dashboard trim - any suggestions?

[keeva381]

From the start my *least favorite* feature is how cheap the dashboard trim looks. After searching I've seen where some people have added a carbon fiber look to it. Wanted to see if anyone else has replaced the trim with anything else (non carbon fiber)? Any decent looking wood options or painted?

I have the "brushed aluminum" s-line trim. While it's close, I think it stands out worse because the aluminum trim is very high quality looking, and then the dash is cheap plastic looking (while trying to LOOK LIKE brushed aluminum).

At the very least it would be nice if some place offered this IN the brushed aluminum trim so that at least it would match. That's probably the best option - is out there??

[Blake P]

No.

[keeva381]

Thanks for the the reply Blake.

Found this site that does aluminum trim conversion (you can order the 3M or have them do it). Not sure the $$$. Was hoping someone had any luck in fixing this cheap looking piece want to brag about it :).

http://www.beemerevolution.com/beeme...noc_vinyl.html

[Dasquade]

Don't think you will find anything that matches the OEM brushed alu trims. Paint won't do the job afaik. If not mistaken the pattern is computer printed, might explain why the dash trims don't have that same pattern.

As several before me, i decided recently to get them painted gloss black.
*Just checked parts4euro if they have the OSIR D-trim in stock as it is a nice addition to the gloss black trim. It is a mat chrome (a-like) trim on the insides of the instruments.
Check this link (rabbit222 car) for pictures:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post5456951
Depending on your interior (since you have the brushed alu, i think you have s-line), they are the best but subtile option.

EDIT: Your link isn't working, but found the site:
http://www.beemerevolution.com/beeme...noc_vinyl.html

Looks pretty decent, guess you will have to try to see how good it matches the audi color/texture.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRUSHED-METAL-...item2eb2e5f2cb
Comment i found:

Blackout66
Dont buy a dash kit. 3M has brushed in the DI-NOC line and it will easily wrap your dash pieces. Looks real good too.

As many other metal vinyls don't heat and bend. Apperently the DI_NOC does a better job. Worth to try imho.

[keeva381]

Thanks Dasquade! I fixed my link too. I like the subtle look of the black for sure. Also updated my link. I'll find out the price for them to "cover" my trim. To purchase the trim in the aluminum finish it's $350 from the parts4euro site. We'll see what's cheaper. This is great to know I at least have options.

parts4euro part option (available in the matte chrome finish that they SAY will match s-line perfectly):

http://www.parts4euro.com/DCShop/pro...oducts_id=1244

[Dasquade]

Uhm, you are aware that is carbon fiber, but the small trims around the vents are mat alu. Well, normal as they are stock (you can remove them from the actual trim).
Parts4Euro doesn't even sell the 3M DI-NOC in the brushed alu texture (afaik).
I would simply buy a seat on ebay and do it yourself. It isn't that hard, although a heat gun is needed for better result.

[benspeed83]

This is what I did:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=MMi+Surround

[belzebutt]

Thanks for the the reply Blake.

Found this site that does aluminum trim conversion (you can order the 3M or have them do it). Not sure the $$$. Was hoping someone had any luck in fixing this cheap looking piece want to brag about it :).

http://www.beemerevolution.com/beeme...noc_vinyl.html

Don't bother with the 3M stuff. I ordered a sample of three different ones and they all look like stickers. On these BMW photos it looks great, but in real life it's nothing like the real S-Line trim. Keep in mind that most BMWs have cheap-looking plastic trim to begin with so the 3M is a good match for them, but not for us.

That silver Osir S-Frame looks like a good bet, but if you like the piano black trim, instead of spending $350 on the Osir I'd consider doing Plastidip like some people did here and adding the D-Paddles. MUCH cheaper and it seems to look just as good.

[belzebutt]

This is what I did:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=MMi+Surround

How does this material handle scratches, and is it a dust-magnet?

[AofC_RR]

I pulled mine and I got it painted Piano black to match my Piano black trim with Titanium Pack. I'll be posting pics once I get the pieces back from the paint shop.

[ultra]

I pulled mine and I got it painted Piano black to match my Piano black trim with Titanium Pack. I'll be posting pics once I get the pieces back from the paint shop.

I want to see this

[benspeed83]

How does this material handle scratches, and is it a dust-magnet?

I have not had any scratches to it yet but I am pretty careful to only use a microfiber cloth on it. I don't think it attracts any more dust then the grey did but you can see it a bit more due to the black color. I am very happy with the results and it was the easiest mod I've done.

[matt@oCarbon]

"OEM" B8 Vent and MMI trim production

[mxz]

This is what I did:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=MMi+Surround

Inspired me to do this, but I messed up a bit on mine and I think a redo is in the near future. I decided to leave the MMI suround on the trim and just tape it off along with the hazard switch, bad idea. The paint ended up seeping through the tape in 3 spots surrounding the display screen which I should have forseen but oh well. I couldnt get it off the plastic either as it was right in the corner and was very stubborn to remove, so I ended up vinyl wrapping it as a part-time fix. Also I managed to get a couple bubbles in the paint when spray painting, definately take your time and make sure you've prepped properly. But it still looks 10 times better then the standard fake aluminium and would definately recommend this option. Plus like ben says in his thread the lacquer dries much quicker then normal spray paint which allows for a pretty quick result.

[MiracleWhips]

Plasti Dip the dash trim.....

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ed-Dash-Trim**

[ThePiombino]

Plasti Dip the dash trim.....

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ed-Dash-Trim**

This is what I did. Initially tried Di-Noc'ing it. Looked good for about a week until the summer heat started warping the wrap around the edges. Pulled that and Plasti Dip'ed it. Need to redo the right-hand side, but still looks way more OEM/subtle than the Di Noc.

[keeva381]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ed-Dash-Trim**

Nice! I've never seen that before and it looks great. Thanks

[hender]

This is what I did. Initially tried Di-Noc'ing it. Looked good for about a week until the summer heat started warping the wrap around the edges. Pulled that and Plasti Dip'ed it. Need to redo the right-hand side, but still looks way more OEM/subtle than the Di Noc.

your situation is exactly like mine. Di-noc'ed it, summer made it look like garbage, so I plasti-dipped. Plasti dip looks GREAT. has held up through summer and winter. heck, even my plate holder is plasti-dipped (only a couple coats though) and it survived the winter / many washes.

[jfo]

I'm not quite clear on dealing with the screen surround piece. Some have masked it completely I gather, and some have removed it. Why not coat it with plasti dip also?

[MiracleWhips]

I'm not quite clear on dealing with the screen surround piece. Some have masked it completely I gather, and some have removed it. Why not coat it with plasti dip also?

It is already black, and a contrasting shade of black at that. Flows well with the rest of the interior.

Would look goofy if it were the same matte black color as the rest of the MMI trim.

[jfo]

Makes sense...thanks

[Greg Nelson]

My 2 cents:
As all have stated alu dash trim looks like crap
Spray painted mine over a year ago in matte (not flat) black, finish is smooth (not dust collecting) and 95% matches upper/lower center dash trim finish.
Cheers

[keeva381]

OK please don't send too many hate messages but wanted to throw this out there. Has anyone tried a www.carID.com or another site to get a "decent" overlay on the dash?

While the full set is ridiculous on a $45K car (or any car for that matter), I like how the dashboard piece comes with a overlay for the spot INBETWEEN the 2 dashboard pieces (bottom piece mainly, but top piece might be nice too). Simply because I believe this is what makes the dash look so cheap, that it just stops with ugly plastic ends (not at noticeable in carbon fiber, but in the silver or aluminum it sticks out - the piece right below the dials).

They offer in MANY fake plastics, but they do have an actual wood dark OEM Audi (ofcourse more $$) and a brushed aluminum. You have 30 days to return (just have to cover shipping).

$160-190 for the whole set. Willing to pay to help save the car from that crappy plastic. Plus, solves the problem of that piece inbetween the dash pieces that I have yet to seen on another car.

Here is the UGLY full version (I'm just looking at the dash set):



Here is a shot of the "real brushed" aluminum trim:



Here is the OEM dark wood color (which I think looks nice on an Audi, even for an S-Line - if traded):



I know I might be flying solo here, and won't believe it till I see it, but if anyone's tried this and failed, please let me know!

CARID WEBSITE LINK: http://www.carid.com/2011-audi-a4-wood-grain-dash-kits/

[matt@oCarbon]

They offer in MANY fake plastics, but they do have an actual wood dark OEM Audi (ofcourse more $$) and a brushed aluminum. You have 30 days to return (just have to cover shipping).

That website is such a scam. I don't believe for a second its "actual wood" or that it matches OEM.

They claim that they sell "real" carbon fiber trim pieces, but carbon fiber can not be colored or dyed, so this is an obvious fallacy. I'd stay away from a company that blatantly lies about the products they sell. Do a google search on them, see what others are saying...

[gtg196w]

i want to believe in this so badly, but the price is just flat out ridiculous. A local machine shop quoted me like 1000 per piece for JUST the mmi surround in brushed aluminum if I was able to round up 50 buyers. You expect me to believe they are selling like 30 pieces of trim in brushed aluminum for 189 total? I don't buy it.

[belzebutt]

I'd love to see the real thing, brushed aluminum would be a perfect match for S-Line and the CF piece at $350 is still more than I'm willing to spend...

[Greg Nelson]

Re CarID 'wood' trim
Having had experience with it, some pieces fit well, some pieces are horrible misfits
The dash pieces are a horrible mismatch, the center console [center vents, radio, climate control] are a reasonable fit.
It is thick, you need to know the burlwood color if you're matching Audi OEM wood trim,
AND some customer reps are totally clueless, while others get it.
I've spent mucho dinero there - no mas
Cheers

[keeva381]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I agree the "CarID" seems like a big risk especially with all those negative reviews on the web (thanks Matt!).

I went back to the dealer and looked into the 3M Di-Noc Vinyl option for the brushed aluminum trim (adding it to the dash piece). It might be a SLIGHT of hue too grey, but see for yourself:



You can tell the difference a little better in this picture:



I'd also like to get this part of the dash done (the "space between"). Not the entire thing but just the flat piece that faces the driver, since I think it will look more uniform:



I'm going with this!! I've been in touch with Billy at BEEMEREVOLUTION (http://www.beemerevolution.com/beeme...n/welcome.html). He really wants to give this a go and maybe branch into the Audi market. Yes, even undergoing a possible name change of the company.

I'll keep you guys updated once I get it done (pics, prices, etc.). Obviously this is mainly for s-line owners with the brushed aluminum trim.

[B8_Jim]

I'll keep you guys updated once I get it done (pics, prices, etc.). Obviously this is mainly for s-line owners with the brushed aluminum trim.

Please do keep us updated and post a pic of the final product like this one - my attempt at Di-noc wrap on these parts hit a snag on the area you have shown here - the small pointed "ends" of the surrounds. After I was done it was painfully obvious that it was a vinyl wrap because of these areas and I ended up just pulling it all off.

This was my first try at Di-noc wrap, so maybe a skilled person can make that compound corner area work... ?

[keeva381]

This was my first try at Di-noc wrap, so maybe a skilled person can make that compound corner area work... ?

Will do Jim. Any pics of how it looks in general? We won't judge the corners, I've just never seen how it looks with the 3M Di-Noc wrap.

[jfo]

Keeva381...Apart from the color, is the Di-Noc a good match for the brushed aluminum look? It certainly looks realistic in photos I've seen but I don't have access to a sample. I too would like to do the dash and other trim that is painted silver.

For those who have done the MMI piece and had trouble with it lifting in hot weather, did you use the 3M primer?

[Spartan300]

+3 for me!

Looking into a black finish for the dash trim or would consider the brushed look if the match is good!

[Okan509]

I wrapped mor door inserts in glossy black vinyl - it looks really good IMO

[keeva381]

Keeva381...Apart from the color, is the Di-Noc a good match for the brushed aluminum look? It certainly looks realistic in photos I've seen but I don't have access to a sample. I too would like to do the dash and other trim that is painted silver.

I'd say on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a perfect match), it's about an 8 or 9 on color. The actual texture or "brushed" look is a perfect 10. Obviously with the dash not getting close to the other aluminum trim too, I doubt you will be able to tell a difference. I really couldn't believe how close it was.

For those who have done the MMI piece and had trouble with it lifting in hot weather, did you use the 3M primer?

The guy (billy) from beemer evolution said he sands the piece down to the plastic, removing any coating/paint. Then he uses the primer for the application. I think it will be worth having someone do this knowing it will stay where it is (and if not he'll fix it). Again not sure the cost but I know the materials and application will be under $100, which having a professional job that looks OEM is worth it IMO.

[Greg Nelson]

keeva381
You PM'd about CarID 'wood' trim - looky

Not real sharp - sorry
Cheers

[Spartan300]

keeva381
You PM'd about CarID 'wood' trim - looky

Not real sharp - sorry
Cheers

Agreed but the black trim that most seem interested in looks good!!! Lol!!!

[Okan509]

keeva381
You PM'd about CarID 'wood' trim - looky

Not real sharp - sorry
Cheers

is this your interior Greg? I hate to say this in such a harsh way, and I hope you understand, but I hate it!

[Greg Nelson]

is this your interior Greg? I hate to say this in such a harsh way, and I hope you understand, but I hate it!

Tell me what you really think As ever, my harshest critic, and always appreciated
Realize most,if not all, here despise beige interior and/or wood trim
That said, I'm good with it - this old fart wants lighter interior and comfort of wood trim - will be ordering my coffin next year in similar
Cheers

[jfo]

I'd say on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a perfect match), it's about an 8 or 9 on color. The actual texture or "brushed" look is a perfect 10. Obviously with the dash not getting close to the other aluminum trim too, I doubt you will be able to tell a difference. I really couldn't believe how close it was.

Great..I'll order some for the easy flat trim pieces.

The guy (billy) from beemer evolution said he sands the piece down to the plastic, removing any coating/paint. Then he uses the primer for the application. I think it will be worth having someone do this knowing it will stay where it is (and if not he'll fix it). Again not sure the cost but I know the materials and application will be under $100, which having a professional job that looks OEM is worth it IMO.

I found some pic's of projects done by a Mark Wu (Wu Wraps) in Seattle I think. He has done some very complex pieces that look far more challenging than our dash. There is no reference to longevity or other issues, but it seems that an experienced installer can do wonders with this stuff. I recall reading that he does use the 3M primer, at least for areas of concern.

Look forward to seeing your results. I don't have anyone close that can do this, so it's DIY or send them out. I'm happy to do it myself if it will last. I would practise on small, tight corners first to get some experience before doing the dash.

[Okan509]

Tell me what you really think As ever, my harshest critic, and always appreciated
Realize most,if not all, here despise beige interior and/or wood trim
That said, I'm good with it - this old fart wants lighter interior and comfort of wood trim - will be ordering my coffin next year in similar
Cheers

hahahahahaha! Interiors never look the same as they do in pictures, unless it's a master shot. But you are right, I generally don't like beige or wood. All subjective

Is that MMis piece painted or plasti-dipped?