GB: CSL Diffuser by CarboProject Gmbh

[azmirm5]

I received my diffuser today. Thankfully, I fared better than oceansize - box was intact and undamaged. I did a visual inspection of the diffuser (took photos and took a video with the diffuser lying flat) once I opened the box and all looked good. I am not a CF weave expert but the exposed carbon portion looked very even/symmetrical, so very good workmanship to my untrained eyes. I went ahead did the install - here are my observations.

1) Fitment is 7/10. Tabs lined up to bumper slots and took a little effort to ease the leading edge into the bumper "channel". Of the six plastic tabs to hold diffuser into bumper , 4 lined perfectly, no effort required to align but 2 of them I had to insert at an angle and slowly work then into place so they sat flush. Top edge of diffuser lined up perfectly to the rear bumper - this resolved the pain point I had with the Taiwanese made diffuser since it was made of stiffer material so the leading edge was thicker so I wouldn't stay properly seated in the channel.

However, the left and right side edge is off by about a quarter to half an inch off - noticeable on the "step" or "wave" on the lower part of the bumper. Not sure of this was what was indicated earlier on in the group buy about the design difference/BMW parent. There is a possibility that my bumper is misaligned but the stock M3 diffiuser (made of plastic and thus more pliable) does not have the issue




2) Paint and finish - paint looks lustrous and match to factory steel grey. However, the clear coat is imperfect in multiple locations - multiple tiny bubble along the top edge of the exposed carbon. allI didn't notice when I did the visual inspection earlier (since you have view it from the top). Its one of those things that you can't unsee....so disappointing for sure.

Its definitely a step above what I had installed previously in terms of quality and fitment - it looks great from 5 feet away and GB price ended up being about 2x what I paid 7 years ago. I can actually live with the sides being off but the clear coat bubbling will bug me every time I see it - its very obvious.

[Epoustouflant]

PM me your order number. I sent the pictures to René already.

He's looking into small wooden crates for future shipments. UPS is really messing these up it seems.

[SFe46M]

defect in clearcoat. what are my options?

[oceansize]

On a positive note, Matt and Rene have worked together to solve the problem and are sending me another diffuser. Thanks a bunch guys.

[heinzboehmer]

This is what the paint line looks like on a real CSL. I'm guessing most people would want to get as close to that as possible.



Took that image from the carfection video. There a couple more closeup shots of the diffuser in it too: https://youtu.be/d_ifIha9vAc

[Epoustouflant]

Dang, that got trashed. Do you have an example of a paint line you'd prefer?

Just sent the info over to René for the claim.

[oceansize]

Damn

TBF, the cheap happybuyitnow168s aren't packed well either, but they seem to almost always arrive unscathed.

Also, not to be an arse, but that paint line (paint to CF) looks just as bad as happybuyitnow168's

I know Rene didn't want to get too close to an exact copy of CSL, but that line seems to be the thing that matters most to people. The cheap diffuser mounts and fits well, color match is good enough, it's that line that's bad and not straight.

I won't spend more $ if the piece isn't going to be much better than the $175 happybuyitnow168.

Yeah, I took one for the team but at least Matt is going to handle it.

Epoustouflant See if he can get the paint line better. For what he is charging it should be.

Edit: The paint line is clean and symmetrical on both sides but it would be nice if the titanium didn't come out so far onto the carbon fiber.

[oceansize]

Looks like UPS trashed this. Do you have pictures of packaging?

I’ll have him claim and replace.

Agree, I think the cracks are shipping.

FYI: The exterior box is problematic. It is much to flimsy, feels like paper. I was worried before I even opened it because I could see it had been mishandled. This is one of those things where if I have to pay an extra 3 dollars for a better box then so be it.

This first picture is the bottom of the box and this is how it arrived. The second picture is the top side where I opened it.

[Epoustouflant]

Received mine and unfortunately there are multiple major defects with the paint. Here are the pics taken immediately after opening. IMO the packaging was poor and left open the possibility of the piece being twisted. There is a smaller crack in the paint (not pictured) on the other side as well.

Zoomed in:


Zoomed Out:

Looks like UPS trashed this. Do you have pictures of packaging?

I’ll have him claim and replace.

[Tbonem3]

Damn

TBF, the cheap happybuyitnow168s aren't packed well either, but they seem to almost always arrive unscathed.

Also, not to be an arse, but that paint line (paint to CF) looks just as bad as happybuyitnow168's

I know Rene didn't want to get too close to an exact copy of CSL, but that line seems to be the thing that matters most to people. The cheap diffuser mounts and fits well, color match is good enough, it's that line that's bad and not straight.

I won't spend more $ if the piece isn't going to be much better than the $175 happybuyitnow168.

[oceansize]

Received mine and unfortunately there are multiple major defects with the paint. Here are the pics taken immediately after opening. IMO the packaging was poor and left open the possibility of the piece being twisted. There is a smaller crack in the paint (not pictured) on the other side as well.

Zoomed in:


Zoomed Out:

[oceansize]

Mine is arriving today.

[Epoustouflant]

The last units are done and on their way today

Looking forward to seeing you guys install these. I'll work on a 3rd batch once reviews are in.

[azmirm5]

I have a UPS tracking number but states label created but UPS has not received package. So still waiting (anxiously)...

[oceansize]

Mine was supposed to arrive today, although UPS has told me there were delays that bumped it to Tuesday

Mine was delayed as well.