Carbon Fiber Trim

I was wondering where people are getting their carbon fiber trims for cheap on M3's? Also if the wraps or overlays for the trims are worth it? Lastly, M3 CF diffuser.

3m vinyl

any other suggestions? what about the rear bumper diffuser?

Originally Posted by Solidjake

3m vinyl

how big to cover the whole interior trim? 5 x 5?

Originally Posted by E46Cherry

any other suggestions? what about the rear bumper diffuser?



how big to cover the whole interior trim? 5 x 5?

When I wrapped mine with aluminum vinyl I used about 10 square feet and had extra. Better to get more than not enough!

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

When I wrapped mine with aluminum vinyl I used about 10 square feet and had extra. Better to get more than not enough!

That's for sure. Estimate on how much you had extra?

Originally Posted by E46Cherry

That's for sure. Estimate on how much you had extra?

I didn't have enough extra to rewrap the door trim.... but probably enough for either rear panel trim pieces, shifter trim, or some of the dash. I redid one of my dash pieces and still had some left over. Basically if you mess up any of the pieces besides the door trim, you'll have enough to redo it.

I did just order some more vinyl from metrorestyling because my passenger door trim got scratched bad when I was fixing my door lock. It was less than 40 bucks shipped to my house. (ordered another 10ft.)

You've been a great deal of help Matt! But does anyone know the difference between DiNoc and 1080 CF?

Originally Posted by E46Cherry

You've been a great deal of help Matt! But does anyone know the difference between DiNoc and 1080 CF?

I used 1080 for my aluminum. Not sure on the exact differences... 1080 might be a little bit thinner, but I believe DiNoc has a more realistic feel to it. Anyone please correct me if i'm wrong. 1080 is 3M's "new" product. I've been very happy with 1080 aluminum. But for the CF vinyl, im not sure which is better.

Originally Posted by TallSkinnyMatt

I used 1080 for my aluminum. Not sure on the exact differences... 1080 might be a little bit thinner, but I believe DiNoc has a more realistic feel to it. Anyone please correct me if i'm wrong. 1080 is 3M's "new" product. I've been very happy with 1080 aluminum. But for the CF vinyl, im not sure which is better.

Once again thanks for the info. Always great to be able to come back to E46F for questions and concerns!

Originally Posted by E46Cherry

Once again thanks for the info. Always great to be able to come back to E46F for questions and concerns!

Glad I could help! Keep us posted with your progress

Originally Posted by E46Cherry

I was wondering where people are getting their carbon fiber trims for cheap on M3's? Also if the wraps or overlays for the trims are worth it? Lastly, M3 CF diffuser.

The only way you are going to get carbon fiber trim on the cheap is to get the carbon fiber look (through vinyl wraps). I looked into this and if done right can provide a nice look

I opted to spend the cash and got AutoCarbon carbon fiber trim pieces instead for my ///M3. Something about real carbon fiber that looks different from any wrap...





It was money well spent as far as I'm concerned... anyway... if you choose to wrap just take your time and watch how you lay the wrap so you have a nice pattern on your trim. GL!

If memory serves me right, there was a member on here no too long ago who wrapped his trim in real carbon fiber. He did an amazing job too. If you have the skills (with some practice) you can go that route and save some dough on the real deal.

That is correct. It was the perfect solution to my issues since my brushed aluminum trim was scratched/nicked up. This provided a much cleaner solution to what I was seeking.

Originally Posted by cak323i

That is correct. It was the perfect solution to my issues since my brushed aluminum trim was scratched/nicked up. This provided a much cleaner solution to what I was seeking.

Yeah I have brushed aluminum as well and the only things that were nicked up on mine are the armrest due to the seat belts banging on to them. I figured might as well get the CF that I was going to eventually do anyway. But one thing I was always curious about overlay trims was if they fit correctly with the oem trim? And doesnt the extra thickness stick out on say around the radio and such?

That's why I added a pic showing my center trim so you can see just how much it sticks out....from my viewpoint, the CF overlay works out very well. Doesn't stick out anymore than my trim in my opinion

I'm sorry but the vinyl is to cover up ugly trim. Otherwise if you want a CF look trim the vinyl is a joke. Looks nothing like real Carbon Fiber with a 3D depth. I'm not saying it doesn't have it's place in a tight budget, just that it looks nothing side by side to how spectacular real CF looks. And isn't that the reason to go CF on the trim??
EAS used to sell a good coupe trim. Bimmian too but now think they just have the overlays.
Rear CSL diffusers are rather abundant now, the fitment varies so be careful of the one you buy and the tabs. There is also a difference on pointed and non-pointed ends between diffusers. Have it's test fitted before painting so any trimming or body work can be done. This keeps from painting it twice.

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

I'm sorry but the vinyl is to cover up ugly trim. Otherwise if you want a CF look trim the vinyl is a joke. Looks nothing like real Carbon Fiber with a 3D depth. I'm not saying it doesn't have it's place in a tight budget, just that it looks nothing side by side to how spectacular real CF looks. And isn't that the reason to go CF on the trim??
EAS used to sell a good coupe trim. Bimmian too but now think they just have the overlays.
Rear CSL diffusers are rather abundant now, the fitment varies so be careful of the one you buy and the tabs. There is also a difference on pointed and non-pointed ends between diffusers. Have it's test fitted before painting so any trimming or body work can be done. This keeps from painting it twice.

Well if that's the case, you mind selling me your diffuser then?! hahah

wow cf trims look really nice.

I think the only real carbon fiber that you will find are with overlays... I haven't seen it in anything else... I tried the vinyl cf wrap and kinda liked it but compared to even my cf overlays... I prefer my overlays over vinyl. As Alex mentioned it has to do with the 3D depth you get using real carbon fiber....