CMST Carbon Fibre Body Kit for Tesla Model 3 (2016–2019)
The CMST carbon fibre aero kit for the 2016–2019 Tesla Model 3 comprises six component sets — a two-piece front lip, vent trim, fender arch trims, side skirts, rear lip, and boot spoiler — all manufactured in gloss carbon fibre and designed to bolt onto the pre-facelift Model 3 without structural modification. The kit targets owners who want visible carbon detail at each corner while retaining the sedan's swept silhouette. Parts ship as matched sets ready for fitment by a competent installer or body shop.
- Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 (2016–2019, pre-facelift)
- Material: Carbon fibre, gloss clear-coat finish
- Kit pieces: Front lip (2-piece), front vent trim (2-piece), fender arch trim (2-piece), side skirts (2-piece), rear lip, boot spoiler
- Finish: Gloss carbon weave, 2x2 twill
- Widebody: No — standard Model 3 width retained
- Installation type: Bolt-on and adhesive-assisted; no structural cutting
Why Carbon Fibre Works on the Model 3
The 2016–2019 Tesla Model 3 was designed with a deliberately restrained exterior — no grille, no exhaust cut-outs, no conventional bonnet vents. This austerity suits the electric powertrain but leaves the exterior with almost no material interest beyond paint. Carbon fibre counters this directly: the 2x2 twill weave adds visual texture at each fitted location, and gloss carbon reads as intentional specification when fitment quality is tight. Parts can also be made thinner than equivalent FRP pieces while maintaining rigidity, which matters at the front bumper where four parking sensors and a forward radar are embedded — a thin, rigid carbon lip can clear sensor positions that a bulkier FRP piece might obstruct.
Front Lip and Vent Trim
The front lip is a two-piece construction — left and right halves — mounting to the underside of the factory front bumper. The two-piece design means each half ships without the transit-damage risk of a single large piece, and a parking impact on one side means replacing one half, not the entire assembly. The lip extends the chin forward and downward, sharpening the front profile in side view.
Above the lip, vent trim pieces frame the lower air inlet openings on each side of the front face — the ducts that feed brake cooling and battery cooling beneath the car. Carbon vent trims add material definition to otherwise plain black mesh openings, tying the lower carbon lip to the upper front face.
Fender Arch Trim and Side Skirts
The fender arch trim is a carbon fibre strip that follows the upper radius of each front wheel arch, covering the OEM arch lip with a carbon face visible from the side against the wheel. Arch trims are detail pieces — no added width, no changed clearances — but they add carbon texture to a location that frames each front wheel and reinforces the kit's visual consistency across all four corners.
The side skirts run the full length of the rocker panel between the front and rear wheel arches. The Model 3's rocker panel is relatively tall because the battery pack sits in the floor, and the carbon skirts counter this by adding a deep horizontal element below the door sills, making the car read as sitting lower than it does on stock bodywork. Skirts mount via OEM clips and adhesive tape; a dry-fit and alignment check before committing adhesive confirms the lower edge runs parallel to the ground along the car's length.
Rear Lip and Boot Spoiler
The rear lip attaches to the lower edge of the Model 3's rear bumper, adding a carbon chin to an otherwise flat lower fascia — the standard Model 3 has no rear diffuser from the factory. The boot spoiler is the most prominent rear piece: most pre-2019 Model 3s left the factory without one (Performance models excepted), so the CMST carbon blade makes a clear visual addition at the tail. It mounts via adhesive pads to the trailing edge of the boot lid and uses a low-profile kick-up profile — not a tall wing — that adds a horizontal line across the rear and visually ties the rear flanks together.
Parts List and Installation Sequence
The complete kit comprises ten individual components: front lip left and right halves, front vent trim left and right, fender arch trim left and right front, side skirts left and right, rear lip, and boot spoiler. Inspect each piece on receipt for consistent gel-coat edges and no bubbles under the clear-coat.
Recommended installation order: front lip → vent trim → fender arch trim → side skirts → rear lip → boot spoiler. This allows each piece's alignment to be confirmed before the adjacent component is fitted. The critical rule at every step is the dry-fit: carbon fibre is rigid and does not flex into position after adhesive is applied. Mark positions, confirm clearances, then commit. Professional installation is recommended for owners unfamiliar with carbon fibre fitment. Browse individual components via the CMST Tesla body kit range, including the CMST front lip for Tesla and CMST spoiler for Tesla.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this kit fit the 2024 Model 3 Highland facelift?
No. This kit is designed for the 2016–2019 pre-facelift Model 3. The 2024 Highland has a significantly restyled front and rear bumper; CMST produces a separate kit for that generation. Always confirm your production date before ordering.
Will the front lip affect the Model 3's front parking sensors?
The CMST front lip is designed to mount below the sensor line on the Model 3 front bumper and should not obstruct the four parking sensors. Dry-fit first and check sensor clearances before applying any adhesive.
Can I remove the parts to return the car to stock?
Adhesive-mounted pieces can be removed with a plastic trim tool and adhesive remover, though paint damage is a risk if done incorrectly on unprotected surfaces. Clip-mounted pieces like the front lip are more easily reversible. Discuss the fitment method with your installer if you plan to preserve factory paint for resale.
What finish options are available?
The standard kit is supplied in gloss carbon fibre with clear-coat showing the 2x2 twill weave. Matte clear-coat finishes are available on selected components on request. Full paint over the carbon is technically possible but uncommon, as it obscures the weave and removes the point of the material choice.
How do carbon skirts hold up to Australian conditions — speed humps and steep driveways?
Carbon fibre is rigid rather than flexible, so a kerb impact carries a cracking risk that a PP skirt would deflect. The Model 3's rocker height clears standard speed humps, but approach steep driveways at a diagonal to avoid grounding the lowest rocker point.
Can an experienced home installer fit the kit?
Yes. Front lip, vent trims, arch trims, and rear lip are manageable with the right adhesive products and patience. Side skirts and boot spoiler need accurate placement and overnight cure. Skipping the dry-fit is the most common error — misaligned adhesive bonds are hard to correct once set.
Browse the CMST carbon fibre body kit collection or the complete Tesla body kit range at AME Motorsport to compare fitment options.