Restoring faded carpet?

[Aanderson99]

I have an '04 330xi with black interior and the black carpet behind the back seats/under the rear window has faded to purple. What would be the best way to restore it, or should I just replace it all together? Thanks for any opinions!

[RyansBMW]

For the parcel shelf under the rear window, you can redye it. I did that last summer and it looks great. Pretty sure this is the color I used.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/smm-15013/overview/

[jlb85]

It is called the parcel shelf. It is not necessarilly carpet. Options are:
1) paint: fabric paint meant for car interior or ulpholstery. Remove shelf, paint outside and far from the car, reinstall.
2) recover: any carpet or material you like, like carbon fiber look material or suede or something crazy like camoflauge. Remove shelf, ulpholster, reinstall.
3) replace with new or used unfaded parcel shelf.
4) remove and rock out the gutted look.

[Aanderson99]

Thanks, I'll probably go with the fabric paint then. Is it difficult to remove the parcel shelf? My back seats don't fold down, so where would I access any screws/clips that hold the shelf?

[RyansBMW]

The E46 removal should be pretty similar to mine. Its not difficult but takes a little time the first time you try it. You have to remove the head rests, rear seats, and C-pillars. If you have the child seat anchors, remove those as well. Once the rear seat is gone, you will see plastic fasteners holding the deck on. I think you will also have the center headrest support bracket, if your car has it. Once all those are off, lift the rear shelf up and then pull towards the front of the car.

There's videos on youtube that will be able to show you everything. Ive only removed the E39 shelf but all of them are pretty similar.

[Aanderson99]

Alright thanks for the insight, hopefully removing the shelf won't be too much of a headache