Well this thread caught my eye since I'm new to the platform. Read through all the weight reporting issues and just went to DSS to see what they are selling for now. Look I get you need to use slick marketing speak and slight of hand, but they way this reads is, honestly, more than a little misleading:

Our 3.25” carbon fiber driveshaft is now available now for the W204 Mercedes C63 AMG. Our shaft comes with a 300m stub system mounted into a billet aluminum plate to ensure not only strength but lighter weight than the normal way of doing this type of end (look closely at the CV end, it's not all steel). The shaft only weighs 18lbs and comes with special grade 12.9 uber strength hardware with back up lock nuts to ensure no loose bolts. We have been using this billet aluminum style plate for over 10 years on thousands of 1000+Hp Supras, BMWs and many more without any bolt issues.
Source: http://www.driveshaftshop.com/import.../mercedes/2008

Looks like things have changed....
Curious to know what Frank has to say.

I get it. Which was always my assumption. Misleading no less. Looks slightly different from mine.
Either way, I'm confident this helped with power transfer at the strip.

Well yes there was disappointment about weight savings, but it did appear people overcame that small setback after they felt the improvements to the car. At least that's how I read the feedback getting posted...
Headers are out for me cause I'm in SMOG land so I'm looking for others things to make the car mine. Bolt-in cf shaft seemed like a good way to go based on the feedback.

FYI... I'm in smog land too and haven't had issues passing yet with ARH headers and tune. I added some 200 cell cats to cut down smell and passed OBDII with zero issues.

There are a decent number of members in CA running headers without much problem passing emissions.

If I read the dss article right, that huge "puck" at the side where the cardan is, is made of Aluminum, or is now made of Aluminum.

We would be happy to host a group buy if there was interest again

As others have said get the headers then pay for hot smog. Don't know where to find one, its simple. Look for someone selling corn on a stick with mayo, cheese and chili powder. No, not him, the guy in the parking lot behind him with a white van who sells club america apparel and pirated dvd's of films that haven't even hit theaters yet. Thats THE Guy you need to talk to.

I would be very interested.

Initially I was very disappointed to learn of the less than 1lb of difference between the CF and OEM steel units.
But it seems there are favorable reports of improved throttle response.
And the CF unit may very well withstand the rigors of forced induction (see ESS Supercharger) better, and with much less collateral damage than the OEM steel unit, if stressed to failure.

I would venture to guess that most members who have had one installed feel the same way. There is a world of difference in throttle response now. When you mash the "go" pedal there is absolutely NO hesitation at all. Power transfer from pedal to motor to transmission to rear wheels is INSTANT. I would do it all over again if given the chance.

I just wanted to make a modest little note and say that I am .... close... to getting an answer from Mercedes regarding the weight of the $750 C63 Black series driveshaft.....
If that thing is 10lb lighter with harder durometer donuts...............

You have the part number of the driveshaft for the black series wrong.
While for fl it's 204 410 13 00
for the Black series it is a unique part number, different than all the other FL cars
204 410 25 00
The flex discs have several part numbers for the front and several for the rear and yes, there are:
000 411 06 00 and 000 411 10 00 which carry code P98, for Black series. However, the part number remains the same as with the non black series for the Coupe.
So I'll have to check with a Mercedes Parts professional, maybe they're the same, or maybe they're ordered with VIN number and P98 specified.

However, I'm interested in your idea about pfl vs fl driveshaft weight and the first excuse I have to take the driveshaft out, I will weigh it.

Thanks for looking into this, Vladds.
Where is the Black Series DS with Part # 204 410 25 00 available for $750? Lowest I can find from reputable sources is $924 + shipping.
Interestingly, the FL DS with Part # 204 410 13 00 is costlier than the BS DS

Yeh, first of all, the 750 was never going to include shipping. Second, this is an older search of mine, I've been chasing info about this for a while now. And now I can't find it lower than $900 + shipping. But I've only tried for couple minutes.

You know what would be great though? If somebody, with mega search skills can locate a picture of the thing, let's see how it actually looks like. Maybe the answer becomes obvious once we see the thing..
The drawing from the parts catalog is for representation only and even shows a bearing support from a different car.