[roll_the_dice]

I ordered my carbon fiber trunk from Sonic Tuning about a month ago. I received it in about 8-9 days via greyhound. They delivered to my house and greyhound was super friendly. The delivery guy lived not too far from me and called and said, he would deliver on his way home from work. Worked out great!

Before I purchased, I looked at a few other trunks besides the one from Sonic Tuning...Seibon, Duke Dynamics, and Challenge. Withe each trunk, there was something I didn't like.

Seibon--I wanted to be able to put the BMW roundel on the back of the trunk. That may be a small thing, but it is what I wanted, so I ruled them out.

Duke Dynamics--Love the look of the trunk and I think Duke Dynamics makes great products, but the spoiler was too high for my taste. I wanted a mid kick spoiler not super high, so they were ruled out.

Challenge--I LOVE this trunk, but with as much as I change and modify cars, I could not justify the price tag. It was my absolute favorite trunk, but at about 3 times the cost, no matter how I looked at it, I couldn't justify it on a daily driver.

So after talking to reps from all of the above companies and Patrick from Sonic Tuning, I decided on the CSL trunk from Sonic Tuning.

Sonic Tuning CSL Trunk--The good

Patrick was great before, during, and after the sale. He answered all my questions patiently. If he didn't know the answer he found out for me. He helped me track the trunk when it wasn't showing up in the tracking info. Sonic Tuning was just a great company to deal with.

I even talked to Patrick on a Sunday and he answered my questions and concerns...that is great customer service!

A buddy and I installed the trunk yesterday. The OEM came off easily once I disconnected the all the wiring harnesses, the trunk latch, and emergency release cable.

The new trunk installed easily once I cut out the hole for the OEM wiring harness to the tail lights. The tails fit nicely without modification. Also, the trunk lined up 9.5/10 for the outward appearance.

I talked to Ray before I had it painted and he gave me some good tips about painting the trunk that I could discuss with the body shop.



Sonic Tuning CSL Trunk--The Bad

I assumed the hole for the main wiring harness would be cut in the trunk, but it wasn't. Also I wanted to install the OEM trunk liner, but no holes were drilled for them either. No big deal on that, since there are marks for the holes, just no holes and it is easy to hold the trunk liner to the trunk and mark the holes for the push pins. I still need to do that. The holes were drilled for the roundel, although slightly off, I got the roundel in easily enough and installed. The tag bracket holes were lined up perfectly.

The trunk latch had only 2 holes not 3, but I measure and drilled the 3rd hole easily enough.

Sonic Tuning CSL Trunk--The Ugly

Everything was going smoothly, until I tried to install the trunk release button and the tag lights. The license plate light hole on each side was WAY too long for the OEM lights to slide into place like they are supposed to. So I contacted Patrick (on a Sunday) and he said that I would need to get a new holder machined for the lights and place them inside the trunk. I will eventually do that, but for the time being I cut some small strips of 3M double sided tape and put on the lights and they are holding in place and you can't tell.

However, If I had known up front I needed to have something machined, I would have had it done as soon as I received the trunk, not after it is installed. Partly my fault for not test fitting all the pieces, but I assumed if the tag holes were perfect, why would the holes not be perfect for the tag lights?

Then I tried installing the trunk release between the tag lights...it didn't fit either. That hole was too small! So I had to dremel out the cutout for the trunk release and not damage my new paint or the trunk. The trunk is slightly thicker material than the OEM because of the material..versus sheet metal. I got the release installed, but I am not convinced it won't eventually come out. I am going to have to think how to rectify that in the future.

I talked to Patrick today and he said he would make people aware in the future of the holes for the tag lights. I think it is important. I might look into 6 series tag lights, since I think they are a little longer. If I do, I will swap for LED since they will look better.

Overall I am very happy with the purchase and I will use Sonic Tuning in the future! Their customer service was above and beyond and they did not shy away when something didn't go right. They still answered text quickly and professionally, even if it wasn't the answer I wanted to hear.

For those local to Savannah, I had Auto Perfection in Pooler, GA paint the trunk lid and they were awesome! They wet sanded the trunk after painting so I have no orange peel and they were easy to work with. They hit their estimate on the nose even though he told me there was more prep work than they thought it would be. Danny and Israel were awesome to work with!

Here are some pics of the trunk...Thanks again to Patrick, Sonic Tuning, and Auto Perfection Collision for helping me get the trunk I wanted!

Overall I would give this trunk a 9/10...if the tag lights and trunk release cutouts fit the pieces without trouble, I would give it a strong 9.8/10.

[335xituned]

Looks good man for sure imo the paint where the tail starts out blue than vanish to carbon fiber looks a little better but thats just my opinion no matter what came out great!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by E90tuned

Looks good man for sure imo the paint where the tail starts out blue than vanish to carbon fiber looks a little better but thats just my opinion no matter what came out great!

Thanks, I thought about doing the fade on the spoiler, but I ended up going this route. I think part of it was I was not 100% sure I wanted the fade...I like it but this was more of what I had in mind. I also almost left the tag area exposed CF too, but didn't want too much CF. I have a lot of CF on my car and didn't want to go crazy.

[335xituned]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Thanks, I thought about doing the fade on the spoiler, but I ended up going this route. I think part of it was I was not 100% sure I wanted the fade...I like it but this was more of what I had in mind. I also almost left the tag area exposed CF too, but didn't want too much CF. I have a lot of CF on my car and didn't want to go crazy.

Deffenetly looks nice though. But coming from me a guy who has the whole trunk, hood, lip, mirror caps window pillars, and getting my diffuser CF soon, i would never think there is such a thing as too much cf!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by E90tuned

Deffenetly looks nice though. But coming from me a guy who has the whole trunk, hood, lip, mirror caps window pillars, and getting my diffuser CF soon, i would never think there is such a thing as too much cf!

I agree, but you can get away with more being CF since your car is black...

[roll_the_dice]

Had a few people ask for a link to the trunk. They are not on Sonic Tunings website, but here the link to the thread I first saw them...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ning+csl+trunk

[jose_sonictuning]

Car looks great, thanks for the feedback.

We are working with a body shop to get you License Plate holders so you can use it with your LEDs, should be sent out next week.

[wdeerfield]

looks great. i personally would have painted the whole trunk but thats just me. bummer about all the fitment issues with the small things.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

Car looks great, thanks for the feedback.

We are working with a body shop to get you License Plate holders so you can use it with your LEDs, should be sent out next week.

Thanks Jose, I really appreciate it!...I talked to Patrick and he told me you were going to send them. That is awesome! Once again great customer service! You guys rock.

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

looks great. i personally would have painted the whole trunk but thats just me. bummer about all the fitment issues with the small things.

Thanks! I know, I know...you like painted versions! A buddy of mine wanted me to leave the tag area exposed, but I didn't do that...this was the compromise!

The tag light fitment issues were more frustrating than anything. Since they are taking care of it, like they should, I am happy! I hope if the cost to Sonic Tuning is cheap enough for these brackets they include them for all CSL trunk purchases in the future or at least offer them for sale. That would be a great thing for sure so people know up front and have a solution in place.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

A buddy of mine wanted me to leave the tag area exposed, but I didn't do that...this was the compromise!

i would actually done that!! lol. i think it looked good on older gen bmws (e46) and similar to older acura TLs

now the questions is... wheres the installed pics of the hamann rep front lip?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

i would actually done that!! lol. i think it looked good on older gen bmws (e46) and similar to older acura TLs

now the questions is... wheres the installed pics of the hamann rep front lip?

LOL I guess we are opposites except for the color of our car!

I haven't decided if I am going to put the rep lip on yet...I have it, but can't decide. I am getting married in 2 weeks and am not doing much to my car before then... I am thinking of doing my seat backs in CF. I bought some replacement seat backs recently and wrapped one today in CF....looks awesome, but can't decide. I will wrap the other one tomorrow and then start putting resin on them. I can always sell them if I decide not to install them.

I buy things and then decide not to do something all the time. That is why I sell items all the time!

[Chris_506]

looks good, how much did you end up paying?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by SCSRe92

looks good, how much did you end up paying?

I ended up paying a little over $1000 for the trunk and to have it painted....so not terrible! I am happy, so that is all that matters.

[keeedle]

I have the exact same trunk. However, I am not sure if mine are defected or not, my installation didn't go as well as yours.

I have all those holes drilled just like you did. License plate light glued to the trunk. Needed to heat up part of the taillight in order for the clips to probably hold onto the trunk. Didn't install the keyhole mechanism because it involves more work. After all are done, the left side is a little bit higher making the left taillight doesn't line up(maybe I'm just anal about that). But most of all, the CF was put on with two pieces and the weave does not go in the same direction, and the clear coat on the connection between the two CF pieces was cracked and leave an eyesore. I am going to have it painted soon.

Problems aside, I still like how the trunk looks. Hopefully painting it will solve the cracked clear coat problem.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by keeedle

I have the exact same trunk. However, I am not sure if mine are defected or not, my installation didn't go as well as yours.

I have all those holes drilled just like you did. License plate light glued to the trunk. Needed to heat up part of the taillight in order for the clips to probably hold onto the trunk. Didn't install the keyhole mechanism because it involves more work. After all are done, the left side is a little bit higher making the left taillight doesn't line up(maybe I'm just anal about that). But most of all, the CF was put on with two pieces and the weave does not go in the same direction, and the clear coat on the connection between the two CF pieces was cracked and leave an eyesore. I am going to have it painted soon.

Problems aside, I still like how the trunk looks. Hopefully painting it will solve the cracked clear coat problem.

Can you post pictures of fitment? Would be curious to see especially the weave and tail lights...are you going to leave any CF exposed? I am anal on this stuff too and the tail lights lined up and didn't have to heat them to get them to fit. If the resin is cracked, then your body shop will charge extra probably to correct the trunk. I would contact Sonic Tuning.

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by keeedle

I have the exact same trunk. However, I am not sure if mine are defected or not, my installation didn't go as well as yours.

I have all those holes drilled just like you did. License plate light glued to the trunk. Needed to heat up part of the taillight in order for the clips to probably hold onto the trunk. Didn't install the keyhole mechanism because it involves more work. After all are done, the left side is a little bit higher making the left taillight doesn't line up(maybe I'm just anal about that). But most of all, the CF was put on with two pieces and the weave does not go in the same direction, and the clear coat on the connection between the two CF pieces was cracked and leave an eyesore. I am going to have it painted soon.

Problems aside, I still like how the trunk looks. Hopefully painting it will solve the cracked clear coat problem.

We havent had any issues relate to taillights, and clear coat should be seamless.

Give us a call and we can take care of it for you, 240.766.8388

[keeedle]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Can you post pictures of fitment? Would be curious to see especially the weave and tail lights...are you going to leave any CF exposed? I am anal on this stuff too and the tail lights lined up and didn't have to heat them to get them to fit. If the resin is cracked, then your body shop will charge extra probably to correct the trunk. I would contact Sonic Tuning.

All I have is some iphone pics I took when I were installing the it, I will post them once I upload them. Do you have pictures of yours unpainted? I would like to see if the CF is one piece.

As for painting it, I wanted to leave the lip and the tag area exposed, however, my shop did say something like he has to fill the gaps and may not be able to expose the CF on the lip.

As for contacting Sonic Tuning, I remembered calling them when I had the trunk installed, telling them it takes couple hrs to make everything works out. Since it's been couple months already, I think there is nothing they can do unless they are going to ship me a new one, although I am not sure if me or the bodyshop would want to deal with the installing process again

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

We havent had any issues relate to taillights, and clear coat should be seamless.

Give us a call and we can take care of it for you, 240.766.8388

Once again the best customer service around!

Originally Posted by keeedle

All I have is some iphone pics I took when I were installing the it, I will post them once I upload them. Do you have pictures of yours unpainted? I would like to see if the CF is one piece.

As for painting it, I wanted to leave the lip and the tag area exposed, however, my shop did say something like he has to fill the gaps and may not be able to expose the CF on the lip.

As for contacting Sonic Tuning, I remembered calling them when I had the trunk installed, telling them it takes couple hrs to make everything works out. Since it's been couple months already, I think there is nothing they can do unless they are going to ship me a new one, although I am not sure if me or the bodyshop would want to deal with the installing process again

Here is a bad cell phone pic I took before installation and paint. I installed with a friend and it literally only took 2 hours, but should take less if you don't putz around. So I would let them swap it out if it doesn't fit right.

Call Sonic Tuning...they will take care of you, just like they said above!

[DiskoSleaZe]

I hate to revive an old thread...but is sonic tuning still in business? Can find a link anywhere....Would love to get my hands on one of these boot lids

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by DiskoSleaZe

I hate to revive an old thread...but is sonic tuning still in business? Can find a link anywhere....Would love to get my hands on one of these boot lids

Ask and ye shall receive...

https://www.sonictuning.com/

[DiskoSleaZe]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Ask and ye shall receive...

https://www.sonictuning.com/

Well alrighty then ! Lol thanks!