Got Carbon Fibre?

My wife loooooves carbon fibre trim.. so she wants it on her 996 when she gets one.. problem is, the one that is a better deal and has better options has alum trim.. My question is.. are the $300 kits on ebay stick on crap? Is the porsche kit a stick on? or are the genuine pieces actual molded trim components that use studs or something to attach? How much should the porsche kits cost? The pieces she likes the most are the radio/climate surround, the handbrake, the center conosole/shifter, the thing glove box bit.. I "think" thats the small kit. thanks for the help... Signal-9

The Porsche kits are actually molded over-lay �if you would��.. They are not cheap if that�s your question, just the center console alone can set you back a grand or so� �from the dealer��. Want to hear something funny�. The little lady saw my new �custom� Carbon Fiber GT3 wing (sitting in the kitchen) and said �YOUR GOING TO PAINT THAT RIGHT?� So I went on to explain how that was the design and how it contributes to the beauty of the car along with the lightweight jargon�. But to answer your question �you get what you pay for�..� -Eli

I have not ordered any parts that were not Porsche Tequipment parts. I have ordered and installed the Carbon Fiber steering wheel, handbrake, shifter, switch panel trim, and center console. The switch panel trim warped 1 1/2 years later. I called the Porsche dealership and let them know, and they said no problem, all Tequipment parts have a two year warranty and one was sent out that day. So for the quality and peace of mind, I would stick with original Porsche parts. I have found the best prices from Sunset Porsche and Brandywine Porsche. The pieces are not inexpensive but man they are gorgeous in the sunlight. I hope that helps.

The cheap kits I have seen are just that, cheap kits and for the most part look aweful. Carbon fibre stuff is pretty steep, but you get what you pay for. I have full OE carbon in my TT and it is definitely my favorite look for the 996 interior. I tried to go cheap route on some knock off carbon parts for the 964 and it was just a total waste of money and I ended up spending a small fortune for the OE carbon pieces which are getting difficult to find for the 964.

I guess I can never understand the pricing of carbon fiber decorative pieces. I mean, this is not structural carbon fiber fabrication we're talking about, which is relatively expensive. It's just one layer of fibers, unstressed, with a clear plastic laminate over the top. I've seen similar stuff in much cheaper automobiles, and it looks great and costs a fraction of what Porsche charges for theirs.' I guess I don't understand the carbon fiber mystique. I don't have any problem with people that like it, just the really, really, really ridiculous pricing of the OEM stuff.

Stick on stuff is pure junk...I have many CF pieces , good quality and full warranty...got my stuff from Gert at www.carnewal.com , great to deal with..here is a picture of what it can look like on a black interior. I have other pieces painted body color as I did not want to overdose on the CF. My friend has the full CF interior on his TT...the center console looks good, the instrument surround did not..my .02 cents anyway Cheers

caf: You point me in the direction of cheap carbon fibre trim peices that look good for 996s and 964s I would be most appreciative. My NA 996 has nothing but a painted center console and there are still a few pieces I could do on the 964.

What I'm saying (or trying to say) is the Porsche stuff seems way overpriced to me for decorative carbon fiber stuff. On the other hand, I don't know of any quality alternatives, having never really shopped for the stuff. Maybe there aren't any?

PLEASE don't get the stick on kind it will turn your interior into a honda instantly, which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve. OEM pieces are expensive but worth it for fit and finish, no aftermarket can beat it. gert carnewal (carnewal.com) has these OEM pieces for reasonable prices w/ fast shipping anywhere in the world, great guy/customer service also, can't go wrong.

I intended to order a car and get all the CF available. Which is about $12K. But I found a car that was what I wanted except no CF. So I took the car and decided to buy everything my self, even though it would cost more piece by piece. After shopping for a couple weeks, I find that there is an abundance of these parts at dealers all around the country. You can get it cheaper than the option price or list price. And on ebay there is some at a steal price. And some good used. (I sold some of my leftovers there) As it turns out, I have almost every piece, and some custom pieces and I have about 1/2 of the origional $12K in it. And to boot; it looks like a Million Bucks. PS, dont consider any of the decal junk. That will surely devalue your car, and make you look like a twit.

I understand. The Porsche stuff actually looks very nice, but as with all Porsche options, the carbon trim pieces are very expensive. Come to think of it, $ 700 for foot well lighting is crazy. Personally, I have yet to see any OE carbon fibre trim in any makes or models that looked as good as Porsches. I am sure some of the highline stuff has it, but it would seem their stuff would be just as expensive. There is a guy in Florida covering pieces for people over at www.6speedonline.com and his work seem to be good, but not perfect liek Porsches. I, however, am not sure his prices would be any cheaper than the OE pieces you can find discounted for the 996. The 964/993 stuff is getting very difficult to come by and I have paid over suggested retail price to get the peices I do have. Gerts at that time was even unable to get the stuff for my 964.

The only potential problem with this is that the carbon pieces do crack or fade from time to time. Make sure you can get it covered under a warranty.

I've seen alu., dark wood, light wood and I still prefer carbon...

Wow. That is one of the most beautiful interiors I have ever seen. And great photography. How anyone can say the 996 interior looks cheap, well they have never seen this picture. Porsche should pay you for it and put it in their brochure. You'd get a royalty on all the CF they sell.

Nothing beats OEM, I just finished installing the full carbon fiber kit and it is stunning. You could always mix and match some aluminum/carbon pieces, but never go with the stick on stuff.