CSL trunk for sedan

[kaboom]

Soo.....

Does anyone have one, how's it look and tell me about fitment. I love the style, but want oem like fitment and quality, I don't care about weight savings at all.

Recommendations appreciated!

Ian

[az3579]

Soo.....

Does anyone have one, how's it look and tell me about fitment. I love the style, but want oem like fitment and quality, I don't care about weight savings at all.

Recommendations appreciated!

Ian

This would be good to know. I would entertain the idea as well...

[Hornung418]

If a certain someone who shall remain nameless, would show up, he can guarantee fitment for sedan...ahem...shooting him a PM nao!

[mimalmo]

I would love a CSL trunk for my car.

[cakM3]

Ian,

From what I have learned researching on this topic for my 323i sedan, no matter which CSL bootlid you get from various vendors, you will have to rework them to get the right fitment. The use of a dremel will be required to get the lock cylinder to fit properly, for example.

Vorsteiner used to make one for the sedan iirc...you can still order a CSL bootlid from ModBargains here at:

http://www.modbargains.com/_e/E46_Exterior/product/CSL-Bootlid-E46-Sedan-MW/Carbon_Fiber_CSL_Style_Bootlid_E46_Sedan.htm

This one is supposed to fit both pre-facelift and facelifted sedans. Pricing is listed at $545 for this item. It is not made by Vorsteiner but I think it's a Sibon make.

If done right I think they look good on the sedan. Hope this helps :thumbsup:

[nike001]

I like them too but fitment and then getting it painted to look like it's been there for the 7+ years the car has been alive scares me.

I saw a sedan with one and it looked OK from afar, but once i got up to it to check it out....it was a train wreck. Not even worth having it if your trunk lights are crooked and the whole thing sits higher up from the rest of the body. :nono

[cakM3]

Exactly nike....to make it look right it will take lots of work and adjustments.....for those who have to have it, it will be worth it in the end imho...

[Ch40t1c]

If a certain someone who shall remain nameless, would show up, he can guarantee fitment for sedan...ahem...shooting him a PM nao!

My ears were ringing :shifty.

I'll chime in on this; I have had a CSL trunk on my E46 for quite some time now, and couldn't be happier with it. (Shout out to Rich McGlothlen at Authentic Refinishing for fitment and paint.) I understand that fitment is a huge concern in regards to a new part - especially something as large as a trunk; and it should be. However, you should understand before reading further, that fitment, like anything aftermarket, is not guaranteed. I have seen many Vorsteiner trunks/hoods/etc not fitting as well as my cheap one ($400 + $100 IIRC from Khoalty). My particular trunk required no dremeling whatsoever, sans a tiny, tiny bit getting the locking mech. seated nicely. With that said, here are some pictures of the fitment. If you would like me to take a picture at a certain angle or something, please let me know and I'd be happy to oblige.

One trunk shock is used (passenger side), which is the reason for the right side of the trunk sitting higher, and not flush with the body of the vehicle. This is also the reason why the passenger side tails do not line up properly, and are off by approximately .75mm. This could be remedied by removing the remaining trunk shock. It's not reccomended that you use two trunk shocks, as the CF flexs and bows. It was also near impossible for me to even close it with both shocks on.

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0302-1.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0307-1.jpg
The 'off' side.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0315-1.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0311-1.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0316.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0342.jpg
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0308-1.jpg
You can see here the trunk is 'sucked in' about .5mm from being flush with the tail light. This is only an issue on the driver's side. The passenger side sits fine.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0375-2.jpg
You can see the roundel sits very nicely. A little heat and double sided taped was required to help it sit flush with the curvature of the bootlid.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/ch40t1c1/DSC_0309-1.jpg

[kaboom]

Guys, thanks for the responses.

My ears were ringing :shifty.


So which brand CSL trunk do you have? I was thinking some low pressure struts might allow you to have both so it closes evenly. To me, the fitment looks pretty good.

Thanks again for the responses. I love the look!

Ian

[static667]

he said that he got his from Khoalty.com. Here is the link. (http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46/exterior/e46-csl-trunk-carbon-fiber.html)

[Ryans323i]

I got my CSL lid from ModBargins, but it's just Fiberglass (which apparently, they no longer carry). I'd say my fitment is close to Ch40t1c's, a little more flush to the rest of the car all over, but mine required a ton of work. The top of the lid had to be filled, sanded, filled, sanded, filled, sanded, etc to smooth out the ripples. The reverse lights had to be modified to fit into the lid. The inside of the lid had to be puttied for rigidity. The carpeted trim piece that fits on the boot lid fits fine but the tool kit was to heavy for the lid.

It was a lot of work, but I absolutely love it. It completes the whole look of the car, and now that it's done looks top notch.

I don't have any real close ups but here's what I've got.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/carandwheels/carsiderear.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/carandwheels/carside.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/Photo2.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/Ryanscar2.jpg

Edit: I use both boot lid struts. At first it was difficult to lower the lid, and it would whip up really quick when you opened it, but after a week or so it settled down and was easier to close.

[kaboom]

Ahhh, missed that he got it there.

And maybe the fiberglass version was a little more work. Either way I'll be painting it. The red sedan looks fantastic!

Alright, thanks for the info fellas.

Ian

[thesixsins]

I can only tell from photos, but SEIBON makes one without the line, that looks to fit pretty good. It's pretty expensive though.