Blog

The CMST NIO ET5T ABS Xinlan Edition body kit covers three components — front lip, side skirts, and rear lip — specifically designed for the Xinlan (星澜) variant of the ET5T wagon, which uses a different lower front bumper profile and side sill geometry than the standard ET5T. The fitting methods differ meaningfully from the Type A kit: the Xinlan front lip uses an over-cap method with self-tapping screws, the side skirts require door opening for access to factory mounting points, and the rear lip involves LED tail light wiring and boot liner removal. This guide covers each component in full installation sequence.

• Vehicle: NIO ET5T — Xinlan (星澜) Edition only
• Kit variant: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) — not carbon fibre
• Components: Front lip, side skirts (pair), rear lip with integrated LED
• Fastening method: Self-tapping screws to factory positions + 3M tape + glass silicone + factory clips
• Tools required: Phillips screwdriver, IPA cleaner, glass silicone, 3M adhesive, trim clip removal tool, electrical tape
• Special note: Rear lip requires boot liner removal and LED tail light wiring

Xinlan Edition vs Standard ET5T: Key Differences

The Xinlan Edition ET5T uses a revised lower front bumper with different mounting points — the standard Type A front lip does not align correctly on the Xinlan bumper. The Xinlan front lip uses an over-cap approach rather than the adhesive-face method of the Type A. The Xinlan side sill also has a different fastener pattern: a three-fastener-per-end arrangement (one screw, two clips, plus a wheel-arch-face screw) versus the two-end-screw method of the Type A kit. CMST Xinlan skirts are drilled and slotted to match this pattern. Confirm your ET5T variant before ordering.

Front Lip: Over-Cap Method

The Xinlan front lip slides over and behind the factory bumper lower edge — an over-cap approach that provides positive mechanical location independent of adhesive bond strength.

1. Clean the bumper lower face and lip inner surfaces with IPA. Dry fully.
2. Apply glass silicone at approximately 100 mm intervals along the lip's inner upper edge for gap-filling adhesion.
3. Slide the lip over the factory bumper edge from one end to the other until it seats firmly with no visible gap at the cap top. Do not force — if resistance is felt, check alignment before pressing.
4. Drive two self-tapping screws into the pre-drilled bottom fixing points (one at each outer end) into the factory bumper lower plastic.
5. Drive one self-tapping screw per side into the tyre-side (wheel arch face) fixing point to prevent the lip ends lifting at speed.
6. Cure 12 hours before washing.

Side Skirts: Five-Step Process

The Xinlan edition side skirts use the factory sill's own screw and clip points as the primary mounting method, supplemented by 3M adhesive tape and glass silicone. The process requires both car doors on one side to be open during installation to access the hidden mounting points inside the door frame gap.

1. Door access and test fit: Open both doors on the side being installed. Hold the CMST skirt against the factory sill and identify the three factory fastener positions: the central screw location, the two clip positions, and the wheel arch face screw. Mark these positions on the skirt if needed.
2. Remove factory screws: The Xinlan sill has three primary fasteners per end visible when the door is open. Remove these screws (Phillips head). Keep them — they will be reinstalled to secure the new skirt. Also identify any factory clips (typically two plastic push-clips) that secure the factory sill garnish; these clips will either be reused or the CMST skirt's clip points will replace them.
3. Prepare adhesive: Apply 3M double-sided tape along the upper inner face of the CMST skirt. Apply glass silicone between the tape sections at 100 mm intervals.
4. Position and press: Peel the 3M tape backing, position the skirt against the factory sill from front to rear with the door still open for access, and press the inner face firmly against the sill. With both doors open and a second person confirming alignment at the other end, press from the centre outward.
5. Fasten screws: Reinstall the factory screws through the pre-drilled holes in the CMST skirt into the factory sill positions. Drive one additional self-tapping screw at the rear of the skirt into the factory sill at the wheel arch end. Check that the door seals clear the top of the skirt when each door is closed before finalising.

Repeat for the opposite side. The skirt installation sequence is the same regardless of which side is done first.

Rear Lip: LED Wiring and Boot Liner Removal

The Xinlan rear lip has an integrated LED strip that connects to the factory tail light circuit. Allow 90 minutes for this component alone. The installation sequence has six steps:

1. Test fit: Hold the CMST rear lip against the factory lower rear bumper. Confirm the LED cable exits toward the tail light area and the lip sits flush with no twist before applying any adhesive.
2. Apply adhesive: Run 3M double-sided tape along the inner upper face of the lip. Apply glass silicone between tape sections. Do not peel the tape backing yet.
3. Remove boot liner: Open the tailgate. Lift the boot floor panel and remove the two clip-retained side trim pieces to expose the tail light housings and wiring harness.
4. Access tail light wiring: Remove the internal garnish cover behind the left tail light. Gently pry the tail light unit inward to reveal its wiring connector. Do not unplug the factory connector — the CMST LED connects in parallel via a tap.
5. Wire the LED: Feed the CMST LED cable up through the rubber grommet at the lower rear frame junction. Connect red (+) to the tail light feed wire using a tap connector; black (−) to earth. Switch on the sidelights and confirm all LED segments illuminate. Secure the cable run with ties every 150 mm.
6. Fit the lip: Reinstall the tail light and boot trim in reverse order. Peel the tape backing, press the lip against the lower bumper edge, and drive two self-tapping screws per side at the outer ends. Seal around the cable exit with silicone. Cure 24 hours before washing.

Post-Installation Checks

• Open and close all four doors and confirm no contact between door lower trim and top of side skirts
• Check front lip symmetry from the front of the car — both ends should be at equal height
• Open and close tailgate through full arc to confirm no contact with rear lip
• Activate sidelights and brake lights to confirm LED rear lip illuminates correctly
• Check under the rear bumper to confirm LED cable is secured and not hanging

For other CMST products for the NIO ET5T and other electric vehicle platforms, see the CMST body kit collection at AME Motorsport. Carbon fibre options for other NIO models are listed in the CMST carbon fibre body kit range. If you are still deciding between the Xinlan ABS kit and the full carbon Type A kit, the all body kits catalogue at AME Motorsport lists both options with current availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the CMST Xinlan edition kit fit the standard NIO ET5T?

No. The Xinlan edition kit is specifically designed for the Xinlan variant's front bumper profile and side sill fastener pattern. Fitting it to a standard ET5T will result in misalignment and incorrect screw hole positions. Order the Type A kit for the standard ET5T.

Is the Xinlan edition kit ABS plastic rather than carbon fibre?

Yes. The Xinlan edition kit is manufactured from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) rather than carbon fibre. ABS is a rigid thermoplastic that accepts paint or wrap well and is lighter than FRP for thin-section parts. It does not have the visible carbon weave pattern of the Type A carbon kit. If a carbon fibre finish is required, the ABS surface can be wrapped in carbon vinyl, though this is a separate process.

Do I need an electrician to connect the LED rear lip?

The LED connection is a parallel tap to the factory tail light feed — no cutting or splicing of the factory harness is required. A DIY installer comfortable with basic auto electrical work can complete this step; otherwise a workshop with auto electrical experience can do it in under an hour.

Can the side skirts be removed after fitting?

Yes. Remove the factory screws, cut the 3M tape with a removal wire, and peel the glass silicone. The factory sill is not modified, so the original condition is fully restorable.

What colour is the Xinlan edition ABS kit supplied in?

Typically gloss black or primer ready for paint matching. Confirm the supply colour with AME Motorsport at the time of ordering.

How is the Xinlan front lip different from the Type A front lip?

The Type A lip adhesive-mounts to the standard ET5T bumper face. The Xinlan lip uses an over-cap method that locates around the bumper lower edge with mechanical screws at the ends and wheel arch sides — a more positive location suited to the Xinlan's different bumper profile.