Evitzee

There have been lots of interest the last month or so regarding the Carbon Fiber trim package that has become available to cover the switch plates and the console. I got my kit yesterday and this morning I installed it in my IS350 which has the sport package and metallic painted trim.

The "patient" before the procedure:



First, the trim pieces come beautifully packed in a Styrofoam tray with a one page instruction sheet. It’s apparent a lot of work went into making these pieces. These are not flimsy film or decal type transfers, they are expertly crafted using a solid plastic backing. There is not much flex in them so they don’t give when you press down on them after installation. They are finished to a high gloss finish, and the carbon fiber has a great depth to it and looks to be expertly woven. All edges have been very nicely rounded so there are no sharp edges to be seen or felt. This was a concern of mine but I was very pleasantly surprised. Installation takes about an hour for the seven pieces working at a leisurely pace:





All that is required for installation is to wipe down the surface with alcohol, remove the strips on the pre-installed 3M tape, and then CAREFULLY align the piece and press down. I can’t stress the importance of proper placement because once they stick they aren’t coming up very easily, and you can’t move them sideways. I doubt they could be removed for reuse very easily.

I started with the back switches since they are the easy part and moved forward. Underside of driver switch piece ready for installation:


Finished product, along with detailed pics on the overall fitment.










CONTINUED IN NEXT POST....

Evitzee

Moving on to the console, the underside of the main cover. There is plenty of adhesive pre-installed.


Voila, the finished product and detailed shots:






Note how the front of the ashtray cover comes down. Nice touch.


Beautiful detailing and finishing around the shifter:






Overall comments

Bottom line, 99.9% of the people sitting in your car would never know the kit is an aftermarket item. It truly looks like an OEM installation. Part of this is due to the curving and finishing of all edges so they don’t give the impression of something that is tacked on and sitting on top of the original finish.

The pieces are precision cut so they are an exact match for the openings which makes proper placement imperative. Take your time. Since my finish was the painted metallic silver any slight exposed edge blends in with the carbon fiber, and it is hard to tell of any slight misalignments. Since most installations will be over wood this might make alignment even more important since the reddish wood color won’t blend in as easily.

I’m still getting used to the gloss finish since I’m used to the matte silver finish on my interior, but overall I’m very pleased with the results. It definitely adds a more techy and sporty feel to the interior, and I’m sure the wood owners will be even more surprised as to how it transforms the feel of the car. Just make sure that is what you are looking for. If you like the wood for it’s warmth you may want to think twice about putting the CF on as it definitely makes for a cooler feel.

Is the kit worth $370?? Yes, I think so. It is a high quality piece of workmanship and should last the life of the car. As I’ve said previously, a stranger, even a car aficionado, would not tweak on to the fact that the kit is not OEM. It’s that good. If you like the look of CF you’ll be happy.

ldc

Nicely put together...but i would have gone for the oem woodgrain.

G35TOIS350

looks awesome!!! where did you get it from though?

G35TOIS350

you can have mine. if you have the silver ill swap ya

Evitzee

Group buy through Carson Lexus

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

probably cheaper to get the kit from the dealer then to ship it to Australia. but i agree on the silver...wonder what the CF would look like over the wood as in some areas you will see the wood and i think it may look funny! anyone cheked on the cost of the silver parts? maybe just replace the ones on the door as it seems that is the only visible place then add the CF kit???

OH Yea! great job on the install. looks perfect! thanks for the post!!!

ldc

I have the standard silver yes.

But i live in Australia.

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Looks awesome! Thanks for the pics. Now lets see some pics from the people with wood trim originally.

tracerit

Not really a fan of CF. It looks so distracting to me. Who manufactured the trim? I'm curious if they make one for teh 07 G35 because yours looks very OEMish like you said

I'd like to know why you and others like it though, is CF considered sporty?

socalJD

I think the CF trim complements the black interior.
Not sure I would care for the same look in a cashmere interior . . .

isam250

iTrader: (7)

no love for the stick shift owner? seems like they only made it for the auto

josephdoc

So it finially hits the street.

It looks better than our granny's-fake-wood now... to me.

GS4DOUGIE

iTrader: (6)

Nice write up and job well done!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, I like it alot-

D

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

looks hot!

Hmmm, I have silver switches and the ashtray+cash. If anyone has wood they want to trade before they install CF, let me know.



I already have the center area in wood. And unfortunately my center area doesnt have the switch for the heated/cooled seats.