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      09-04-2014, 05:52 PM   #1
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IND | F8X M3/M4 Carbon Fiber Mirror Cap Comparison

All of us at IND do our best to have early access to the best parts for BMWs, with a particular focus on the new M3/4. Carbon fiber mirror caps have always been a staple addition to M cars, and the new F8x cars are no different, so when we heard that BMW was releasing carbon caps we had to get our hands on a set. What we found when the BMW caps were delivered was very interesting!

Like with all BMW carbon mirror caps, the caps are constructed from 100% carbon fiber with plastic tabs bonded in place to allow for the caps to attach to the F8x mirror housings. Plastic melt rivets position the tabs, and allow for them to be precisely located.

Many of you would expect that BMW would build these mirror caps in their own carbon manufacturing facility, but we’ve found this to not be the case. As it turns out, BMW has built these caps in a facility in China- meaning that BMW has outsourced production of the caps! Overall these are a good product, but we at IND were a bit shocked that BMW would build their carbon accessories in a third party facility in China.

IND has created a second option for those seeking carbon fiber mirror covers for the F8X M3/M4, and we compare fit and finish of both options below.


Left: IND with BMW OEM core | Right: BMW M Performance



Left: IND with BMW OEM core | Right: BMW M Performance



Front: IND with BMW OEM core | Rear: BMW M Performance



Front: IND with BMW OEM core | Rear: BMW M Performance



Closeup: IND 1x1 w/OEM BMW core



Closeup: BMW M Performance 2x2 - Installed



Closeup: IND 1x1 w/OEM BMW core - Installed
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      09-04-2014, 06:29 PM   #2
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Very interesting!

I prefer the 2x2 look personally as it's more easily discernible from a distance.

But fantastic work as always!

I'd love to see a V-weave option like the E9x.
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      09-06-2014, 08:03 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blindside_137
Very interesting!

I prefer the 2x2 look personally as it's more easily discernible from a distance.

But fantastic work as always!

I'd love to see a V-weave option like the E9x.
I too prefer the 2x2 plus the way the pattern goes at an angle
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      09-06-2014, 08:14 PM   #4
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You can see the difference on the edges of the pieces, the wrapped version isn't clean.
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      09-08-2014, 04:53 PM   #5
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Would the wrapped ones lift at some point?
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      09-09-2014, 10:21 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by consolidated View Post
You can see the difference on the edges of the pieces, the wrapped version isn't clean.
The cap in the photos was one of the first sets for testing. We now sand and paint the edge BMW gloss black.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TrakBch View Post
Would the wrapped ones lift at some point?
Nope and we also have a full warranty on any IND carbon parts. We also use a UV protected clear coat.
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      09-09-2014, 10:27 AM   #7
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Won't lie, I'm glad I went with gloss black this time around.
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      09-10-2014, 02:15 PM   #8
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2x2 gets my pick but Maybe u IND do a 2x2 to compete with the Chinese bmw M performance??
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      09-10-2014, 02:59 PM   #9
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Would love to see this product in 2x2 weave.
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      09-10-2014, 03:55 PM   #10
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Can you guys guarantee that these won't be damaged by sunlight? I had a bad experience with aftermarket e9x mirror caps bought from one of the forum vendors (NOT IND!) where the caps looked great when I got them... but started to look terrible over time. I believe it was damage from the sunlight because the bottom of the caps look great still. I am hesitant to buy non OEM parts now.



after 2 years... the clearcoat on the top started getting bumpy and you can see air between the CF and the clearcoat. Again... these are NOT from IND.

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      09-10-2014, 05:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m3less View Post
2x2 gets my pick but Maybe u IND do a 2x2 to compete with the Chinese bmw M performance??
Quote:
Originally Posted by parky1215 View Post
Would love to see this product in 2x2 weave.
I will make some sets in a 2x2 weave now.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wah View Post
Can you guys guarantee that these won't be damaged by sunlight? I had a bad experience with aftermarket e9x mirror caps bought from one of the forum vendors (NOT IND!) where the caps looked great when I got them... but started to look terrible over time. I believe it was damage from the sunlight because the bottom of the caps look great still. I am hesitant to buy non OEM parts now.



after 2 years... the clearcoat on the top started getting bumpy and you can see air between the CF and the clearcoat. Again... these are NOT from IND.
Yes we have a full warranty in place for all of IND carbon parts. I recognize the set in your photos and we had the same issues with this manufacture.
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      09-12-2014, 12:01 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate@IND View Post
I will make some sets in a 2x2 weave now.



Yes we have a full warranty in place for all of IND carbon parts. I recognize the set in your photos and we had the same issues with this manufacture.
Looking forward to seeing the 2x2!!! How long is the warranty? Because the defects in my old caps didn't show up for about a year and a half/ two years.
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      09-12-2014, 12:08 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate@IND View Post
I will make some sets in a 2x2 weave now.



Yes we have a full warranty in place for all of IND carbon parts. I recognize the set in your photos and we had the same issues with this manufacture.
Awesome.
I also see rkp diffuser on your web site now.
I will purchase that in a month or two
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      09-12-2014, 08:26 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wah View Post
Looking forward to seeing the 2x2!!! How long is the warranty? Because the defects in my old caps didn't show up for about a year and a half/ two years.
5 years

Quote:
Originally Posted by parky1215 View Post
Awesome.
I also see rkp diffuser on your web site now.
I will purchase that in a month or two
We will have installed shots of the RKP diffuser next week
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      09-12-2014, 08:31 AM   #15
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Can someone please set these on the CF roof and take pics for comparison, not sure which matches better. Thanks
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      09-16-2014, 06:16 AM   #16
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Great products from IND! Keep up the great work guys!
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      09-16-2014, 09:51 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew115 View Post
Can someone please set these on the CF roof and take pics for comparison, not sure which matches better. Thanks
I am waiting on my set now from IND but I can tell you that the 1x1 weave was done to match the weave of the roof. That is why I went with the IND product.

As soon as mine she up I will post some photos of them on the roof for you, should be anytime now.
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      09-16-2014, 09:53 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DadzM4 View Post
I am waiting on my set now from IND but I can tell you that the 1x1 weave was done to match the weave of the roof. That is why I went with the IND product.

As soon as mine she up I will post some photos of them on the roof for you, should be anytime now.
thanks
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      09-16-2014, 04:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew115 View Post
Can someone please set these on the CF roof and take pics for comparison, not sure which matches better. Thanks
I don't know how to post pics but I can confirm that the CF roof is a 1x1 weave as I recently picked up my car and paid close attention to it. Also there is another thread in the forum which explains the difference in carbon fiber weave patterns and the OP there confirms the 1x1 weave pattern for the M3/M4.
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      10-15-2014, 04:44 AM   #20
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Any additional help on getting the mirror covers off? My fingers are numb from pulling
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      10-15-2014, 09:25 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mab436 View Post
Any additional help on getting the mirror covers off? My fingers are numb from pulling
You should be able to wedge a thin bondo spreader or the edge of a nylon prybar into the outer corner to release the tabs. Take care to pull the cover straight out (not upwards or downwards) once the tabs are released.
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      10-19-2014, 12:49 PM   #22
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No offense but the BMW ones even from China look better than yours.
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