::Barloworld ::Sophisticated car parts equals high prices
Car parts have become a lot more expensive than in days gone by. Together with labour costs that easily top R250 per hour, a standard service have become a R2 000 expense for many drivers of normal city runabouts. One does not save money by opting for a service plan, one merely pays for the services in advance, included in the final financed amount but it can ease the shock on the old cash flow, come service time. A major, cam belt service can be R7 000…
Cars are fitted with a lot more creature comforts, compared to cars of twenty years ago. Back then, items like electric windows, air conditioning, power steering and central locking were unheard of on a small hatchback. Today, one has to think hard to single out the ones that do not have these features.
Car parts to do with safety features have also become the rule, not the exception, most basic ones being airbags and ABS brakes. These are even fitted to cars well below the R100 000 mark.
Finally, cars have become much more refined as engineers employ ever more sophisticated technology to keep wind, engine and road noise and all manner of unpleasant vibrations out of cars’ interiors. All these things have demanded the development of more and more sophisticated systems, computers and intricately conceived parts to bring together the modern marvel that is the 2009 model city hatchback. No wonder car parts prices have soared.
At least we get something in exchange for the prices we pay for car parts. Brake pads may be R1 500 for a front set only, but modern cars’ brakes just do not squeal, shudder and fade like they used to do, years ago. Engine mounting cost a bundle to replace, but they are partly to thank for the quiet, vibration-free operation of modern car engines. Spark plugs have become R100 each in some cars, but they can last 100 000km nowadays. Petrol is not R1 per litre anymore either, but amazingly, modern cars are also more economical, despite being laden with all those features. Hats off to the toiling engineers.
