OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
That's not always true. I found that many parts for my M5 were exceedingly reasonable.
Are there downsides to used upscale brands?
- Thread starter Elkins45
- Start date
I don't think it was coincidence "those" manufacturers weren't included in the questions in the original post.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Exactly. Brakes for an A5? About $3K. brakes for an RS5? Double or triple it.
I used to think it was because the performance was worth it, but my $160 (OEM, price for both) headlight assembly with a $250 (Price for both) LED module P7B crown vic puts to shame every headlight in every other car I've owned, from my 370Z to my Acura "Jewell" headlights to my CX5's articulating LED projectors.
I mean, there are always exceptions, but I also bet this has changed by now for the M5.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Could be, or it just depends on what the part is. Suspension bits (tie-rod ends, ball joints...etc) were all incredibly reasonable, as were sensors/modules like the HVAC resistor module, but the driveshaft was an "assembly" that was like 5 grand because BMW didn't use u-joints, and the CV joints in the OE shaft were not serviceable.
Is it more likely that a car with more "frills" is going to have some parts that are crazy expensive? Sure, but it doesn't preclude more "pedestrian" offerings from also having outrageously expensive parts, which are far more likely to be a challenge for the original owner to cover the cost of because of the bracket they were shopping in (we aren't talking hooptie AMG E63 on its 10th owner).
back to OP's original issue....do your homework or stick to the obvious platform mates (ES/Camry)
for example, an Acura RL has nothing to do with any US Honda.
for example, an Acura RL has nothing to do with any US Honda.
Yeah, a Lexus or Acura is about as upscale as I’ll ever go.
The way I perceive this is that that " upscale" models just have more bells and whistles. Take Ford vs Mercury as an old example. The powertrain was still Ford, but the body was tweaked upscale . To me, in a used car situation, that just means more things that can go wrong with it. So, I would pick the Ford over the " upscaled" Mercury for the simple fact of less repairs. The Merc may have had power windows, and the Ford had hand crank windows. The hand crank breaks, cheaply replaced, or just use a vice grip like I did. Can't do that when the Merc's power window motor craps out. Basically, it's that simple, to me anyway.
If you can afford the Porsche, you can afford to maintain it.
$3,500 for a part that probably cost $60 to make is a little ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, they all do it. Some are worse than others.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Yeah, it's a bit different when it's for a Porsche vs something like an Acura though.
this is an RL/RLX. It's not the best example (for OP's original point) as the RLX is not related to any US Honda
just saying
They self level and actively point in the direction you’re steering. Definitely overpriced, but not $60.
You're paying for the name too. Just bought 2 replacement headlamps for my 13' CRV. Same material. Composite. $ 275.00 for the pair. Not looking forward to the job, ( take off the grill, the bumper, a million broken clips, re-aim headlights ,etc ). Did find a temp fix. Mineral spirits, a rag, a single edge razor blade, then cerakote wipe on ceramic coating. Soak part of the rag in mineral spirits, smear it all over the headlamp, let it sit a few seconds, get the razor in a good strong holder, and scratch that haze right off. Doable , not perfect. Hit it with with some prep all, and cerakote it. Got a few more months to kick that can down the road 
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Point being, this isn't confined to Euro marques, and an Acura RLX was not an overly expensive car, which ties into my earlier point about how that translates to affordability and owner reaction to the bill for this type of thing. If you've bought a $55K Japanese sedan, your response to a $3,000 headlight assembly bill is going to be different than for an $80K Porsche.
We see the same thing with Lexus:
Even something as pedestrian as a Camry can have expensive assemblies:
