Retrofitting carbon fiber interior

[Z3grape]

Has anybody retrofitted the carbon fiber interior themselves? Was it difficult? Thinking of doing this to my x6. I have the aluminum now and not sure it suits the car as well as the carbon would. Dealer is giving me a estimate tomorrow, however I bet it will be around $1000 in labor. The only fear I have is breaking something while dissembling. Oh. And rattles after I do the installation

Thanks as always for any input.

Matt

[Zamorskii]

Why would it take that much in labor to pop few pieces of plastic off and install new in their place? I wouldn't estimate it being more than a 3hr job, assuming they have to take door panels off.

I am sure a few folks switched to M Performance trim so it's absolutely doable.

[Violator]

I did this swap and it wasnt that difficult. No way I would pay anyone to do it. The entire dash and center console can be done in 15 minutes, it is the doors that take the most time. Once you do the first door, the others are pretty easy and quick.
You can see my swap info/pics on page 3 of my mod thread, https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1403501&page=2

I know that a couple other members have done it as well.

[Z3grape]

thank violator i will look at the vids

[Z3grape]

Originally Posted by Violator

I did this swap and it wasnt that difficult. No way I would pay anyone to do it. The entire dash and center console can be done in 15 minutes, it is the doors that take the most time. Once you do the first door, the others are pretty easy and quick.
You can see my swap info/pics on page 3 of my mod thread, https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1403501&page=2

I know that a couple other members have done it as well.

Thanks violator for the help-- mission accomplished. Had veterans day off for work and did the swap. Took me a total of about 3.5 hours total

[Violator]

Originally Posted by Z3grape

Thanks violator for the help-- mission accomplished. Had veterans day off for work and did the swap. Took me a total of about 3.5 hours total

No problem, I’m glad you got it done on your own. 3.5 hours isn’t bad, the doors are pretty annoying to do.
Congrats!

[Z3grape]

Originally Posted by Violator

No problem, I’m glad you got it done on your own. 3.5 hours isn’t bad, the doors are pretty annoying to do.
Congrats!

the doors were the worst part. the sound when pulling off the panel was a little disconcerting. I couldn't believe how many screws they used to attach the trim.

[JWK170]

Originally Posted by Z3grape

the doors were the worst part. the sound when pulling off the panel was a little disconcerting. I couldn't believe how many screws they used to attach the trim.

This is the next mod on my list. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your kit and what did you pay?

I look on the forum all the time, but they don't seem to hit that often and when they do, they are gone immediately.

Best price I have found for the kit 51952446977 is $1638 on BMWPartsPros with shipping included.

Anyone have a cheaper source?

Thanks.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by JWK170

This is the next mod on my list. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your kit and what did you pay?

I look on the forum all the time, but they don't seem to hit that often and when they do, they are gone immediately.

Best price I have found for the kit 51952446977 is $1638 on BMWPartsPros with shipping included.

Anyone have a cheaper source?

Thanks.

Nope they're expensive and keep getting more expensive. They were under $1500 less than a year ago. Then BMW ran out of them last winter and now they've gone up $200

[Violator]

Originally Posted by JWK170

This is the next mod on my list. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your kit and what did you pay?

I look on the forum all the time, but they don't seem to hit that often and when they do, they are gone immediately.

Best price I have found for the kit 51952446977 is $1638 on BMWPartsPros with shipping included.

Anyone have a cheaper source?

Thanks.

Cheaper source will be a sale from a forum member, other than that your best bet is to try and work a deal with your local sales Dept.
Good luck!

[JWK170]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Nope they're expensive and keep getting more expensive. They were under $1500 less than a year ago. Then BMW ran out of them last winter and now they've gone up $200

I noticed that as well. I was looking late summer and still seeing some about $1450 to 1550. Some of the cheapest places then are into $1700 now.

Prob a seller's market now that the new model is out. I am sure BMW didn't make a lot of additional stock after the last run so places know they can get a premium.

[JWK170]

Originally Posted by Violator

Cheaper source will be a sale from a forum member, other than that your best bet is to try and work a deal with your local sales Dept.
Good luck!

I keep looking on here daily, but no luck. Only have seen a few kits posted since I joined back in July/Aug and those sold immediately.

In the end, unless it is a really great deal on here, I am just going to buy new. Even if it is at the new higher costs. I figure if I am going to do it, I want it to be in immaculate condition.

My problem is I bought my X5 out of state from Texas and I am in Pittsburgh, PA so I didn't get a chance to build a relationship with any of the local dealers.

When I had my MPPK installed locally, one local dealer was horrendous just trying to get an appointment scheduled and quoted $350 to do the install which was outrageous so they are off the list to give any business to them.

I ended up going with another local dealer that got me in much sooner and did the install at a more reasonable rate of $160. However, there was a lot of screw-ups during the process such as not having a rental car for me although one was confirmed and had me waiting an additional 3 hours at the dealer to pick the car up although they told me to come in because the car was all done and cleaned. Even after waiting the 3 hours, they didn't even wash my car. There was still a sign in the window that the car needs washed. The only win out of the situation was they had a nice seat and floor cover used by the mechanic that was left unremoved so I inherited that. Oops. Long story short, communication by the SA was horrendous. He was supposed to follow up on a few other installs I was planning, MPE and MPBK and never heard back. I even sent a follow-up a week later and no response.

The only good thing that happened out of the situation is I filled out a service questionnaire and knocked the whole situation pretty hard and the General Manager contacted me immediately with apologies and an offer for a full detail on the next service visit. He was pissed after learning of the lack of response by the SA and how much they lost out on parts and install costs of the MPE and MPBK. My oil change is due in about a month so I am going to hit him hard for a discount on the CF kit as well as take him up on the full detail.

[Violator]

Damn, I hate to hear those stories. I’ve been blessed with my local dealer and SA’s.

I agree with your plan, hit him up and give him a change to redeem his service dept.

Good luck!

[Violator]

JWK170, PM sent

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by Violator

JWK170, PM sent

Uh oh. it looks like there is a sale coming

[Violator]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Uh oh. it looks like there is a sale coming

HAH, no, I couldn’t do that. I love the CF cabin trim too much to let it go. It completes my interior and is just the right touch.

[Z3grape]

Originally Posted by JWK170

This is the next mod on my list. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your kit and what did you pay?

I look on the forum all the time, but they don't seem to hit that often and when they do, they are gone immediately.

Best price I have found for the kit 51952446977 is $1638 on BMWPartsPros with shipping included.

Anyone have a cheaper source?

Thanks.

that's a good price-- I went through getbmwparts.com