Hey guys there's these guys thats 3d prints the center console vents for a reasonable price. Their not perfect but looks good. Needs a bit of modification to make it perfect.



I think the center vent was 35 and the idiot lifhtbsurround was 18 bucks

 

both of those parts are still available brand new as well. Obviously not as cheap, but I'm not sure I trust 3d prints for years of exposure to direct sunlight and pretty high heat.

Center vent part number:
S4: FB01-64-840B
S5: FC01-64-840

Light surround:
F055-55-71XB-07

 

the S5, FC01-64-840 is about $70, so twice as much, but imo its probably the better choice.
if there was something that added gauges in that spot, then its a different story

 

I thought this was a nice cheaper option for those that dont gave much to spend. It looks decent. There is a metal idiot surround for 60 bucks and I think that would be a better option over the original idiot surround.

 

The LRB metal surround does not look as nice, it is riveted together pieces of aluminum. It also does not snap into place with the clips and requires screwing into your dash. It is good for what it is but is a lot rougher looking than OEM.

One thing I will add no matter which option, be sure to get something in the hole. A few years with no clock surround and that section of the dash will deform it it hasn't already.

 

I had a look this morning, and as far as the 3d printed parts go, if it's made out of the right material aging shouldn't be an issue. I checked the material marks on other trim panels in my car and they are typically either polypropylene or ABS. If you have a NES or Super NES, you know what happens when ABS is left in direct sunlight for too long, it crumbles to dust. However I did find out that black plastic parts are typically more resistant to sunlight because they use soot for coloring and it is naturally uv resistant. If the 3d printed parts are made of either ABS or polypropylene, it shouldn't age any more poorly than anything else we have so long as the quality of the print itself is good. Glass fiber filament would probably be overkill for something like that, but I figure if it is printed solid and still maintains the dimensions it should, it should be good to go for quite a while. If you put your car in a garage and out of the sun, you shouldn't have an issue unless you live in someplace like Phoenix

 

The description says its made of ASA and UV ressistant



If he could make the window regulator that would be another quick fix. They crack with age as well. My original one is still good though but getting brittle.