Carbon Fiber steering wheel
#11
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From: Bahrain
My Ride: 2006 E60 M5 (Sepang Bronze/Natural Brown)
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If only I could trust my own workmanship, I would definitely do this!
#13
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Originally Posted by Speed_Force_E60' post='1013564' date='Sep 22 2009, 12:10 AM
Looks good, only thing I wouldve done differently is having the direction of the carbon fiber going in the same direction or at least somewhat more symmetrical. It kinda looks funny with the fibers going in all sorts of directions.
#14
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
The lower left piece would look better if it were diagonal, but overall I think it looks nice. Obviously a lot of work.
#16
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From: Arlington, VA
My Ride: Black Sapphire
2004 5.30i
Originally Posted by v_therussian' post='1013622' date='Sep 22 2009, 04:36 AM
What do you think mark up on replacement parts like these is? My guess would be something like a couple of thousand percent - you don't really have to do the math to see why we're still dealing with peeling trim... (sighs) that said, I obviously agree with you 10,000% - in a car of this calibre, it is more than just a little embarrassing.
IMO this CF wrap is a great fix though
Like I stated before, I am planning to do this on my steering wheel and the window control panels (pre-LCI, so they are pretty bulky and very visible).
@Speed Force: +1 on the pattern direction
IMO this CF wrap is a great fix though
Like I stated before, I am planning to do this on my steering wheel and the window control panels (pre-LCI, so they are pretty bulky and very visible).
@Speed Force: +1 on the pattern direction
i wanted it to line up and go in the direction that it kind of does on the left side of the steering wheel....unfortunately with drying glue and all the stretching of the fabric you do...it moved out of place
with the right side...i straight up screwed that one up
but the thought was there to get them to match up...
per your first question...yes...it was a pain....
the main reason is because the steering wheel buttons don't come out the same way say the "menu" button for idrive does....these buttons are kind of locked in... you have to be VERY careful and pop the tops of them off
After doing that part....once you carbon fiber it...you pretty much have to take a razor and shave off the fabric along the sides of the button holes until the button has just enough room to move comfortably...tedious...not that difficult...and probably includes some luck that i didn't break a button top or chop off too much fabric
#17
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Arlington, VA
My Ride: Black Sapphire
2004 5.30i
also just wanted to add in there....you should not be deter'd from doing this...i am quite the dummy when it comes to doing these things ...so i must say that if i can do it...99% of you all could too
#20
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Originally Posted by slm6715' post='1014041' date='Sep 22 2009, 02:46 PM
i wanted it to line up and go in the direction that it kind of does on the left side of the steering wheel....unfortunately with drying glue and all the stretching of the fabric you do...it moved out of place
with the right side...i straight up screwed that one up
but the thought was there to get them to match up...
per your first question...yes...it was a pain....
the main reason is because the steering wheel buttons don't come out the same way say the "menu" button for idrive does....these buttons are kind of locked in... you have to be VERY careful and pop the tops of them off
After doing that part....once you carbon fiber it...you pretty much have to take a razor and shave off the fabric along the sides of the button holes until the button has just enough room to move comfortably...tedious...not that difficult...and probably includes some luck that i didn't break a button top or chop off too much fabric
with the right side...i straight up screwed that one up
but the thought was there to get them to match up...
per your first question...yes...it was a pain....
the main reason is because the steering wheel buttons don't come out the same way say the "menu" button for idrive does....these buttons are kind of locked in... you have to be VERY careful and pop the tops of them off
After doing that part....once you carbon fiber it...you pretty much have to take a razor and shave off the fabric along the sides of the button holes until the button has just enough room to move comfortably...tedious...not that difficult...and probably includes some luck that i didn't break a button top or chop off too much fabric
In either case, I think you did an admirable job and it looks a 1000 times better than those OEM pieces (especially if the peeling is getting out of hand!)
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