The carbon slicktop thread

[0-60motorsports]

Hey Fellas

So i have another E46 M3 to modify. My previous was FBO and I got the Challenge CSL roof (2014), as I heard they made the oem roofs at the time.

Do they still make the roofs? Are there better quality ones out now?

Kareem

Karbonious bro! I highly doubt challenge made the OEM roofs. No way.

[x Spades x]

Hey Fellas

So i have another E46 M3 to modify. My previous was FBO and I got the Challenge CSL roof (2014), as I heard they made the oem roofs at the time.

Do they still make the roofs? Are there better quality ones out now?

Kareem

[bavarian3]

This is scaring me off from doing the job. It seems hard to get a perfect fit and there's no going back once you rip that og roof off. There have been others with water sealing issues as well.

Epsilon please provide or DM the shop name.

[Nate047]

That sucks, but the only way this post would actually be helpful is if you name the shop so others can avoid it.

[Epsilon]

Damn dude, so sorry to hear about the issues. This is exactly what I was worried about and why I decided to just DIY it. Hopefully you can get everything sorted out.

For anyone thinking about DIYing, I made a DIY thread that you can check out. I’m also happy to do installs for locals if my schedule allows.

Had I known you offer installs, I'd probably consider shipping my car out to you if the numbers add up. This project was already expensive just parts alone.

I purchased all the tools to DIY too but just couldn't find the time to do it with family and work. After seeing so many E46s and other M3s come out of this shop on IG, I thought my car would be under quality care. The owner knows his E46s in and outs, but I don't know if he works on the cars himself. The folks who's had their conversions done probably never looked inside since their headliner's installed by the shop already.

Not sure how I can work things out with the shop yet as I'm still undecided.

Even my wife noticed this:

[SQ13]

I recently had a carbon slicktop conversion at a popular Southern California shop. My car was transported over to the shop and I was unable to inspect the work in between or after until it was transported back. I also had my own carbon roof which was transported to the shop. I have my own headliner which I did not ask the shop to install. The shop owner was easy to reach and friendly and I'll just leave it at that.

Here are my observations after getting the car back:

*OEM Windshield is misaligned. This is visually obvious with how much gap there is on one side compared to the other.
*I see scratched paint in the side gutter of the windshield seal like a metal screw driver was used to pry it.
*New windshield seal has a 1-2mm rip
*Glued on roof rail on one side is misaligned. Where the rear window seal and roof rail meet, the window seal protrudes up compared to the other side.
*Inside, there are drilled holes that are not sealed or rust protected
*I see a pried metal roof panel was not bent back on the inside (see photo)
*I see multiple drilled through holes. Instead of drilling just enough to separate the roof panel, welds should not be drilled through.
*Although water tight from my own testing, there are internal areas where I am expecting to see glue but don't see any used.
*The trunk antennae hole was not covered and my trunk was soaked. This also caused condensation in my left taillight. I think this was during the water test for leaks.
*My C-pillar covers were yanked out instead of properly removed
*My rear tint was scratched up along the edges
*My roof rails were painted black, but I see dirt particles under the paint. I feel like using my nail to scratch off the dirt, but it's painted over.
*Will have more photos when I get a chance.

In short, I love the way the carbon roof looks but wish the workmanship was better.

In terms of drive, I can feel the car having less lean around street corners, but my main goal was mainly aesthetics.

Damn dude, so sorry to hear about the issues. This is exactly what I was worried about and why I decided to just DIY it. Hopefully you can get everything sorted out.

For anyone thinking about DIYing, I made a DIY thread that you can check out and can rent out my one time use tools. I’m also happy to do installs for locals if my schedule allows.

[Cronenberged]

I recently had a carbon slicktop conversion at a popular Southern California shop. My car was transported over to the shop and I was unable to inspect the work in between or after until it was transported back. I also had my own carbon roof which was transported to the shop. I have my own headliner which I did not ask the shop to install. The shop owner was easy to reach and friendly and I'll just leave it at that.

Here are my observations after getting the car back:

*OEM Windshield is misaligned. This is visually obvious with how much gap there is on one side compared to the other.
*I see scratched paint in the side gutter of the windshield seal like a metal screw driver was used to pry it.
*New windshield seal has a 1-2mm rip
*Glued on roof rail on one side is misaligned. Where the rear window seal and roof rail meet, the window seal protrudes up compared to the other side.
*Inside, there are drilled holes that are not sealed or rust protected
*I see a pried metal roof panel was not bent back on the inside (see photo)
*I see multiple drilled through holes. Instead of drilling just enough to separate the roof panel, welds should not be drilled through.
*Although water tight from my own testing, there are internal areas where I am expecting to see glue but don't see any used.
*The trunk antennae hole was not covered and my trunk was soaked. This also caused condensation in my left taillight. I think this was during the water test for leaks.
*My C-pillar covers were yanked out instead of properly removed
*My rear tint was scratched up along the edges
*My roof rails were painted black, but I see dirt particles under the paint. I feel like using my nail to scratch off the dirt, but it's painted over.
*Will have more photos when I get a chance.

In short, I love the way the carbon roof looks but wish the workmanship was better.

In terms of drive, I can feel the car having less lean around street corners, but my main goal was mainly aesthetics.

spill the beans so others don’t don’t get shitty craftsmanship. We have a whole thread dedicated to speaking about bad service that’s justified. Sucks they didn’t do a good job but don’t protect them….they didn’t protect your car.

[karter16]

Honestly, every time I've clicked on this thread over the years I expect to see photos of Carbon-black coupes with no sun-roof. No matter how many times I get caught out I keep making the same mistake 😂

[Epsilon]

I recently had a carbon slicktop conversion at a popular Southern California shop. My car was transported over to the shop and I was unable to inspect the work in between or after until it was transported back. I also had my own carbon roof which was transported to the shop. I have my own headliner which I did not ask the shop to install. The shop owner was easy to reach and friendly at the time and I'll just leave it at that.

For anyone else looking into doing this, let this be a list of items to look out for.

Here are my observations after getting the car back:

*OEM Windshield is misaligned. This is visually obvious with how much gap there is on one side compared to the other (see photo).
*I see scratched paint in the side gutter of the windshield seal like a metal screw driver was used to pry it.
*New windshield seal has a 1-2mm rip
*Parts of the front and rear windshield seal edge were folded in. As simple as it sounds, I used a trim tool to lay the edges flat against the glass
*Glued on roof rail on one side is misaligned. Where the rear window seal and roof rail meet, the window seal protrudes up compared to the other side.
*Inside, there are drilled holes that are not sealed or rust protected
*I see a pried sheet metal roof panel flare out (see photo)
*I see multiple drilled through holes. Instead of drilling just enough to separate the roof panel, welds should not be drilled through.
*Although water tight from my own testing, there are internal areas where I am expecting to see glue but don't see any used.
*The trunk antennae hole was not covered and my trunk was soaked. This also caused condensation in my left taillight. I think this was during the water test for leaks. Owner told me to cover it up with a plug, but in my head I'm thinking why he didn't just tape over it in the interim if he knew about it.
*My C-pillar covers were yanked out instead of properly removed
*My rear tint was scratched up along the edges
*My roof rails were painted black, but I see dirt particles under the paint. I feel like using my nail to scratch off the dirt, but it's painted over.
*Will have more photos when I get a chance.

In short, I love the way the carbon roof looks but wish the workmanship was better.

In terms of drive, I can feel the car having less lean around street corners, but my main goal was mainly aesthetics.

[Arlen4369]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-bmw-m3-36/

not my car but this was recently purchased by my good friend.

[Arlen4369]

Mind me asking how much ABS charged for the service? My sunroof cartridge finally went out recently and seeing how they fair compared to my local go-to shop

best to call and ask for Kevin, he is very professional and will give you quote on spot. There is no one else I would trust for the job 626-279-6485

[dHam_Slow.46M]

Thanks 🙏. I got it on, abs auto body did the job perfectly

Mind me asking how much ABS charged for the service? My sunroof cartridge finally went out recently and seeing how they fair compared to my local go-to shop

[Arlen4369]

Did you ever get this on your LSB? Curious to see how the CF looks against our color.

Congrats on going all the way with your car.

Thanks 🙏. I got it on, abs auto body did the job perfectly

[Slideways]

Did you ever get this on your LSB? Curious to see how the CF looks against our color.

Congrats on going all the way with your car.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-bmw-m3-36/

[LSB4Me]

When there’s a will there’s a way! Huge day for myself and my OEM LSB CSL tribute build. Thank you to the special person who made this all happen , you know who you are.

Did you ever get this on your LSB? Curious to see how the CF looks against our color.

Congrats on going all the way with your car.