SRG_C63

If you take the carbon roof only because you don't want to pay money for a repair of the sun roof, I think this is the wrong solution ...

The roof is there to remove about 20 kg of moving mass at the highest point of the car. If you move your car a bit faster, you should notice the difference immediately. Imagine you take a 20kg weight plate and throw it around you on a rope at 100mph. This is how it affects the handling of the car. Similar to when you remove 100kg at the lowest point on the car.

I am currently thinking about flattening the sides, removing the existing fastenings from the roof and gluing them to the new roof.

You have to think of it like this:





Here you can see two plastic brackets. These are in the back of the car. In the front at the height of the roof there are no plastic fasteners and the trim is put directly on the metal edge. But the trim goes further down to the hood. This means that it would still have enough hold on the roof without gluing it in completely, which I absolutely want to avoid. Do you know what I mean?

So the edge of the sheet metal on the roof could be omitted and the costs would be maybe lower with option 2 with the autoclave production. But I have to check if that would change the price.

In a BMW the strip ends at the roof and people just glue it in.

How do you guys see that?

Miky360

The 63 is just my beater, not too concerned for weight. This just seems like a simpler method. Most shops dont want to touch my sunroof but i had no issues getting my carbon roof done on my Datsun

SRG_C63

it depends how much work you can do by your own. Removing the old roof you can do by yourself. It’s not complicated work. But it takes time.

Then go for it

Tomorrow I will get a quote for shipping all the roofs to the US.

I also will talk about the metal edge from the roof and how the company want to manage it. And after the trackday tomorrow maybe there are 2 more guys from Germany for the sedan.

SRG_C63

Today I received an offer for shipping to the USA.
For all roofs together to North America the shipping costs $750.

So, what do you think about the two options? Do you want an autoclave roof or is a roof made by vacuum good enough?
The autoclave roof is of higher quality, but also costs a little more. It is totally up to you.

I am currently waiting for an offer from olszowa12 for the roofs.

Please copy the complete list and say whether you choose option 1 or 2.

Option 1 Vacuum
Option 2 Autoclave

The vacuum roof becomes somewhat cheaper. Exactly how much, I can't say yet.

For both options we need at least 10 people.

Sedan:
1. srg_c63 (Option 2)
2. deadlyvt
3. mr747
4. Miky360
5. Cody Kane

Coupe:
1. BLKROKT (2x)
2. MBNRG
3. Arjy

If for someone only the cheaper option comes into question and otherwise wants to jump off, we make the roof by vacuum, so that no one jumps off and we can get on the at least 10 persons and complete the group buy.

MBNRG

Awesome, Thank you

Question for you and Matt olszowa12:

Of the 2 options - Vacuum Bag vs Autoclave, which will produce a stronger roof, or is there any difference?

BLKROKT

For the record I don’t care which option is chosen. Whichever one gets us to 10 is fine.

And regarding MBNRG comment above, I’ve been talking to some people who have done similar conversions. The pano roof on the coupe is not exactly load-bearing, but it will be critical to build in some support bracing (I’ll probably tie into the cage which has to be fixed anyway). The carbon roof is really just a “skin” from what I know so far.

SRG_C63

BLKROKT is right. The roof has no supporting or stiffening function. It's just a skin.
The difference between vacuum and autoclave is the visual quality. Depending on whether you want to paint the roof or have carbon fibre.
Have you ever held an original Audi, BMW or Mercedes carbon part in your hand? This is what an autoclave roof feels like.
Vacuum is the typical manufacturing variant in the aftermarket area, because it is cheaper. But you can also get good results with it.
The quality can be described like this: Vacuum 90% and autoclave 100%.

In addition, this autoclave supplier uses a 3D scanner to make a mould of the orignal new roof and then a mould will be milled. This guarantees a 1to1 fit as with an original roof. If a roof is moulded using fiberglass, there is a higher risk that something will not fit 100% afterwards. It will fit, no question about it, but here again the question is "how good should the quality be"? 90% or 100% and if it is worth spending a little more.

What about the others from the list? I would like to order in a week and start collecting money so that we have the roof as soon as possible. The production takes about 2-3 weeks, so it goes relatively fast.

Jasonoff

There's a first time for everything I guess...

BLKROKT

100% quality is better IMO. I only intend to do this once and will then be stuck looking at it so it should be pretty. This is something to not cheap out on...

And have we gotten to 10 or more - you said we’re ready to order in a week or two? What’s the total count right now?

Gsrchris

Hey, put me down for Option 2. Need it shipped to Toronto, ON.

SRG_C63

I agree with you. Yes, production is relatively fast. If gsrchris takes a roof, we'll be ten people if no one jumps off.

The two German guys don't want a roof. To get this roof for this price is a unique opportunity. After that it will not be available for less than 3000$. So think it over, guys.
Sedan or Coupe?

BLKROKT

Ok. If we’re at 10, please put me down for only one roof then. Thx.

SRG_C63

Currently we are 9 people and 10 roofs with your two.

If one more were to come along, I would put 1 roof from you out. Is that okay?

BLKROKT

We are close enough that I just want one roof (the guy that I would’ve picked up the second roof for is on this thread)

SRG_C63

No problem. Then I'll delete your second roof off the list.

What about the others? I need feedback!

Sedan:
1. srg_c63
2. deadlyvt
3. mr747
4. Miky360
5. Cody Kane

Coupe:
1. BLKROKT
2. MBNRG
3. Arjy

deadlyvt

I think either way is good although the autoclave is probably the better route for only a few bucks more. As far as shipping you said 750 to North America is that going to be total cost or is that just to get it to port of la? Couple of us are in Canada so wondering how much more inflated the price may become

MBNRG

Agree, and I urge the others to consider choosing the Higher quality option of Autoclave.
Please put me down for Autoclave If the collective choice weighs toward Vacuum, unfortunately I am out.

SRG_C63 - Would appreciate you posting hi-rez photos of any Autoclave roofs that the intended Manufacturer has completed, with images capturing the top and underside of roof, in addition to roof thickness.

What are the final components of roof - Carbon and Aramid? Or something else?

Thank you!

mr747

id love to see some pics

SRG_C63

The 750$ is only to LA. However, I believe that it is cheaper to ship nationally than from overseas. I'm straightening it out. Where are you from in Canada? Then maybe I could arrange a second shipment to Montreal via Container.
We can determine that ourselves. Personally, I would take the top and middle layer of carbon and the bottom layer of aramid or kevlar. That protects you in an accident and the carbon can't shatter.
I take care of it and try to get as many photos of the roofs as I can from the production.

deadlyvt

I am near Calgary postal t4b4e9

SRG_C63

So, here are the pictures.
Concerning the production I was told that the layer of the roof are made in the same way as OEM BMW roofs. So no aramid. According to the manufacturer this is not necessary and would cost more.

DRBC43AMG

What happens (hopefully never) should you roll the car? Is the CF roof as strong or better than the steel one? Protection of your head? How is the CF fixed to the chassis? Glued I imagine.

SRG_C63

This is the advantage of carbon. It is lighter and harder than the steel roof.
When you turn on the roof, the roof has no supporting structure. Only the A, B and C pillars.
The roof is glued. Just like in the Competition models from BMW.

deadlyvt

if you seen a roof panel on its own you would realize it basically has no strength on its own. The steel of most cars roofs is so thin it wouldn’t even support the weight of a person standing on it on their own let alone a vehicle it’s all the support structure that the roof connects to

SRG_C63

Well, guys, we're getting closer and closer.

I would ship the roofs in a big box by container to the United States. The roofs will be packed separately inside the box in another box. Then you would only have to put a shipping label on each box and have the roofs picked up by a shipping company.

This is the absolute cheapest and simplest solution.

Of course I cannot calculate the total costs. But whether it will be 50-150$ more, it should not fail with such a project.