[mikeokimster]

As the topic title states, should I revert to my stock aluminum trim? I am tired of seeing that my ashtray trim is interfering with a smooth open/close transition due to it rubbing. Also where the cf fabric gets tucked in on the corners under the ashtray lid does not look 100% and it has been bothering me for quite some time now after having redone this mutliple times.

Here are my options:
1.Try to fix it again.

2. Revert to the aluminum trim fro just the front and rear center consoles and keep the CF trim on the dash.

3. Leave the cf trim on the doors, but revert to the aluminum trim on the dash and front and rear center consoles.

3. Go back to aluminum trim everywhere.

Here are some pics:

Only pic I have of the stock trim:

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

I would definitely leave it alone.
I love the look of the carbon fiber trim

[pdjafari]

OMG I thought I was teh only one thinking what you are...I am in the same boat. Some days it bothers me so much I want to rip it all off....even though it took me 3-4 days to finish...

I am thinking that I'll leave it all CF EXCEPT the center console area (where the sunglass holder and shifter reside). Also removing it from the rear seat/vent area.

Apparently, unless you 'mod' the sunglass holder and latch in the back seat, they will never open the same...

[pdjafari]

Oh and 3M super 77 isnt quite as great as I thought...

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

OMG I thought I was teh only one thinking what you are...I am in the same boat. Some days it bothers me so much I want to rip it all off....even though it took me 3-4 days to finish...

I am thinking that I'll leave it all CF EXCEPT the center console area (where the sunglass holder and shifter reside). Also removing it from the rear seat/vent area.

Apparently, unless you 'mod' the sunglass holder and latch in the back seat, they will never open the same...

omg dude, I thought I was the onyl one having felt this way. It is a bit comforting that there are others out there as well. What trim do u have under the cf fabric? Also, how close are you to ripping of the center console cf trim?

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

omg dude, I thought I was the onyl one having felt this way. It is a bit comforting that there are others out there as well. What trim do u have under the cf fabric? Also, how close are you to ripping of the center console cf trim?

I have brushed aluminum. To put into perspective how pissed I was about it...my GF who didnt notice my rims, or any other mods I ever do to the car noticed how bad/jagged the cuts were around the sunglass area. She was like 'why is this all messed up looking...'

At that moment I felt like ripping the damn thing off, she never notices anything even the biggest mods yet she noticed how awful the CF trim was around the center console area....

I cant stand it anymore, I think I'll take it off and go brushed b/c I feel that part will get alot of wear/tear and sooner/later with cf trim wrapped it'll come loose.

Speaking of which I went to watch Changeling and when I came out one of the middle vents seemed like it was slowly coming off, I was about to rip it all off...

BTW I was at Tischer BMW this past weekend and looked at an E90 M3 with cf trim. And guess what?? Their console ISNT even CF trim, its standard black!!! I was so surprised. The only parts which I saw that were CF were the vents (maybe doors, didnt look though). The center area was just black. Maybe I'll go back to the aluminum look and see if it meshes well w/ the CF in the vents, if not, maybe i'll order piano black center console and go with that

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

Oh and 3M super 77 isnt quite as great as I thought...

Yeah man super-77 isn't that great. When it sprays, it gets cold and has to warm up to start adhering properly. It takes at least 10 minutes to dry, but until that time the trim can still move. It can get very messy as well. I accidentally sprayed my carpet doing a piece , lol .

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

I have brushed aluminum. To put into perspective how pissed I was about it...my GF who didnt notice my rims, or any other mods I ever do to the car noticed how bad/jagged the cuts were around the sunglass area. She was like 'why is this all messed up looking...'

At that moment I felt like ripping the damn thing off, she never notices anything even the biggest mods yet she noticed how awful the CF trim was around the center console area....

I cant stand it anymore, I think I'll take it off and go brushed b/c I feel that part will get alot of wear/tear and sooner/later with cf trim wrapped it'll come loose.

Speaking of which I went to watch Changeling and when I came out one of the middle vents seemed like it was slowly coming off, I was about to rip it all off...

I had a similar experience. I had a coworker come check out my car. First thing he did when he got into my car was open the ash tray. There was a bit of CF fabric that came off and it looked so terrible. That was basically the point that threw me over the edge. Makes me a bit embarrased to have anyone in the car now.

[pdjafari]

^^ya same here but I did it in the garage lol. I think it was actually tearing skin from my fingers in area's where it had dried, it was so annoying trying to get it off the skin once dry lol

[SV Concepts III]

No way, stay with the CF wrap trim, I much prefer that over the aluminum trim.

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

I had a similar experience. I had a coworker come check out my car. First thing he did when he got into my car was open the ash tray. There was a bit of CF fabric that came off and it looked so terrible. That was basically the point that threw me over the edge. Makes me a bit embarrased to have anyone in the car now.

LOL same. I was like man, I want my boy to see how much better JB3 is vs SSTT but if he see's this trim he'll be like WTF so I told him to drive lol.

Ya first thing the GF did was open/close the sunglasses holder and I tried to stop her lol

A 40-50k car with an inside worse than a ricers...

[pdjafari]

one other thing, I dont think the brushed aluminum is a good surface for adhesion...

[3sheets]

hey, I think the CF trim looks fantastic in the pics. Maybe it might be good just to revert to aluminium trim on the centre console and sunglasses tray, and leave everything else as is. Might be a nice contrast.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

one other thing, I dont think the brushed aluminum is a good surface for adhesion...

Def, those little cracks in there allows the glue to be on very well. I used a lot of elbow grease and rubbing alcohol till it felt like I was burning up my skin.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

LOL same. I was like man, I want my boy to see how much better JB3 is vs SSTT but if he see's this trim he'll be like WTF so I told him to drive lol.

Ya first thing the GF did was open/close the sunglasses holder and I tried to stop her lol

A 40-50k car with an inside worse than a ricers...

HAHA nice move there. I am 100% on the cheap feel about the interior for a nice car,

[pdjafari]

It seemed no matter how much I massaged/rubbed to get air out the pieces and to get them really snug, eventually when I'd leave the pieces overnight they'd slide apart...

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

HAHA nice move there. I am 100% on the cheap feel about the interior for a nice car,

ya man, it's kind of like when you get all dressed up looking nice for the ladies to go out to a club/bar/party and you accidentally let one rip and shit comes out....

You know you look good on the outside yet your thinking to yourself 'if only they knew whats going on behind the scenes' (in your tighty whities)..

Thats what it feels like

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

ya man, it's kind of like when you get all dressed up looking nice for the ladies to go out to a club/bar/party and you accidentally let one rip and shit comes out....

You know you look good on the outside yet your thinking to yourself 'if only they knew whats going on behind the scene (in your tighty whities)..

Thats what it feels like

Definately. I may go ahead and take another crack at it. I will try to take some pics. I broke all but 1 or 2 tabs getting the ashtray lid off, I was soo pissed. Good thing it still holds well.

[Yoshii]

keep the cf trim...

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by mikeokimster

Definately. I may go ahead and take another crack at it. I will try to take some pics. I broke all but 1 or 2 tabs getting the ashtray lid off, I was soo pissed. Good thing it still holds well.

oh dude i broke one. The part I broke is on the models without the I drive (nav) theres a small coin area right below the armrest like a rectangle, that portion I tried to push back together once it was wrapped, and both of those tabs snapped off....lol

[335JB]

just leave the ashtray lid exposed aluminum. wont look bad at all

[mikeokimster]

I will have to take off the CF fabric anyways to redo the ashtrays. I will line it up to the center console to see how it looks and then I will go from there.