Plastic Parts - What Would You Replace with Better Materials?

[s8ilver]

With the low quality plastics used in the interior, and the general nature of plastic to degrade anyways, what would you replace with other materials if you could? What would you use?

I have the Whalen aluminum hood pull, redid the console and various trim pieces in carbon fiber, and recently ordered a pair of aluminum headlight pulls. The gentleman that machines them lives in Estonia, so I'll update when I actually get them. It appears he has a soft spot for Estoril & Imola as well.

245168569_260071979368537_1323486883304559868_n.jpg245011956_373165174493353_1477547790892743710_n.jpg

He's also working on some all-metal shift knobs.

201194521_1494633677563564_8402993419598348586_n.jpg

I would spend good money on aluminum door panels if they had an armrest and options for door electronics. I really liked the Neverdone panels, but no out of the box way to incorporate the mirror adjuster nor tweeters. That and I don't think they're made any longer.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...are-Dumb/page4

20257232308_94a4dba188_c.jpg

I think most were very happy with the plastics used in the Euro glove box, but I missed the boat on that one.

[ProductUser]

Living the in desert, I just think of the heat aluminum bits would store and then release when I'm in the car

[s8ilver]

Living the in desert, I just think of the heat aluminum bits would store and then release when I'm in the car

With AL being such a good thermal conductor, wouldn't it feel cooler to the touch than black plastic or leather and take more heat out of the air?

[ProductUser]

With AL being such a good thermal conductor, wouldn't it feel cooler to the touch than black plastic or leather and take more heat out of the air?

I'll trust your judgement in this area

[s8ilver]

I'll trust your judgement in this area

Ha, I really don't know. At room temp, touch a piece of metal nearby. It always feels cooler than just about anything else. It seems it'd work to a point until you reached thermal equilibrium, and then perhaps it just turns the car into an oven. Leave a piece of steel pipe in the sun and you can't pick it up eventually. I don't know what happens with aluminum.

I don't leave mine parked outside, so I hope to never find out.

Thread was more about quality, but thermodynamics and heat transfer could certainly come into play. It's be pretty hard to enjoy a car if it cooked you.

[IndianaRoadster]

What about carbon fiber parts in the interior? They could be left natural weave, painted or covered. I have to believe they would be more durable.

[s8ilver]

What about carbon fiber parts in the interior? They could be left natural weave, painted or covered. I have to believe they would be more durable.

For sure. What would you replace if you could?

I had 10 parts skinned and they certainly add strength and durability.

[IndianaRoadster]

I would like a little more contrast on the door panels. I'm now in the process of doing a little carbon fiber project on my new steering wheel. I could not get the wheel with no control buttons so I took the buttons out and I'm making inserts out of aluminum coil stock. I bought some carbon fiber cloth and 105 West system epoxy resin with 207 hardener. I'm going to cover the aluminum with the carbon fiber. Here's a pic of the raw aluminum inserts.
20211013_183540.jpg
20211013_183528.jpg

[zellamay]

Ha, I really don't know. At room temp, touch a piece of metal nearby. It always feels cooler than just about anything else. It seems it'd work to a point until you reached thermal equilibrium, and then perhaps it just turns the car into an oven. Leave a piece of steel pipe in the sun and you can't pick it up eventually. I don't know what happens with aluminum.

I don't leave mine parked outside, so I hope to never find out.

Thread was more about quality, but thermodynamics and heat transfer could certainly come into play. It's be pretty hard to enjoy a car if it cooked you.

The faster a material conducts heat, the more it feels "cold" if it is colder than you are (98.6 F?), and the more it feels "hot" if it is hotter than you are. I too live in the desert. After being parked for a while, all the parts in your car, plastic, leather, and metal, are the same temperature (assuming equal direct sun or ventilation for all parts). But metal conducts heat much faster than leather or aluminum. So, when the car is 120 F inside and you touch a metal part, it feels "hotter" because the heat from the part transfers to your fingers much faster than from the leather or plastic part. Same way with "cold" parts in the winter in North Dakota.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I would like a little more contrast on the door panels. I'm now in the process of doing a little carbon fiber project on my new steering wheel. I could not get the wheel with no control buttons so I took the buttons out and I'm making inserts out of aluminum coil stock. I bought some carbon fiber cloth and 105 West system epoxy resin with 207 hardener. I'm going to cover the aluminum with the carbon fiber. Here's a pic of the raw aluminum inserts.
20211013_183540.jpg
20211013_183528.jpg

Nice! Make sure to post the final result.

[IndianaRoadster]

Nice! Make sure to post the final result.

I will, but right now the Steering wheel is at the machine shop for a little massage on the back side so it will fit. It's a z4 M steering wheel. The shop said that they will fit it into their schedule when they can. They're backed up right now so he said it would probably be about a month. I am looking forward to catching up to Hoyt Clagwell level of steering wheel!

[s8ilver]

I would like a little more contrast on the door panels. I'm now in the process of doing a little carbon fiber project on my new steering wheel. I could not get the wheel with no control buttons so I took the buttons out and I'm making inserts out of aluminum coil stock. I bought some carbon fiber cloth and 105 West system epoxy resin with 207 hardener. I'm going to cover the aluminum with the carbon fiber. Here's a pic of the raw aluminum inserts.
20211013_183540.jpg
20211013_183528.jpg

I like where your head's at. When you finish up the wheel, maybe you'll be ready to do some door hockey sticks. I always felt like the all black panels were a bit dull.

20160527_144911.jpg20170415_140944.jpg

[IndianaRoadster]

I like where your head's at. When you finish up the wheel, maybe you'll be ready to do some door hockey sticks. I always felt like the all black panels were a bit dull.

20160527_144911.jpg20170415_140944.jpg

How did you get the traces of red in your carbon fiber? Was it something you added or did you buy the cloth that way?

[s8ilver]

How did you get the traces of red in your carbon fiber? Was it something you added or did you buy the cloth that way?

I didn't do the work, but it's in the weave. I think it's called "Reflex Red."

IMG_4513.JPGVentsCF.JPG

I got the inspiration from the old M3 LTW cars:

214736_x800.jpg

Close up of the Reflex Red in brighter light:

CF.JPG

[IndianaRoadster]

I didn't do the work, but it's in the weave. I think it's called "Reflex Red."

IMG_4513.JPGVentsCF.JPG

I got the inspiration from the old M3 LTW cars:

214736_x800.jpg

Close up of the Reflex Red in brighter light:

CF.JPG

That looks like some nice work done there. I bet it looks good in your car. I just received the carbon fiber cloth that I ordered. It comes 6' wide and then it's 1' long minimum order. I ordered 1' of their #2 grade (a few flaws). They sent me the end of the roll with like 6 or 7 lineal feet, so I have around 40 square feet of this stuff. I couldn't believe it, the flaw is small so as long as I don't do anything huge, it will last a long time. Looking forward to experimenting a little.

[KeysCoupe]

The faster a material conducts heat, the more it feels "cold" if it is colder than you are (98.6 F?), and the more it feels "hot" if it is hotter than you are. I too live in the desert. After being parked for a while, all the parts in your car, plastic, leather, and metal, are the same temperature (assuming equal direct sun or ventilation for all parts). But metal conducts heat much faster than leather or aluminum. So, when the car is 120 F inside and you touch a metal part, it feels "hotter" because the heat from the part transfers to your fingers much faster than from the leather or plastic p art. Same way with "cold" parts in the winter in North Dakota.

I live in a hot climate. I have an observation based on experience. A black vinyl/naugahide seat will sear the back of your legs when you sit on it. The same seat covered with black leather only feels warm in the same conditions. What's the explanation?
-Donny

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I live in a hot climate. I have an observation based on experience. A black vinyl/naugahide seat will sear the back of your legs when you sit on it. The same seat covered with black leather only feels warm in the same conditions. What's the explanation?
-Donny

Sounds like vinyl is a better conductor of heat than leather which would make sense as leather is meant to insulate the cow from extremes of temperature. Sometimes I just like to channel my inner "Mr. Science".

[mpire]

How about the non-m only dash part that always cracks in the sun?

[s8ilver]

How about the non-m only dash part that always cracks in the sun?

I fear that day, but so far so good in my case. Aren't the non-M Coupes a single piece?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_4019

That could be a huge market though; I see post after post on FB of folks looking for that NLA piece. What I need in the parts room is a one-piece black dash to finish off my two-tone theme.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I fear that day, but so far so good in my case. Aren't the non-M Coupes a single piece?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_4019

That could be a huge market though; I see post after post on FB of folks looking for that NLA piece. What I need in the parts room is a one-piece black dash to finish off my two-tone theme.

Which part is it? Is it 18/19 in the Real OEM diagram? So far, everything is good with my dash. I guess the Canadian climate has some benefits.

[s8ilver]

Which part is it? Is it 18/19 in the Real OEM diagram? So far, everything is good with my dash. I guess the Canadian climate has some benefits.

It's not on the diagram I previously posted (#18/*19 are just speed nuts in that case), which was the RealOEM diagram for my '99 non-M Coupe.

According to RealOEM, it's also an M part (#21). Now I'm thoroughly confused.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...82#51458410975

Shows up on all these (no Coupes, all Roadsters):

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...0975&series=Z3

I stand corrected. It's not NLA, yet:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...-45-8-410-975/

[Hoyt Clagwell]

It's not on the diagram I previously posted, which was the RealOEM diagram for my '99 non-M Coupe.

Shows up on all these (no Coupes, all Roadsters):

I stand corrected. It's not NLA, yet:
/

OK, I think I see the part. It's right where the windshield meets the dash. That sure would get a lot of sun especially if parked outside. 'just thinking out loud but maybe there is a way to paint or cover the part with something reflective or heat/light absorbing as a protective measure.

[s8ilver]

OK, I think I see the part. It's right where the windshield meets the dash. That sure would get a lot of sun especially if parked outside. 'just thinking out loud but maybe there is a way to paint or cover the part with something reflective or heat/light absorbing as a protective measure.

Sure, except to really get to it, it's windshield or dash out, with the latter being the only way to actually remove the piece AFAIK. It looks like 3 screws from the top, but 6 from the bottom (some of the ones on the underside may just be locating pegs though).

But, what else do we have to do?

At least you can still buy the top covers, if those break.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/51458399931/

[cushjbc]

That piece is broken on my car . . . driving me crazy because it rattles now.

[s8ilver]

PO of my Roadster lived in Hawaii and always had the dash covered. It was never adhered, but he'd just use it loose when in the sun. I should thank him. I always use the OEM sunshade in the rare event that I park outside.

2015 throwback
IMG_0589.jpg