Chrome Fender trim is just taped on

[86BRZ]

Got mine on eBay a few bucks cheaper. Put it on, looks sharp and never want to take it doen. Now I start to pay attention to other cars also have this kind of fender design, they all have some chrome details on it. Why would Subaru cut a few dollars on this? Now I think this should be part of the car.

[Umbie]

I got the dealer to throw mine in for free. I think it is a nice accent to any color, especially CBS. It's the ugly plastic grid behind it that needs some tweaking...

[86BRZ]

Agree, the black part is so fake, need some depth in it to make it looks like real vent. Any after market part yet?

[Efferalgan]

I planning to replace the gt 86's fake vent plates with subaru's fenders (no chrome) which fits the overall car design better in my view. Also curious whether there are any better looking aftermarket solutions...

[Lobe]

Originally Posted by Umbie

I got the dealer to throw mine in for free. I think it is a nice accent to any color, especially CBS. It's the ugly plastic grid behind it that needs some tweaking...

I agree, the plastic grid just looks cheap. I was able to find two carbon fiber aftermarket replacements on frsport.com.

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-BR-sty...Z_p_57024.html

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-FR-Sty...Z_p_57025.html

I have no clue about their quality or installation. It looks like the first one is the same design as the original BRZ piece, but just in carbon fiber. The other is an entirely different design. Has anyone seen these installed?

Edit: Fixed incorrect first link.

[Boosted]

There are other cheap options to paint or plastic dip it. I had my pieces hydro dipped carbon fiber for 40bucks.

-Alex

[tjohnson104]

Originally Posted by Lobe

I agree, the plastic grid just looks cheap. I was able to find two carbon fiber aftermarket replacements on frsport.com.

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-BR-style-Carbon-Fiber-Fender-Ducts---Scion-FR-S---Subaru-BRZ_p_57024.html

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-FR-Sty...Z_p_57025.html

I have no clue about their quality or installation. It looks like the first one is the same design as the original BRZ piece, but just in carbon fiber. The other is an entirely different design. Has anyone seen these installed?

if you bought those, you looking to sell the chrome oem ones?

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by M-17

I'm waiting for some real vents to come to light.

I was considering adding the chrome piece though, but the price does not seem right for how cheap it kinda looks like so far.

It would take cutting the fender with a circular bit, but functional extractors are completely doable. I'd like to see someone with the resources catch an under hood and vent exterior pressure just to confirm there's a differential to drive flow, but the whole procedure to actually install functional vents would take less than an hour if someone would design them.

[Kaster]

This is the only thing about the car I can't stand.

They are not functional, why are these fake things on the car? It's very irritating...

Its so freaking obvious these vents are fake, I don't understand why toyota thought this was a good styling move.

[Lobe]

Originally Posted by tjohnson104

if you bought those, you looking to sell the chrome oem ones?

Haha, I don't even have my BRZ yet. I've just been doing some research on easy mods. That fake vent was the first thing I wanted to replace, but I'm not sure it's worth the money. Plus I don't know if I'd like the carbon fiber part and it still leaves you with the whole fake vent problem. I'd love to have a working vent that Mitch described above.

I decided to not get the chrome installed. Later on if I decide to get the chrome fender trim, I'll order it from Subaru Online Parts and save some money.

https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...19930b3f1ed1ef

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Kaster

This is the only thing about the car I can't stand.

They are not functional, why are these fake things on the car? It's very irritating...

Its so freaking obvious these vents are fake, I don't understand why toyota thought this was a good styling move.

If you look at the shape and the opening from inside of the engine compartment, it looks like these were designed with some purpose that ultimately didn't make it into production. Venting air THROUGH the engine bay -- like a reverse cowl on the hood that provides downforce -- over top of the mirrors/that general area can provide significant area benefit.

[Brzetto]

This is just my opinion but I think the chrome trim piece looks tacky on WRB BRZ's. Copying an E92 M3's side vent isn't the best move but what's done is done.

[Umbie]

Originally Posted by Lobe

I agree, the plastic grid just looks cheap. I was able to find two carbon fiber aftermarket replacements on frsport.com.

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-BR-sty...Z_p_57024.html

http://www.frsport.com/Seibon-FR-Sty...Z_p_57025.html

I have no clue about their quality or installation. It looks like the first one is the same design as the original BRZ piece, but just in carbon fiber. The other is an entirely different design. Has anyone seen these installed?

Edit: Fixed incorrect first link.

Here's one example of the Seibon OEM-style CF fender trim (FRS). In my opinion, this isn't the best application of carbon fiber. Nonetheless, Seibon parts are among the best fitting aftermarket components. Installation, specifically for the fender vents, is just a matter of wrestling with some plastic clips. If you pop your hood and look at the inside of the fender, you can see how the trim is attached.

I am sure more aftermarket options will surface, but right now I am considering fabricating my own insert to replace the black plastic 'grill'. I would keep everything else on the trim the same. The Prova products are beautiful, but I refuse to pay $400 for fender trim...

[autobrz]

On SWP BRZs the trim piece is not chrome but is SWP to match the car's color. I like it.

p.s. I just searched and found a blue brz limited with the color matched trim piece as well. Now I'm confused. what car comes with chrome?