Guys - I hope someone can help. I am installing a complete Carbon Fiber interior kit - all OEM pieces - in my 1995 Cabriolet. I am almost done and everything looks great and was not too difficult. However, I am challenged by the door inserts. The new CF pieces are larger than the original inserts and the mounting method is different. It is my understanding that the door panels were modified for the 97 and 98 models. However, the modification does not appear to be a major change.

My original inserts attach to the door panel with a series of "L" brackets. The new CF pieces attach with a slip joint that runs the length of the part. I am comfortable cutting the slot for the steel slip joint; however, the pieces appear to be too large by a hair. The spacing between the door mounted tweeter and the door pull assembly seem to be a touch too small. (Hopefully I am missing a simple piece of wisdom someone can share)

This is frustrating to say the least (I had assumed that the inserts would be the easy part). My questions:

Were the door panels/inserts a different size for the cabriolets?
Are spacers original equipment for the attachment hardware (5mm bolts) to hold the door pull assembly away from the door? I am the second owner and unsure if the original owner may have pulled the panels and forgotten the spacers.

Even with spacers it appears that the CF inserts will touch the tweeter. Is this "typical"?

I have seen door inserts for sale online that appear to be the same size as my new CF bits.

Any help, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't "need" the inserts, but they really complete the interior. I have given thought to (1) replacing the door panels (very expensive and I am unsure if this would help) or (2) sending my original inserts out to a shop to be re-finished in CF.

Much Appreciated,
Mike

 

There are 2 different sets of mounting for the door inserts. Your car has the earlier hooks, & the CF panels are the later slides.

As you noticed they are also larger. You can do 2 things..
1. Get the later door panels.
2. Sell your slider CF panels & get the rights hook ones.

Where did you get them, & how much did they cost? Are your old panels in good shape?

 

Thank you for the clarification. I have a better understanding of how to make this work.

I purchased the pieces with help from a friend in Germany. They are perfect - new and OEM. My door panels are also pristine. My car has 43k and change on the clock and the car is pretty much mint.

I purchased all of the Carbon Pieces together so I am unsure how much I paid for the door inserts ($4200.00 complete set).

Can I simply measure and cut the slot for the slide into my door panels?
Any suggestions where I can source just the door inserts with the correct mounting?
Any suggestions where I might find a mint set of later door panels in Classic Grey? Pelican wants about $1300 and change each - Ouch! I am not sure what LA Dismantles or DC would charge.

I am confident I can get a reasonable dollar for the inserts on eBay. However, I would really like to fit these on my car by cutting my panels. Is this a mistake leading to trouble?

I appreciate the help and insight.

Happy Driving,
Mike

 

You are never going to be able to get the newer panel to fit properly on the old door panels. The mounting would be very hard to get right, & the holes for the old panels are right were the new ones need to mount. You can always get some two sided tape & just tape them in, but they come off when hit with the Sun, or just never sit flush. You can try, but it might be hard to rivet a new beam in the old door panels. Of course you can't touch the CF panels, as you would mess them up.

CF on a Cabrio also doesn't hold up well, keep the CF waxed to help save it from the Sun.

You can either just get new door panels, or watch eBay for the ones you want. But grey is a hard color to come by. Good news is they will most likely be cheap.

I guess after spending $4200, $1300 for new door panels doesn't sound so bad? You can sell all the old stuff on eBay for a couple hundred.