The carbon slicktop thread

[Epsilon]

Nice, is the roof one of their own panels? Or if not, which panel is it?

He mentioned above that he used a Karb roof. The $1500 is for labor alone.

[Nate047]

$1500 for the roof + a couple hundred to install new ABC trim panels and the slicktop headliner. They charge 1500 to do the roof only and usually put the CF roofs in race cars so the interior work is a little extra.

Nice, is the roof one of their own panels? Or if not, which panel is it?

[SQ13]

Yeah this is definitely one of those “do it right the first time/don’t fuck it up” kinda jobs bc I do not want to have to go back and replace the CF roof. So either a very experienced shop will touch the car, or I will DIY and take my time.

The project doesn’t seem too bad. I have a windshield guy who is open to making two trips for $540 + windshield + moulding. Will also need to find a mobile welder to weld in the roof bow and get the rails painted. I think I can do the rest of the work.

Talked to some folks but ultimately decided to DIY. If I can’t trust someone with a simple job like replacing the clutch (currently dealing with trans issues due to this), then I’ll never be at ease with a major job like CF roof install unless I shipped the car to a highly reputable shop. At least I can take my time and ensure I’m doing everything right, and if I fuck up, it’ll be my own fault.

Most likely going with a Karb roof. I may also order their CSL trunk.

[bigjae46]

It’s been a long time, Berli’s Auto Body in Pflugerville/Austin. It’s gonna cost you but their work was impeccable. It’s been 10 years…not sure if it’s gone downhill. Haven’t heard anything bad since.

Soul Speed in Austin
Texas Track Works, Greg Smith Racing, or Clownshoe in DFW.

The only shop in Houston I’d trust to ever touch my car is Jim Berg at MSR Houston in the Houston area. I’d probably go there if I were you.

[SQ13]

For a major job like this, only go with a shop you can prove has done many installs. If possible, find an example to inspect in person. The last thing you want is for them to experiment on your car and skip something in the installation instructions. There is a video of a Karb CSL roof that had to be removed due to a defect and the fact that the shop installed it slightly crooked to the point where the roof rail fitment was off.

George Hill might know a place in TX

Yeah this is definitely one of those “do it right the first time/don’t fuck it up” kinda jobs bc I do not want to have to go back and replace the CF roof. So either a very experienced shop will touch the car, or I will DIY and take my time.

The project doesn’t seem too bad. I have a windshield guy who is open to making two trips for $540 + windshield + moulding. Will also need to find a mobile welder to weld in the roof bow and get the rails painted. I think I can do the rest of the work.

[Slideways]

Any recs for a shop in Texas that has done CF roof installs on the E46? The car lives in Houston, but for a job like this I don’t mind traveling for quality work.

Either that or I just suck it up and DIY the install, and hope that I don’t screw it up.

For a major job like this, only go with a shop you can prove has done many installs. If possible, find an example to inspect in person. The last thing you want is for them to experiment on your car and skip something in the installation instructions. There is a video of a Karb CSL roof that had to be removed due to a defect and the fact that the shop installed it slightly crooked to the point where the roof rail fitment was off.

George Hill might know a place in TX

[SQ13]

Any recs for a shop in Texas that has done CF roof installs on the E46? The car lives in Houston, but for a job like this I don’t mind traveling for quality work.

Either that or I just suck it up and DIY the install, and hope that I don’t screw it up.

[AWE46M3]

How much was the installation in total? I found their rate-to-quality ratio to be very reasonable on some paint work they did for me.

$1500 for the roof + a couple hundred to install new ABC trim panels and the slicktop headliner. They charge 1500 to do the roof only and usually put the CF roofs in race cars so the interior work is a little extra.

wow that looks clean

Thank you 🤝

[gohdunlam]

Finally got my Karb roof installed thanks to Kings Auto Body in Huntington Beach. The weave on the roof is exceptional. No QC issues to note for the clear coat or finish. The roof is getting Suntek PPF done this week. I had a chance to look at Xpel and Suntek on CF roofs and prefer Suntek due to the smoothness of the film whereas Xpel is more heavy-duty and comes with a noticeable orange peel.

Huge shout out to Tbonem3 for the glam shots. The iPhone 14 Pro would not have done this justice.

wow that looks clean

[Nate047]

Finally got my Karb roof installed thanks to Kings Auto Body in Huntington Beach. The weave on the roof is exceptional. No QC issues to note for the clear coat or finish. The roof is getting Suntek PPF done this week. I had a chance to look at Xpel and Suntek on CF roofs and prefer Suntek due to the smoothness of the film whereas Xpel is more heavy-duty and comes with a noticeable orange peel.

Huge shout out to Tbonem3 for the glam shots. The iPhone 14 Pro would not have done this justice.

How much was the installation in total? I found their rate-to-quality ratio to be very reasonable on some paint work they did for me.

[AWE46M3]

Finally got my Karb roof installed thanks to Kings Auto Body in Huntington Beach. The weave on the roof is exceptional. No QC issues to note for the clear coat or finish. The roof is getting Suntek PPF done this week. I had a chance to look at Xpel and Suntek on CF roofs and prefer Suntek due to the smoothness of the film whereas Xpel is more heavy-duty and comes with a noticeable orange peel.

Huge shout out to Tbonem3 for the glam shots. The iPhone 14 Pro would not have done this justice.

[Epsilon]

Maybe this was covered but can you bond the cross beam, or does it need to be welded in?

This guy bonded and added rivets.

https://youtu.be/Bny08_GKhNk?t=1009

[repoman89]

For those that went with the Euro Headliner without the hump, what did you do with your motion sensor in the middle? Or should I just get the one with the hump?

..

[Wernd]

I believe euro is perforated so you could cut it out. I don't know if the plastic would fit or not since it snaps in and does sit up a bit from the headliner. I guess worst case you could trim the plastic shorter too

[old///MFanatic]

For those that went with the Euro Headliner without the hump, what did you do with your motion sensor in the middle? Or should I just get the one with the hump?

Doesn’t the “euro headliner” have the option of cutting the marked hole or leaving intact. The motion sensor doesn’t really take space behind the hole, other than the white plastic bracket backing and to hide wiring.