Black Roof - Yay or Ney?

[UdubBadger]

Was thinking about doing this, just something different (or is it not different and just played out?). Would likely with Plastidip and a glossifier in case it didn't look that great or I got sick of it - minimal cost and easy reversibility over vinyl or legit paint.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Czar654321/BMW%20M3/preethroof2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Czar654321/BMW%20M3/preethmore2.jpg



thoughts?

3...2...1.. go.

[BRGcoopahS]

Well, on that M3 it looks like pure sex.

[Dave_B]

Couple thoughts here...

What color is your car? Looks TiAg in your sig. If so, I'd say go for it.

HOWEVER, I would suggest NOT to plasti-dip it. First, it won't come out as good as Vinyl. Second, I personally think that a glossy black looks better than flat.

All that being said, i eventually plan to do mine on the 4 door that is TiAg. It'll be Vinyl.

[UdubBadger]

Couple thoughts here...

What color is your car? Looks TiAg in your sig. If so, I'd say go for it.

HOWEVER, I would suggest NOT to plasti-dip it. First, it won't come out as good as Vinyl. Second, I personally think that a glossy black looks better than flat.

All that being said, i eventually plan to do mine on the 4 door that is TiAg. It'll be Vinyl.


As it says in the 1st post, Silver Grey.

Plastidip doesn't have to be matte finish. Again like it says in the 1st post, I would use the glossifier spray to finish it off and look gloss.



Photos were for general idea of what it could look like.

[Dave_B]

I just reread the post too. It's in the poll. :P Didn't expect it there, and I even voted.

Never seen glossifier on plasti-dip. I still think however seeing 3 in person, flat plasti-dip, flat Vinyl and gloss Vinyl, I'd personally pick the gloss Vinyl. It looked the closest to me to it actually being painted with a smooth, mirror like finish on it.

[UdubBadger]

thats what the glossifier does too though and at about 1/4 of the cost of a vinyl wrap.

this is gloss plasti dip

http://www.dipyourcar.com/skin//common_files/IMAGES/wheel-close-up.jpg

[BRGcoopahS]

Couple thoughts here...

What color is your car? Looks TiAg in your sig. If so, I'd say go for it.

HOWEVER, I would suggest NOT to plasti-dip it. First, it won't come out as good as Vinyl. Second, I personally think that a glossy black looks better than flat.

All that being said, i eventually plan to do mine on the 4 door that is TiAg. It'll be Vinyl.

Word.

I knew a guy who plasti dipped the roof on their jetta and it looked good from far but there was streaks everywhere. Maybe he did it wrong though.

[UdubBadger]

Yeah, I will likely have my garage slave RyanKokesh there to help so I think we can do a decent job. Would likely not do the spray cans either but buy the spray gun system for like $135 for a better result.

[Avetiso]

I have a silver gray, and I would not do it. No reason besides personal taste.

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[Oli77]

Ney, it's an area of the car that your eyes are never really drawn to. Not sure what it would bring overall. Unless of course, you are 7 feet tall and you can see the roof everyday.

I would do stripe(s) before I did that.

[danewilson77]

It looks great on Justin's car IMHO.

Sent from the HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA and USA

[Hermes]

I want to find a wrecked black M3 slick top and put its roof on my car

edit: I also want black M3 side mirrors

[328ioc]

I have been debating this exact issue for some time.

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[midlandtech]

I have been debating this exact issue for some time.

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Ditto... I wanna pull the trigger on it but I may look into vinyl since I am not sure I could spray without getting overspray everywhere or incomplete/unequal coverage

[328ioc]

Ditto... I wanna pull the trigger on it but I may look into vinyl since I am not sure I could spray without getting overspray everywhere or incomplete/unequal coverage

I am thinking the same thing, also I have a buddy who does vinyl so I'm sure I can get a deal.

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[Hermes]

if I was to do vinyl...

http://shadowlinetrim.com/

[UdubBadger]

Ney, it's an area of the car that your eyes are never really drawn to. Not sure what it would bring overall. Unless of course, you are 7 feet tall and you can see the roof everyday.

I would do stripe(s) before I did that.

you must not know how low my car actually sits. :rofl

[johnrando]

If your car is aggressive enough, I say do it. BTW, my guess is Ryan says yes too.

[UdubBadger]

Ditto... I wanna pull the trigger on it but I may look into vinyl since I am not sure I could spray without getting overspray everywhere or incomplete/unequal coverage


I am thinking the same thing, also I have a buddy who does vinyl so I'm sure I can get a deal.

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Just masking off the surrounding area would be key with the over spray. Plus its plasti dip, everything peels off easily if you want it to.

Painting with plasti isn't hard because of the way it dries, it tends to fill in itself and remain level some how. there is also a touch up compound that "melts" it if you mess up and lets it settle and redry.

the stuff is pretty amazing.

vinyl is nice and all but i just dont think it's worth the cost.

[UdubBadger]

If your car is aggressive enough, I say do it. BTW, my guess is Ryan says yes too.

he cant seem to say no to me on anything these days ;)

[UdubBadger]

if I was to do vinyl...

http://shadowlinetrim.com/

hmmm, thats actually not a bad deal. how come everytime i hear about vinyl it's like $400 to wrap a hood and $2500 for an entire car?

[Dave_B]

No way it should be $400 just for your roof.

[Hermes]

because the cost you hear about includes labor $$$

[midlandtech]

Just masking off the surrounding area would be key with the over spray. Plus its plasti dip, everything peels off easily if you want it to.

Painting with plasti isn't hard because of the way it dries, it tends to fill in itself and remain level some how. there is also a touch up compound that "melts" it if you mess up and lets it settle and redry.

the stuff is pretty amazing.

vinyl is nice and all but i just dont think it's worth the cost.

Ya I did my wheels i just worry bout it turning out poorly I'm sure if you have proper equipment and people you could pull it off. Sadly I have neither =\

[Johal E32]

hmmm, thats actually not a bad deal. how come everytime i hear about vinyl it's like $400 to wrap a hood and $2500 for an entire car?

I got my roof wrapped for $195. (And my touring has a big roof)

My friend had his whole M3 wrapped in matte white for $1200.

[UdubBadger]

thats crazy cheap. I got 2 quotes on my 1er for like $2500 and $2200

[Racinghart]

Think it would look good. Might do it in the future.

[JupiterBMW]

I say no for the simple fact that you still have the colored a-pillars and c-pillars running up the sides. It doesn't look right to me. If you could make the WHOLE roof black (I vote gloss, not matte, satin, or anything else, glossy like your paint) including the side mirrors, then I say go for it. But, given the body lines of the E46, there is no good location to make the cutoff on the bottom of the c-pillar. No matter what, it'd look unnatural...

My 2 cents.

[Ryans323i]

If your car is aggressive enough, I say do it. BTW, my guess is Ryan says yes too.

Yes too. I would paint the drain/roofrack mount point strips, too.

[UdubBadger]

I say no for the simple fact that you still have the colored a-pillars and c-pillars running up the sides. It doesn't look right to me. If you could make the WHOLE roof black (I vote gloss, not matte, satin, or anything else, glossy like your paint) including the side mirrors, then I say go for it. But, given the body lines of the E46, there is no good location to make the cutoff on the bottom of the c-pillar. No matter what, it'd look unnatural...

My 2 cents.

Good points Jon


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[EmDeeAr]

Wrapped roofs are tacky in my opinion. However, it won't look bad by any means.

Like was said before, if the car already looks aggressive, then it will flow better.

I still say no either way, though.

[Tnhl1989]

I would personally go with a shadow line high gloss to cover the roof and probably the truck lip to correspond to everything. I think that would look pretty good or get a csl truck.

[Johal E32]

thats crazy cheap. I got 2 quotes on my 1er for like $2500 and $2200

It is super cheap. It was a dude from So-Cal that does vinyl wraps, he just happened to be staying one hour away from my house one week, so I got him to wrap my roof.

It did get a bit of discount because my cousin had his roof wrapped as well, so he billed as one customer for two cars.

[terraphantm]

CSL roof or stock IMO.

[Imola.ZHP]

I say no for the simple fact that you still have the colored a-pillars and c-pillars running up the sides. It doesn't look right to me. If you could make the WHOLE roof black (I vote gloss, not matte, satin, or anything else, glossy like your paint) including the side mirrors, then I say go for it. But, given the body lines of the E46, there is no good location to make the cutoff on the bottom of the c-pillar. No matter what, it'd look unnatural...

My 2 cents.

This guy took the words out of my mouth...

I've been struggling with this for awhile, while I like the look on some cars, I still have the issues mentioned above... I LOVE the way Mini's look with dark tinted windows and black roof, it looks GREAT! But there is no real way to achieve this look on an E46, short of doing it from the window line up (including trunk, hood, roof, and pillars)... And then it would just be over-whelming/too much...

I re-assure myself that keeping it stock is the right decision by remembering what it was like to own a black vehicle (I only ever owned one). What a PITA to keep clean!

[Smilez]

DID IT on mine. so yay

[Tnhl1989]

I guess we need to photoshop it somehow to make all those lines looking perfect. Also photos to all the people that had it done already?

[derbo]

I'm not a fan especially if there is a sunroof.

[sillieidiot]

CSL roof or stock IMO.

except you can't even buy the OEM CSL roof anymore

[terraphantm]

except you can't even buy the OEM CSL roof anymore

That's a damn shame. I was hoping to do that at some point in the future. Looks like Evolve will be developing a replica soon -- if it's the same quality as their airbox, it may be acceptable

Kind of hard to believe that a legitimate CSL owner would be SOL if the car were to flip over or something.

[Johal E32]

That's a damn shame. I was hoping to do that at some point in the future. Looks like Evolve will be developing a replica soon -- if it's the same quality as their airbox, it may be acceptable

Kind of hard to believe that a legitimate CSL owner would be SOL if the car were to flip over or something.

1300 bucks right here. It is available

http://ebmwparts.com/parts/index.cfm?searchText=41007895382&make=BMW&action=oePartSearch&siteid=216397

[sillieidiot]

That's a damn shame. I was hoping to do that at some point in the future. Looks like Evolve will be developing a replica soon -- if it's the same quality as their airbox, it may be acceptable

Kind of hard to believe that a legitimate CSL owner would be SOL if the car were to flip over or something.

imo, it makes sense. if you were to somehow damage the roof, the car is already totaled lol but yeah, i was really looking forward to picking up an OEM CSL roof as well. also waiting on the evolve roof. if that doesn't pan out, i already found a local shop that can make a custom CF roof. He was the guy that did the custom CF roof for that one 840.

[sillieidiot]

1300 bucks right here. It is available

http://ebmwparts.com/parts/index.cfm?searchText=41007895382&make=BMW&action=oePartSearch&siteid=216397

hmm i'm totally going to order it and see lol

edit:
nvm, some guy tried to order with another vendor and got a steel roof. i don't want that to happen, i'll just contact them lol

[328ioc]

except you can't even buy the OEM CSL roof anymore


That's a damn shame. I was hoping to do that at some point in the future. Looks like Evolve will be developing a replica soon -- if it's the same quality as their airbox, it may be acceptable

Kind of hard to believe that a legitimate CSL owner would be SOL if the car were to flip over or something.

Bimmer world still sells a carbon roof.

Coupe figment only, and $1400.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-m3-carbon-fiber-roof-p1495.aspx

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[Stu]

I am a big fan of glossy black roofs. The carbon fiber M3 roof = sexy


Bimmer world still sells a carbon roof.

Coupe figment only, and $1400.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-m3-carbon-fiber-roof-p1495.aspx

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Ooooo...but how does one install a roof? Is welding required? :confused

Edit: Tada! Found official BMW instructions!

http://www.lindvigs.com/obioban/roof.PDF

Download while you still can. Probably recommend a professional do this.

[kakashi169]

http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/550x/d4/5f/e6/d45fe6406c47704a2e8aba233ab72cf9.jpg

Yay.

Ill play. ;)

[328ioc]

I am a big fan of glossy black roofs. The carbon fiber M3 roof = sexy



Ooooo...but how does one install a roof? Is welding required? :confused

Edit: Tada! Found official BMW instructions!

http://www.lindvigs.com/obioban/roof.PDF

Download while you still can. Probably recommend a professional do this.

Downloading and saving for when I buy an M3.


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[danewilson77]

LMAO....you need a spot welder and get a load of that special tool, to use in the adhesion process.

I think this is way, way beyond diy for most.

[sillieidiot]

yea ebmwparts doesn't have it. they can't order any Euro parts let alone CSL parts lol.


Bimmer world still sells a carbon roof.

Coupe figment only, and $1400.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-m3-carbon-fiber-roof-p1495.aspx

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yea i saw that during my research; however, there are no reviews on the product at all. maybe now there will since there is no more OEM roofs

[328ioc]

LMAO....you need a spot welder and get a load of that special tool, to use in the adhesion process.

I think this is way, way beyond diy for most.

Yeah its no where close to a diy.

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[09mageec]

I think it would look great, but in gloss paint. Especially if the windows are tinted. I always love the way the way it looks when the roof rolls into the rear windshield.

[terraphantm]

imo, it makes sense. if you were to somehow damage the roof, the car is already totaled lol but yeah, i was really looking forward to picking up an OEM CSL roof as well. also waiting on the evolve roof. if that doesn't pan out, i already found a local shop that can make a custom CF roof. He was the guy that did the custom CF roof for that one 840.

Well you can damage the roof without totaling it. Something could fall on the car and only damage the roof. Any damage to CF would necessitate replacement since it fractures instead of bending.


Bimmer world still sells a carbon roof.

Coupe figment only, and $1400.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-m3-carbon-fiber-roof-p1495.aspx

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Aftermarket CSL roofs have been known to be very hit or miss. I don't know about bimmerworld's in particular, but the reason I wanted an OEM CSL roof is because I knew that it would not result in any additional wind noise or structural issues. If Evolve makes theirs to the same standard as their CSL intake, that should be a good alternative.



LMAO....you need a spot welder and get a load of that special tool, to use in the adhesion process.

I think this is way, way beyond diy for most.

CF can't be welded, so it's going to have to be the adhesion process. Definitely far beyond DIY -- I would take the car to the absolute best bodyshop I could find for such a job. And from what I hear, the windshield ends up cracking when removing the roof in 9 out of 10 cases.


I am hoping that the roof shortage is temporary. Maybe BMW would be willing to produce replacements in the plant where they manufacture the roofs for new M-cars.

[sillieidiot]

Well you can damage the roof without totaling it. Something could fall on the car and only damage the roof. Any damage to CF would necessitate replacement since it fractures instead of bending.



Aftermarket CSL roofs have been known to be very hit or miss. I don't know about bimmerworld's in particular, but the reason I wanted an OEM CSL roof is because I knew that it would not result in any additional wind noise or structural issues. If Evolve makes theirs to the same standard as their CSL intake, that should be a good alternative.




CF can't be welded, so it's going to have to be the adhesion process. Definitely far beyond DIY -- I would take the car to the absolute best bodyshop I could find for such a job. And from what I hear, the windshield ends up cracking when removing the roof in 9 out of 10 cases.


I am hoping that the roof shortage is temporary. Maybe BMW would be willing to produce replacements in the plant where they manufacture the roofs for new M-cars.

yea that's true, but i don't think that scenario is very likely. maybe a hailstorm, but that would total the car for sure with the amount of damage on the rest of the car as well.

yea i'm hoping for BMW to make new ones with their new plant. all the current CSL roofs were made from 10 year old tech. and i think the new ones looks way better than the e46 m3 roofs