A- B- and C- Pillar fabric loose: any good sources for cheap replacement parts

[2004_blue_zhp]

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!

[TrKy3]

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.

[t.er]

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

[2004_blue_zhp]

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.

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?

[John in VA]

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?
Price hike! https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/330Ci/Body-Pillar-Cover/?year=2006&m=20&e=180&t=6&b=9&d=589&v=

[fredo]

I wonder what results you could get by removing the fabric and using some spray paint to cover the glue marks. :scratchinghead

[Reasoned1]

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.

[BMWCurves]

I feel like I should buy the A-pillars just to avoid them becoming NLA when I will really need them.

[t.er]

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 refund

[Washburn]

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....