

 

I'm going to stop by my body shop and see if they cannot paint them for $80. I don't want covers.

 

Hey guys,

The Good News-I stopped by the body shop yesterday and found out that they can get the parts fro much less than the dealership. I went to the Dent Doctor Body shop. This guys estimate was for about $370. That is $65 per b-pillar and $95 in labor plus $19 in tax.

The deallership cost was $95 per b-pillar plus crazy labor and tax to the tune of about $550-$600.

The Bad News- Even if you replace these b-pillars, they will do the same thing in 3 to 4 years.
The old b-pillars can't be painted over because of the plastic material that the b-pillar is made of. If you attempt the paint them, they will develop a funky cracked look similar to the problem we are already having but worse.

The solution: We got to find a better manufacturer or another material other than plastic. Perhaps a fiberglass or metal bpillar might work if they exist!

Any ideas?

 

Looks like they are about $67/pillar on acuraoemparts.com

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

 

a lot of people just get the vinyl overlay material in thier color of choice and simulated finish- at the local sign making shop.
Install it yourself- if you can use a hair dryer and razor knife- have ever done window tinting or pinstriping- this is an easy job for you.
There was a ziner selling overlays- not sure where that deal went....

 

thats exactly what i'm doing! I'll post pictures once i'm done.

Zendre