What is everyone doing to replace OEM carpet/sound deadener?

[c0rbin9]

Just stripped my E30 to hunt down some leaks and both carpets (hear me out, previous owner just installed a new carpet over the OEM one, lol) are pretty torn up and gross. The heavy sound deadening pads on the OEM one are also pretty mildewed.

Seems like the ideal thing would be to just buy a new OEM carpet w/ deadening foam, but that stuff is NLA/uber expensive, right? Is there a better option? How are the guys restoring even older cars doing this kind of thing?

Something like Dynamat could be used for vibration dampening to replace the tar, but then you still need some heavy sound deadening to replace the foam, not to mention the carpet. Do such things exist? Do I have to learn how to sew? What gives?

[NCTerp]

Good question. (Bump)


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[Roadrunner]

Interested in the answer to this as well. I'm in a similar situation (minus the previous owner who installed a new carpet over the OEM one... that's special) - I had to take out the carpet and remove the original tar to clean up a coolant leak, so I'm looking for the best options for replacing the tar / soundproofing.

[c0rbin9]

Anyone?

[roguetoaster]

Not that it's an OE fix, but something like closed cell spray on insulation might work, of course it isn't flexible.

Or, if you must have foam, and want it only in specific areas perhaps some appropriate density craft foam along with some spray adhesive/foam cutter is what you need?

However, you don't really need the foam insulation as 318i models came without foam on the carpets as the 325s of various types had.

[stonea]

I've seen a lot of carpet replacement threads and never any real answers. You might just have to buy a used carpet.

[c0rbin9]

Well, that pretty much answers my question. I guess it makes sense that if you can't get a new OEM one and there is no reliable aftermarket supplier, you're SOL.

[AndrewBird]

Pressuring washing the carpet will do wonders for it. And no, I'm not joking. Makes nasty, dirty carpet look new again. Then just squeeze out as much water as you can and let dry.

A lot of guys will spray dye carpet as well with success.