SL/R231: R-231 Engine Covers
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 48
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From: Cutler Bay, Fl
2013 SL-550
It cost $200.00 and its call dipping, they take your engine covers and dipped in a special liquid and the actual carbonfiber film sticks like glue and after they clear coated with heat resistant coat. It took about a week.
You can remove your engine covers very easy just pulling up
You can remove your engine covers very easy just pulling up
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 48
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From: Cutler Bay, Fl
2013 SL-550
18373 SW 104 Ave
Miami FL 33157
United States
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Those looks good - some places are probably better than others --- I recently saw a SLS (at a MB get-together) with lots of "carbon fibre" dipped parts and it looked really tacky.... I
Last edited by rorywquin; Nov 20, 2019 at 05:50 AM.
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
It cost $200.00 and its call dipping, they take your engine covers and dipped in a special liquid and the actual carbonfiber film sticks like glue and after they clear coated with heat resistant coat. It took about a week.
You can remove your engine covers very easy just pulling up
You can remove your engine covers very easy just pulling up
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I don’t some interior bits in lieu of wood and select exterior components such as the diffuser.
Actual CF engine covers are not always great as they discolor with heat over time
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
If it was a SLS it was likely real CF. I do think it looks tacky when the car has a patchwork of CF add-ons, no matter the money.
I don’t some interior bits in lieu of wood and select exterior components such as the diffuser.
Actual CF engine covers are not always great as they discolor with heat over time
I don’t some interior bits in lieu of wood and select exterior components such as the diffuser.
Actual CF engine covers are not always great as they discolor with heat over time
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I guess he was just a cheap guy. Too bad as CF can look quite nice.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
My personal feeling is that CF does not belong on an SL. The R231 SL was never supposed to be a car that needed such things. It’s not a racing car, it’s a luxurious grand touring car and every pound should not matter. On an AMG GT, it would be fine, but on an SL, IMO, the more polished wood, Nappa leather & chrome, the better. 
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
You can hardly call owning a SLS cheap but if you mean using CF dip instead of the real thing then I agree. I don't agree that it looks good - it is easy to spot if you know what the real thing looks like.
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
My personal feeling is that CF does not belong on an SL. The R231 SL was never supposed to be a car that needed such things. It’s not a racing car, it’s a luxurious grand touring car and every pound should not matter. On an AMG GT, it would be fine, but on an SL, IMO, the more polished wood, Nappa leather & chrome, the better.
Last edited by rorywquin; Nov 22, 2019 at 09:47 AM.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
That owner apparently didn't bother to do so and in turn likely diminished the look of the car. Any fake stuff is a dumb idea for anything but a ricer...
That said, while I like looking at well executed carbon fibre components, even the expensive add-ons can look tacky depending on where and what they are and what color the car is. Even the last SLS GT models made all had carbon fibre hoods by default and I found that looking tacky.
I am a sucker for full body tinted carbon fibre car. They are nothing short of stunning from any distance. Konigsegg or Pagani's come to mind.
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From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
SLS models were pricey and could have been ordered with carbon fibre interiors, engine compartment and exterior components from the factory. In addition companies like Brabus, etc. made additional Carbon Fibre exterior components, hoods, etc. for these cars. My point was that you can spend easily another $50k on CF add-ons for the SLS.
That owner apparently didn't bother to do so and in turn likely diminished the look of the car. Any fake stuff is a dumb idea for anything but a ricer...
That said, while I like looking at well executed carbon fibre components, even the expensive add-ons can look tacky depending on where and what they are and what color the car is. Even the last SLS GT models made all had carbon fibre hoods by default and I found that looking tacky.
I am a sucker for full body tinted carbon fibre car. They are nothing short of stunning from any distance. Konigsegg or Pagani's come to mind.
That owner apparently didn't bother to do so and in turn likely diminished the look of the car. Any fake stuff is a dumb idea for anything but a ricer...
That said, while I like looking at well executed carbon fibre components, even the expensive add-ons can look tacky depending on where and what they are and what color the car is. Even the last SLS GT models made all had carbon fibre hoods by default and I found that looking tacky.
I am a sucker for full body tinted carbon fibre car. They are nothing short of stunning from any distance. Konigsegg or Pagani's come to mind.
.I agree with you that genuine CF looks really good.
At one point I was going to do a CF look vinyl wrap on my wing mirrors. I eventually changed my mind as all the products I looked at (3M, Avery et al) looked fake.
Based on your comment on fake trim and ricers - it seems we are agreed on fake CF look.
Have you noticed the CF panel under the boot lid in our cars?
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I've always thought that CF belongs in wheels, suspension components, body parts, etc. where it actually performs its intended useful function (adding strength and lightness). Since it's "exotic/expensive", some have chosen to put it on display, trying to make their cars look exotic/expensive, but that just smacks of desperation. You want to impress me with your CF? Show me your CF wheels...that will impress me. CF dash trim or CF mirrors...sorry, but no. The stuff isn't that attractive anyway...even when polished. Its attraction lies in what it can do when properly utilized, not how it looks. JMO.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I've always thought that CF belongs in wheels, suspension components, body parts, etc. where it actually performs its intended useful function (adding strength and lightness). Since it's "exotic/expensive", some have chosen to put it on display, trying to make their cars look exotic/expensive, but that just smacks of desperation. You want to impress me with your CF? Show me your CF wheels...that will impress me. CF dash trim or CF mirrors...sorry, but no. The stuff isn't that attractive anyway...even when polished. Its attraction lies in what it can do when properly utilized, not how it looks. JMO.
My wife doesn't care for the looks of CF while I am somewhat neutral on it. Both AMG's have CF interiors, one glossy, one matte. Both of these are sports cars and as such, wood is considered out of place, but I find the pricing a rip-off. Couple small center console pieces and and a couple small strips on the doors on the GTC for $3150!
Here is a pic of the sedan CF. Has a nice woven texture to it...
That said, I would love CF wheels. They can take an easy 100 lbs of unsprung weight off the car. Huge difference. Huge price and delicate wheels. I think real CF wheels start somewhat at $12K and up from there...
Last edited by Wolfman; Dec 17, 2019 at 01:33 PM.
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Oh hell...alright already...I admit it...that does look pretty damned good. But, part of my appreciation of it comes from knowing just how much trouble they have to go through to get it to look like that.
Talk about current fads, yes, cosmetic CF definitely qualifies...but what about wagon wheels on cars? I honestly thought giant wheels would have evolved away all on their own by now, just from all the tire/rim damage incurred alone. I believe you have gone to 20s on the back of your car now, but are you satisfied that it's still worth the risk/worry for you? Obviously, to each their own. Personally, I love the fixed glass panel in the 231, and was considering the F-Type as well for its fixed glass roof (until I found that I didn't fit in the car). The 991.2 was only in the running because of the availability of a glass sun roof, though a fixed panel would be preferable there as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,142
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Oh hell...alright already...I admit it...that does look pretty damned good. But, part of my appreciation of it comes from knowing just how much trouble they have to go through to get it to look like that.
Talk about current fads, yes, cosmetic CF definitely qualifies...but what about wagon wheels on cars? I honestly thought giant wheels would have evolved away all on their own by now, just from all the tire/rim damage incurred alone. I believe you have gone to 20s on the back of your car now, but are you satisfied that it's still worth the risk/worry for you? Obviously, to each their own. Personally, I love the fixed glass panel in the 231, and was considering the F-Type as well for its fixed glass roof (until I found that I didn't fit in the car). The 991.2 was only in the running because of the availability of a glass sun roof, though a fixed panel would be preferable there as well.
Talk about current fads, yes, cosmetic CF definitely qualifies...but what about wagon wheels on cars? I honestly thought giant wheels would have evolved away all on their own by now, just from all the tire/rim damage incurred alone. I believe you have gone to 20s on the back of your car now, but are you satisfied that it's still worth the risk/worry for you? Obviously, to each their own. Personally, I love the fixed glass panel in the 231, and was considering the F-Type as well for its fixed glass roof (until I found that I didn't fit in the car). The 991.2 was only in the running because of the availability of a glass sun roof, though a fixed panel would be preferable there as well.
Regarding the glass roofs, I don’t like them because I don’t like the look. On my SL, however, I don’t mind it much, since the glass does not run all the way to the sides or to the windshield. In addition, I drive the SL almost exclusively with the top down, so I rarely see the roof. My HUGE gripe is the fact that the W222 S Class sedans come with the Panorama Roof as standard equipment. The black glass dramatically changes the look of the car, if the car is a lighter color, which mine all tend to be. To me, real luxury is having something the way YOU want it, not the way some bean counters THINK you should have it. The glass roof is optional on most MB cars, but is shoved down S Class buyer’s throats. That isn’t very luxurious to me.
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
OMG! I really owe you an apology...I thought you had succumbed to the bigger-must-be-better virus and had gone to 20 rears. Please forgive. On the glass roof note, While I was looking at 991.2s, I was looking exclusively at ones with the glass sunroof option...even though Porsche tastelessly chose to paint the metal roof panels in front of, and behind, the glass, black in an attempt to...what..."Hide" the glass?. I had already allowed for the extra money to hit a paint shop on the way home with my new 911 so I could get those metal panels color matched to the rest of the car (the way nature intended). And, since the actual glass panel is about 50% shadowed out, I was going to ask them if they could color match that part of the glass as well. Painting the entire roof black to "hide" the glass is about as stupid and useless as Porsche's other 911 roof option: a metal sun roof (DUH!). I have yet to figure that one out at all.
