CSL Boot lid fail

[JZBDCT]

So the very first mod that I bought for my e92 was a CSL Boot Lid from a reputable vendor that regularly posts on this forum. They've had five years of experience building this CSL carbon fiber trunk lid and I expected high quality parts. However, after going to my highly recommended body shop, the body shop showed me numerous fitment issues with the trunk. Besides the glaring gaps between panels, the trunk doesn't even close properly. None of the license plate lights fit and tail lights don't even fit.

I was shocked.

I sent a disgruntled email to the vendor that sold me the trunk and they stood by their product. Quoting, "Maybe that body shop doesn't have the experience to install it". I can deal with gaps between panels. But to have NUMEROUS build issues is beyond me. You're going to charge me $830 for a 1x1 weave trunk lid. I expect the thing to fit.

In the end, my first mod for my e92 will be with a 2x2 Weave higher end vendor with their own certification card. And I'll take the $830 hit. I should've known better. Always get higher quality parts. It's your baby. Why cheapen it?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by a240reef

So the very first mod that I bought for my e92 was a CSL Boot Lid from a reputable vendor that regularly posts on this forum. They've had five years of experience building this CSL carbon fiber trunk lid and I expected high quality parts. However, after going to my highly recommended body shop, the body shop showed me numerous fitment issues with the trunk. Besides the glaring gaps between panels, the trunk doesn't even close properly. None of the license plate lights fit and tail lights don't even fit.

I was shocked.

I sent a disgruntled email to the vendor that sold me the trunk and they stood by their product. Quoting, "Maybe that body shop doesn't have the experience to install it". I can deal with gaps between panels. But to have NUMEROUS build issues is beyond me. You're going to charge me $830 for a 1x1 weave trunk lid. I expect the thing to fit.

In the end, my first mod for my e92 will be with a 2x2 Weave higher end vendor with their own certification card. And I'll take the $830 hit. I should've known better. Always get higher quality parts. It's your baby. Why cheapen it?

My Vorsteiner took over 3 hours to fit. Even after all that, it doesn't fit perfectly. I also had to dremel out the light holes and trunk switch.

[Giccy]

Sorry to hear that and good luck on round two.

Mind PM'ing me the vendor? I'm interested in this mod as well but have serious fitment concerns.

[JZBDCT]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

My Vorsteiner took over 3 hours to fit. Even after all that, it doesn't fit perfectly. I also had to dremel out the light holes and trunk switch.

Are the light holes, the two circular holes on both sides of the trunk switch?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by a240reef

Are the light holes, the two circular holes on both sides of the trunk switch?

Circular?

[JZBDCT]

Yeah the circular lights.

I guess I'll wait to hear back from the body shop on test fit with the Vorsteiner.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by a240reef

Yeah the circular lights.

I guess I'll wait to hear back from the body shop on test fit with the Vorsteiner.

Nothing on it is circular so not sure what you are referring to.

[aajami]

And that's why I stick to OEM parts

[JZBDCT]

Originally Posted by aajami

And that's why I stick to OEM parts

qft.

Update** Just got back from the body shop, the Vorsteiner fits 10 times better then the other vendor. The bolts all line up and the trunk actually closes this time. It's not a perfect fit and there's noticeable work to be done to make it flush. But the quality of the build is certainly better. The previous vendor gave me a trunk lid with sagging fabric. The Vorsteiner is noticeably much more smooth and the quality is top.

I'll post pictures of finished product on Friday.

I'm hesitant on reselling this other vendor's trunk lid because I don't want to unload this headache onto someone else. I think I'm going to turn it into a coffee table or clock and mount it in my house.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by a240reef

qft.

Update** Just got back from the body shop, the Vorsteiner fits 10 times better then the other vendor. The bolts all line up and the trunk actually closes this time. It's not a perfect fit and there's noticeable work to be done to make it flush. But the quality of the build is certainly better. The previous vendor gave me a trunk lid with sagging fabric. The Vorsteiner is noticeably much more smooth and the quality is top.

I'll post pictures of finished product on Friday.

I'm hesitant on reselling this other vendor's trunk lid because I don't want to unload this headache onto someone else. I think I'm going to turn it into a coffee table or clock and mount it in my house.

That sucks but I admire you for not trying to pass the buck.

[snowmants]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

That sucks but I admire you for not trying to pass the buck.

+1000

[shay2nak]

carbon fiber is never a guarantee. Each one is unique. And aftermarket will never be as exact to OEM. If anything, just exchange it for another one.

[chibich]

i'll give you $20 for it, plus shipping of course haha. glad you got it all figured out. would like to do this to mine at some point as well, mind sending me the type of trunk it was?

[aus]

Any pics of said trunk?

And how about just telling us who makes the trunk and who sold it?

.

[JZBDCT]

I bought the first trunk from JL-Motoring.

I did get a lot of hate from people that supported JL-Motoring. They were standing by their friend's company and giving me crap for it. That was most unfortunate. I don't hate on their loyalty for their friend's company but sometimes you get bad parts. And I was unsatisfied. I don't know JL-Motoring or who owns it. I don't know you in real life. All I know is that I spent $830 shipped and then $600 at a body shop to have it painted and installed. And in the end, the trunk was a terrible fit. 4/10. The trunk lid wasn't even functional. Hate all you want. But it's not my responsibility to fix a bad trunk.

Vorsteiner's not a perfect fit. It's 8.5/10 at its best. My gf can't discern what's wrong with it. But the left leading edge has a noticeable gap by about 5mm. You can see it in the first image below. Other than that, it looks great. And I think the CSL style fits my M3 very well. I'm very happy that I achieved the look. Sad that I spend the doubloons to get it.

[BMW Fanatic]

Honestly, it probably was just a bad trunk. I'm sure if you sent pics of the install and pics of other cars your shop has worked on they would have given you a discount, if of course the fitment was as mentioned earlier and the other cars were 'high end' with good work proven to have been done. Not talking from personal experiences with the said company but there are a lot of people who would stand behind them, not saying that makes them great but it's generally what one looks for when getting into business with somebody. Also, there are A LOT of people that hate the Vorsteiner brand for poor fitment and bad quality materials, and again there are the same amount of people that live by their products.

If money is never the object then I will always say spend top dollar the first time rather than having to spend it twice, not because you'll spend twice the money but because you'll have half the headache.

Either way glad to see you got a trunk you like. Looks good.

[socalbreeze]

It is most unfortunate you wasted that money, I would hate to waste hard earn money too. But how come the body shop did not test fit it first? It seems strange that the bodyshop would paint it first rather then test fitting it to make sure it fits properly.

[eclipsisNA]

Lots of vendors have their cheerleaders that will take offense to any ill words thrown at their company of choice, no matter how logical the claims may be. You're in the right here and need to press JL for getting your money back or a replacement trunk.

Originally Posted by a240reef

I bought the first trunk from JL-Motoring.

I did get a lot of hate from people that supported JL-Motoring. They were standing by their friend's company and giving me crap for it. That was most unfortunate. I don't hate on their loyalty for their friend's company but sometimes you get bad parts. And I was unsatisfied. I don't know JL-Motoring or who owns it. I don't know you in real life. All I know is that I spent $830 shipped and then $600 at a body shop to have it painted and installed. And in the end, the trunk was a terrible fit. 4/10. The trunk lid wasn't even functional. Hate all you want. But it's not my responsibility to fix a bad trunk.

[v8forb]

Originally Posted by Eclipsis

Lots of vendors have their cheerleaders that will take offense to any ill words thrown at their company of choice, no matter how logical the claims may be. You're in the right here and need to press JL for getting your money back or a replacement trunk.

I most def. agree!! I was going to order the CSL and some other parts but Def. rethinking and going to look around some more!

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by a240reef

qft.

Update** Just got back from the body shop, the Vorsteiner fits 10 times better then the other vendor. The bolts all line up and the trunk actually closes this time. It's not a perfect fit and there's noticeable work to be done to make it flush. But the quality of the build is certainly better. The previous vendor gave me a trunk lid with sagging fabric. The Vorsteiner is noticeably much more smooth and the quality is top.

I'll post pictures of finished product on Friday.

I'm hesitant on reselling this other vendor's trunk lid because I don't want to unload this headache onto someone else. I think I'm going to turn it into a coffee table or clock and mount it in my house.

Sucks you lost so much on that other trunk. I've also learned the hard way to test fit all parts before painting. It may sound like a hassle since you already expect a good product but the real hassle is having a fully prepped and painted piece that doesn't fit. This way you can send the piece back. Maybe you happened to get a bad one and they could have at least replaced it with a different trunk. Who knows but glad to see you got it done in the end. You may have been better off having your oem trunk converted to CSL with a add-on and blending.