C32 Carbon Fiber Hood - Pros & Con's?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 131
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From: Washington
02' C32 - 07' H2 - 07' BMW K1200R
C32 Carbon Fiber Hood - Pros & Con's?
Hello everyone-
I am looking for ways to lighten up my C32 at bit, and thought about a carbon fiber hood.
I have seen quite a few of them for sale and I am wondering if there is something about them that people just dont like once they get them.
Estimated weight savings vs. the stock hood?
Does anybody have opinions on them?
Best manufacturer?
Are there any drawbacks for normal street use?
Can they be painted if desired?
Thanks-
Scott
I am looking for ways to lighten up my C32 at bit, and thought about a carbon fiber hood.
I have seen quite a few of them for sale and I am wondering if there is something about them that people just dont like once they get them.
Estimated weight savings vs. the stock hood?
Does anybody have opinions on them?
Best manufacturer?
Are there any drawbacks for normal street use?
Can they be painted if desired?
Thanks-
Scott
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 543
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From: South FLA
C32 AMG
Yeah, get some info from BIS firsthand. Yes they can be painted (which will add $500 to a grand!). The real PITA issue is fitment. They almost never fit exactly like stock. The vendor will tip toe this issue cuz it depends a lot on the installer as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Santa Barbara Cali
C32
the above is all not true. as long as you apply clearcoat on the hood, the CF will not fade. all you really need to do is to find a good installer. mine came out great. Down side is that you dont have your latch anymore. also, the weight saving isn't THAT significant as everyone hopes.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 179
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From: The Woodlands, TX
C32 AMG
lol go on a diet... I lost 40 lbs and the car runs way better now. Ok back to the real question.
There are all sorts of things that you can logically do to cut weight out of the car. Gut the trunk along with what was already mentioned. Pull your rear headrests, get a flat hood badge... etc... and thats just off the top of my head.
In my opinion going to a cf hood for actual weight loss gains is getting eccentric. Now doing it for the look is a totally different thing.
There are all sorts of things that you can logically do to cut weight out of the car. Gut the trunk along with what was already mentioned. Pull your rear headrests, get a flat hood badge... etc... and thats just off the top of my head.
In my opinion going to a cf hood for actual weight loss gains is getting eccentric. Now doing it for the look is a totally different thing.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: socali
03 C32 AMG, 98>02+ NSX-R(clone), 02 S2k
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
CF hood weights maybe 10-15lbs less than stock hood. not sure exactly how much. The weight saving is there. optima + CF hood will be perfect combo for that little edge of handling over another 32.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
being a road raceer for a couple of decades now, I'm telling you, not even Michaeal Scuhmacher could tell a 30 lb difference in a 3400lb car on the track. If looks are the issue, than GO FOR IT!
If you truely want a weight reduction, than like myslef, go on a diet, ha, ha. Just kidding, but you won't notice 30 lbs, IMHO. Heck thats only about 4 gallons of gas, FYI.
See yeah
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Hey FrankW:
being a road raceer for a couple of decades now, I'm telling you, not even Michaeal Scuhmacher could tell a 30 lb difference in a 3400lb car on the track. If looks are the issue, than GO FOR IT!
If you truely want a weight reduction, than like myslef, go on a diet, ha, ha. Just kidding, but you won't notice 30 lbs, IMHO. Heck thats only about 4 gallons of gas, FYI.
See yeah
being a road raceer for a couple of decades now, I'm telling you, not even Michaeal Scuhmacher could tell a 30 lb difference in a 3400lb car on the track. If looks are the issue, than GO FOR IT!
If you truely want a weight reduction, than like myslef, go on a diet, ha, ha. Just kidding, but you won't notice 30 lbs, IMHO. Heck thats only about 4 gallons of gas, FYI.
See yeah
I could care less about CF hood's look if they provide function. If i can find one cheap I'll end up paint over it with some Carlsson logo design on it.
i think CF hood and optima battery saves you more than 30lbs tho. I need to use two hand to held up a stock battery, but only needed one for optima. without the struts the stock hood feels heavy even with two hand.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
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From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
food for thought.... with about every 10lbs removed from the car (C55) you should feel the effects of 1hp gain. remove 50lbs from your car and you should feel about 5hp. as you continue to take weight off your car the amount of weight you have to take off will get smaller, not by much though (I think) your peak horsepower will not chance but I think everyone here knows that. Go get a set of light weight wheels for the track could find your self cutting a lot of weight. All I know is my stock AMG wheel is kinda heavy. you could take your spare tire out and feel an additional HP. I doubt you would even notice a difference. my advice lose some weight your will feel better, fit better, look better, and your car will feel faster.
personally I would rather have the piece of mind knowing i have a spare tire than feel like i have gained 1hp.
personally I would rather have the piece of mind knowing i have a spare tire than feel like i have gained 1hp.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Washington
02' C32 - 07' H2 - 07' BMW K1200R
I need to make sure I pick the "instant" email notifications...I did not think anyone replied to my questions!!
Thank you for all the great info and opinions. You guys must be tapped into my web cam or something. The "diet" suggestions are right on the number!
I was looking for significant weight gains, but still retaining the "stock" look - so the hood would be painted.
I think the general consensus is that the weight savings would just be not enough to make a difference.
Carbon fiber definately looks cool & fast...but...keeping cool may be a better way to spend $$ in the pursuit of fast.
I purchased an LET Heat Exchanger instead.
Last edited by C32-4ME; Mar 20, 2008 at 11:44 AM. Reason: typos
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
I need to make sure I pick the "instant" email notifications...I did not think anyone replied to my questions to my question!!Thank you for all the great info and opinions. You guys must be tapped into my web cam or something. The "diet" suggestions are right on the number!
I was looking for significant weight gains, but retaining the "stock" look - so the hood would be painted.
I think the general consensus is that the weight savings would just be enough to make a difference.
Carbon fiber definately looks cool & fast...but...keeping cool may be a better way to spend $$ in the pursuit of fast.
I purchased an LET Heat Exchanger instead.
Good choice
See yeah
