LHD carpet for RHD car?

For all your questions, problems and DIY stories
Post Reply
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

I need a new carpet for my RHD E21. The only replacements I can find are LHD (see image below). I think this will fit with some small modifications (especially around the driver and passenger footwell. Any thoughts/advice on this from anyone?

Image


Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

I ordered the set, I will let you know how it fits!
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29662
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Jeroen »

No experience there, fingers crossed!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
User avatar
kam
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:34 am
Location: London, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by kam »

Reck wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:46 am I ordered the set, I will let you know how it fits!
I'd be keen to know how you get on as I was looking at this same set for my RHD UK 323i too. Keep us posted Reck. :cheers
Kam

1981 323i Henna Red
1982 'S' Edition 2 tone grey 323efi Turbo - Gone, but not forgotten. . .
A bunch of powered 2 wheelers too!
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

kam wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 2:24 pm
Reck wrote: Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:46 am I ordered the set, I will let you know how it fits!
I'd be keen to know how you get on as I was looking at this same set for my RHD UK 323i too. Keep us posted Reck. :cheers
Will do mate, should be able to let you know in January after some other bodywork bits and pieces are done. 8)
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

Ok, the carpet is good quality - nice and thick, and for the most part fits quite well. The only area it doesn't really fit well is the driver's side wheel well. It seems a little too long and will need at least 15CM trimming from the top end. I'm not sure if this is a manufacturing/template issue or whether it's because my car is RHD. No photos yet but I will share these once I have them.
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29662
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Jeroen »

Well that was to be expected imho, passenger side is longer as the carpet runs towards the rear of the glovebox whereas the drivers side has the pedals and lower cover to deal with, so you won't be able to see after all is cut and fitted? The part you need to remove can be used on the passenger side, but that's probably out of sight already.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
User avatar
kam
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:34 am
Location: London, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by kam »

Reck wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2024 11:30 am Ok, the carpet is good quality - nice and thick, and for the most part fits quite well. The only area it doesn't really fit well is the driver's side wheel well. It seems a little too long and will need at least 15CM trimming from the top end. I'm not sure if this is a manufacturing/template issue or whether it's because my car is RHD. No photos yet but I will share these once I have them.
Sounds like a good, positive result. Looking forward to seeing the pictures of it fitted.

A couple of questions if I may, how much did it end up costing you, purchased, shipping and UK import taxes?
And did you use the original carpet underlay ? If not, keen to hear what you used.

Cheers,

Kam
Kam

1981 323i Henna Red
1982 'S' Edition 2 tone grey 323efi Turbo - Gone, but not forgotten. . .
A bunch of powered 2 wheelers too!
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

Jeroen wrote: Thu Dec 12, 2024 11:52 am Well that was to be expected imho, passenger side is longer as the carpet runs towards the rear of the glovebox whereas the drivers side has the pedals and lower cover to deal with, so you won't be able to see after all is cut and fitted? The part you need to remove can be used on the passenger side, but that's probably out of sight already.
I think you are correct Jeroen - both sides are out of sight in any case, so it doesn't really matter after it's fitted anyway!
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 807
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by Reck »

kam wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 2:26 pm A couple of questions if I may, how much did it end up costing you, purchased, shipping and UK import taxes?
And did you use the original carpet underlay ? If not, keen to hear what you used.

Cheers,

Kam
Hi Kam - I wasn't charged any import tax interestingly. I am not sure if it was already covered at ebay checkout or something? In any case, the total cost including delivery was 386EUR.

I didn't use the original underlay as mine was falling to pieces, especially the foam sections. I used dynamat in some different areas - the footwells, back seats, inside door panels and on the read arches, then just glued the carpet straight over. I don't think this is as soundproof as factory, but it's good enough and better than what I had before (no sound deadening or carpet at all!!).
User avatar
kam
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:34 am
Location: London, UK

Re: LHD carpet for RHD car?

Post by kam »

Reck wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 9:40 am
kam wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 2:26 pm A couple of questions if I may, how much did it end up costing you, purchased, shipping and UK import taxes?
And did you use the original carpet underlay ? If not, keen to hear what you used.

Cheers,

Kam
Hi Kam - I wasn't charged any import tax interestingly. I am not sure if it was already covered at ebay checkout or something? In any case, the total cost including delivery was 386EUR.

I didn't use the original underlay as mine was falling to pieces, especially the foam sections. I used dynamat in some different areas - the footwells, back seats, inside door panels and on the read arches, then just glued the carpet straight over. I don't think this is as soundproof as factory, but it's good enough and better than what I had before (no sound deadening or carpet at all!!).
Thanks for the details Reck, much appreciated. Waiting with baited breath for the photos on how it turned out as I'm looking to do something similar later this year and exploring options, and this could be a decent cost effective solution for what I need too!

Kam
Kam

1981 323i Henna Red
1982 'S' Edition 2 tone grey 323efi Turbo - Gone, but not forgotten. . .
A bunch of powered 2 wheelers too!
Post Reply