2012 xD Engine Cover Question

[dartanian]

My GF needs a new engine cover for her 2012 xD 1.8. Are the 2012s the same as previous years? If anyone has one for sale or knows where I can find one, please hit me up. Thankee.

[phatchef]

they all should be the same

[dartanian]

Thanks. If you or anyone else runs across one please let me know.

[Swbari00]

are they just for looks or do they have some other function?

[dartanian]

They are top of the engine trim pieces and I am still looking for one.

[dartanian]

Ok, the plot thickens. Here is a photo of a 2009 engine cover:



And here is a 2012 cover.



Yet the part number at the dealer changed in late 2010 and get this, the price MORE THAN DOUBLED from the dealer. Does anyone know or care to guess if Toyota runs into a situation where they have to pay lots more for a part from their suppliers that they would change the part number to justify charging more than twice the amount for the part? Would they do that? Or might there be some change underneath that I'm not seeing, because to my eye, they look exactly the same.

And even if there was a change, what would cause the price to more than double?

[xD_kidd91]

I'm pretty sure its the same cover. As far as I kno only headrest had changed frm the first few yr xds nd the new ones. If its not the same cover, then I smh at toyota. That's crazy/stupid

[dartanian]

Maybe because there is no longer white trim on the letters and logo it's worth twice as much now, eh?

If any Toyota/Scion techs are reading this and happen to know if there is a difference other than the price doubling and a part number change starting in late 2010, PLEASE let me know.

Gracias guys!

[dartanian]

Well, found a great parts guy at Frank's Toyota Scion in National City and he researched it for me. The only differences are 1) no more white lettering, 2) perhaps a little more insulation in the older ones and 3) a tiny size difference. None of these should prevent the older one from fitting - as they both snap on the same way. I will find out this week when I try installing it on my GFs 2012.

All of this leads me to conclude that once again Toyota tries to pull a fast one on the consumer or switched suppliers and got reamed on the 'new' part. The new ones aren't as good as the old ones, yet they cost more than twice as much.

[Swbari00]

is it possible they had to switch suppliers due to the hurricane and it just costs them more?

[dartanian]

The change to the more expensive ones came in late 2010. The earthquake was six months later. It is possible that they just switched suppliers though without anything to do with the earthquake. In fact they probably found a company that said we can make these for you for a lot more and offer lower quality, interested? lol

[Swbari00]

alrighty then, not the earthquake