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Slonik (Slon) Carbon Fiber CSL Trunk Review

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    Slonik (Slon) Carbon Fiber CSL Trunk Review

    Short version: Don't buy a Slonik carbon trunk, fitment is completely off and communication is lacking.


    I would like to preface, this is not my first transaction with Slonik, I bought his carbon E46 M3 strengthening wall. Even though I have yet to install the wall, quality looks good and during mockup it looks ok.

    I had a decision to make between Karbonious and Slonik trunk and I went with Slonik just because of the 4lbs weight savings. I spoke with Slonik about fitment and was guaranteed perfect fitment (his quote)"our trunk fits fully the same as OEM CSL. we are crazy on gaps, smoothing surfacing etc". The order for the trunk was placed on Black Friday 2021, shipped 01-14-2022 and arrived 01-27-2022(I knew it would take time to produce the trunk so no issues).

    When the trunk came in, I knew there would be an issue even before I opened the box, I could hear the trunk rattle around in the box. When I opened the box, I found a trunk that was wrapped in gift wrap style paper, it would easily move 6-8" from one side of the box to the other. I found a chipped corner and later after more inspection found that the chipped corner actually had a crack on the other side so carbon was broken. I contacted Slonik and we came to a decision that he would produce and ship a 2nd trunk which was shipped 04-01-2022 and arrived 05-12-2022, 2nd trunk came very well packaged.

    And the problems begin..

    I packaged the first trunk since Slonik wanted it back but before it was picked up, I test fitted the 2nd trunk and found that the fitment was complete garbage. The trunk would not follow the body line of the glass(it actually touched the glass in the middle) and also did not follow the body line at the bottom(near bumper). It seemed like both sides were flat and just did not have enough curve to them. I contacted Slonik and his response what, "Fucking stretch film", basically the stretch film used to package the trunk must have deformed it during shipping.(his words that stretch film did the damage, I don't buy it, 1st trunk didn't have stretch film)

    Slonik asked me to unpackage the 1st trunk and test fit it, I did so and found that it had the same problem. Now I received a message stating that I didn't know how to adjust the trunk properly and that he would send me pictures or video to show me how to do, instructions never showed up. Just to be clear, I know perfectly well how to adjust the trunk and its 4 screws properly, I tried using the bumpstops(2 rubber grommets at the bottom) to help with adjustment but it is impossible to adjust a body line that does not fit. I sent pictures of a real OEM CSL trunk that is on my brother's car and showed him how perfect the body lines are on it, I am the one that installed that trunk. I reinstalled my OEM trunk and sent him body line pictures of that, also perfect.

    I am becoming very frustrated, I spent over $2k on a CSL trunk that promised to fit perfectly, I had a OEM CSL trunk to compare it to and it was nowhere near perfect. On 06-20-2022 I received a message from Slonik that again he will send me instructions how to adjust the trunk, I waited until 07-06-2022, no instructions or communication. I sent him a message on 07-06-2022 telling him that I have yet to receive any messages and I was fed up with this transaction, I wanted a refund and he could have his trunks back. And again, no reply, so on 07-14-2022 I called my credit card company and opened a chargeback. After I opened the chargeback(my brother also sent him an Instagram message that day), I received a reply(on 07-14-2022). Slonik wanted both trunks back and when they arrived in Russia without any damage, he would refund me my money, I completely disagreed since I will not be stuck without a trunk and no money, nor am I liable for shipping damage. I told Slonik I can package both trunks to the best of my ability and he can provide me with a label.

    On 07-25-2022 Slonik sent me a message stating that the credit card company has done a chargeback on his account and he wants his trunks back, I sent him a message with pictures of packaged trunks, dimensions and weight.

    This case is still not resolved, my credit card company is waiting for his reply.

    Slonik Carbon CSL trunk fitment issues.









    OEM CSL trunk fitment.




    OEM trunk fitment.


    #2
    Why would anyone that's considering going with a karbonius piece or a brand x piece ever go with brand x?

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Wernd View Post
      Why would anyone that's considering going with a karbonius piece or a brand x piece ever go with brand x?
      This, and personally my desire to buy parts made in Russia is similar to my desire to buy made in China.

      Comment


        #4
        I bought it from Slonik for 2 reasons.

        - He produced a new product for our chassis(strengthening wall)
        - The trunk is 4lbs lighter, every lbs matters when your goal is 2999lbs with 5/8ths fuel while having a complete interior(sport interior, leather buckets but with carpet and all other trim)

        I personally don't care which country produces a product as long as its a quality product. I wanted to support a starting company that developed a product for our market.

        Lesson learned, Karbonious trunk is on order, while at it, I also ordered Karbonious carbon center console and CSL door panels.

        Comment


          #5
          I find it hard to believe they were ever going to get a trunk to be 4lbs lighter than the karbonius trunk. I do understand the want of that though

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Wernd View Post
            I find it hard to believe they were ever going to get a trunk to be 4lbs lighter than the karbonius trunk. I do understand the want of that though
            The trunk is 3lbs lighter. Karbonious states that their trunk weighs 5.5kg(12lbs), Slonik trunk came in at 9lbs(I weighed it on a Fedex shipping scale).

            Comment


              #7
              This is the first issue I've ever heard of with slon. I doubt the trunk left Russia with a warped window line like that so I would assume shipping damage.

              I would not hesitate to purchase any more slon parts, dude makes high quality shit and is a perfectionist so I'm surprised to see this.

              Sipping Russian Standard as I type this.
              2003.5 MT JB/B - CSL SCHRICK SUPERSPRINT EISENMANN JRZ SWIFT MILLWAY APR ENDLESS BBS/SSR DREXLER KMP SACHS RECARO AR SLON MKRS GSP DMG KARBONIUS CP AUTOSOLUTIONS KOYO

              Comment


                #8
                Dude, I am so sorry you’re going through this. I’ll help you torwards a Karbonius trunk at a discount if you’re looking to switch.

                My feelings for Mikhail are known in the E9X communities. He has lost credibility with V8 guys after numerous failed BBK offers and price gouging the entire community selling 650$ VANOS covers.

                He price gouges and overhypes all his products along with consistently under delivering on customer service & delivery time.

                To make matters worst, he uses PayPal accounts of some of his “influencers” and US customers to gather payments in the US.

                The risks for anyone buying from him are immense and the consequences for any little thing going wrong is a lot of wasted time and money.

                The reason shipping is taking forever is because he uses EMS; dirt cheap method to avoid using UPS / DHL and paying premium prices. It’s slow, unreliable, uninsured and can barely be tracked.

                He does this to make more money at the expense of service.

                There’s little point to it as we have quality product alternatives from companies that back their brand for everything he makes - a mission I’m personally involved with considering my history with the guy.

                I don’t even have to mention the obvious about Mikhail to make my personal case against buying anything from him - but I’m glad repoman89 did.
                Last edited by IamFODI; 08-06-2022, 05:38 AM. Reason: Personal attack edited out by mod

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Wernd View Post
                  Why would anyone that's considering going with a karbonius piece or a brand x piece ever go with brand x?
                  pics of the Karbonius trunk fitment has shown to be not OE level, Slonik is also claimed lighter weight

                  I've been wanting their cf hood but dealing with any Russian sourced product now is sketch

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by jet_dogg View Post
                    This is the first issue I've ever heard of with slon. I doubt the trunk left Russia with a warped window line like that so I would assume shipping damage.

                    I would not hesitate to purchase any more slon parts, dude makes high quality shit and is a perfectionist so I'm surprised to see this.

                    Sipping Russian Standard as I type this.
                    Uhh.. carbon fiber in a cured epoxy matrix doesn't just warp. Most plausible explanation is their mold slightly buckled under vacuum and heat during the infusion and/or vacuum/cure process in the autoclave. It is on a long flat span which requires a significant amount of reinforcement on the mold.
                    Last edited by bigjae46; 07-31-2022, 10:07 AM.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Amazing, not one of the big 3 e46 csl style parts makers can get it right (Mile end, Slon & Karb).

                      Good thing the stock trunk looks great as is (lci esp).

                      Sorry op.
                      DD: /// 2011.5 Jerez/bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · Instagram
                      /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6spd · Slicktop · zero options
                      More info: https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...os-supersprint

                      Comment


                        #12
                        My apologies didn’t realize we had a composites savant on here.

                        Who was that one guy with the lsb who had the flawless slon trunk on his lsb?
                        2003.5 MT JB/B - CSL SCHRICK SUPERSPRINT EISENMANN JRZ SWIFT MILLWAY APR ENDLESS BBS/SSR DREXLER KMP SACHS RECARO AR SLON MKRS GSP DMG KARBONIUS CP AUTOSOLUTIONS KOYO

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by usdmej View Post

                          pics of the Karbonius trunk fitment has shown to be not OE level, Slonik is also claimed lighter weight

                          I've been wanting their cf hood but dealing with any Russian sourced product now is sketch
                          Have you seen any karbonius trunks that touch the rear window?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I’ve had both Vorsteiner and now OE csl trunk and both come close to touching the rear glass in the middle. Wasn’t that bc the CSL had a different rear windshield?

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Wernd View Post

                              Have you seen any karbonius trunks that touch the rear window?
                              No, I was just answering your question and replying to your sentiment, Karbonius is a far from perfect manufacturer

                              Comment

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