Side molding / trim for ZHP coupe models - any advice for sourcing parts / options other than a full strip and repaint?

[tomjonesrocks]

The clear coat on my imola red couple ZHP's side modlings / trim pieces that run the length of the car look terrible. BMW doesn't sell these painted anymore.

There are some aftermarket options for these in black (mine are currently red) but zero that I can find for coupe models.

Buying all new parts and having them professionally painted is a hell of an expense for these. Has anyone found -anything- other than this option for couple models? I managed to get some black trim pieces in decent shape for each of the doors if I wanted to go in that direction (vs Imola), but the front and back left and right fender pieces are just impossible to find (51130001031, 51130001033, 51130001036, 51130001037).

Just curious if anyone managed to solve this problem recently without dropping a grand or whatever to have them completely sanded and repainted or bought anew and repainted.

Thanks!

[John in VA]

There is no guarantee that purchasing pre-finished trim will match your car. The best/cheapest option is to have your trim redone. Talk to the high-end new & used car dealers to find out who they use.

[fredo]

Just to confirm: are you talking about these 3 trim pieces ? My car is a sedan, so I don't have that issue. But some years ago I asked a body shop to paint the roof trim (both sides) on my X3. It was $80 IIRC.

38736

[tomjonesrocks]

Just to confirm: are you talking about these 3 trim pieces ? My car is a sedan, so I don't have that issue. But some years ago I asked a body shop to paint the roof trim (both sides) on my X3. It was $80 IIRC.

38736

Exactly. My concerns with a repaint are that the clear coat is gone so a lot of prep would be necessary. Secondly red is a notoriously difficult color to match, and I have the original '05 paint. In San Diego I was expecting stripping and matching 6 pieces would be like a $1,000 or something - but I guess I'll get some estimates.

Great example photo - this car looks -exactly- like mine...

Sigh...

[das boots]

I have a '05 Mystique Blue Metallic Sedan. I did my own painting on the side trims, bumper trims and all trims that used to be Black.

I got the spray paint from Automotive Touchup.com. I even used this paint for my front spoiler/air dam. Although road debris pitted a lot of the paint. I might end up repainting them again.

https://www.automotivetouchup.com/

Make sure you follow their instructions on preparations. After all these years, they are still holding up.

Hope this helps.

[sillieidiot]

Exactly. My concerns with a repaint are that the clear coat is gone so a lot of prep would be necessary. Secondly red is a notoriously difficult color to match, and I have the original '05 paint. In San Diego I was expecting stripping and matching 6 pieces would be like a $1,000 or something - but I guess I'll get some estimates.

Great example photo - this car looks -exactly- like mine...

Sigh...

Nah it shouldn't be that much. Maybe a couple hundred. If you get quotes that are actually $1k. Come up to HB and go to my body shop lol