Nothing special here: the fabric on my a-, b- and c-pillars is detaching from the trim pieces on both sides of my '04 coupe.
I know about the really expensive option (buy OEM replacements) and the really cheap option (buy a can of rubber cement). Anything in between? Are there any good resources for how I might scout for those trim pieces coming out of parts cars or other used sources? Color needed is black.
Thanks!
Can snag from FCP for $400ish and they have a lifetime warranty.
If you plan on keeping the car for a while, may be worth it.
Other than that, can buy some fabric and do yourself, but takes some time if you've never done it before.
Below copied from my thread, I think it was about $40 or $50 for the fabric itself (expensive stuff!) but felt nearly identical in texture to the BMW Performance wheel I felt up at the dealer. Gonna be honest though, I'm not a fan of the "splotchiness" look that alcantara has due to the grain of the fabric but it's much better than the sagginess before.
https://i.imgur.com/p9nYV93l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ksGX3XAl.jpg
I did briefly consider pulling the fabric and leaving it, but there were nasty glue marks left behind:
https://i.imgur.com/vaSJQD2l.jpg
Not sure how people wrap their C-pillars with one piece, or how the stock fabric has no relief cuts. That one curved section by the rear window vent actuator needed a relief cut, and patch. It’s not ideal, but at least I don’t notice it:
https://i.imgur.com/ruMYCucl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dQdLvI9l.jpg
Unfortunately I didn’t buy enough fabric to recover the B-Pillars, but they only needed the sides gluing down. The mismatch with the A & C-pillars doesn’t really bother me:
https://i.imgur.com/o6XWQ3Ol.jpg
The A-pillars turned out decent. The only gripe I have with them is that the airbag strip doesn’t sit quite flush, but still pushes into its slot and stays in place:
https://i.imgur.com/RjsKk9Ul.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7ick2wgl.jpg
All installed:
https://i.imgur.com/8RLJZ0El.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QCsCoNll.jpg
Apologies, I'm not on that site much: You're saying I can get all 6 replacement pieces for $400 total? I'd do that in a heartbeat, but I'm seeing several hundred more than that. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong stuff?Quote:
Originally Posted by TrKy3
Price hike! https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/33...6&b=9&d=589&v=Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004_blue_zhp
I wonder what results you could get by removing the fabric and using some spray paint to cover the glue marks. :scratchinghead
Similarly, I recovered mine with 3M 1080 vinyl wrap in matte black with excellent results. It's a good idea to sand before applying to prevent surface roughness showing through.
I feel like I should buy the A-pillars just to avoid them becoming NLA when I will really need them.
It's not a bad idea actually... I remember someone on NAM3F actually asked FCP what happens if they want to warranty something, and it's NLA... I think they said they'd get a refundQuote:
Originally Posted by BMWCurves
I am having the same problem - both A pillars wrinkled and about to come off. AND one c pillar is already hanging down from the top.
A pillar in anthracite is $99 a piece... Ugh IDK if I should try to re-attach them before replacing them with new ones....