Anyone here using a dashmat/cover?

[glucklich21]

Honestly don't know. It came with the car. Both me and my friend have the same one because we both bough our e30s from the same guy.

I'll text him and see what he says. ;)

[mach schnell]

Ever seen one of these installed? They're hideous imo.

My dash cover:

Where did yours come from / what brand?

[glucklich21]

you guys need to check these out...heard they are the perfect alternative to not wanting that carpet look dashcover but also covers up cracked dashes and gives and oem look....im about about to buy one

http://www.americandashcaps.com/bmw/...-318i-dash-cap

Ever seen one of these installed? They're hideous imo.

My dash cover:

[PAID_in_FULL]

you guys need to check these out...heard they are the perfect alternative to not wanting that carpet look dashcover but also covers up cracked dashes and gives and oem look....im about about to buy one

http://www.americandashcaps.com/bmw/1984-86-bmw-318i-dash-cap

[e34john]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...902&lang=en-US

25 bucks from Coverking. Sunday is the last day, I just got mine in black velour. Fits really well, gonna use a few more pieces of velcro to get it perfect. Doesn't look great but better than vinyl with cracks in it and I know by the end of summer my little slits will become gaping valleys. I don't even notice its there anymore while driving.

[89DelphinE30]

Dash mats are for women, get a crack free dash :)

[accident]

Personally I've always thought they were hideous. I got lucky though, both E30s I owned had perfect dashboards.

[e30trooper]

not sure what kind, i gave it away tho..

[george graves]

That's fine. I just wish people would knew what they are talking about before they try to start an argument with me.

[straight6pwr]

No. That's now how these mats work. They simply don't fade. The "carpet" is really plastic strands that don't fade. It's not fabric or carpet at all. It's plastic hairs or some shit. It never fades. It's UV-stable, or what ever it's called. It last for ever.

I had one on my e21 for 15 years. 10 of that was parked outside all the time in blazing southern California sun. It looked the same as the day I bought it. You don't know what you're talking about.

And the sprays you suggest - aren't "UV-proofing" sprays. They might help, but that doesn't solved the problem.

Sorry - but your "ah this is good enough" is what I consider crap. It sucks to be you, but I'm ok with that. :P

Yeah, I'm not that picky. I'm also not making products for anyone but myself. I'm trying to suggest a reasonable solution that someone may be able to reproduce for a reasonable price, is all. I'm a DIYer at heart, not a business person trying to make a buck, it doesnt matter that I dont know what I'm talking about. :)

[mach schnell]

Ok so where can I buy a good one?

[george graves]

No. That's now how these mats work. They simply don't fade. The "carpet" is really plastic strands that don't fade. It's not fabric or carpet at all. It's plastic hairs or some shit. It never fades. It's UV-stable, or what ever it's called. It last for ever.

I had one on my e21 for 15 years. 10 of that was parked outside all the time in blazing southern California sun. It looked the same as the day I bought it. You don't know what you're talking about.

And the sprays you suggest - aren't "UV-proofing" sprays. They might help, but that doesn't solved the problem.

Sorry - but your "ah this is good enough" is what I consider crap. It sucks to be you, but I'm ok with that. :P

[straight6pwr]

See, that's what I'm talking about. It says it's "resistance to UV-deterioration". I don't know what the term is for something that doesn't fade at all (UV-proof?), but you prove my point nicely.

Why buy build something and sell it to a bunch of people if it's just going to fade after a few years?

A product which never goes bad? You'd be a rich, rich man. Any material is going to have a life-span. It should be long enough to last the expected time any one person might own/use it. If the material faded after 2 years, it would be disappointing. If it lasted 10 years? I would say that's acceptable for the use of the dash pad. It also depends on how you take care of it. There are UV-proofing sprays that you can apply to fabrics to protect them. Secondly, its a material that can be refurbished as it patinas. You can always re-dye it. Your plastic dash is much harder to bring back to life if it fades badly or cracks.

Also, dont forget that the purpose of the dash pad is to take the abuse and protect your plastic dash from the same fate. Is BMW at fault because all of their dashes will fade over time?

[george graves]

See, that's what I'm talking about. It says it's "resistance to UV-deterioration". I don't know what the term is for something that doesn't fade at all (UV-proof?), but you prove my point nicely.

Why make something and sell it to a bunch of people if it's just going to fade after a few years?

[straight6pwr]

^eeek. Only if they can source the material that's ok with being in the sun constantly - and prove it. I bet that would be hard to find.

Plain marine-grade carpet can withstand ocean salt, sun, shark blood, etc. $27 bucks for a yard (3' x 6') which would cover the dash.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?...5516&id=437022

Im tempting myself to do this on my own. Cut to shape, sew on edge, done.