The carbon slicktop thread

[old///MFanatic]

Is the OE CSL roof 1x1 or 2x2?

Genuine BMW uses 1x1 weave on their parts.

[mainstreamer00]

Here's a list of carbon fiber roofs, links to the respective web site and price shipped (except VAC) to a residential address. Geoff Steel reflects recent exchange rates with UK Pound and US Dollar.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/E46-M3-C...-Roof-RHR.html ($1,690)
https://ajhartmanaero.com/e46-carbon-roof/ ($1,725)
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...2-twill-weave/ ($1,625)
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/rhr...-m3-p3217.aspx ($1,540)
https://store.langracing.com/bmw-e46...er-roof-panel/ ($1,725)
https://dtmfiberwerkz.com/index.php?...product_id=259 ($1,145)
https://www.geoffsteel.co.uk/shop/e4...r-roof-skin-3/ ($1,260)

All appear to be 2X2 carbon fiber, but I've no experience with the quality or fit.

Feff

Forgot Karbonius ^

[Onefastsicilian]

We had Jared, the m3forum member living with his grandma buy a cheaper brand carbon roof and it looked like it was made by a 14yr old in art class. Forgot the brand he got tho. I’d be weary of going cheap on a carbon roof.

LOLL

i remember this.. it was the bimmerworld roof.

[S14]

Is the OE CSL roof 1x1 or 2x2?

It's been a decade since I saw one in person, but from memory it's 1x1.

[heinzboehmer]

Is the OE CSL roof 1x1 or 2x2?

[Toby22]

DTM Fiberwerkz was pretty forward thinking on products in the E30 world a few years back. Those that tried them out often complained about the low quality, some complained quite loudly about how shit they are.

Personally I bought some fender flares from them and the fit was good enough.

We had Jared, the m3forum member living with his grandma buy a cheaper brand carbon roof and it looked like it was made by a 14yr old in art class. Forgot the brand he got tho. I’d be weary of going cheap on a carbon roof.

[Feffman]

Here's a list of carbon fiber roofs, links to the respective web site before shipping. Geoff Steel reflects recent exchange rates with UK Pound and US Dollar.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/E46-M3-C...-Roof-RHR.html ($1,799)
https://ajhartmanaero.com/e46-carbon-roof/ ($1,799)
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13299297-carbon-fiber-roof-panel-2x2-e46-coupe/ ($1,999)
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/rhr...-m3-p3217.aspx ($1,799)
https://store.langracing.com/bmw-e46...er-roof-panel/ ($1,450)
https://dtmfiberwerkz.com/index.php?...product_id=259 ($1,295)
https://www.geoffsteel.co.uk/shop/e4...r-roof-skin-3/ ($763)
https://karbonius.net/producto/bmw-m...al-roof-panel/ ($1,736)
https://ind-distribution.com/collect...bon-roof-panel ($2,195)
https://www.aerofunction.com/2001-2006-BMW-3-Series-M3-E46-2DR-Carbon-AF-1-Hard-Top-Roof-CFP-1-Piece.html ($999)

All appear to be 2X2 carbon fiber, but I've no experience with the quality or fit.

Feff

[S14]

Has anyone purchased and installed the DTM carbon fiber roof? As Epsilon noted, they are a lower cost choice.

Feff

DTM Fiberwerkz was pretty forward thinking on products in the E30 world a few years back. Those that tried them out often complained about the low quality, some complained quite loudly about how shit they are.

Personally I bought some fender flares from them and the fit was good enough.

[Feffman]

Never heard of DTM mentioned in the forums before, but they are really low cost at $695 for FRP and $995 for carbon and $150 flat ship.

https://dtmfiberwerkz.com/index.php?...product_id=259

Has anyone purchased and installed the DTM carbon fiber roof? As Epsilon noted, they are a lower cost choice.

Feff

[STAATS]

I went with Karbonius, whose finish quality (similar to their airbox) was impeccable. It seemed like many of the other CF roof manufacturers either offer "dry carbon" (non-clear coated), or are more track-specific and note that finish quality may suffer as such. For roughly the same price across the spectrum, I'm very happy with Karb. One thing to note was that their overall fitment was great, except for the front edge at the top of the windshield. It protruded slightly, and had to be ground down to sit flush with the frame.
Would still recommend.

The extra lip is somewhat on purpose, it allows you to get your front to rear alignment spot on and then just trim the lip as required. I have to trim a bit off my rear lip as well. This is exactly what I would expect from a part like this... I would expect something like this on an OE replacement as well as it allows you to make up for any frame changes since factory...

I have a Karb as well and the thing I liked the most is unlike any other CF roof I have seen it actually had the rail clip mounts on it so you could install your stock rail back in, instead of needing to get a CSL rail... made it easy for me to get my stock rails painted gloss black and clip them straight in... especially with CSL rails currently at $250USD EACH!

[Epsilon]

New carbon roof video from Redish Motorsport:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmC-gooNM0M

[duracellttu]

What's the consensus on the "best roof" in terms of fit and quality? Karbonius? IND? I would assume the OEM "slicktop" panel would be the easiest and cheapest but I'd think when it comes time to sell the car a car with a CF roof will sell for marginally more than a car with an "after the fact" BMW panel added on.

2M Autowerks in San Diego did my CF roof install. They have done a ton of roofs and said IND has best fitment and finish. That being said, fitment was spot on and there was one very small imperfection in the CF. Barely noticeable unless you are looking for it. Overall I was happy with the piece, but it wasn’t perfect.

[mainstreamer00]

I went with Karbonius, whose finish quality (similar to their airbox) was impeccable. It seemed like many of the other CF roof manufacturers either offer "dry carbon" (non-clear coated), or are more track-specific and note that finish quality may suffer as such. For roughly the same price across the spectrum, I'm very happy with Karb. One thing to note was that their overall fitment was great, except for the front edge at the top of the windshield. It protruded slightly, and had to be ground down to sit flush with the frame.
Would still recommend.

[ra2fanatic]

Can’t say which top is the best but I went with IND’s RKP CF Roof. IND has some amazing builds of their own so that’s what I’m going to base my decision on. Should be here next week.

[heinzboehmer]

I would assume the OEM "slicktop" panel would be the easiest

I would think that panel bonding a CF roof would be easier than welding and painting a metal one.