2013 Santa Fe running boards / side steps

[semco]

Originally Posted by Canadian HD

Well the way I see it, it is on their website. So it is covered for 3/60km warranty. Hence, Genuine Hyundai Accessory
If the tube rusts, do you think they still sell them?

Those other running boards look great! But how do they function? How many holes are needed to be drilled for installation? Is the surface step area big enough? Will the running board get in the way of exiting the vehicle?

But I guess it depends on why people buy them.

You are a little bit wrong. Hyundai-Kia does NOT produce any of this accessories you call. There are mostly from chinese factories who sold it to Procurement Dept of Hyundai sales at each specific country, actually each country (region) has its own local supplier for "Genuine Accessories". I dont know exactly where Hyundai of Canada is getting it from, probably from US main office...Point is if I make say some running boards as no-name company and wanna sale it to Hyundai of Canada or whatever other brand, I go to PD and offer them this stuff...If my products would be accepted I am on the roll...As it short. I worked for Toyota NA in Ca many years ago and what I was doing is I just explained..There is no Geniune stiff unless it made by factory itself. Each country has different stuff to offer....I assume that price for this step bars aprox is around $130 for a set and you buy it for $500!

For instance, these koreans one, you do NO need to drill anything, holes are already pre-drilled and hide behind the plastic. All brackets use the factory matched installation points and installation is simple, usually it takes around 45mins.

Note: I dont have SF and nothing to deal with that ebay listing, just my personal experience. When I installed mine running boards on my toyota which I brought from germany I spent aprox few hours, I was needed the other hand I didnt have, when I brought another running boards on my wifes Suzuki from Japan I spend already 1 hour and pay attention, these boards were designed for LHD vehicle...would you buy it?!Most ppl will not, because they believe into fairy tails saying by local dealers....

Back to you question, no the step itself is not wide enough based on these pix. The main point of having such rb is protect your doors/fenders from rocks etc..while you drive in winter, water from an aquaplaning, help kids to get in/out etc...The main good point of these is they dont lower the clearance of the car like other steel bars. In order to fit the steel bar you must have installed supplied brackets underneath of the car, bracket itself + bar step will usually take too much space see the pix above...

But the main point is whatever you buy the most important that you like it first not the others!

[Canadian HD]

Originally Posted by semco

You are a little bit wrong. Hyundai-Kia does NOT produce any of this accessories you call. There are mostly from chinese factories who sold it to Procurement Dept of Hyundai sales at each specific country, actually each country (region) has its own local supplier for "Genuine Accessories". I dont know exactly where Hyundai of Canada is getting it from, probably from US main office...Point is if I make say some running boards as no-name company and wanna sale it to Hyundai of Canada or whatever other brand, I go to PD and offer them this stuff...If my products would be accepted I am on the roll...As it short. I worked for Toyota NA in Ca many years ago and what I was doing is I just explained..There is no Geniune stiff unless it made by factory itself. Each country has different stuff to offer....I assume that price for this step bars aprox is around $130 for a set and you buy it for $500!

For instance, these koreans one, you do NO need to drill anything, holes are already pre-drilled and hide behind the plastic. All brackets use the factory matched installation points and installation is simple, usually it takes around 45mins.

Note: I dont have SF and nothing to deal with that ebay listing, just my personal experience. When I installed mine running boards on my toyota which I brought from germany I spent aprox few hours, I was needed the other hand I didnt have, when I brought another running boards on my wifes Suzuki from Japan I spend already 1 hour and pay attention, these boards were designed for LHD vehicle...would you buy it?!Most ppl will not, because they believe into fairy tails saying by local dealers....

Back to you question, no the step itself is not wide enough based on these pix. The main point of having such rb is protect your doors/fenders from rocks etc..while you drive in winter, water from an aquaplaning, help kids to get in/out etc...The main good point of these is they dont lower the clearance of the car like other steel bars. In order to fit the steel bar you must have installed supplied brackets underneath of the car, bracket itself + bar step will usually take too much space see the pix above...

But the main point is whatever you buy the most important that you like it first not the others!

Interesting perspective. I see you OEM experience talking. At the end of the day it is personal preferance. Mud Guards may help with splash as well. But I can honestly (based on my experience) say, the quality of these Hyundai Canada side steps is there. And if you do have any quality issues, they are warrantied for 3/60. Piece of mind to protect your investment.

[mp757]

A few things on the running boards I posted. First, they are not the ebay running boards. Somewhat similar, but they have a Sante Fe logo in the middle and blend right into the vehicle body...somewhat moreso than the ebay boards. The upside with the ebay boards is that they do not require drilling--a great feature. The ones I illustrated actually require drilling...5 holes on each side. I replaced the screws that came standard with #10 stainless metal screws because the pitch provided better hold. Need a good titanium bit...not the standard Harbor Freight Stuff. The anchors attach to the bottom with pre-existing holes in the vehicle frame. Installation is fairly quick...less than two hours...quicker if you have everything ready to go and have really prepared.

My wife is under 5' tall and says that the steps provide sufficient surface area for her. I am over 6' and do not even use them, although I have just to test them out, so I guess the answer to that question depends on who you are and how you use them. They extend out far enough to be useful, but blend into the vehicle seamlessly and do not get in the way...just right as far as I'm concerned. Oh, the kids love 'em too.

Now, on to how I got them. I search for Mobis running boards for the 2013 SF and began emailing companies that carried them. I got several responses and ultimately found a company that returned my messages promptly, communicated well in english, and seemed to have things in order. The catch is that they are a Korean wholesaler with no US distributors, so they agreed to sell me a "sample." From what they told me, the typical minimum order is 50 sets. That was way over my head. I've asked if they are opposed to me providing their contact information and haven't received a response. In order to honor my original agreement, I don't want to have them inundated with requests unless clear it. I will update as soon as they get back to me. In the mean time, if anyone knows anyone in the auto accessory business, you can have them send me a private message and I will provide the contact information. There might not be another set of these in the states right now, so it might be an opportunity for someone if the boards are a product they can stand behind. I'm not a business person, but I know that people are really responding strongly to that SF with those boards.

[backbenchboy]

Originally Posted by mp757

Pics of the running boards I mentioned in post #17. Just installed them last week.

Could you please post some pics with the door opened. I want to buy these but from these pictures it doesn't appear to be having much width (concerning my old folks).
Also, from your other post, I got that these boards (koreanautoimports.com) need drilling but ebay boards doesn't need drilling. Is my understanding correct?
From KoreanAutoImports.com site, does these boards will be shipped free to US address?

Your help would make my life easier to decide. Thanks in advance.

[backbenchboy]

mp757, I was researching more on these running boards and found Mobis Running boards (same as the ones in ur pics) for $591 + Free shipping on e-bay. Is this price ok? How much did you spend?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170975515410...witem=&vxp=mtr

My main concern is about the drilling. Could you please clarify, if these Mobis rb needs drilling on my vehicle?

[luck11]

I would caution anyone thinking of these who has not had them or tried them...to try them. When i was shopping for my Highlander, I test drove one that had OEM side steps or rails. It made getting in and out MUCH more difficult because stepping on them was pointless, and stepping over from out of the car required me to reach further with my leg. I test drove in the winter and both times, I had the crud on the sidesteps rub off onto the back of my pants....and I am 6'4". My father's F-150, which I am currently borrowing, has them as well, and I hate the **** things...stepping on them is just not natural/unnecessary, but every time I get out, I practically have to hop to get far enough away so as not to dirty my pants.

I did not have them on the Highlander, and the door design is the same as the SF. Never, never had an issue with snow and muck getting onto my pants.

[backbenchboy]

Originally Posted by luck11

I would caution anyone thinking of these who has not had them or tried them...to try them. When i was shopping for my Highlander, I test drove one that had OEM side steps or rails. It made getting in and out MUCH more difficult because stepping on them was pointless, and stepping over from out of the car required me to reach further with my leg. I test drove in the winter and both times, I had the crud on the sidesteps rub off onto the back of my pants....and I am 6'4". My father's F-150, which I am currently borrowing, has them as well, and I hate the **** things...stepping on them is just not natural/unnecessary, but every time I get out, I practically have to hop to get far enough away so as not to dirty my pants.

I did not have them on the Highlander, and the door design is the same as the SF. Never, never had an issue with snow and muck getting onto my pants.

This is really a good insight to the other side. This would definitely help people who are on the wall. If it were not for my old folks, I wouldn't have considered getting the side steps.

[Canadian HD]

The way I see it, a proper side step should be just that; a step....able to step in the vehicle and step out. Everything else is just cosmetic.

[mp757]

Hey folks, saw a few questions. Sorry about the delay...I've been pre-occupied with work for a good while now.

Regarding the pics with the door open, that's no problem. I can post those as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that will not be until this weekend. I will try to capture the drilling points. Again, these particular boards do require drilling--5 points each side. I installed them myself, but I don't blame anyone who is a bit squeemish about drilling on their brand new vehicle.

I did see the identical set on ebay from KoreaAuto for $591. I paid $230+ about $157 shipping for a total of $387. Because I installed myself, that ended up being my true cost. The only catch is that the price I paid was very close to wholesale because the company had no US presence and agreed to send me a "sample." As I said, the only stipulation to that agreement was that I not send them more retail business. They would prefer that some business buy from them in bulk. They offered to do business with me, but I'm not in a position to do that. There are other suppliers, however, with no such limitations...

I contacted many businesses in Korea and also one in Vietnam. The Vietnamese vendor got back to me with a pretty low price, but he said his English wasn't good. He quoted $180 + shipping. Said he used DHL, but I didn't get a quote on the actual shipping cost. The web address is B and the email contact is nguyendaihp@gmail.com. A Korean company that returned my email was Coni Co., Ltd at www.conimotors.com. The point of contact is Thomas. They quoted $300 per set. The prices lowers with each increment of 10 sets. Email address is coni3@unitel.co.kr. Hope these are helpful.

Regarding the functionality of the running boards, I have no complaints. I'm 6'2" and don't even use the board because the Santa Fe sits lower than a standard SUV (our last 3 were Expeditions). It is low profile enough that I can step out normally and it does not touch my leg or clothing. My wife is much shorter than I am and she uses it and thinks it functions quite well. Kind of like the "Three Bears"--not to wide, not too narrow..."just right" as far as we are concerned. But we realize everyone is different. Having purchased them and used them for a few weeks...no complaints, no dirty pants legs.

Bottom line--there are a number of options. Hope you all find options that work for you. These boards look really nice on the vehicle! They are getting quite a bit of attention.

(sorry about the long msg! I only get an occasional chance to log on)

[backbenchboy]

mp757, thanks for the detailed information. Yeah, as you said, drilling on my brand new vehicle is a bit hard decision to make. My wife also like to use the side steps.