Replica CSL Rear Panels
 

I've put this in the technical section as it is also helpful if you ever wanted to replace a worn out or ripped rear door panel for a CSL - instead of buying a new one just buy a stock standard E46 one new or used in good condition.



Given the ridiculous prices that BMW charge for these panels and how hard they are to come by I've always wondered why nobody made any replica ones ... these are just the rears ... but it illustrates how easily this could be done.

The panels in the photos are real, but the door card is from a stock standard E46 M3 .... as you can see not hard if somebody made a mould of the carbon panels and mass produced these.

Step 1: grab a standard E46 rear panel
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps2378cbad.jpg

Step 2: remove sound deadening and drill out the plastic welds marked in red circle (6mm drill)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps350d386b.jpg

Step 3: remove the leather or cloth insert from the standard panel
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps938d7262.jpg

Step 4: panel removed
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps48ca6830.jpg

Step 5: get ready to pop in the (replica) carbon panel (if and when somebody produces them)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps346a86b5.jpg

Step 6: As you can see ... 5 mounting points (on the CSL it uses a plastic pop rivet ... but if you don't want to get these, any 6mm plastic plugs will do
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps3dee219a.jpg

Step 7: front of the panel
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps00331b8d.jpg

Step 8: panel in - secure with plastic rivet or plugs (zip tie will work also)
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psaf857335.jpg

Step 9: Done
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdfd725f0.jpg

The plastic rivet used on the CSL door panel is on the right and the ones I recommend are on the left:
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps451ad0c9.jpg


The front panels are also very similar and so long as somebody produces a replica carbon fibre insert you'd be able to easily replicate CSL door panels.

I might get some rear replica panels made if I can get enough interests for them.

Very interesting!

Thanks for the write-up.

The front ones are even more expensive.