When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So, I pulled the trigger on the eBay carbon fiber fender flares. I spent a great deal of time talking with the factory about these and getting loads of details on the front end.
After a couple of weeks, they arrived today. This thread serves as a first impressions thread and will lead into a full install/review in time. Note: I made absolutely NO effort to manage gap lines on my simple test fit below.
Without further ado...
1. They arrived VERY well packaged
2. The initial quality is stunning!
3. The back side doesn't have the rivet holders BUT the screw mounts are actually threaded inserts in the fabric.
4. These are for the NON-US market... so the marker lights are not present and instead a rear-facing vent is there. There is no mesh provided, but there are mounting stays for a mesh of your choosing.
5. I don't have my JCW lips yet, so I could only mount a single arch for visual comparison. This shows, without a doubt, that the width is indeed 20mm wider on each side.
Here is also a terrible head-on shot showing the front fender difference...
Please don't mind the filthy car, unkempt lawn, or oil-stains in the driveway (see the Countryman Today thread for details on THAT disaster).
I was able to purchase the mysterious carbon fiber JCW body kit for my R60. In fact, my company was able to secure the exclusive US distribution rights to it (for future reference) and the incoming shipment will be our first article inspection. With that said, the kit is due to arrive this next week and that will facilitate my fender install.
That means the entire lower valance of the car will be CF.
There is some work I need to do in order to make this fit right. It's not a problem, just that I need the plastic/foam JCW blocks to go under the side skirts. If you're aware of a wrecked JCW with these intact, get in touch.
As far as mounting with the carbon fender flares, there will be some work there, too. The flares are designed for the JCW side skirt and the normal front lip (not sure why)... so there will be some shaping of either the lip or the front arches to fit up nicely. There is also a "bead" along the bottom of the carbon skirt that will need some massaging on the two arch points, but that's very minor.
I took a video to show this up close. It's taking its sweet time uploading to YouTube. I'll come back when it is complete.
I can say that it's an odd arrangement. The front flares are designed to work with the standard S bumper and not the JCW one but the JCW side skirts are required. Working on how to change it still.
Well, it'll be two of us now. I just ordered my kit, arrival is supposed to be around early February. I don't have the JCW kit, so I'll have to see what I'll need to do to make that lower rear fender piece fit.
Im'm ordering the front and rear MON lip/spoiler for the fender fitment. I had to go to their main website to contact them. I'm still waiting for them to respond.
I ran into the same issue as you when trying to install.
I've still been caught up elsewhere and haven't messed with it. I have decided that I will end up cutting the fronts to match my bumper instead of staying with the S lip. Been tempted to just sell these to the highest bidder and then print my own and wrap them in carbon so it's seamless. Oh well..
