Fix the sunroof or carbon fiber replacement?

[STAATS]

IMO a CF insert in a street car is pointless. I have one in my track-only M3 and would never remove the cassette from my street M3.

Oh yer sorry i thought he meant full CF Roof.. not CF insert panel...

[MathewM3]

Ok, i just want to clarify if i didn't explain my self correctly.

I am either going to get another cassette or install a CF roof from Karbonius or equivalent.

Sorry for the confusion

[Obioban]

The problem with the sunroof even in a street car, at least with the stock power seats, is that there is zero headroom with decent proper seating position, and I’m not even that tall (5’10). I’d probably keep it if it wasn’t for that, especially as only a beginner track driver. It has to go though, so cramped feeling compared to my E39.

That's interesting to me! I've always found that, sun roof vs sunroof, the e46 has more headroom than the e39! Certainly width wise the e39 is larger, but I always have found I need to recline slightly more than I'd like in the e39-- not so in the e46.
(obviously the above is without helmets-- with a helmet I needed to recline a bunch in the e46 prior to going to the CF slitktop and getting a bucket seats installed).

[MathewM3]

Here are the options at ECS. I like the Karbonius option but the estimated shipping date is in June.

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Search/SiteSearch/Carbon_fiber_roof/

[repoman89]

That's interesting to me! I've always found that, sun roof vs sunroof, the e46 has more headroom than the e39! Certainly width wise the e39 is larger, but I always have found I need to recline slightly more than I'd like in the e39-- not so in the e46.
(obviously the above is without helmets-- with a helmet I needed to recline a bunch in the e46 prior to going to the CF slitktop and getting a bucket seats installed).

Maybe it’s the shape of the headliner. The E46 is more concave while the E39 is pretty flat. In the E46 my hair is always on the edge of touching the sun visor, but if I move back a bit more than I want to then headroom opens up a bunch. You’re taller right? So you might be more in the “bowl” part of the E46 compared to me.

[Obioban]

Maybe it’s the shape of the headliner. The E46 is more concave while the E39 is pretty flat. In the E46 my hair is always on the edge of touching the sun visor, but if I move back a bit more than I want to then headroom opens up a bunch. You’re taller right? So you might be more in the “bowl” part of the E46 compared to me.

Yeah, I'm ~6'4. I think the seat may also go down as you move the seat back (sliders on an incline) in the e46, but not the e39, so that may also be a factor.

[lemoose]

certainly go full CF roof if you can afford it (the roof itself is less than half of the total job cost) and know a reputable shop to work with it. However, getting a good condition, used cassette and installing it yourself should be no more than $200 and an afternoon's worth of work.

[mrgizmo04]

If you don't use it, why does it matter if it's broken? Unless you don't use it because it's broken? But you said you don't like it, so doesn't sound like you would use it much anyway.

If you don't need headroom and don't care to use the sunroof itself leave it as is? I've had mine semi-broken for several years, but it didn't bother me because I didn't care to use it anyway. I finally decided to remove it and replace with a cf panel because my head position with the helmet on was getting annoying (I'm 6'3").

That said, most issues with the cassette can be fixed very easily and quickly without even removing the headliner/cassette itself - replacing old/cracked tabs, lubricating the track, replacing the motor, etc. Watch a few ShopLife videos on YouTube.

Fixing/replacing the cassette or doing cf delete panel are very diy-able. Or, if you want to spend $, go with full roof.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[liam821]

Another option is you can replace with an OE metal slicktop roof. It's about half the price as the CF, but of course you'd probably have to paint it which is an added expense. But the installs are similar.

Also don't forget either cf/metal sicktop you need a new headliner too which aren't exactly cheap these days.

[Obioban]

Another option is you can replace with an OE metal slicktop roof. It's about half the price as the CF, but of course you'd probably have to paint it which is an added expense. But the installs are similar.

Also don't forget either cf/metal sicktop you need a new headliner too which aren't exactly cheap these days.

Also needs to be welded in. I bet the net expense is not insignificantly higher than a glued in, unpainted CF roof... for more weight and less chassis rigidity.

That said, a friend of mine just swapped his e39 M5 for a slitktop and it's AMAZING. First time I've ever been able to get a proper seating position in an e39. I don't think e39s were ever sold as slick tops in the USA, despite all the launch press cars being slick tops. Kind of cheating on BMW's part, IMO :P

[George Hill]

What is wrong with the sunroof as is?

[Tonggi]

If you were closer to me I would give you mine.Im in FL. I will be removing it soon. haas 84k miles, no issues as it was hardly used. If I cant find anything to take it after a month of sitting I will toss it in my community;s dumpsters while they are still here!

[MathewM3]

If you don't use it, why does it matter if it's broken? Unless you don't use it because it's broken? But you said you don't like it, so doesn't sound like you would use it much anyway.

If you don't need headroom and don't care to use the sunroof itself leave it as is? I've had mine semi-broken for several years, but it didn't bother me because I didn't care to use it anyway. I finally decided to remove it and replace with a cf panel because my head position with the helmet on was getting annoying (I'm 6'3").

That said, most issues with the cassette can be fixed very easily and quickly without even removing the headliner/cassette itself - replacing old/cracked tabs, lubricating the track, replacing the motor, etc. Watch a few ShopLife videos on YouTube.

Fixing/replacing the cassette or doing cf delete panel are very diy-able. Or, if you want to spend $, go with full roof.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I just get annoyed when there are things not working on my car, that is the main reason why I want to fix the sunroof or do a sunroof delete.

I actually took the headliner down and inspected the sunroof cassette, it is cracked, not fixable. I guess it gets brittle with age.

I am 6-03 as well so extra head room wouldn't hurt. I am definitely capable of doing the sun roof delete DIY so the labor cost will be my own time.

[liam821]

Also needs to be welded in. I bet the net expense is not insignificantly higher than a glued in, unpainted CF roof... for more weight and less chassis rigidity.

That said, a friend of mine just swapped his e39 M5 for a slitktop and it's AMAZING. First time I've ever been able to get a proper seating position in an e39. I don't think e39s were ever sold as slick tops in the USA, despite all the launch press cars being slick tops. Kind of cheating on BMW's part, IMO :P

You're probably right. But sometimes you just gotta roll with a color-matched roof.

[Obioban]

You're probably right. But sometimes you just gotta roll with a color-matched roof.

You could paint a carbon roof
(that's my plan if mine ever yellows)