Too much carbon fiber?

muskanoosh · 02-18-2012, 11:32 AM

My car is off warranty next month; since there isn't a new iteration of the M due for awhile I bought an extended warranty (briefly considered a trade for a 911) and decided to fall back in love with my car.

Looking at some exterior mods. I've got the carbon roof. Thinking about the following:

carbon mirror caps / carbon splitter / carbon grill / carbon fender trim

I've seen some black grille / carbon splitter combinations and some that are all carbon fiber all the time.

Is there such a thing as too much carbon fiber? With a black car it makes a nice contrast, but silver might make too much of a statement.

Sean@PYSpeed.com · 02-18-2012, 11:34 AM

Never too much carbon if done right!

GIdriver · 02-18-2012, 11:52 AM

I'm not too crazy about CF but it appears that many M3 owners love it. If you like it, go for it!!

swamp2 · 02-18-2012, 11:56 AM

I think it is very often/easily overdone, interior and exterior. What I don't like about the trend is that carbon fiber is an amazing material for structural applications for strength, rigidity and low weight. When it is used all over in cosmetic applications it is a bit poseur-ish in my opinion.

Alex07M3 · 02-18-2012, 12:02 PM

Personally , I never really liked carbon fiber grills and side gills on M3 , I think carbon fiber should reserved to shave weight or to add as less as possible otherwise it look to bling bling for my taste ! I love the OEM spoiler and splitters but not a big fan of the mirror caps ! I think on a black M3 , the matte black grills and gills are the better choice for a nice contrast with the paint ! Just my opinion !

jwarner · 02-18-2012, 12:03 PM

I agree with swamp2. I'm more of a form follows function guy... putting a bunch of CF on your car where it doesn't serve much useful purpose doesn't work for me.

That said, modding your car to a degree that YOU like is most of the fun. You'll find that everyone has their own opinion.

Have fun!

HotIce · 02-18-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean@PYSpeed.com

Never too much carbon if done right!

Dave2 · 02-18-2012, 12:20 PM

Carbon fiber is a wonderful structural material. Using carbon fiber for cosmetic purposes is cheesy. It really looks tacky.

Alex07M3 · 02-18-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

If done right and that ain't !

Denk · 02-18-2012, 02:20 PM

Too much of a good thing can look overdone and tacky. I do like the OEM CF pieces available for a more aggressive look but too much of the stuff makes the car cheap looking imho. I like a balance of aggressive styling that retains the inherent classiness.

Moxie · 02-18-2012, 02:47 PM

I'd also stay away from the CF gills, grills & hood surrounds. Splitters, diffuser & maybe mirror caps is as far as I'd go CF wise. I like the look of performance grills/gills & surrounds instead, but that's just me. Everyone has their own tastes.

SchnellM3 · 02-18-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp2

I think it is very often/easily overdone, interior and exterior. What I don't like about the trend is that carbon fiber is an amazing material for structural applications for strength, rigidity and low weight. When it is used all over in cosmetic applications it is a bit poseur-ish in my opinion.

IMO its easily overdone

Gkap · 02-18-2012, 07:21 PM

^ agreed.

tico1028 · 02-18-2012, 07:37 PM

Gotta say I completely disagree with the majority of opinions here. I LOVE CF. Exterior wise, I would only go rear diffuser, front lip, mirror caps, and hood vents. Not a fan of the gills/grills though. I also don't have a CF roof, though. I'm contemplating even getting real CF trim fro the interior - I currently have the OEM CF trim, but would like the real thing.

I fell in love with CF interior and trims on a previous P car I had. I guess it's all about personal taste.

MysticBlue · 02-18-2012, 10:56 PM

I also think CF just for cosmetic reasons is just pointless. Mirror caps, for instance. It's like you're trying to make your mirrors look like they are CF, and really light, when in reality they aren't, it's just cosmetic, and technically, it's now heavier than it was. As Swamp said, poseur-ish.

immiketoo · 02-19-2012, 03:30 AM

As everyone knows (I hope) CF was designed as a lightweight structural material that exhibited tunable strength properties, allowing flex in some directions and not in others. The side benefit of being beautiful is a bonus we all love. However, I can think of nothing tackier than carbon fiber stickers or non-functional parts*

The worst offender is those aftermarket wheel companies that stick CF overlay on the face of their wheels. Its tacky on every level. Carbon fiber wheels = sex, Cf stickers = gay.

*One possible exception is those stupid non-functional vents people stick on their fenders. Yes I realize the M3 has non-functional vents on their fenders.

Erie Von Otto · 02-19-2012, 07:00 AM

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495537

Check out E46 CF-aholic...

sameh · 02-19-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495537

Check out E46 CF-aholic...

Maan. That almost made me vomit. Looks horrible

LarThaL · 02-19-2012, 07:16 AM

As with anything, moderation is the key here. CF on the roof is a really functional application. Now...to carry that application cosmetically to the rest of the car, it should present, but not be overdone. Personally, I would do the rear spoiler and front splitters, nothing else. Mirror caps? Why? They are already painted to match you car, and it would be an overlay, adding nothing new. The spolier and splitters do introduce a new element, and work nicely in CF since they are on the same dimensional plane as the roof.

tico1028 · 02-19-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495537

Check out E46 CF-aholic...

I will definitely agree that is way too much CF!

immiketoo · 02-19-2012, 05:45 PM

Yeah but at least that guy has a story behind it...

Terraforce1 · 02-20-2012, 09:16 AM

Why worry what others think, if you like it, go for it

Just as long as the weave is the same and all the pieces look similar, then why not.

02-18-2012, 11:32 AM	#1
muskanoosh Enlisted Member 11 Rep 40 Posts Drives: e92 m3 2008 silverstone Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: naperville iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Too much carbon fiber? My car is off warranty next month; since there isn't a new iteration of the M due for awhile I bought an extended warranty (briefly considered a trade for a 911) and decided to fall back in love with my car. Looking at some exterior mods. I've got the carbon roof. Thinking about the following: carbon mirror caps / carbon splitter / carbon grill / carbon fender trim I've seen some black grille / carbon splitter combinations and some that are all carbon fiber all the time. Is there such a thing as too much carbon fiber? With a black car it makes a nice contrast, but silver might make too much of a statement.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-18-2012, 11:34 AM	#2
Sean@PYSpeed.com Major General 306 Rep 8,952 Posts Drives: 2009 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (22)	Never too much carbon if done right!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 11:52 AM	#3
GIdriver Major 68 Rep 1,359 Posts Drives: 2014 E63 AMG-S Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Somewhere in Time iTrader: (0)	I'm not too crazy about CF but it appears that many M3 owners love it. If you like it, go for it!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 11:56 AM	#4
swamp2 Lieutenant General 611 Rep 10,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA iTrader: (3)	I think it is very often/easily overdone, interior and exterior. What I don't like about the trend is that carbon fiber is an amazing material for structural applications for strength, rigidity and low weight. When it is used all over in cosmetic applications it is a bit poseur-ish in my opinion. __________________ E92 M3 \| Space Gray on Fox Red \| M-DCT \| CF Roof \| RAC RG63 Wheels \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| \| Vorsteiner Ti Exhaust \| Matte Black Grilles/Side Gills/Rear Emblem/Mirrors \| \| Alekshop Back up Camera \| GP Thunders \| BMW Aluminum Pedals \| Elite Angels \| \| XPEL Full Front Wrap \| Hardwired V1 \| Interior Xenon Light Kit \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 12:02 PM	#5
Alex07M3 Banned 82 Rep 2,688 Posts Drives: E92 M3, Evo X MR, A4 Allroad Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gatineau iTrader: (1)	Personally , I never really liked carbon fiber grills and side gills on M3 , I think carbon fiber should reserved to shave weight or to add as less as possible otherwise it look to bling bling for my taste ! I love the OEM spoiler and splitters but not a big fan of the mirror caps ! I think on a black M3 , the matte black grills and gills are the better choice for a nice contrast with the paint ! Just my opinion !
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 12:03 PM	#6
jwarner Private 6 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Alpine White ZCP Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bend, OR iTrader: (2)	I agree with swamp2. I'm more of a form follows function guy... putting a bunch of CF on your car where it doesn't serve much useful purpose doesn't work for me. That said, modding your car to a degree that YOU like is most of the fun. You'll find that everyone has their own opinion. Have fun! __________________ Jason - Bend, OR 2011.5 E92 - Alpine White DCT ZCP Dinan: Exhaust, Intake, ECU, UD Pulley, Pedals; AFE: Air Scoops;
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 12:20 PM	#8
Dave2 First Lieutenant 124 Rep 371 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Carbon fiber is a wonderful structural material. Using carbon fiber for cosmetic purposes is cheesy. It really looks tacky. __________________ '11 M3 Convertible \| Dinan Stage 2 suspension Last edited by Dave2; 02-18-2012 at 12:52 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 02:20 PM	#10
Denk Brigadier General 1006 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2021 X5M Join Date: May 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (2)	Too much of a good thing can look overdone and tacky. I do like the OEM CF pieces available for a more aggressive look but too much of the stuff makes the car cheap looking imho. I like a balance of aggressive styling that retains the inherent classiness.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 02:47 PM	#11
Moxie Lieutenant Colonel 67 Rep 1,895 Posts Drives: AW 328d Touring/SG 335d Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (12)	I'd also stay away from the CF gills, grills & hood surrounds. Splitters, diffuser & maybe mirror caps is as far as I'd go CF wise. I like the look of performance grills/gills & surrounds instead, but that's just me. Everyone has their own tastes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 07:21 PM	#13
Gkap BMF Movement 51 Rep 3,024 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	^ agreed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 07:37 PM	#14
tico1028 Lieutenant 124 Rep 507 Posts Drives: F83 M4 - MG Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Gotta say I completely disagree with the majority of opinions here. I LOVE CF. Exterior wise, I would only go rear diffuser, front lip, mirror caps, and hood vents. Not a fan of the gills/grills though. I also don't have a CF roof, though. I'm contemplating even getting real CF trim fro the interior - I currently have the OEM CF trim, but would like the real thing. I fell in love with CF interior and trims on a previous P car I had. I guess it's all about personal taste.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2012, 10:56 PM	#15
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	I also think CF just for cosmetic reasons is just pointless. Mirror caps, for instance. It's like you're trying to make your mirrors look like they are CF, and really light, when in reality they aren't, it's just cosmetic, and technically, it's now heavier than it was. As Swamp said, poseur-ish.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2012, 07:00 AM	#17
Erie Von Otto DT///M 149 Rep 1,370 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 Touring Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rocket City, AL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW Touring [0.00]	http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495537 Check out E46 CF-aholic... __________________ "With great power comes great responsibility." -El-Superbeasto
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2012, 07:16 AM	#19
LarThaL Colonel 336 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	As with anything, moderation is the key here. CF on the roof is a really functional application. Now...to carry that application cosmetically to the rest of the car, it should present, but not be overdone. Personally, I would do the rear spoiler and front splitters, nothing else. Mirror caps? Why? They are already painted to match you car, and it would be an overlay, adding nothing new. The spolier and splitters do introduce a new element, and work nicely in CF since they are on the same dimensional plane as the roof. __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner**
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2012, 09:16 AM	#22
Terraforce1 If you ain't first, you're last! 7 Rep 580 Posts Drives: '14 Boxster GTS + 14' 1199 S Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Why worry what others think, if you like it, go for it Just as long as the weave is the same and all the pieces look similar, then why not.
	Appreciate 0 Quote