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Took my car for a service at the dealership a few months back, got a call asking if I would like them to blow my K&N's out for $150. Said no thanks I'll do it myself. The next day when I went to blow them out, I noticed they cracked my engine cover. Yay. I brought this too their attention and they have done nothing about it.
I am in two minds about what to do. Replace it with a stock part, or, bling it out with some carbon or gold foil tape. I doubt that any airbox or ram air carbon bits will add any appreciable performance gains, but if they do that's a bonus I suppose. The Renntech air intake is out of the question, as they want stupid money for that.
What under bonnet bling are you guys rocking?
Crack on the surface/top of the engine cover Attempted fix with sikaflex Found this online, really want to do this
mine is cracked also...its pretty unsightly but don't want to spend money on a replacement or carbon either. my thoughts are, if i ever go supercharged, i might never need them anyway.
2012 C63 Black Series, 2003 Hummer H1 KSC2, 2003 Hummer H1 HMCO, 1997 Hummer H1 HMC4, 1969 Jaguar E
That sucks man, I have had dealers break things and then try to say it was me.
Im planning on doing the Carbonio intake with CF engine cover. It looks like the best bank for the buck as you are correct, renntech is stupid money for their intake.
Painting the the bits like you have in the last pic is good looking too and that would be easiest. You could always plasti-dib first to see if you like it and if the don't have the color you want, you can just shoot it black plasti-dip base and the paint over it with rattle can paint... it will still peel right off.
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Not to defend your dealer in any way but those things are easy to break and if they just yank on it, it will crack, I think they are about 100 bucks new so I would probably just replace it (maybe keep the cracked one for use when you go to the dealer!).
Overall it seems intake bling falls into 2 categories, minor to no gains for lots of money or no gains for less than lots of money - I would probably paint if you want to change it up (but you will need a new one anyway).
I have the Carbonio Engine Cover and Air Intake on my E63, and it's was expensive $1400 back in the day.
And over the years the carbon has changed in color from the intense heat from the engine.
I can't figure out why my photos never have the correct orientation when posting.
Last edited by Yuille36; Nov 12, 2020 at 11:55 AM.
2012 C63 Black Series, 2003 Hummer H1 KSC2, 2003 Hummer H1 HMCO, 1997 Hummer H1 HMC4, 1969 Jaguar E
Originally Posted by Yuille36
I have the Carbonio Engine Cover and Air Intake on my E63, and it's was expensive $1400 back in the day.
And over the years the carbon has changed in color from the intense heat from the engine.
I can't figure out why my photos never have the correct orientation when posting.
Yeah, its still that much $$ now as well. I was going to post about it to see if anyone was having discoloration.
Its pretty common, not many engines I have seen over the years that have CF that are not yellowed over time.
2012 C63 Black Series, 2003 Hummer H1 KSC2, 2003 Hummer H1 HMCO, 1997 Hummer H1 HMC4, 1969 Jaguar E
Originally Posted by Yuille36
I have the Carbonio Engine Cover and Air Intake on my E63, and it's was expensive $1400 back in the day.
And over the years the carbon has changed in color from the intense heat from the engine.
I can't figure out why my photos never have the correct orientation when posting.
How many miles do you have on the intake before you started to see it discolor?
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
My Carbonio boxes yellowed significantly in the 2yrs I had them, ending up with a golden color to them. I’ve had the RENNtech intake on now for about the same amount of time, maybe longer actually it’s been 3yrs, and have had zero yellowing. Just a data point for those interested.
2012 C63 Black Series, 2003 Hummer H1 KSC2, 2003 Hummer H1 HMCO, 1997 Hummer H1 HMC4, 1969 Jaguar E
Originally Posted by BLKROKT
My Carbonio boxes yellowed significantly in the 2yrs I had them, ending up with a golden color to them. I’ve had the RENNtech intake on now for about the same amount of time, maybe longer actually it’s been 3yrs, and have had zero yellowing. Just a data point for those interested.
Good to know. I just saw a RENNtech one on ebay that was yellowed and was surprised. Do you like the Renntech one better?
How many miles do you have on the intake before you started to see it discolor?
Honestly, I can't tell you the miles, but it was about 2+ years. If I wanted to, I could have it sanded down and re-clear coated. But it's just not worth the expense, as it's not a show car but a daily driver.
I get that the plastic covers are easy to break, I can understand that. What annoyed me was that they broke them, and then attempted a really ****ty fix and never told me. That's pretty scummy. If they had been honest, I wouldn't have cared as i understand that they are easy to break, and **** happens.
They probably won't be $100 here in WA, as a headlight globe is $800 from the dealer....
That Lowenstein intake looks amazing. Any idea on cost? And is it as simple as just ordering through there website? Or do I have to jump through hoops and perform a virgin sacrifice before I get in contact with a rep?
I'll probably end up painting my air boxes/covers as the thought of paying ~$2k for carbon boxes that'll go yellow in a few years doesn't really appeal to me(as cool as they look)
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
The Loewenstein air boxes and center trim appear to just be painted OEM. There’s nothing special there (other than the supercharger I guess and the knockoff GruppeM CAI in front). Carbonios aren’t worth the retail cost. Honestly, if you’re not going RT, just paint yours and pocket that $2k for a rainy day. They make little difference in any case.
The red intakes you posted originally are from my car... I love the way they look. Especially when you have the hood up and the red matches with other things around the car (brakes and badging). I have been trying to determine if a previous owner just painted the stocks or if these are aftermarket. I will be opening it up soon to see what i can find.
The red intakes you posted originally are from my car... I love the way they look. Especially when you have the hood up and the red matches with other things around the car (brakes and badging). I have been trying to determine if a previous owner just painted the stocks or if these are aftermarket. I will be opening it up soon to see what i can find.
They look damn sweet! I painted my calipers red, I think matching the airboxes will look bloody brilliant!
They look damn sweet! I painted my calipers red, I think matching the airboxes will look bloody brilliant!
I checked it out today and it is the stock airbox that someone had painted at some point in the vehicles life. I am very surprised because the paint has held up well (its been on there basically since the car was new). IT hasnt faded at all even though the image makes it look light red/pink
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