Chinese eBay Carbon Fiber interior trim

[rtmeikle]

When I bought my S4, I found a pretty rare combination of options/packages that made that particular car a "must-buy" for me. I wanted a 6mt, sports diff, prestige, leather, and with the driver assist package (adaptive cruise [up]). Finding a car with all that was pretty lucky, but it was missing the carbon atlas interior trim that I wanted. I kept thinking I'd pick up a set on the classifieds eventually, but just couldn't bring myself to pay the prices being asked.

Anyway, I stumbled upon this Chinese aftermarket set on eBay for $450.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lXMAAOSw0UdXtt5I/s-l1600.jpg

eBay Listing (http://www.ebay.com/itm/262585110359?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

If I'm not happy with the quality, I'll be out whatever it costs to ship them back (I imagine $$$), but I figured it's worth taking that chance. Has anybody here purchased these before? I did a search and couldn't find anything. Anyway, I'll try to update this thread with some feedback when I get them (which may be a while!).

[skinnytirez]

Report back with pics of the actual parts you get- it always makes me nervous to buy things like this from ebay sellers with only 4 transactions of feedback... makes me think they suck and as soon as someone writes something bad they ditch the account.
... not to mention all 4 of the sellers previous transactions are for ~13$

Wishing you good luck though!

[Dr GP]

I hope they work out. If so, it could be a great find! Could be an alternative to those that have had their CF trim pieces crack.

[rtmeikle]

Report back with pics of the actual parts you get- it always makes me nervous to buy things like this from ebay sellers with only 4 transactions of feedback... makes me think they suck and as soon as someone writes something bad they ditch the account.
... not to mention all 4 of the sellers previous transactions are for ~13$

Wishing you good luck though!


Yeah, I noticed that too. Isn't PayPal pretty much 100% biased to the buyer though? I'd hope it would be pretty easy to get my money back if there are issues. If anyone has any advice on minimizing my risk, I'd love to hear it.

And yeah, I'll definitely take some good pics and let you guys know what I think of them when the get here. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a month though.

[1975audi]

Sub'd

[TypicalCat]

In for updates as well... this is on the list of things id like to get done.

[DBFL]

Yeah, I noticed that too. Isn't PayPal pretty much 100% biased to the buyer though? I'd hope it would be pretty easy to get my money back if there are issues. If anyone has any advice on minimizing my risk, I'd love to hear it.

And yeah, I'll definitely take some good pics and let you guys know what I think of them when the get here. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a month though.

Yes, PayPal is definitely biased toward the buyer. Just make sure you document everything if there is a problem. As long as you only communicate through the eBay messaging system you will be fine since it saves everything. And take pictures.

[rtmeikle]

Alright, they're shipped! I imagine it'll still be a long time before they're here, but I have a tracking number. I'll keep you guys updated.

Here's the note the seller sent me when he shipped them:


Hello,

Your Carbon Fiber console cover and indoor trims has been shipped by EMS with tracking number: xxxxxxx. If you are not happy of the quality of the item, you can send back the item for the full refund. But please tell us where you are not satisfied so we can improve our item. If you are happy of the quality, please leave us a postive feedback. Thank you.

Regards,
Hellfirepartshk

Hoping for the best!

[rtmeikle]

Alright, they're shipped! I imagine it'll still be a long time before they're here, but I have a tracking number. I'll keep you guys updated.

Here's the note the seller sent me when he shipped them:



Hoping for the best!

Well, that was quick. I ordered last Monday, and today (the following Tuesday, or 8 days later) the package has arrived. I just got a tracking notification that it's at my house.

I'll give an update tonight or tomorrow once I actually see the trim.

[theswoleguy]

Well, that was quick. I ordered last Monday, and today (the following Tuesday, or 8 days later) the package has arrived. I just got a tracking notification that it's at my house.

I'll give an update tonight or tomorrow once I actually see the trim.

and here we are still waiting for pics :-D go home already!

[schirm]

Subd

[rtmeikle]

As promised, here are some pics and my review!

Shipping and Packaging 10/10
Exactly 8 days after I bought the trim on eBay, I received the package. It was delivered via USPS, and my wife was home when it was delivered. She did have to sign for the box, so if nobody had been home, it may have been longer before I actually received the package.

The packaging was very good. The items were delivered in a large box, which was also wrapped with shipping paper and taped well. Within the big box, each trim piece was individually boxed (in boxes that looked like knock-off Audi/VW oem part boxes). There was packaging material holding the individual boxes in place within the outer box, and within each individual box, the trim pieces were carefully wrapped with bubble wrap and taped. It actually took several minutes to unwrap everything. Nothing had been damaged in shipping. The seller had wrapped and packaged everything as well as could be done. After unwrapping everything, I set them on my counter and snapped a few pics:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160830_192125.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160830_192135.jpg

Product Quality 8.5/10
As you can see in the pictures above, the quality is very good. No, it's not perfect, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. My complaints are very minor:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160830_192115.jpg

You can see in this picture that the finish isn't quite perfect. If you look closely, it has some swirl marks. What you can't tell in the picture, is that from certain angles, and only in direct sunlight, the finish does have a small bit of cloudiness in some areas. I don't want to overstate the issue though, I would've never noticed except that I was inspecting them very closely. If I had bought them thinking they were genuine OEM parts, and they had the same minor defects, I wouldn't have complained. The defects are that minor.

Another very minor issue I had was that on one of the door pieces, the aluminum trim wasn't glued well to the carbon fiber piece. Nothing was broken. I just dabbed a bit of glue on it and popped it onto the car. This wasn't a big issue, and after a bit of glue, it looked perfect.

The carbon fiber looks fantastic. I don't have the OEM pieces to compare to, so I can't say if the weave is exactly the same, but it looks great. Only upon very close examination did I notice a few spots where the weave wasn't 100% straight. Again, I'd be shocked if anyone else EVER noticed. It's minor, but I'm trying to be complete here! Overall, I'm very impressed with the carbon fiber. It has that fantastic 3D depth to it that I was hoping for.

Fit 10/10

All pieces came with all tabs intact. Nothing broken. Everything snapped right in place and fit perfectly. Nothing else to say regarding fit!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160831_080148.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160831_080154.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100529013/20160831_080159.jpg

Overall 9/10

Overall I'm very pleased with the product and glad I bought them. Brand new OEM-looking pieces (they include the aluminum trim around the door and dash pieces, unlike other aftermarket items) for a reasonable price and shipped to my door in 8 days? I'm glad I took the risk. I ordered them thinking there was about a 50/50 chance I'd end up returning them and eating whatever shipping costs I'd incur shipping them back to China (I'm sure not cheap), but I'm definitely keeping them.

Installation sucked. I did go buy some interior trim tools, and I think they helped. I managed to remove and re-install without any broken tabs. The center console piece is a bear to install. The entire center console has to be removed from the car. Unfortunately, I got it all back together and then realized I'd forgotten to re-connect the plug for the power outlet in the center console- the one I normally use to charge my phone.[headbang][headbang][headbang]

So yep, I'll be pulling it out again to reconnect the power source. Let me know if you have any questions!

[RLB6]

You're complaining. From the photos and fit, those looks great! That's a good investment overall. If I didn't have the CF from the factory, I certainly would go this route [up]

[rtmeikle]

You're complaining. From the photos and fit, those looks great! That's a good investment overall. If I didn't have the CF from the factory, I certainly would go this route [up]

Not complaining at all. Just trying to give a thorough review for anyone else interested in buying these. I'm really happy with them. I don't think anyone would ever guess they weren't OEM or that they didn't come on the car!

[schirm]

Looks good

[JD S4]

Great looking product and awesome review.

[speedemon92]

Looks great! What was the total install time?

[RLB6]

Not complaining at all. Just trying to give a thorough review for anyone else interested in buying these. I'm really happy with them. I don't think anyone would ever guess they weren't OEM or that they didn't come on the car!

Gotcha. Those pieces look great.

[rtmeikle]

Looks great! What was the total install time?

I probably spent about 3 hours total. I could definitely do it faster the second time. I went really slowly and was careful not to break tabs or scratch anything.

And yeah, I'm going to find out if I can do it faster the next time, because I'm going to have to remove the console again to plug in the connector for the power outlet! [headbang]

[s4matty]

Sweet I'm going to have to order a set!
Thanks for your review

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[mgaman]

I probably spent about 3 hours total. I could definitely do it faster the second time. I went really slowly and was careful not to break tabs or scratch anything.

And yeah, I'm going to find out if I can do it faster the next time, because I'm going to have to remove the console again to plug in the connector for the power outlet! [headbang]

Oh that sucks haha ><

But thanks for the review man, I'm gonna order some - been trying to find CF interior trim to replace my wooden ones forever that didn't cost an arm and a leg.

[SteveYem]

Thanks for the photos and review. I noticed that the back edge of the center console piece (the edge closest to the cup holder) appears to be a rolled edge, whereas it is a sharp edge on the OEM piece. I think I actually prefer the look of the rolled edge!
In any case, $450 for the set is a great deal considering people have been quoted upwards of that price for a single inlay from Audi.

[jsh139]

Looks damn good! [up]

[gflare]

Great detail and critique in the review! Looks to be a solid option, no doubting that it's good quality for the price. I'm amazed that you got it shipped to you that fast, haha.

[rtmeikle]

Great detail and critique in the review! Looks to be a solid option, no doubting that it's good quality for the price. I'm amazed that you got it shipped to you that fast, haha.

Yeah, there are a lot of US vendors that ship more slowly and don't package products as well as this guy did! Now I'm sure shipping timing can vary greatly if a box is held up in customs. This one looks like is passed right through without delay.

[bakedziti]

Happy to see this worked out well! [up]

[wangshuo1989]

Looks great! Can you post which province the product is shipping from?

[rtmeikle]

Looks great! Can you post which province the product is shipping from?


Here's the first few entries from the tracking info...


PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY

Aug-29-16, 16:41 PM, CHICAGO, IL 60701

INBOUND INTO CUSTOMS

Aug-27-16, 22:16 PM 60688

Processed Through Facility

Aug-27-16, 22:15 PM, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

ORIGIN POST IS PREPARING SHIPMENT

Aug-25-16, 22:44 PM

FOREIGN INTERNATIONAL DISPATCH

Aug-25-16, 22:42 PM, GUANGZHOU EMS, CN

Inbound Into Customs


Acceptance

Aug-25-16, 14:26 PM

[Dr GP]

So this will be a good alternative for those what have had their OEM dash trim piece break. Cost is a lot less for the entire kit than for 1 Audi trim piece.

[Mr.Tan]

i must say i am very impressed. I read the thread when you first started it and was holding my tongue because i know how things can normally be when ordering from china (i've had many bad experiences), but i'm glad to see that it all worked out for you and the parts are good and fit well. Certainly a good option for people who didn't get carbon factory trim and want to change things up.

[inNout]

sub'ed as well

[rtmeikle]

I just wanted to post a quick update to this thread. Because I'm an idiot, when I reinstalled the center console, I neglected to re-connect the plug for the power outlet in the center console. That's the outlet I always used to plug my phone into, so I knew I had to take everything apart and re-connect the plug.

In the meantime, over the last couple weeks, my OCD kicked in and the slight imperfections in the finish on the carbon fiber in the center console piece were bothering me more. The surface was a bit cloudy in areas, and wasn't totally smooth. I decided that while it was apart again, I would try wet-sanding and buffing the piece before re-installing it.

I bought some wet/dry sandpaper from 1500 grit all the way to 5000 grit, and spent about 30 minutes sanding the surface until it was totally smooth. I then hit it with a DA buffer with some medium-cut compound, and then buffed it again with some finishing compound. I spent maybe an hour total on it, and it came out looking PERFECT.

So just a heads-up if anyone orders this and wants to improve the finish, wet-sanding and buffing work miracles on it. It really looks amazing now. But learn from my mistakes, and do so BEFORE installing it, because it's a PITA to remove it once it's installed.

Good luck!

[Works2shoot]

What do you guys think of doing CF for all of the brushed aluminum with Carbon Fiber trim except for the center console? I actually like the look of the aluminum near the shifter, but if any of you have seen in it person, and it looked bad, please let me know!

Thanks.

[rtmeikle]

What do you guys think of doing CF for all of the brushed aluminum with Carbon Fiber trim except for the center console? I actually like the look of the aluminum near the shifter, but if any of you have seen in it person, and it looked bad, please let me know!

Thanks.

It would make for a much easier install! The center console is a hassle to remove.

[poweredbyaudi7]

Is the b8.5 and b8 interior inlays the same?

[rtmeikle]

Is the b8.5 and b8 interior inlays the same?
Yes

[ASyme1]

Hey guys-
I've also ordered and installed these Chinese versions of the carbon trim. Here's my thoughts and some photos. Overall I'd say it's a solid tradoff between OEM quality (it's not) and price (it's much cheaper). 0-10 I'd give it an 8. The finish is good but there were a couple issues. The main one being that the parts are essentially bowed in the opposite direction. See photos. They still work, but they're tough to snap into place and could use better mounting posts. The posts are thinner and not as sturdy as stock. They work, but you don't want to keep taking these in an out. You'll snap a post for sure. All said and done I'm happy to save the $300 and use these instead of the OEM's that were $750 and up. Packaging was over the top careful. Very well packaged. Here's a bunch of photos of the parts on and off the car.

Alec

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=86247
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=86248
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=86249
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=86250
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=86251

[bayonet14]

Look pretty good - I would think its was OEM

[waxxonMTL]

how much time to swap that center console ?

[SportVier]

The opposite of "Chinese ebay carbon fiber interior trim"...

http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2014/08/2015-Alfa-Romeo-4C-Launch-Edition-Track-Package-interior.jpg

[ASyme1]

Look pretty good - I would think its was OEM

Yeah, you really can't tell. It's very convincing. I really like it..


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[ASyme1]

how much time to swap that center console ?

The first time I think it took me 2 hours. (I've does this 3-4 times now). I can probably do it in 15 minutes now.


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[poweredbyaudi7]

Is this area a gap or is it just the picture?



http://www.audizine.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31232&d=1479811642

[ASyme1]

Is this area a gap or is it just the picture?



http://www.audizine.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31232&d=1479811642

Ha! Good catch! That's part of the rubber gasket that surrounds the center section poking out. Sense fixed. Nothing to do with these carbon parts.


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[VMRWheels]

They look excellent low price point or not!
Now I wonder if the same company makes brushed aluminum hmmm

[poweredbyaudi7]

They look excellent low price point or not!
Now I wonder if the same company makes brushed aluminum hmmm

Shit I have brushed aluminum in my '14. I can get the carbon and when it comes in sell you the brushed aluminum

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Thanks for taking the time to review this trim. I saw the listing on eBay today and stumbled across this thread while searching for OEM trim. The pictures in the eBay listing make it look like there are numerous imperfections in the clear finish. Both sets posted here look nearly flawless. I actually think they are using OEM trim as a base which would explain the OEM looking boxes that the trim shipped in.

The biggest difference I see between this and the OEM trim is the OEM Carbon Atlas in the S4/S5 uses an 8HS basket weave fabric where this trim is a 2x2 twill. The RS5 uses the 2x2 twill. I don't know why Audi has two different types of carbon fiber for the same car, but at least this trim matches one of them. The other difference is the "Quattro" badge on the dash trim piece appears to be recessed into the carbon fiber more so than the OEM and doesn't look quite as clean (the OEM may even sit on top of the trim).

I've been torn between settling for the brushed aluminum from the S4, paying the outrageous price for OEM Carbon Atlas, or paying something in the middle for wrapped trim from Ocarbon (and the risks that go along with that). For $450, it seems this is hard to beat.


They look excellent low price point or not!
Now I wonder if the same company makes brushed aluminum hmmm

The OEM brushed aluminum is actually pretty reasonably priced new from Europrice or BKS-Tuning. It's less than $500 for a complete kit.

[sebgreen]

Very tempted to do this upgrade. Think it will look amazing with a black interior. But I do think the aluminium trim looks good with the silver around the dials. Anyone have a carbon surround for that?


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