08w204

Is carbon fiber trim the new equivalent of chrome?

It was designed as a light but strong substitute to save weight in certain components of vehicles... Got it. (If you lose that tire around your waist you'd be saving even more weight!)

So, I fail to understand how carbon fiber mirrors, interiors, and steering wheels is anything but cosmetic (and ugly). To me, decking out a small luxo-sport like the C300 and C350 in carbon fiber anything is just as useful as putting a giant spoiler on the back end of a Pinto.

Call it art or stylish if you want. I know many people on this site will say that I'm off track with what's "in" but it's just my two cents' worth.

(Commence with the ragging on this post now, all you CF lovers!)

C300Sport

I understand where you are coming from. To me, carbon fiber doesn't hold much appeal but I like the aluminum look. To me aluminum has the semblance of lightweight, high performance racing. I would think carbon fiber has the same connotation to many so I can understand the appeal.

I actually have a carbon fiber/Kevlar motorcycle helmet and I kinda regret having it painted black instead of clear...the carbon fiber weave would have looked pretty cool but I guess that just shows I am kinda a non carbon fiber guy.

tusabes

When talking about interiors....cf, WOOD, or aluminum are dress-up items. They take away the harsh look of all plastic/vinyl and provide needed contrast.

Just look at base level interiors, or especially interiors of BMWs from the 80s to see how stark and ugly an interior is when there is nothing but plastic and vinyl trim. It looks like a 60s VW.

Derspeed

Hey, I like 60s VWs. CF looks good in some applications. I first got the idea for a CF spoiler when I ordered my car in Nov. 2007. There was an E63 with some CF exterior parts on the showroom floor. I thought the CF spoiler looked great.

I like parts that serve a purpose. Obviously a CF hood or trunk lid will reduce weight. Adding a part for looks doesn't really make sense to me. Eventhough I will probably do it a some point.

I think if someone wants CF on their car, they should add CF.

spoolIT85

AMEN

qwqwerertyty

it's purely cosmetic. it reminds people of sportiness and technology, just like how wood trim reminds people of luxury.

and cf just looks sexy imo. carbon is such a common yet special element, found from ash to diamond. weaving it into fibers and combining with a matrix to make such an ideal material is just beautiful.

it also looks like the car's muscle tissues being exposed =P if that sorta makes sense

Richard2011

Muscle tissue... Never heard of that that one. Great analogy!

chokaay

My guess is that it's personal preference.


I would rather have QUALITY CF (real CF/molded pieces with texture... none of those wraps or stickers) for the INTERIOR trim rather than the aluminum trim MB gives the GLK & C-Class (the brushed aluminum look looks cheap IMO).

However, interior wood trim DEFINITELY wins out over both CF and AL for me!



As for the outside, I wouldn't change ANYTHING to CF on a C-Class (unless you have a C63 and have a spoiler and other "extra" bodykit pieces... the CF in those applications would give the car a "sportier" look IMO).

AkaSigFreak

Thank God we're in a recession. Your two cents isn't worth a damn right now!

In some countries you would be caned for such an offense.
The sig says it all

RedG

Anything done with quality is nice. It is also something different from either brushed aluminum, or wood trims.

Azn_C300

First off, I would never bash anyone's sense of taste regarding their preference to wood, aluminum, or CF. Everyone has their own tastes and variety is the spice of life. To openly condescend other people's preference is an exercise in stupidity. If we all followed one person's opinion of "what looks good" then we'd all wear the same clothing, have the same hair style, talk the same way, and fall for the same girl. I personally like the look of CF over wood, but would never turn a snob nose up to someone who preferred wood.

C300Kid

I'll do it for you. Aluminum/Carbon Fiber > Wood. Wood = ugly in cars. My opinion of course.

tusabes

Not in my CL , S Class, or My Jags. Wood looks perfect and CF would look stupid. Depends a lot on the car.

C300Kid

Very true. I even like some wood in the C...like the birds eye maple. I was just jokingly causing trouble.

RedG

All trims can look good (when done properly).

/thread

phatboypimp

CF (real hand laid carbon fiber) was/is expensive and I believe that is probably a big reason why it became popular for other interior items. Not so much for performance but for the price it represented. Which is why there are so many faux-CF applications. If you have ever tried to lay CF yourself, you will come to appreicate its complexity.

keith100

Don't understand it myself, either, but then why do some of us still like a little bit of bogus wood?

Seems as if the traditionalists like wood and the modernists like CF.

cvkatigbak

AHAHAH and everyone's car would look like Mikes! (Azn)