Tesla Model 3 & 3P CMST Style A/B Carbon Kit Install
The CMST Style A and Style B carbon-fibre kits for the 2025 Tesla Model 3 and Model 3 Performance are bolt-on, tape-on upgrades that fit the Highland Model 3 without cutting. Both styles share the same fitment method and cover the front lip, side skirts and rear lip; the difference is the shape of the lip and the bonding pattern, with Style A taking a cleaner profile and Style B a more pronounced one. Each piece is pre-preg dry carbon fibre, fixed with 3M VHB acrylic tape, structural adhesive and self-tapping screws, so two people can fit either style in an afternoon.
This guide covers both A and B kits in the order we recommend, with the alignment and clearance checks that matter on the low Highland body and the higher-output Performance.
Quick facts
- Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 and Model 3 Performance "Highland"
- Fitment years: 2023-onward (2025 model year)
- Styles: CMST Style A and Style B (front lip, side skirts, rear lip)
- Material: dry carbon fibre, gloss or matte clear-coat
- Fixing method: 3M VHB tape + adhesion promoter + self-tapping screws (no cutting)
- Skill level: intermediate; two people recommended
- Estimated time: 4–6 hours
Choosing Style A or Style B
The two styles fit the same way, so the choice is about looks and how the lip bonds:
| Feature | Style A | Style B |
|---|---|---|
| Front-lip profile | Cleaner, closer to factory | More pronounced, deeper edge |
| Bonding pattern | Tape and adhesive along the upper edge | Tape and adhesive with an additional contact strip |
| Stance | Subtle carbon accent | Sportier, more aggressive |
| Best for | Owners wanting restraint | Owners wanting presence |
Tools and preparation
Whichever style you choose, dry-fit each piece before any tape backing comes off. The test-fit confirms how the gaps fall and lets you mark the alignment with masking tape. You will need:
- Trim-removal and plastic pry tools
- Electric screwdriver or impact driver with the supplied self-tapping screws
- Adhesion promoter and clean microfibre cloths
- Fine sandpaper (240–400 grit) to key the bonding faces
- 3M VHB tape (usually pre-applied) and a tube of glass-grade structural adhesive
- Masking tape for alignment, and a heat gun for cold-weather tack
- Ramps or a hoist to reach the sills and lower bumper
Handle the carbon by its edges on a padded surface; the clear-coat scratches easily. Bond at room temperature — 3M acrylic tape grabs best between roughly 21°C and 38°C — and warm the panels if the workshop is cold.
Step 1 — Front lip (A or B)
Offer the front lip up to the lower bumper to check the clip positions before committing adhesive. Clean the bumper face with the adhesion promoter, sand the lip's inner upper edge, and wipe it clean. For Style A, run 3M tape along the upper edge with a few dabs of structural adhesive. For Style B, follow the deeper bonding pattern the kit shows, adding the extra contact strip so the more pronounced lip clamps tight. Peel one end of the backing, locate the lip with a helper steadying the far side, confirm it sits centred with even corner wrap, then peel the rest and press home. Drive self-tapping screws into the lower edge to lock it, and bond the left and right corner sections last, pressing until the seams close.
Step 2 — Side skirts
Clean and lightly sand the rocker panel along the skirt line. Run 3M tape along the top inner edge of each skirt with a few points of adhesive, and clean the matching rocker area with the promoter. Peel one end, lift the skirt into place with a helper, and check it tucks under the door sill and follows the rocker front to rear. Confirm the position, peel the rest and press home, then fix the underside with self-tapping screws, adding an extra screw at the leading edge.
Step 3 — Rear lip
Clean and key the lower rear bumper where the rear lip will sit. Apply 3M tape to the lip's bonding face with a few dabs of adhesive. Peel one end, offer the lip to the bumper with a helper, and confirm it lines up evenly across the car before peeling the rest. Press firmly along the whole edge, and add self-tapping screws underneath where the kit provides for them.
Step 4 — Final alignment and curing
With all three pieces fitted, confirm the lip is square, the skirts run parallel to the sills, and the rear lip is level. Re-press every bonded edge for full contact, then leave the car to cure before washing or driving in the rain; acrylic tape reaches working strength in a few hours and full strength over several days.
Fitment tips and cautions
- Match the bonding pattern to the style. Style B's deeper lip needs the extra contact strip; do not shortcut it with Style A's pattern.
- Test-fit first. Tape and clips locate cleanly only once, so confirm the position before peeling the backing.
- Mind the front overhang. Both lips lower the effective clearance, more so with Style B; take steep driveways and speed humps slowly and at an angle.
- Bond warm. Warm the panels and the car if you are working below about 18°C.
- Paint-match if you want body colour. The carbon ships clear-coated; a panel shop can respray before fitting.
FAQ
Which is better, the Style A or Style B kit?
Neither is objectively better — they fit identically and use the same dry carbon fibre. Style A gives a cleaner, near-factory look; Style B gives a deeper, sportier lip. Choose on appearance and how much presence you want.
Do the A and B kits fit the Model 3 Performance as well as the standard car?
Yes. Both styles are cut for the Highland Model 3, and the bodywork is shared between the standard car and the Performance, so the lip, skirts and rear lip fit either. The Performance's extra output does not change the fitment.
Will these kits fit the pre-Highland Model 3?
No. The A and B kits are cut for the 2023-onward Highland, which has redesigned front and rear bumpers. The 2017–2023 Model 3 uses a different kit, so confirm your model year first.
Is the carbon real dry carbon fibre?
Yes. The lip, skirts and rear lip are pre-preg dry carbon fibre with a clear-coat finish, so the weave shows and the panels stay light and rigid. A matte clear-coat is available for a satin look.
Can I fit it myself?
A confident DIY installer can fit either style with basic tools and a second pair of hands. The skirts and rear lip are easiest with someone holding the panel while you start the screws, so plan for two people.
Professional fitment in Australia
If you would rather compare both styles in person and have the kit fitted and paint-matched correctly, AME Motorsport can help. Browse the CMST body kit range for Tesla, weigh up the CMST front lip for Tesla options, and view the matching CMST side skirts for Tesla. For the complete A and B packages and fitment advice, start at our CMST body kit collection.