CSL Roof

[Neil M]

CF roof available here:
http://www.ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-...wX2lkPTg=.html

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by Neil M

CF roof available here:
http://www.ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-...wX2lkPTg=.html

Fairly certain that's the Evolve roof ... I recognise the photos from the Evolve thread on m3forums.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

I highly doubt the Evolve roof is as good as OEM ... I asked in their thread on m3forums how many layers of carbon was used and whether it used layers of HexForce NC2 like the OEM CSL roof - I got nothing back.

Also the Evolve roof doesn't have the little spacer packs that space the roof correctly for the bonding epoxy - an important detail in my opinion for the correct curing and strength integrity that the roof epoxy was designed for.

Unfortunately I doubt the official roof will ever be put back into production anytime soon - hopefully BMW haven't binned the die either so that Mobile Tradition might not have a chance to reproduce in the future. I have an official email from the main guy at Mobile Tradition that says they don't get any responsibility for reproduction of E46 M3 parts until 2023 - and even then they don't really know what will or won't be reproduced.

The EVOLVE and CHALLENGE roofs are made by OEM CF Roof manufactures in the US. What makes you think they're not as good as OEM. The spacers were added later if I am not mistaken from both companies.

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

The EVOLVE and CHALLENGE roofs are made by OEM CF Roof manufactures in the US. What makes you think they're not as good as OEM. The spacers were added later if I am not mistaken from both companies.

Fairly sure the spacers aren't added - there's photo of Sal holding one up on m3forums and it clearly showed no spacers.

I haven't seen photos of the Challenge roof posted - thought they were still in R&D stage for the E46 M3 CSL version.

I said I have doubts (so I am more or less waiting to be proven wrong) ... because neither company have ever stated how many layers or what fibre weight was used in the carbon cloth to make the roof. (where as the info on the BMW roof is all over youtube)

Also I doubt either would have the proprietary resin system that BMW has used for the roof which withstands high temperatures under prolonged exposure (with UV stabiliser). [and let's not forget that BMW actually conducted extensive tests on the CSL roof before putting it on the car - these include, adhesive validation studies, dynamic and static torsion load tests, lap shear tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, peel tests, aging and climate stress tests and an actual crash test for the roof, coupled all this with different surface paint finish, surface prep method and curing time tests).

So yes, I think my reasoning for doubt is fairly sound.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Fairly sure the spacers aren't added - there's photo of Sal holding one up on m3forums and it clearly showed no spacers.

I haven't seen photos of the Challenge roof posted - thought they were still in R&D stage for the E46 M3 CSL version.

I said I have doubts (so I am more or less waiting to be proven wrong) ... because neither company have ever stated how many layers or what fibre weight was used in the carbon cloth to make the roof. (where as the info on the BMW roof is all over youtube)

Also I doubt either would have the proprietary resin system that BMW has used for the roof which withstands high temperatures under prolonged exposure (with UV stabiliser). [and let's not forget that BMW actually conducted extensive tests on the CSL roof before putting it on the car - these include, adhesive validation studies, dynamic and static torsion load tests, lap shear tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, peel tests, aging and climate stress tests and an actual crash test for the roof, coupled all this with different surface paint finish, surface prep method and curing time tests).

So yes, I think my reasoning for doubt is fairly sound.

But the two companies are using OEM CF Roof manufacturers in the US! Not some random Dude in a shed.

[monkeycsl]

Shame they did not do that amount of research on the bootfloor.
Their shear testing program was off on holiday.

[0-60Motorsports]

Lol true