Slonik (Slon) Carbon Fiber CSL Trunk Review

[Sharocks]

Fitting well is table stakes.

I will take the 10 lbs and the nice exposed 1x1 CF I have on my VCSL trunk over perfect fitment.

But that's just me lol

[Obioban]

Not to mention another button on the BMW key.

Agreed, best fitting/looking are more important criteria.

Fitting well is table stakes.

[jet_dogg]

The badge is pretty homosapien but I'll deal, was actually happy I didn't need to reuse my OEM tool kit in that area, I'm missing quite a few pieces.

Can't wait to get to the exterior of this car.

Yep you did good and no point paying for a plastic trunk for optics with no weight benefit.

[old///MFanatic]

You got a button inside the car...

And the fitment is what's best on the OE trunk, just swap it over and done, it lines up perfect.

Not to mention another button on the BMW key.

Agreed, best fitting/looking are more important criteria.

[IamFODI]

You got a button inside the car homie.

So do I, but I'd want one on the trunk as well TBH.

[Sharocks]

I just want one with a trunk opening button.



I'd say that negates it from being the best.

You got a button inside the car homie.

And the fitment is what's best on the OE trunk, just swap it over and done, it lines up perfect.

My VCSL needed work, I'm sure both of these ones do to.

Just the nature of aftermarket parts, ain't nothing too crazy.

[WestBankM4]

Plus karb has the corny ass m badge recess on the underside.

The badge is pretty homosapien but I'll deal, was actually happy I didn't need to reuse my OEM tool kit in that area, I'm missing quite a few pieces.

Can't wait to get to the exterior of this car.

[Cronenberged]

Fitment alignment aside, does anyone have feedback on the actual shape of the trunk? Do the Karb and Slon actually look just like the OE? You know what I'm talking about when you see a cheap knockoff and it just looks off.

Other concern is paint matching. Can you actually paint match one of these pieces, and not have the physical aspects of the weave show through?

There was a great thread on CSL trunks comparison. Slon and Karb will be closest you can get in terms of OE look. Status did use a OEM CSL trunk for their molds but they have QC issues.

A good body shop should be able to paint match which also requires blending adjacent panels with the trunk. Make sure you vet whose doing the work.

[jet_dogg]

Karbonius has autoclaves in house and is ISO9001 certified. Between the two, Karbonius would clearly be my first choice.

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I like karbonius and I have several of their parts but the impression I get is the Russians are more precise and technical with regard to all details.

How many times have you heard of issues with karb boxes over the years (sealing issues, one of the fittings), improper fixes and various fitment issues/modifications of the trunks that people have posted reviews of here. Granted there are more karbonius pieces in the field but you don't hear of these oversights, or at least I don't, with slon. Plus karb has the corny ass m badge recess on the underside.

[bavarian3]

Fitment alignment aside, does anyone have feedback on the actual shape of the trunk? Do the Karb and Slon actually look just like the OE? You know what I'm talking about when you see a cheap knockoff and it just looks off.

Other concern is paint matching. Can you actually paint match one of these pieces, and not have the physical aspects of the weave show through?

[bigjae46]

Here's the difference. BMW uses some sort of metal tooling (steel or aluminum I'm guessing) to make the parts. Metal is more stable and durable but costs a lot more and is heavy - need machinery to move and handle the tooling.

Everyone else will use a composite mold - typically fiberglass with polyester resin. Lower cost and easier to handle. Every time polyester resin sees a heat cycle it can very slightly change shape. The mold may eventually make parts that won't fit or at least fit as well and not to mention the pattern on the reinforcement (fiberglass) will print through the gel coat finish at some point.

You can make a more durable composite mold from carbon fiber and epoxy which won't have this issue. Again - will cost about 5 times as much. Makes sense for someone like Karbonius to use an epoxy/carbon mold if they plan to produce a lot of parts.

So this is one possibility of why a run of composite trunks made from a composite mold will fit and others won't.

[Obioban]

I just want one with a trunk opening button.

OE is best but they're kinda heavy.

I'd say that negates it from being the best.

[Sharocks]

Karbonius no question.

OE is best but they're kinda heavy.

[Altaran]

You can't go wrong with either Karbonious or Slon.

Karbonius has autoclaves in house and is ISO9001 certified. Between the two, Karbonius would clearly be my first choice.

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[Cronenberged]

I'm thinking of getting a slon but hes selling it for 2.6 which is the same price as Karbon so idk. Has anyone else got slon csl trunk since then.

You can't go wrong with either Karbonious or Slon.