Carbon fiber hood?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
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From: SA
2008 CLK Black Series
Carbon fiber hood?
I wonder if anyone has experience with this company products?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 156
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
2008 MBZ CLK63 AMG Black Series
I THINK that was the same manufacturer that I bought a hood from for my 1995 M3 a few years ago. It was OK. The hood seemed just as heavy as stock and the fit was less than perfect.
If you are going to put this hood on a CLK63 without painting the hood, it will look ghetto IMO. These are 6-figure $$ cars, so why make them look like a used Honda?
I am not absolutely sure that it was VIS, but the company sounds very familiar... so take my opnion as a general opnion for Ebay CF hoods.
You should see if Vorsteiner has a hood for you, I have been told (at least for the BMWs) that their CF products are top-notch, but you'll pay the price.
I have put some photos of this hood here: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/l...m3-s-hood.html
If you are going to put this hood on a CLK63 without painting the hood, it will look ghetto IMO. These are 6-figure $$ cars, so why make them look like a used Honda?
I am not absolutely sure that it was VIS, but the company sounds very familiar... so take my opnion as a general opnion for Ebay CF hoods.
You should see if Vorsteiner has a hood for you, I have been told (at least for the BMWs) that their CF products are top-notch, but you'll pay the price.
I have put some photos of this hood here: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/l...m3-s-hood.html
Last edited by lewisracing; Jan 8, 2010 at 01:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2008 MBZ CLK63 AMG Black Series
Also, I should add that my hood was only carbon fiber on the top, it was entirely fiberglass on the bottom as well as the skeleton... so you are not getting a truely CF hood, which is why it is just as heavy as the stock hood.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: SA
2008 CLK Black Series
I THINK that was the same manufacturer that I bought a hood from for my 1995 M3 a few years ago. It was OK. The hood seemed just as heavy as stock and the fit was less than perfect.
If you are going to put this hood on a CLK63 without painting the hood, it will look ghetto IMO. These are 6-figure $$ cars, so why make them look like a used Honda?
I am not absolutely sure that it was VIS, but the company sounds very familiar... so take my opnion as a general opnion for Ebay CF hoods.
You should see if Vorsteiner has a hood for you, I have been told (at least for the BMWs) that their CF products are top-notch, but you'll pay the price.
I have put some photos of this hood here: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/l...m3-s-hood.html
If you are going to put this hood on a CLK63 without painting the hood, it will look ghetto IMO. These are 6-figure $$ cars, so why make them look like a used Honda?
I am not absolutely sure that it was VIS, but the company sounds very familiar... so take my opnion as a general opnion for Ebay CF hoods.
You should see if Vorsteiner has a hood for you, I have been told (at least for the BMWs) that their CF products are top-notch, but you'll pay the price.
I have put some photos of this hood here: https://mbworld.org/forums/members/l...m3-s-hood.html
I am planing to paint the hood and my intention is weight saving.
I did ask about the weight and its 15 lbs.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 20
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CLK Black Series
There was also an issue with the screws that attach to the hinges but I can't quite remember what. It helped that I have a lathe in my garage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,065
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08 SL55
I have the VIS hood on mine. It's just O.K. The painter worked very hard to get the pin holes out. You will need new air springs because it is lighter. The installation was a bit of a hassle because the provided hardware (ball joints where the springs attach) are different from Mercedes and won't accept the original parts. If you want to install the insulation under the hood, as I did, you have to locate and drill the holes yourself. If you decide to go with the VIS, I'll be glad to try to help you.
There was also an issue with the screws that attach to the hinges but I can't quite remember what. It helped that I have a lathe in my garage.
There was also an issue with the screws that attach to the hinges but I can't quite remember what. It helped that I have a lathe in my garage.
do the few pounds you save mean that much? are you taking the AC, radio/speakers, CD player, carpet and other conveniences with added weight out too? Not trying to be a dick, I just don't get it. do you guys plan to all out race or are you just doing mods for the hell of it b/c that's what you do - modify cars? are the couple pounds you save really worth it? again, i'm really just curious as i don't think like that???
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: SA
2008 CLK Black Series
I have the VIS hood on mine. It's just O.K. The painter worked very hard to get the pin holes out. You will need new air springs because it is lighter. The installation was a bit of a hassle because the provided hardware (ball joints where the springs attach) are different from Mercedes and won't accept the original parts. If you want to install the insulation under the hood, as I did, you have to locate and drill the holes yourself. If you decide to go with the VIS, I'll be glad to try to help you.
There was also an issue with the screws that attach to the hinges but I can't quite remember what. It helped that I have a lathe in my garage.
There was also an issue with the screws that attach to the hinges but I can't quite remember what. It helped that I have a lathe in my garage.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: SA
2008 CLK Black Series
I can't help but wonder sometimes why you guys do these mods..... from what i read here the product is of marginal quality, poor fit and there are installation issues...... what's the point? isn't OE good enough?
do the few pounds you save mean that much? are you taking the AC, radio/speakers, CD player, carpet and other conveniences with added weight out too? Not trying to be a dick, I just don't get it. do you guys plan to all out race or are you just doing mods for the hell of it b/c that's what you do - modify cars? are the couple pounds you save really worth it? again, i'm really just curious as i don't think like that???
do the few pounds you save mean that much? are you taking the AC, radio/speakers, CD player, carpet and other conveniences with added weight out too? Not trying to be a dick, I just don't get it. do you guys plan to all out race or are you just doing mods for the hell of it b/c that's what you do - modify cars? are the couple pounds you save really worth it? again, i'm really just curious as i don't think like that???
Personally I will not change anything that will affect the comfort of my car, but if I can increase performance and decrease weight in a way that will not affect the daily drivability I will do it.
Maybe be the VIS hood has some issues with quality, but I searched all venders site and I did not find any other options. I would appreciate if anyone can direct me to a company that has a good quality hood at a reasonable price (not more than 3K)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 55
From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Modifying cars is an addiction .... and I am an addict ....
Personally I will not change anything that will affect the comfort of my car, but if I can increase performance and decrease weight in a way that will not affect the daily drivability I will do it.
Maybe be the VIS hood has some issues with quality, but I searched all venders site and I did not find any other options. I would appreciate if anyone can direct me to a company that has a good quality hood at a reasonable price (not more than 3K)
Personally I will not change anything that will affect the comfort of my car, but if I can increase performance and decrease weight in a way that will not affect the daily drivability I will do it.
Maybe be the VIS hood has some issues with quality, but I searched all venders site and I did not find any other options. I would appreciate if anyone can direct me to a company that has a good quality hood at a reasonable price (not more than 3K)
Last edited by jrcart; Jan 9, 2010 at 04:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
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From: SA
2008 CLK Black Series
I looked into cf hoods, even purchased one but it was of such poor quality I did not install it on the car. Furthermore the stock hood on the BS is pretty light so to sacrifice the quality, fit and finish of the OEM unit did not see worthwhile IMO. There are other places you can be looking for weight savings on this car, the hood should be one of the last places you go. For about the same money you can invest in a set of rear two piece rotors that will save you about 11 pounds per wheel of unsprung weight, this a modification the will actually net you same gains in hp and performance as where the hood will not. As another person stated once you pay for the hood you are going to have to pay a body?paint guy to prep and paint tnd invest in new hood pistons after it all said and done you will be in it for much more than the price of rotors with less to show for it.
I think i will skip the hood for now
Thanks for your input
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 59
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From: Carmel, Ca
E500 Wagon
I am all for making a car handle and brake better yet more often its the driver who need more improvement. Coming from a being a kart instuctor I have seen this ALL the time. I could get started but find it's wasted on most. They think they know what fast is till you show them.
My .02 is save all the money on parts and take at least 3-4 performance driving classes. Unless your a full time, payed driver now.
If not I will say thanks as it warms my heart every time guys in modified cars try to keep up. The looks on there faces as they drop off my bumper is so wonder. Or when you stop and they run up to ask what did I do to the car? O this is my wifes stock C230 4dr. They are driving a new AMG, M3 or what ever.
My .02 is save all the money on parts and take at least 3-4 performance driving classes. Unless your a full time, payed driver now.
If not I will say thanks as it warms my heart every time guys in modified cars try to keep up. The looks on there faces as they drop off my bumper is so wonder. Or when you stop and they run up to ask what did I do to the car? O this is my wifes stock C230 4dr. They are driving a new AMG, M3 or what ever.
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 3
From: Mid Atlantic
CLK BS
This topic has been covered. Please see this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk63-bla...ibre-hood.html
EVOsport makes a real CF hood, with intake ducts. See the link on the above thread. It cost 4500 or something like that. It's a lot of money for 25-30lb weight savings, and on a car that weighs >3900 lbs, not sure if it's really worth it.
The VIS hood is very much a POS, even the rice boys would choose Seibon over it due to poor quality and fit. You almost have to treat it like fiberglass.
I have been in contact with Vorsteiner which makes quality CF stuff for the M3, but they don't have any plans for the CLK at this time.
Seibon is another option, if somehow we can get 10+ ppl to commit they will make the hood. Still not a dry CF hood like Evosport, but it won't be 4500 either.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk63-bla...ibre-hood.html
EVOsport makes a real CF hood, with intake ducts. See the link on the above thread. It cost 4500 or something like that. It's a lot of money for 25-30lb weight savings, and on a car that weighs >3900 lbs, not sure if it's really worth it.
The VIS hood is very much a POS, even the rice boys would choose Seibon over it due to poor quality and fit. You almost have to treat it like fiberglass.
I have been in contact with Vorsteiner which makes quality CF stuff for the M3, but they don't have any plans for the CLK at this time.
Seibon is another option, if somehow we can get 10+ ppl to commit they will make the hood. Still not a dry CF hood like Evosport, but it won't be 4500 either.
