CF doors by Carbon Microsystem

[bigjae46]

Does anyone make a high quality OEM style hood in carbon fiber for our cars?

I wasn't able to find one.

AJ Hartmann but it requires pins since its not a full 2 sided hood.

It's not that big of a weight saver over stock unless you're willing to put up with some fluttering at speed.

[9kracing]

It’s in the plan for next year

Awww yeah.

I think Slon makes one, but they refused to ship to the US.

[Carbon Microsystem]

Does anyone make a high quality OEM style hood in carbon fiber for our cars?

I wasn't able to find one.

If there is interest and three or more customers will come together for a carbon fiber hood for the e46, then we can do it.

The hood will be completely carbon with reinforcement of all important places so that it can be used with the original fasteners and hood lock.

Here is an example of the hood that we make for the e92.

[9kracing]

Yes, if it can be used with OEM latches and doesn't require hood pins, I'll take one.

[Projecte46m3]

I would be interested as well if there is a potential weight savings over the stock hood.

[usdmej]

apologies for the lack of updates as i formulate a plan on getting these doors DIY installed. aiming to clear some time in the next couple of weeks to get started on this project.

in the meantime, i was able to remove the logo from the side of the doors. the instructions provided by Carbon Microsystem worked as exactly as described






they recommend sanding with 240 grit to remove the label. i had 220 grit laying around so carefully sanded by hand. moderate to hard pressure was enough to get the label off and while not damaging the carbon underneath



one small hurdle cleared! cleaning, sanding, and cleaning the entire inner door skin should be adequate to ready it for clearcoat

[bigjae46]

apologies for the lack of updates as i formulate a plan on getting these doors DIY installed. aiming to clear some time in the next couple of weeks to get started on this project.

I snugged the hinges to the door so the hinges won’t move without some force. So you can put the door on the hinges and move it around. Once it is lined up carefully lift the door out and slowly tighten the nuts.

Definitely an amateur at this so there is probably a better way.

[Carbon Microsystem]

I'll add more photos of our doors.

[usdmej]

^ thank you for posting!


unfortunately an opportunity came up for me to sell my car so unfortunately i will not be able to finish this project.
hopefully somebody can pick up my doors and complete it for the forum to see, they've been listed in the forum marketplace

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/members-parts-for-sale-wtb/e46/286306-carbon-fiber-doors

i'll leave this thread with some information i dug up on on how the crash bar works


it seems like the door itself does not do much in terms of protection in an accident. the crash bar however, is designed to hook onto the B pillar (or C pillar in a 4door) to prevent intrusion into the vehicle.





this is the hook, it bolts directly to the crash bar inside the door, the door simply acts as a placement spot for it to work properly in a crash since the hook will dig into a pocket/indentation in the B/C pillar


i'm a little surprised that flimsy looking crash bar is designed to actually hold anything back, but obviously bmw engineers think (and know) different.


i would definitely run the crash bar in a street driven car

[Obioban]

^ thank you for posting!


unfortunately an opportunity came up for me to sell my car so unfortunately i will not be able to finish this project.

Booooooooo

[enjoy_m3]

CARBON MICROSYSTEM, any chance you'd consider sedan doors? Would be cool for people who have converted their sedan/wagon into m3.

[Carbon Microsystem]

CARBON MICROSYSTEM, any chance you'd consider sedan doors? Would be cool for people who have converted their sedan/wagon into m3.

Theoretically possible, but to start such a project we need at least five clients. There are four doors and the production of molds will be very expensive.
Also keep in mind that due to the glass frame, such doors will be a little more expensive than for a coupe.

[Carbon Microsystem]

We made front doors with glass frame on the E60