center console question

I too have this stipple effect. I would have said more "honeycomb" however.
It is pretty good at shrugging off the dents but I have to say after seeing those protectors on ebay I might try them at some stage to see if they look OK and are any use for protecting the console. I may also see if I can get them wrapped in clear invisibleshield type material.

I might take mine off. Mine is the stock brushed aluminum that's very soft. I might make molds off it and make some CF sides, or wrap them in CF, or dip (plastidip or water transfer aka hydrodip)...

Today when I collected my car from the dealers they must have disconnected the battery to run the diagnostic check as the front seats were both in "BMW lad driver" mode - i.e. seat backs in sun lounger rake and set right back as far as they will go and the memory had been wiped. I noticed that the centre console in the area near the seat belt socket is nowhere near the aluminium on 2014MY cars, so how people are damaging the alloy bits with seatbelt buckles is not easy to understand. I'll post a photo tomorrow. I now see how I managed to scuff the leather on the sliding cubby box cover though!

Those side rails - in the UK at least - are about £75, $110 each, and fitting is quite straightforward - there's information on the net. The trim strip which runs along the passenger side of the dash has the same pattern, do not know how much it costs or what's involved in changing it.

Here is my driver's seat in the furthest back position showing how far from the trim the belt buckle is


In my normal driving position, which has the seat set quite high and forward, so I don't understand how seat belt buckles can be causing the dents and scratches - more likely to be a wrist watch I think.

I think the damage is done by the tongue of the seat belt striking the trim while the user struggles to find where it's meant to go.

Don't think it will be wrist-watches. Keep in mind that the OP is in the US, the wheel is on the left and most people wear their watch on their left wrist so it will be on the wrong side.

I've got this aluminium denting too in my UK evoque, it's definitely from the seat belt buckle.

thanks guys. I ordered some carbon fiber vinyl. Will try wrapping them. Will post some pics on how they turn out.

(16-11-2014 05:50am)mark_n Wrote:  I think the damage is done by the tongue of the seat belt striking the trim while the user struggles to find where it's meant to go.

Don't think it will be wrist-watches. Keep in mind that the OP is in the US, the wheel is on the left and most people wear their watch on their left wrist so it will be on the wrong side.

I think if you are of the errr, larger type, then the seat is further back and you don't end up denting the console.
if you have the seat further forward, I agree with Mark n, the belt buckle can contact the trim when pulling the seat belt or trying to find the securing point.

By larger I'm sure he means taller! I'm 5ft8 (at a push!) and have to be quite careful, my driving position isn't as far back as yours XFFT.