The carbon slicktop thread

[Nate047]

It's probably just a regular roof with a carbon fiber look vinyl wrap, which is like, double stupidity.

[M3INABUFU]

I've actually seen a guy selling an Imola Red E46 M3
with a carbon roof AND sunroof still installed. He claims its the only one apparently.

[Cronenberged]

Thanks bigjae46 didn't want to assume.

[discoelk]

$2k seems like cheap labor for something like this.

[Nate047]

Yeah when I called them, they quoted $2500 and then when I said no thanks they called me back right away and said they'd do it for $2000. Maybe if I go over there in person and offer cash they will give me a more reasonable rate.

TBH I think $2k is not that far off

[EthanolTurbo]

You can go to 2M in San Diego, those guys have done a lot of these.

Yeah when I called them, they quoted $2500 and then when I said no thanks they called me back right away and said they'd do it for $2000. Maybe if I go over there in person and offer cash they will give me a more reasonable rate.

[bigjae46]

It looks kind of like a checkerboard. Probably won’t see it except on higher end custom race cars like a Radical.

I have yet to use it on the gloss/cosmetic side but here are some pics…

[Cronenberged]

Werd! Once the roof panel comes in, I’m making mine from a spread tow cloth. It’s the same stuff used in F1.

F1 doesn’t use a plain 1x1. It’s actually inferior in terms of weight and performance. 1x1 has more tow intersections where a tow goes up and over or under another tow. These spots increase resin consumption which adds weight with no improvement in the performance (stiffness, strength, toughness.

A spread tow is a higher performing option since it flattens the carbon, reduces the # of intersections and reduced resin consumption. I’ve seen a spread tow composite can be 20% lighter…haven’t verified that. But when you see carbon fiber on F1 cars…it’s a spread tow fabric.

A 1x1 weave is lower cost and more cosmetically appealing.

Spread tow is 20% to 50% more expensive.

Can you share what that pattern looks like?

[bigjae46]

Is it?

Counterpoint to this. I actually like seeing new products and looks developed for this platform. It's not the same ol' same ol'. So long as it's of high quality and tastefully done (which, taste is subjective so who am I to say what's tasteful or not), I'm on board for seeing new things. Otherwise it's just another replica...

Embrace the creativity!

-large weave carbon roof guy

Werd! Once the roof panel comes in, I’m making mine from a spread tow cloth. It’s the same stuff used in F1.

F1 doesn’t use a plain 1x1. It’s actually inferior in terms of weight and performance. 1x1 has more tow intersections where a tow goes up and over or under another tow. These spots increase resin consumption which adds weight with no improvement in the performance (stiffness, strength, toughness.

A spread tow is a higher performing option since it flattens the carbon, reduces the # of intersections and reduced resin consumption. I’ve seen a spread tow composite can be 20% lighter…haven’t verified that. But when you see carbon fiber on F1 cars…it’s a spread tow fabric.

A 1x1 weave is lower cost and more cosmetically appealing.

Spread tow is 20% to 50% more expensive.

[Nate047]

You can go to 2M in San Diego, those guys have done a lot of these.

[EthanolTurbo]

Does anyone have a definitive installer in LA/OC with a reasonable price? About ready to throw my Karb roof on.

[Casa de Mesa]

1x1 is definitely the only way to go on these

Is it?

Counterpoint to this. I actually like seeing new products and looks developed for this platform. It's not the same ol' same ol'. So long as it's of high quality and tastefully done (which, taste is subjective so who am I to say what's tasteful or not), I'm on board for seeing new things. Otherwise it's just another replica...

Embrace the creativity!

-large weave carbon roof guy

[bavarian3]

These manufacturers should start replicating the headliner base if they wish to keep selling the roof panels...

[Rokoz]

1x1 is definitely the only way to go on these

[Projecte46m3]

Karb roof is only $1873 from them directly. Idk how much they charge for shipping now. I paid $1600 for mine directly from Karb.

The shipping cost is high. Total is around $2315 USD if you pay with a credit card or around $2537 shipped if you pay via PayPal.