J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The R32 thread made me think, why is it that certain version of cars are so much more expensive than other versions, it would be interesting to see the cost involved in one version being built compared to another.

For example using the Golf as an example again, 13 and a bit grand buys a basic one, a specced up R32 over 30 grand, the bodyshell is the same, apart from the extras such as sat nav it has to have all the same equipment to operate as a car, i.e. it has to have a steering wheel, it may look a little less appealing and not be covered in dead cow but its still broadly the same thing, do aluminium wheels cost that much more than steel plus a plastic disk ?

Ok it will have to have the 4wd gubbins and 2 extra cylinders but I really cant see where another 17 grand goes, I would say that it actually costs Volkswagen about a third more to produce the top of the range compared to the bottom.

So for the end user its about 25% technical differences and about 75% marketing, or am I being cynical ?

stilover

It costs money to develop a performance version. Then spend months evaluating different suspension settings, handling characteristics, etc, etc. What money they spend doing that, filters down to you, the customer.
OK. Not all the £30k will be down to that, they obviously put there profit on top, plus a bit extra for all the marketing bollox that goes with selling a performance version.

AudiLover

Also because theyre lower production the parts will cost more to make/get than a mass manufactured vehicle. Also it depends where the car is built as Germans work alot less hours than the rest of us and therefore it costs VW to hire more staff.

LG John

To give you an example:

When I was looking to buy my VTS all those years ago the saleman kept trying to talk me into the VTR. He really pushed that there was 'little' difference between the two. It became obvious his goal was financial - i.e. more of a mark up on the lesser car. I'm glad I went for the VTS because it destroyed VTRs in a straight line

LG John

.....more crucially I'd love to know how much it actually costs to make a car. My s2000 would have been £27,000 new but how much did it actually cost in resources to make? Hmmmm?!? I bet 50%+ is spunked on R&D

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

'I bet 50%+ is spunked on R&D'

Nah, more like 10%, if it were 50% they would be less intent on killing you !

LG John

LOL, true Someone skipped a few steps in suspension geometry design