Best $26 upgrade I made to my car

vegasboy

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Mar 28, 2018
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This is a sew on steering wheel cover I got from AliExpress for $26. I removed steering wheel as it was much easier to sew on that way. I have seen videos of people doing it while on the car but it only takes 10 mins to pull off and was much easier to work with that way. I love the look and feel of the wheel now. Very soft, you leave the original cover on so it gives it a padded feeling along with more girth. Liked it so much I put one on my wife’s f30 also.
 

Kervio

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Jan 7, 2017
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I've had the same cover for several months, looks great still and feels amazing. I got mine on eBay a while ago with the red "racing stripe" at the top. I definitely recommend for a cheap wheel upgrade that really classes up the interior
 
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langsbr

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Apr 5, 2017
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I just installed one too. Took a month to get here from China and they did the order wrong. I wanted no stripes and blue where the red leather is, and I wanted black leather not suede on the outside. I didn't feel like waiting another month and fighting them on returning it so I said I just install it. Still not sure I like the red, but it feels great, and I like the style besides the red. I need to steam out a few of the wrinkles still.
 

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langsbr

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Apr 5, 2017
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Ugh, I am so forum challenged. I can't figure out why mine is an attachment instead of an embedded picture.
 

Jeffman

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Jan 7, 2017
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BTW, your carbon fiber interior and steering wheel cover also look great! Do you also happen to have the links to them?
 
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9krpmrx8

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I just installed one too. Took a month to get here from China and they did the order wrong. I wanted no stripes and blue where the red leather is, and I wanted black leather not suede on the outside. I didn't feel like waiting another month and fighting them on returning it so I said I just install it. Still not sure I like the red, but it feels great, and I like the style besides the red. I need to steam out a few of the wrinkles still.

Yikes, that is horrible.
 
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suspenceful

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Aug 1, 2017
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Looks like this isn't your first time sewing/upholstering. Nice work!

Is that real carbon fiber replacement trim throughout your car? Or?
 
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fmorelli

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I ordered one for the Z4 ... this has me motivated to sew it on. Not rocket science from what others have said (and videos show). Time and again I'm amazed by how good the pictures look for a DIY installation.

Filippo
 

NoQuarter

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I ordered one for the Z4 ... this has me motivated to sew it on. Not rocket science from what others have said (and videos show). Time and again I'm amazed by how good the pictures look for a DIY installation.

Filippo

What did you pick? Link?
 

vegasboy

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Mar 28, 2018
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BTW, your carbon fiber interior and steering wheel cover also look great! Do you also happen to have the links to them?

Is that real carbon fiber replacement trim throughout your car? Or?

I wish it was real carbon fiber. My neighbor gave me his old steering wheel cover off his M3 that was pealing. I just wrapped it using some 5D carbon fiber vinyl I got off eBay a few years ago. It turned out pretty good, so I just wrapped the rest of the trim. I originaly used it to wrapped my roof, but it only lasted about 1 1/2 years here in Vegas before it started cracking. I don't think many vinyl wraps last long in this desert heat at 110 degrees. I'm hoping it will last longer inside the car. I also have ceramic tint on the windows and windshield so that should help with UV light.


Nice work man. How hard was it to stitch? Do you have any previous experience before these?

Thanks, this was my first time. I thought about getting the M colored threads but I figured black thread would hide more mistakes if I made any. I don't have any other colors in the car so I figured I can't go wrong with black on black like the original. The F30 has red contrast thread on the seats and the original steering wheel also had red stitching so I went with red. I just took my time and once again removed the steering wheel to sew it on. I also used adhesive instead of the double sided tape that comes with the kit around the thumb controls, the tape just doesn't hold up in these areas.
There are multiple videos on YouTube showing you how to sew on these kits if you do a search.
 
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fmorelli

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I don't think many vinyl wraps last long in this desert heat at 110 degrees. I'm hoping it will last longer inside the car. I also have ceramic tint on the windows and windshield so that should help with UV light.
Vegas? I'd probably go with 3M for the vinyl - best chances of survival I suspect.

Filippo
 

vegasboy

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Vegas? I'd probably go with 3M for the vinyl - best chances of survival I suspect.

Filippo

I could not find a 5D high gloss made by 3M at the time, unless they have recently started making it. I have used the 3M di-noc carbon fiber on other cars and it looks okay but still looks like a wrap. The high gloss 5D looks 99% like real carbon fiber. It's a lot thicker as it has a base layer and then a gloss layer over it. You have to make sure to do a post heat treatment around the curves or it will shrink and pull up on the corners. Nevada is considered a "Desert region" and is either reduced or no warranty for most vinyl manufacturers including 3M. But I do agree that 3M makes a better product and I would use it if I could find it in a 5D.
 

fmorelli

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lol ... i've had the same experience. I used the 3M for something under the hood. It's not so much that it looks like vinyl wrap. It just doesn't look like carbon fiber. Looks more like fabric. I agree ... the 5D stuff is nice. I like the VVIVID product and have been using that.

Filippo
 
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