Cheap Ebay Carbon fiber spoiler

[SHFT]

Alright so im a bit of a name brand junkie so buying this spoiler was going against my will. I did it because it was cheap and looked identical to the oem performance one at 1/3 of the price. So, the long haul is TBD how it wears but I feel pretty good about it. Anyhow here are the pics before the install and I will update with installed pics within the next couple of days.

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The only blemish so far is that I noticed is the third picture. The ebay sellers name is directparts4u and i offered him 128+40 dollar shipping which was accepted. Delivery took about 10 days which was much sooner then anticipated. Updates coming soon.

Removing the old spoiler was a walk in the park(String going side to side in a sawing motion followed by taking a MF cloth and slicing through the mess). Removing the adhesive was a PITA!!!!! All I can tell you is be really patient it will take you a solid hour. I used goof off and even with that it was labor intensive.

[WhiteTgr135i]

Looks promising. Can't wait to see the results!

[Dackelone]

While the cheap ebay CF spoilers do look good at first... what happens is the clear coat starts to yellow or the CF material itself will deform under the clear coat. IF you are really OCD... I would just go ahead and buy a BMW Performance CF spoiler. BMW's cf quality is top notch.

[b1aze]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

While the cheap ebay CF spoilers do look good at first... what happens is the clear coat starts to yellow or the CF material itself will deform under the clear coat. IF you are really OCD... I would just go ahead and buy a BMW Performance CF spoiler. BMW's cf quality is top notch.

That may be true for the spoiler or diffuser, which i am not personally sure of myself as i havnt held one in my hands, but their interior performance trim is mediocre at best. Compared to the custom job i had done that cost me less than what a set new from BMW cost, its a huge difference in quality.

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

While the cheap ebay CF spoilers do look good at first... what happens is the clear coat starts to yellow or the CF material itself will deform under the clear coat. IF you are really OCD... I would just go ahead and buy a BMW Performance CF spoiler. BMW's cf quality is top notch.

Dackelone as much as I respect your opinion, mine is slightly different. They have come a long way since the yellowing days. Not that it doesn't still happen but its no were near as much as it was years ago. Since ive worked with cf before I understand what your saying but the odds of it doing so in the next 3 years of ownership are slim. Even most china cf made stuff uses the cheapest stuff and its still is a decent enough product to give me a worry free finish for many years. NOW only time will tell the truth. I'

[SHFT]

Alright so i noticed if your installing this bad boy on solo I'd recommend that you start with the back first taking only that part of the tape off. I peeled the edges of the front so i can pull the red stripe off after the back is firm adheard and aligned.

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Well since the trunk has a slope to it i regreted that i didnt heat up the carbon slightly to make it more pliable but my impatience got the best of me. The edges didnt adhear as it should even tho its not visible at first glance.

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I am going to more then likely redo this once I go to my friends shop were I will have a outlet to bring a heat gun as my condo buildings parking garage does not offer electrical outlets. You may notice in the pic that i still have some residue on the paint were the old spoiler once was.

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Overall for the money that is saved and workmanship of the product I would highly recommend this cf spoiler.

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[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by formula M

Well, what does the BMW fin cost.. vs what u paid?

OP said he paid $168 including shipping. The BMW Performance CF spoiler runs about ~$440 plus shipping.

[Harlequin]

Although I have no doubt that what Dack says about yellowing is sometimes true I just want to add that I bought one of the cheap eBay ones - I think it was from either "louilip" or "directparts4u" about 2 years ago.

While the fitment required some work because it's not 100% the same curve as the boot lid (had to do it 3 times before I was happy - but I'm OCD about these things), the finish has held up perfectly.

2 years later and it still looks brand new.

[Greenkirby21]

^ i got mine from JBSPEED 2 years ago for 170$ and no yellowing or anything.

[froop]

FYI, the boot curve is an issue regardless of whether you go OEM or not. I bought a genuine BMWP CF spoiler for my E88 which incidentally has a much gentler curve on the boot and it still sticks up on the edges. When you test fit it without tape you can clearly see the edges are not flush with the boot.

It looked fine initially and I taped it down for at least a few hours after I installed it however after the first drive I noticed that the edges had lifted up, similar to the OPs. I think that the double sided automotive tape I bought wasn't great and that's probably the reason.

The best way to give yourself the highest chances of it not lifting would be to use the best tape available (or betalink adhesive), cover as much surface area around the edges as possible and let it cure properly before taking it out.

[Harlequin]

I used the 3M Automotive stuff. I think the only way to get it perfect would be BetaLink or similar but wasn't prepared to do that as it's rather permanent...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by formula M

No sticky exist for the BMW performance parts, cannot even locate it... WHERE, plz...?

You can buy it at any BMW dealer or even from one of the forum sponsors here. Places like Tischer BMW or United BMW or the like.



BMW p/n 51710432165

OEM BMW Performance Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Spoiler
Intensifies the look of power and performance. *Spoiler does not include recommended Betalink adhesive kit, part number 82699408866 - must be ordered separately.

http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...subcat1=138714



BMW's Performance line also makes cf mirror caps, rear diffuser tray, interior cf bits, and splitters. You can also order the aero kit which includes new bumpers for any 135i.

[NYBulldog]

When you reinstall you need to make sure the trunk surface is squeaky clean and then put masking tape to hold the spoiler down (with the 3M tape) for a few hours so it properly grips adhesion. I think it looks great.

[AKopp]

I feel ya on taking the old one off. Solid hour and many blisters.

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by AKopp

I feel ya on taking the old one off. Solid hour and many blisters.

Man you aren't kidding it was such a PITA can't say that enough. After its all said and done I'm glad I did it

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by tpowerdinny

When you reinstall you need to make sure the trunk surface is squeaky clean and then put masking tape to hold the spoiler down (with the 3M tape) for a few hours so it properly grips adhesion. I think it looks great.

That's what I'm going to do next time but I'm going to heat up the trunk and the spoiler so the 3m turns super adhesive to the metal.

[08_128i]

looks good!! i'm an ebay junkie myself....u win some, u lose some

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by 08_128i

looks good!! i'm an ebay junkie myself....u win some, u lose some

Touche my friend Touche

[melbv]

hi
there's so many ebay sellers for these trunk lip.... has anyone used them?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171020907...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181127284...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370804822...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171018657...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111056420...84.m1423.l2649