Brushed aluminum trim kit: cool or not?

[Jay 535i]

http://www.sotechsystems.com/store/interior/dash-trim-kits/bmw-/real-brushed-aluminum/bmw-e34-1989-1995-set-1-/prod_11.html

There are some pics of a kit in an 8-series near the bottom of that page. The quality looks reasonably good. For $90 it may be worth a gamble. I wouldn't go overboard with it. I'd only install the pieces that go where the factory put wood.

Anybody seen a kit like this installed in an E34?

[Alexlind123]

It might be nice, but everyone who rides in my car comments on the interior as it is now.

[liquidtiger720]

I think it would look weird in a e34

[Jay 535i]

My interior's black, BTW, if that matters.

[liquidtiger720]

My interior's black, BTW, if that matters.
statement still stands...:p

I was imagining it in mine...and it looked weird (black interior)

[Jay 535i]

What do you have in yours?

Ewww, just found this pic on the abovementioned site. You can't see much in the pic, but what little you can see of the HVAC surround looks awful.

http://www.sotechsystems.com/pics/dashtrim_installed/bmw-5_b.jpg

[angrypancake]

at the risk of getting flamed, and i know blitzkrieg bob hates it, but what about the carbon fiber stuff? if in fact it's really carbon fiber, it could blend well with the black interior, if used sparingly....?

[CharlesAFerg]

Ick.

[Jay 535i]

at the risk of getting flamed, and i know blitzkrieg bob hates it, but what about the carbon fiber stuff? if in fact it's really carbon fiber, it could blend well with the black interior, if used sparingly....?

I thought about that, but I don't think so.

Here's what I have now. What would be better? Not that what I have is bad -- it's not. But I wonder what might be better?

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg

[ajt3nc]

Kinda got that camaro thing going on or maybe a late 70s eldorado baritz( spelling is wrong).

[liquidtiger720]

What do you have in yours?


]


black with wood trim.

[kyleN20]

i voted yes, but it might be easily scratched

[clhorton]

Kit takes away the taste of the interior. Makes it look like a nissan IMHO

[granit_silber]

I thought about that, but I don't think so.

Here's what I have now. What would be better? Not that what I have is bad -- it's not. But I wonder what might be better?

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg

Find a wood kit!
-ashley

[1995 525i]

http://www.sotechsystems.com/store/interior/dash-trim-kits/bmw-/real-brushed-aluminum/bmw-e34-1989-1995-set-1-/prod_11.html

There are some pics of a kit in an 8-series near the bottom of that page. The quality looks reasonably good. For $90 it may be worth a gamble. I wouldn't go overboard with it. I'd only install the pieces that go where the factory put wood.

Anybody seen a kit like this installed in an E34?

I think it would ok with a black interior but my concern is with the area around the tranny shifter. There is so much to cover and I would be afraid it would look to Buck Roger-ish. What about carbon fiber? Black or dark grey?

Michael

[Jay 535i]

I think it would ok with a black interior but my concern is with the area around the tranny shifter. There is so much to cover and I would be afraid it would look to Buck Roger-ish. What about carbon fiber? Black or dark grey?

I wouldn't use that part. I'm going to use this instead:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/console.jpg

[DueyT]

...or a DeLorean...yuck.

[Traian]

Jay I think your int. would look great with some wood trim, particularly around the shifter. I am not a big fan of wood (gives most cars a seniors night look), but I think it would look real good in this case, in fact, on most 5ers. Course, with the leather boot for the 5-speed it might be a lot different. I'm squinting real hard but I can't picture it...

[Jay 535i]

I've come to my senses. I'm gonna just keep the subtle wood trim that I have, and, when the manual tranny's installed, get the black shifter surround you see in post #16.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Get the genuine simulated imitation stuff, or it’ll just look cheap.

[Booster]

I wouldn't use that part. I'm going to use this instead:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/console.jpg

Hey Jay......do you happen to have a picture of the back side of that shift surround ? I've considered finding one and building an infusable mold to make those in Carbon for a few of us as I like its function and differing change from the flat expance of nothing that is usually there.lol.
Plus I like nice new original looking parts.
I could also do the same type of moulds for the other wood trims if someone would donate or loan a full set for our cars ? They most likely would not get any damage in the process,its rare anyway.
Vinny :)

[Incantation]

not sure that would work in an e34.. but i'd like to see it done. too bad my 850 has a tan interior cuz that trim looks great in black. much nicer than that cheap alcantara stuff

[angrypancake]

alcantara? cheap? i thought that stuff was ultra suede...

[Jon K]

not sure that would work in an e34.. but i'd like to see it done. too bad my 850 has a tan interior cuz that trim looks great in black. much nicer than that cheap alcantara stuff


LOL cheap alcantara? @ $75/yard I hardly consider it cheap.

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/7.jpg

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/boot3.jpg

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/boot2.jpg

[liquidtiger720]

Jon- your armrest looks like it needs to be cleaned. :)

[Jon K]

Jon- your armrest looks like it needs to be cleaned. :)


Redying interior this summer.

[BillionPa]

just so you all know, those kits dont actually fit. and the carbon fiber one looks horrible, its like grade F carbon.

[Jay 535i]

Hey Jay......do you happen to have a picture of the back side of that shift surround ?

Nope, sorry. Haven't ordered it yet.

[Kristuphir]

I don't think that replacing the wood strips in the dash with a quality aluminum look, if it could be found, would be out of line in a black interior like yours. As long as you were using that fancy black piece as a shifter surround and didn't add "aluminum" to any other parts that weren't originally wood, I think it would stay reasonably subtle. That shifter surround is sweet, too - it sure breaks up the vast flatlands into some more visually appealing, usable space.

I dunno if the "cheap alcantara" comment meant cheap in price or cheap in appearance, but I'd have to agree with the latter. It sure doesn't look like a $75/yd fabric to me...just my personal taste though. I don't like how it shows where it's been touched, if the "grain" of the fuzz has been disturbed...like when you vaccuum carpet, you know?

[saj3n]

I thought about that, but I don't think so.

Here's what I have now. What would be better? Not that what I have is bad -- it's not. But I wonder what might be better?

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/bmw/10.jpg


DON'T GET IT! I thought it would look nice in my 89 525i. Looks horrible! I mean, yes, it does add a different aspect to the interior, but its not really "brushed aluminum". Rather, "shiny plastic". I have pictures if you would like ot see how it would look. I purchased, and was very dissatisfied with the quality of the material... Maybe if it were actually metal, and not flimsy plastic... Save the $90 and invest in something else..... Maybe Carbon fiber interior if you REALLY want the trim.

[saj3n]

LOL cheap alcantara? @ $75/yard I hardly consider it cheap.

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/7.jpg

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/boot3.jpg

http://e34.digital7.com/Interior%20and%20Wheel/boot2.jpg

Jon,

Just noticed your steering wheel... All functions work with the e34?

[califblue]

Why replace nice Wood with Brushed aluminum ...I don't get it

[Kristuphir]

I think it'd have to be real aluminum to even compete. Though I've never been a huge fan of the type of wood or "wood" used in our cars either...

[titanium25]

you could just pop off your existing wood trim and get it sprayed in silver ive seen it done on a newer 3 series

[Incantation]

yea looks cheap and ugly

gay name too "alcantara"

[Jon K]

yea looks cheap and ugly

gay name too "alcantara"


You should probably tell BMW that, they've been using "cheap" and "ugly" italian suede and calling it alcantara since E39 M5s.

[Jon K]

I don't think that replacing the wood strips in the dash with a quality aluminum look, if it could be found, would be out of line in a black interior like yours. As long as you were using that fancy black piece as a shifter surround and didn't add "aluminum" to any other parts that weren't originally wood, I think it would stay reasonably subtle. That shifter surround is sweet, too - it sure breaks up the vast flatlands into some more visually appealing, usable space.

I dunno if the "cheap alcantara" comment meant cheap in price or cheap in appearance, but I'd have to agree with the latter. It sure doesn't look like a $75/yd fabric to me...just my personal taste though. I don't like how it shows where it's been touched, if the "grain" of the fuzz has been disturbed...like when you vaccuum carpet, you know?


Its suede... its feels rich... and looks rich in person.

[Alexlind123]

"Alcantara suede is a soft, luxurious, man made suede."

It looks good to me, i have even been contemplating redoing my headliner and rear shelf with the stuff. Im not sure how black would do with my dark blue interior though, thats the only thing holding me back.

[Kristuphir]

Its suede... its feels rich... and looks rich in person.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I've seen it in person and I, too, love the way suede feels. I'm just not a fan of how it looks in cars, is all - the mottled thing bugs me. They're using it on a lot of "modern" furniture these days too, and the same thing bugs me about it there...it's not like it's maroon-vinyl-out-of-an-'86-Blazer-cheap or anything, just not my taste.

[Jay 535i]

DON'T GET IT! I thought it would look nice in my 89 525i. Looks horrible! I mean, yes, it does add a different aspect to the interior, but its not really "brushed aluminum". Rather, "shiny plastic".

Well, they swear it's real aluminium.

I've decided to hold off for now. Better things to spend my money on.

Thanks everyone.

[eagle_eye2k2]

hey
check this RinGs .
then tell me what do you thing

http://www.sotechsystems.com/store/interior/dash-trim-kits/bmw-/real-brushed-aluminum/bmw-e34-1989-1995-set-1-/prod_11.html

There are some pics of a kit in an 8-series near the bottom of that page. The quality looks reasonably good. For $90 it may be worth a gamble. I wouldn't go overboard with it. I'd only install the pieces that go where the factory put wood.

Anybody seen a kit like this installed in an E34?

[Incantation]

must have been bangle's idea

[Nick.Hay]

I think a splash of proper carbon fibre in an E34 cockpit would look good. Emphasis of course on it being used sparingly!!

Tho it probably wouldn't look that great in my car... What being dark blue and all!!

[Jon K]

must have been bangle's idea


you do have his wheels

[Incantation]

http://www.orlyowl.com/orly.jpg

[Jon K]

http://www.orlyowl.com/orly.jpg



Welcome to yesterdayyyyyyyyyyy just like your modern car w00t ftw wtfbbq <3's and $'s