Rear Console in dry carbon

[NZ_M3]

How many would be interested in getting a rear seat console done in dry carbon (proper vacuum infused) made by someone in the America's Cup yacht racing industry - so the quality would be tops.

I am getting one made up myself and I'll own the mould, so if anyone's interested in one please let me know.

It'll be a full replacement piece, so not an overlay. You'll need to remove your one off the car and swap the alcantara bits over.


Update 14/2/2013:

Please note, the finish will now be a 'dry' (i.e. non glossy) bare carbon fibre finish for the rear console - this finish will allow you to either paint in matt black or clear coat to gloss as you desire.

Update 15/2/2013:

You picky lot have decided that there's no love for matt bare carbon ... so gloss it is ...!!! Recalculating group buy price, should be between 300 and 350 max!!

Update 18/2/2013
Pricing CONFIRMED for Gloss finish rear console in dry vacuum infused carbon fibre (in zero ninety weave direction - ala the CSL front console) - £335 + shipping

EOI list update

Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7. billyboysm3
8. Niall1
9. Chris-CSL
10. Nikey30
11. s.mac
12.CraigMillwardCraft
13. glendog74
14.rstoughy
15.dave wilkinson
16. need4speed
17. Neil M
18. CSLOZ
19. Marc (Australia)
20. cslsuperfan
21. mjh
22. need4speed

EOI Flippers (will need a minimum of 10 before I commission the mould guys - very expensive mould for this!):
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3
3. pinkpanther008 (only if dry vacuum bagged versions tho Tom? - correct dry vacuum bagged - not the wet lay laminated stuff. Full carbon fibre right through also, so no fibreglass core)
4. need4speed
5. csl spurs
6. mjh

[alexk]

Hi Tom, I am interested in this.

[Yanto]

Yup.

Mines cracked do I need a replacement :beer:

[Equinox]

Certainly interested.

[SNP749]

I'd be interested as well:beer:

[shimmy]

Gona be £££££££ but I fancy it.

[NZ_M3]

It'll be under £300 each plus shipping.

I can ship all the orders in one box to save on cost.

I am not doig this for any profit simply want a mould and thought i would get a few made up.

The oem
Piece is nearly £500 pound and it's poorly made.

[shimmy]

It'll be under £300 each plus shipping.

I can ship all the orders in one box to save on cost.

I am not doig this for any profit simply want a mould and thought i would get a few made up.

The oem
Piece is nearly £500 pound and it's poorly made.

Sounds like a bargain then.

[NZ_M3]

Sounds like a bargain then.

So should I put you down for one then :thumbs:

Okay, I spoke with the builder today and here are the prices!!

Order for 5 = £300 each (sorry I thought it would be under £300, but the mould worked out to be a little bit more than I anticipated).

Order for 10 = £270 each

I also got him to quote front splitters and they came out to £260 per set (yes left and right hand side) - but I need an order of at least 10 sets before I'll commission the mould to be made.

The weave pattern would be identical to the genuine item.

Also guys I am seriously NOT making any profit out of this - in addition, I am putting up my own spares to have the moulds made - which carries with it the risk of being permanently damaged.

I have already commissioned the mould on the rear console and should have the first one in a couple of weeks time (he's quite busy at the moment with the upcoming America's cup, so he needs a bit of time before he can get onto making my pieces). But I can guarantee you that the workmanship would be outstanding. (You don't get to build for the America's cup yacht racing unless you know what the hell you are doing afterall!!)

[alexk]

Tom, it would be nice if we could create this engine cover.

http://imgsrv1.pxdrive.com/pics/norm/85162.jpg

I know a guy in Greece that could build for the us the laser engraved CSL label.

And by the way to be lighter than the original cover which weights 1217g.

[NZ_M3]

Tom, it would be nice if we could create this engine cover.


I know a guy in Greece that could build for the us the laser engraved CSL label.

And by the way to be lighter than the original cover which weights 1217g.

That wouldn't be too hard to do I am sure.

I showed him some door panels today and I am still at two minds whether to get these made.

I have a local CNC contact that I can use to create that aluminium piece - but I'll need a CAD drawing of it to get a price.

[Yanto]

So should I put you down for one then :thumbs:

Okay, I spoke with the builder today and here are the prices!!

Order for 5 = £300 each (sorry I thought it would be under £300, but the mould worked out to be a little bit more than I anticipated).

Order for 10 = £270 each

I also got him to quote front splitters and they came out to £260 per set (yes left and right hand side) - but I need an order of at least 10 sets before I'll commission the mould to be made.

The weave pattern would be identical to the genuine item.

Also guys I am seriously NOT making any profit out of this - in addition, I am putting up my own spares to have the moulds made - which carries with it the risk of being permanently damaged.

I have already commissioned the mould on the rear console and should have the first one in a couple of weeks time (he's quite busy at the moment with the upcoming America's cup, so he needs a bit of time before he can get onto making my pieces). But I can guarantee you that the workmanship would be outstanding. (You don't get to build for the America's cup yacht racing unless you know what the hell you are doing afterall!!)

Sounds great Tom. Put me down for flippers also.

[83SY]

im in :thumbs: + that engine cover looks the business :drool:

[billyboysm3]

Put me down for Splitters and rear panel :)

[NZ_M3]

So rear dry carbon console we have

Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7.billyboysm3

EOI Flippers:
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3

Like I said, the rear console mould has been commissioned, I'll update this post when my one is done and I can take some good quality photos to show workmanship - once that's done you guys can confirm your orders and make payments.

If you are "seriously" interested and would like to get one subject to quality (which I am confident about) then please let me know, because that way it'll allow me to judge how many I can possibly get him to make and negotiate on price.

This guy can make anything ... ideally what I'd like to do eventually is to have moulds for everything from the CSL and more!! :whistle:

[GregorJP]

Ok, dim question, but the rear console is the duff bit of plastic between the rear seats that cracks easily? The item that on my car is knackered and which Elms quoted me £445 + VAT to replace?

If so, please count me in. :notworthy:

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Put me down please :thumbs:

[glendog74]

Hi Tom,

I'd certainly be interested in the rear console.

Ta

Rob

[rstoughy]

Id take one of those Tom so stick me on the list please :smokin:

[dave wilkinson]

I'd certainly be interested in the rear console. :thumbs:

[alexk]

That wouldn't be too hard to do I am sure.

I have a local CNC contact that I can use to create that aluminium piece - but I'll need a CAD drawing of it to get a price.

I think this is a definite must-have.

[ando]

I'd be interested in the rocker cover, if you need to gauge numbers on that as well.

Ando

[niall1]

+1 for rear console

[pinkpanther008]

[quote=NZ_M3;135279]So rear dry carbon console we have

Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7.billyboysm3

EOI Flippers:
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3
3. pinkpanther008 (only if dry vacuum bagged versions tho Tom?)

[portlandgrey]

[quote=NZ_M3;135279]So rear dry carbon console we have

Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7.billyboysm3
8. Portlandgrey

EOI Flippers:
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3
3. pinkpanther008 (only if dry vacuum bagged versions tho Tom?)

Would be interested in the cam cover too.

[niall1]

Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7. billyboysm3
8. Niall1

EOI Flippers:
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3
3. pinkpanther008 (only if dry vacuum bagged versions tho Tom?)

[s.mac]

Im not sure what the console would look like against the rear plastic seat but interested

[Nikey30]

Yep I am also interested, happy to be added to the list.

[Chris-CSL]

slap my name down as well please very intrested :)

though I have to agree with s.mac the rear platic seat split aginst it could look a little out but lets wait and see

[NZ_M3]

Ok, dim question, but the rear console is the duff bit of plastic between the rear seats that cracks easily? The item that on my car is knackered and which Elms quoted me £445 + VAT to replace?

If so, please count me in. :notworthy:


That's correct .... it is one of those pieces in the CSL that I hate with a vengence ... it's almost as if the accounting department said no more carbon fibre for this car :hahaha:

Circled in red:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/M3_Power/tn_DSCF3089_zps8f61f407.jpg

Im not sure what the console would look like against the rear plastic seat but interested



though I have to agree with s.mac the rear platic seat split aginst it could look a little out but lets wait and see

I think given that the weaving is going to be the same as the front console and done in the same zero ninety weave direction it should be okay. If you end up not liking the gloss carbon finish there's always the option of just painting it black ;) Plus, you can never have too much carbon fibre : )



Rear Carbon Console EOI:
1. alexk
2. Yanto
3. Equinox
4. SNP749
5. Shimmy
6. 83SY
7. billyboysm3
8. Niall1
9. Chris-CSL
10. Nikey30
11. s.mac
12.CraigMillwardCraft
13. glendog74
14.rstoughy
15.dave wilkinson
16. need4speed

EOI Flippers:
1. Yanto
2. billyboysm3
3. pinkpanther008 (only if dry vacuum bagged versions tho Tom? - correct dry vacuum bagged - not the wet lay laminated stuff. Full carbon fibre right through also, so no fibreglass core)
4. need4speed
5. csl spurs


Okay updated list.

Guys you'll need to be patient with me as I mentioned. The guy is very busy with all the upcoming racing, but he has said between 3 to 4 weeks to get the first sample out - I've pushed him to get this first one out so everyone can see his workmanship and then we'll start to confirm orders. The above list is so I can get an indication of the level of interest for it. Seems like there's good levels of interests for this rear console, so my initial feeling was correct in getting this mould comissioned.

This will be a long term project thing, so it won't be the last mould made.

The items will be as good if not better than BMW factory - I've seen his work on replicating BMW Groupe A Works parts and they are stunning.

There is also the option of leaving the rear console in dry carbon (i.e no clear gloss) if that's your thing. Personally I think to match the rest of the interior the gloss is the option to the go with.

[alexk]

The other option is to make the rear seats full carbon :)

BTW, I found a rear seat that is made from carbon and is supposed to be from a pre-production car.
Do you think this is legitimate ?

[Yanto]

slap my name down as well please very intrested :)

though I have to agree with s.mac the rear platic seat split aginst it could look a little out but lets wait and see


Prob no better / worse than the rear carbon panels/plastic seat.

Brings additional symmetry.

Or as said, thefts get the whole lot done !

[NZ_M3]

The other option is to make the rear seats full carbon :)

BTW, I found a rear seat that is made from carbon and is supposed to be from a pre-production car.
Do you think this is legitimate ?

Hence why I was going to buy a full rear seat from Mr Piers Jones ;)

Pre production car never came with rear seats ... there's a thread I put up with a lot of prototype images that I've collected around the internet on there - go take a look.

here:http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4162

[NZ_M3]

Okay ... I've been looking at shipping costs for the rear console and based on an estimated weight of 2kg including packaging and a box dimension of roughly 60cm x 30cm x 20cm (the console has an overall dimension of 55 x 25 x 17, so there's plenty in there for protection).

It works out to be about the following to the UK from good old NZ:

EMS Economy Courier (2 to 6 working days) - tracked and signature - £45
International air package (10 working days) - no tracking and no signature required - £31

I think you guys would also be subject to VAT for goods over a certain value, so best to check. Of course I'd be happy to send these as gifts and marked at a low value so it doesn't attract VAT or duty, but then the risk is yours.

If anyone think they can do better with shipping please let me know.

The above is based on individual shipping rather than combined.

[Yanto]

I'd be interested in the rocker cover, if you need to gauge numbers on that as well.

Ando

+1

[Yanto]

Okay ... I've been looking at shipping costs for the rear console and based on an estimated weight of 2kg including packaging and a box dimension of roughly 60cm x 30cm x 20cm (the console has an overall dimension of 55 x 25 x 17, so there's plenty in there for protection).

It works out to be about the following to the UK from good old NZ:

EMS Economy Courier (2 to 6 working days) - tracked and signature - £45
International air package (10 working days) - no tracking and no signature required - £31

I think you guys would also be subject to VAT for goods over a certain value, so best to check. Of course I'd be happy to send these as gifts and marked at a low value so it doesn't attract VAT or duty, but then the risk is yours.

If anyone think they can do better with shipping please let me know.

The above is based on individual shipping rather than combined.

Cheers Tom:beer:

[Csl spurs]

Hi I would be interested in the rocker cover rear tray and the flippers :thumbs:

[NZ_M3]

Hi all

Just a slight update - I've had another chat and discussion with the builder and we have decided to keep the finish of the rear console a bare dry carbon fibre finish instead of a gloss finish - the reason being that with this type of finish it will allow individual owners to either coat it in clear coat 2pack finish or have it painted the same colour as the interior seat matt black coating - or simply leave it as it is for that race car look - no price difference.

Hope you all understand, and if as a result any of you are now no longer interested, please let me know and I'll take you off the EOI list :-D

If you don't quite get what I am talking about - take off one of your front flippers/splitters and look inside and then look at the outside finish - that's the difference basically.

[glendog74]

Hi Tom,

I was hoping it to be clear coated to match all the other bits in the car?

Rob

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Hi Tom,

I was hoping it to be clear coated to match all the other bits in the car?

Rob
+1 :thumbs:

[Chris-CSL]

+ 2 but will have to get some pictures to have a look :wink:

[NZ_M3]

Hi Tom,

I was hoping it to be clear coated to match all the other bits in the car?

Rob

+1 :thumbs:

+ 2 but will have to get some pictures to have a look :wink:

I hear you guys .... let me talk to the builder.

Apparently the mould for a gloss finish and one in dry carbon finish for post painting or clear coating are quite different via vacuum infusion (the epoxy is obviously slightly different) and depending on how many subsequent reproductions one is intending on pulling from that mould, it all adds to the final cost of production (we are talking about roughly 50 pound per piece here :bigcry: - as there's certain number of repdoctions before the mould needs rework done).

Bear with me and let me see what can be done about it.

[Yanto]

+1 :thumbs:

+2 :)

[Neil M]

You can put me down for one, if they come Clear Coated all that sticky stuff would ruin my gloves :hahaha:

Just for info: "Carbon Fibre CSL Rear Center Armrest CA Technologies £641.70 + Post" = No Contest! Fantastic deal, Tom :supz:

[Marc]

Hi Tom

Count me in on the rear console. Shipping to Australia. :smt055

[alexk]

I think everybody wants gloss finish carbon :)

[NZ_M3]

I think everybody wants gloss finish carbon :)

picky bunch I see :hahaha:

Gloss it is ... however I'll need to recalculate the group buy price (but should still be between the 300 - 350 range max!!)


EOI list updated in first post!

And by the way .... I've had to sacrifice a rear console to mould this as the gel coat is apparently like paint thinner ... it melts everything!!! Bugger!!! So seriously if any of you know how to re apply this stupid BMW matt black coating, and have the correct colour code - LET ME KNOW!! Cheers!!

[AlexGTT]

You can put me down for one, if they come Clear Coated all that sticky stuff would ruin my gloves :hahaha:

Just for info: "Carbon Fibre CSL Rear Center Armrest CA Technologies £641.70 + Post" = No Contest! Fantastic deal, Tom :supz:

CA one is probably just CF coated.

[cslsuperfan]

NZ_M3,

please put me on your list for 1 x rear console:-D

[Neil M]

CA one is probably just CF coated.

Apparently not, when they do a CF Veneered product they always ask for money up front as a security deposit, which is then returned when they receive yours.
In this case there isn't one, so quids in with NZ_M3's rear console:thumbs:

[Sapphire csl]

Any details on rocker cover yet?

[KamalRostov]

+1 for the rocker cover too :)

[cantfind1]

+1 for rocker cover....need it delivered to OZ though if that is possible??

[NZ_M3]

One thing at a time guys :-D There's no point of me ordering moulds to be made when his current workloads means more than a month to get a mould done :(


I have however finalised the pricing on the "Gloss" finished rear console ...

£335 is the best I can get him to do it guys .. and we are looking at April production with his current load of work.

So those no longer keen please let me know.

[Neil M]

Tom - Tangents just you just love them :banghead:
That's good news on the consoles, they're good to go.
PM when you want some money.:thumbs:

[lee]

Tom can you add me down for a rear console

Thanks

[Shoggy]

Hi Tom, can you put me down for the rear console also?:beer:

[0-60Motorsports]

Any pics and time of completion? I might be interested too.

[NZ_M3]

Hi all

Slightly bad news ... I am going to have to put this group buy on hold for a moment as the guy that I had lined up to make this has been quite difficult to deal with and hasn't turned out to be the person I was told he was originally.

I've been scratching my head over this one as for some reason he's willing to let this reasonably sized order (and future orders) go without any justifiable reason. Basically I think he has way too much work on and he can't be bothered with such a small console (there's probably bigger margins for him in making motorsport bumpers, doors, boots, hood and roof) - I honestly don't know.

Not all is lost however, I have another builder of the same caliber, but he's located on the opposite end of the Country to me, similarly priced and his work just as good if not better. He is however booked up with work until end of April, so I am going to have another crack with him and see if he can squeez this in earlier given the size of the order.

Alternatively I've also been provided another source by another friend. Apparently this guy used to work for the Sauber F1 team and did carbon fiber work for them - he now lives in New Zealand and works for a big super yacht company here. He is luckily located in the same town as me, so I will go and approach him and see if he has the time and willingness to take on this work.

Bear with me and apologies again. Will keep all updated :thumbs:

[Neil M]

No problem, it's managed without one since it came off the production line in 03, what's a few more weeks/months in the scale of things.:)

[glendog74]

No problem, it's managed without one since it came of the production line in 03, what's a few more weeks/months in the scale of things.:)

+1 :-D

[Equinox]

Your doing a great job of sorting it all out anyway, it happens when it happens, dont stress about it.

[adrianma]

i woudl be interested in one too. let us know the details with the new vendor when you do -- thanks!

[adrianma]

also just a random question... how does the original rear center console come off actually?

[Johnnywb]

I'd be keen for the console

[lee]

Hi is there any news on this group buy

[philo]

I would be interested in one of these...available still ?

[NZ_M3]

Still working on it ... will update when I have more info.

[Lister40]

I'm in if they become available. If enough people sign up we can pretend its OEM :-D

[$w!ft]

im keen on console, flippers and especially rocker cover

[0-60Motorsports]

Still working on it ... will update when I have more info.
Sounds good mate

[glendog74]

Still working on it ... will update when I have more info.

Any news Tom?! :whistle:

[NZ_M3]

Any news Tom?! :whistle:

No sorry ... have not found a carbon fabricator that would do this well priced.

However I would recommend Karbonius in Spain - they make one already and of very very high quality and 399 euros - perhaps get a group buy together with him?? He's on facebook also and I believe very willing to do a groupbuy discount for orders of more than 10.

Scroll down to E46 M3

http://www.karbonius.es/web_ing/productos/autos/base_bmw.html

[JBird]

Indeed, those Spaniards are turning out some nice stuff - good to follow on FB.

...though reading the add, they ask for an exchange on an original plastic console, so sounds like they might be just laminating the original.

[NZ_M3]

Indeed, those Spaniards are turning out some nice stuff - good to follow on FB.

...though reading the add, they ask for an exchange on an original plastic console, so sounds like they might be just laminating the original.

I have definitely seen him do a non laminated version on his facebook page ... Might have even asked him about pricing but can't recall how much it was now.

[JBird]

I have asked them, and yes, they do a properly moulded part. I am just waiting to hear back about why the want the original plastic piece as a donor part (i'd guess most ppl would like to hold on to the original). Have also asked about pricing options.

[Mike R]

I've just sent mine off to my carbon guy and he is going to take a mould off mine and then replicate it in the 1x1 twill (dry, pre-preg carbon), where it will match the OE yellow tinge of the interior carbon, as well as being a proper replacement part (allowing people to keep their existing ones).

These will be made in the UK and will be made to ensure they don't suffer from the cracking issues of the OE items.

As an idea of my guy's credentials, he just made all the airboxes for this year's Indy car grid, along with being the chosen supplier for all the carbon parts for Mitsubishi on their FQ range of Evos :).

I haven't got an example of his 1x1 work (as he thinks this material is shonky :hahaha: ), but here is an Escort airbox he did in 4x4 twill:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/Carbonairboxlid04.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/Carbonairboxlid04.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/Carbonairboxlid03.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/Carbonairboxlid03.jpg.html)

His own personal skiing helmet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/P1010707_zpsc596f2ca.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/P1010707_zpsc596f2ca.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/P1010710_zpsed1443c0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/P1010710_zpsed1443c0.jpg.html)

The Focus RS rear spoiler (in matt and gloss finish):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/IMG00170-20110804-1729.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/IMG00170-20110804-1729.jpg.html)

[s.mac]

Very nice :smokin:
Let us know how you get on :)

[alexk]

Is he selling ski helmets?

[Mike R]

Is he selling ski helmets?

No, as they are not type approved (despite the fact that they would piss the test), he doesn't want the financial hassle of going through this process. It was just one he made for his own personal use.

I just used it as an example to show the kind of complex work he is used to doing (you should see the Indy Car airbox :supz: ).

He also does historic F1 cars and special GT car chassis:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearbeam.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearbeam.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearbeaminplac.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearbeaminplac.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearwing.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-Arrowsrearwing.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-GTCarproject.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-GTCarproject.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-GTcar01.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-GTcar01.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-ArrowsFA14rearbodyse.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-ArrowsFA14rearbodyse.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-SpiceC2Floor.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/CreativeCarbon-SpiceC2Floor.jpg.html)

[mattCSLnut]

Very nice :smokin:
Let us know how you get on :)
+ 1 :thumbs:

[JBird]

Getting back to my previous post about Karbonius in Spain, they will do a proper moulded part, do not require the old plastic donor part (mistake on their website), and will offer a 10% discount on a group order of 10 parts. This puts the price at around €360 (so just under 300GBP). Not sure if any postage or UK customs costs come on top of that. They have done them before, so have a mould /experience already.

Realistically though, there are dozens of carbon manufactures in the UK supporting all the F1 / Indycar /motorsport projects, so finding someone who does top notch work (e.g., as per Mikes posts below) shouldn't be too difficult, what will be challenging is finding someone to do it at a reasonable price. Most deal with fairly lucrative customers, and won't want to give their time to a low profit mini project. I get the impression Karbonius are used to dealing with small customers on a budget. The price they are quoting is almost half the price of ordering a replacement plastic on from a stealer.

The pics below are nabbed from their FB page. I'd honestly prefer to do the whole back seat or nothing though. I'm yet to see anyone do a proper mould of that. (not into laminates).

[Mark CSL]

Carbon is expensive to buy then the moulds cost a small fortune not to mention the time to make the item thats what i have found out with doing it

Auto clave is needed to do prepreg and the carbon must be cold or it will go off after 7 days :banghead:

The laminated parts are as good if its the look you want also on the back seat part it can add strenth to the part and if it gets scratched its easy to repair :supz:
this is my laminated part

[Mike R]

Having researched this in some detail, I have yet to see anything that I would be happy having in my own car (as in that looks like it is OEM), hence why I'm getting my guy to do it.

It might be a bit more expensive, but it will look exactly like the factory panels. I personally would rather pay a bit more and have it perfect, rather than looking at it each time and wishing I'd paid the extra for the OEM looking one :hahaha:.

These are what he did for an Aston Martin:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/AstonMartin04_zps6b720789.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/AstonMartin04_zps6b720789.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/AstonMartin02_zps3cc03842.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/AstonMartin02_zps3cc03842.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/AstonMartin03_zps0f45d91e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/AstonMartin03_zps0f45d91e.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/Carbon/AstonMartin01_zpsbd13d66f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/Carbon/AstonMartin01_zpsbd13d66f.jpg.html)

At the end of the day, you pays ya money and makes ya choice. As soon as I get mine done, I'll stick photos up and you can compare / decide for yourself :hahaha:.

[AlexGTT]

After very little thought, I like standard.

[Marv968]

I'm willing to wait and see.

Does the Spanish console have a yellow tinge? It's much more preferable if the colour of the carbon fibre, matches up with the rest of what's in the rest of the interior.

[Mike R]

After very little thought, I like standard.

Looking at what is currently available, I would concur :hahaha: - however, the standard item has a propensity to crack, so there is no way I am buying a brand new one from BMW (which would be more than a carbon one) and then having it crack again.

[Marv968]

Yeah, if the rear console in mine wasn't cracked in two places, I'd be happy to leave it standard.

If there's a nice carbon fibre one for sale, with OEM style carbon fibre to match the rest of the interior, as well as it costing less than a standard replacement from BMW, then that's a winner in my eyes.