[sonic17]

Hey everyone, I have a black g82 X drive that I got for a really solid steal. I love the car it is just amazing to use every day. Now the car is fairly stock, not a whole lot of anything but I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on using cheaper alternatives to genuine carbon fiber for appearance-based parts. For example, I can find a "Carbon" front lip for around $200-300 but an authentic one would net me around $1k. It's not like the real one would add any real performance and since these are only appearance parts I don't see why not to pick the cheaper ones as the look is identical. There is the concern about fitment but after discussing with my friends, I can get good parts as long as I buy from proper suppliers. I wanted to get cheaper carbon for the front grills, lip, maybe diffuser, the vents in the front next to the grills, and the parts for the rear left and right in conjunction with the diffuser. Now if I picked the genuine route these would net me close to $5-7k and with Dallas roads I don't feel comfortable having that much running right above these rancid roads we have. I can get it kitted out with fake carbon for about $1-1.5k with almost the same look. Thoughts?

[SwankPeRFection]

There is a ton of threads that’ll point you to cost effective real carbon options that are just as good if not better then OEM. Spend a little bit of time on here doing some research before throwing parts on it so you can do it right the first time and not throw away money. Good luck and nice ride.

[sonic17]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

There is a ton of threads that’ll point you to cost effective real carbon options that are just as good if not better then OEM. Spend a little bit of time on here doing some research before throwing parts on it so you can do it right the first time and not throw away money. Good luck and nice ride.

Thank you very much! The main concern for me was doing something "taboo" on a g82, but it seems like a common and smarter option for most folks! I will take a really close look into finding the appropriate parts and turn this thing into an absolute bat machine soon (pockets are hurting a bit so gotta work a bit harder first LOL)

[codean]

OEM carbon parts are very over priced when adding them on a car that didn't select them as a factory option. Find an aftermarket alternative with good reviews and don't give it a second thought.

[Needsdecaf]

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=891

[Ironthug]

Please do not put faux carbon on the M..Replacing all the gloss black to real carbon will be 4-5.5k in the aftermarket(China)

[mike@x-ph.com]

We offer several XPH carbon parts, which are the best value on the market.

If you want the best quality carbon, we also offer MHC, but they are much more expensive.

[ToysArs]

At this point there seems to be several aftermarket brands producing CF parts as good as the OEM parts or better.

[THEROK]

People love to hate on cheap Chinese parts yet they're addicted to them at the same time because carbon fiber. 99% of the cf you see on cars here is straight outta China.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by THEROK

People love to hate on cheap Chinese parts yet they're addicted to them at the same time because carbon fiber. 99% of the cf you see on cars here is straight outta China.

your phone, laptop and all expensive electronic stuff are from China. that does not mean anything.

a part can be from China and high quality, it can also be from China and trash.

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

your phone, laptop and all expensive electronic stuff are from China.

a part can be from China and high quality, it can also be from China and trash.

No schmidt, Mr Sherlock.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by THEROK

No schmidt, Mr Sherlock.

You are the one who made an obvious statement first; wouldn't that make you Sherlock?

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

You are the one who made an obvious statement first; wouldn't that make you Sherlock?

I think China's aftermarket cf auto hobbyist parts monopoly is much less obvious than its manufacturing dominance in the electronic devices industry (see: Foxconn).

But given your business depends on Chinese suppliers, as is much of the world, it makes complete sense why you'd get your drawers in a bunch when I never once commented on quality.

[yousefnjr]

I’m all about the cheap stuff, baby. Sitting here with my Guangdong sideskirts and Turkey 101

[sonic17]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We offer several XPH carbon parts, which are the best value on the market.

If you want the best quality carbon, we also offer MHC, but they are much more expensive.

Thank you for sharing! Ill make sure to check yall out.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I think China's aftermarket cf auto hobbyist parts monopoly is much less obvious than its manufacturing dominance in the electronic devices industry (see: Foxconn).

But given your business depends on Chinese suppliers, as is much of the world, it makes complete sense why you'd get your drawers in a bunch when I never once commented on quality.

We offer over 400 brands, and I actually make more money from selling U.S.-made carbon products. I was simply clarifying that just because something is cheaper, it doesn’t mean it's low quality, and the country of origin doesn't determine its value.
So, pretty much, I’m saying the opposite of what you're accusing me of.

I also followed up with a joke in response to your comment. I’m sorry if that hurt your feelings

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

We offer over 400 brands, and I actually make more money from selling U.S.-made carbon products. I was simply clarifying that just because something is cheaper, it doesn’t mean it's low quality, and the country of origin doesn't determine its value.
So, pretty much, I’m saying the opposite of what you're accusing me of.

I also followed up with a joke in response to your comment. I’m sorry if that hurt your feelings

You were clarifying a point for yourself and only yourself. Cool.

If you'd so indulge us since you mentioned about your making money, could your business survive if you couldn't sell made in China products?

[sonic17]

Originally Posted by THEROK

You were clarifying a point for yourself and only yourself. Cool.

If you'd so indulge us since you mentioned about your making money, could your business survive if you couldn't sell made in China products?

In his defense I don't see whats the issue of a "made in China" product if he mentions that from the get go and China doesn't necessarily equate to cheaper quality but rather a more effective process when it comes to manufacturing which can be reflected in their prices.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by THEROK

You were clarifying a point for yourself and only yourself. Cool.

If you'd so indulge us since you mentioned about your making money, could your business survive if you couldn't sell made in China products?

No, neither would 99% of businesses in the world. Heck, i dont think the USA could survive without China manufacturing at this point

You're getting way off point now. I made a statement, you responded with a joke, and I joked back. It’s all good, no need for hurt feelings. Let’s just move on.

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by sonic17

In his defense I don't see whats the issue of a "made in China" product if he mentions that from the get go and China doesn't necessarily equate to cheaper quality but rather a more effective process when it comes to manufacturing which can be reflected in their prices.

I'm not sure how you come to defend something when there's been no attack, at least from moi.

Personally speaking, there is no cheap CF that looks good. Especially on a current gen M3/4. Wherever it's made.

[vrships]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I'm not sure how you come to defend something when there's been no attack, at least from moi.

Personally speaking, there is no cheap CF that looks good. Especially on a current gen M3/4. Wherever it's made.

But two CF pieces, priced the same, do you agree the China version will have better finish and quality?

Anyway I am picking up a CF front grille soon. It's hard to justify spending >$1100 for a piece like this but I do want good quality and fitment. What price point do you consider is "too cheap" for this part and the quality will be subpar ?
(I saw items from Alibaba that go as cheap as $400. It looks good in the picture but I am hestitant to trust a CF part that's priced so low)