Z4M Coupe -Carbon Roof

[RPerham]

Hi All,

Im currently looking to get a Z4M coupe, white hopefully! which i would like to try and modify the roof to black Carbon Fibre (like to E90 M3). i have seen a couple over the years which i really love so this is where i got the idea.

hopefully i could buy a car with it already done, but just for my info if i dont, can anybody help me with the infomation of where i could get this done.

Thanks

[Mattt]

Sixspeed is your man

[fridaypassion]

That one is real carbon isn't it? A wrap would be the easiest way to do it.

[RPerham]

A rap? i would prefer to do it the proper way, but need to work out prices.

Also does anybody have the web address for sixspeed? i have googled it, but there are some many.

[JDMc]

That is the username of the guy who already has it.

He is on here also: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/profile.asp?h...

[NotSoSure]

Hi,

Think Sixspeed got his roof from TC Kline. I spoke to one of the guys there last year and was put off when I was told I had to sort out the shipping (from the US) myself.

I did a bit of research and found MK Motorsport in Germany. They do carbon roofs (and other carbon stuff). They do a nice carbon roof with a centre stripe painted the same colour as the body.

They aren’t as expensive as I thought they would be - cant remember the exact price though.

I decided against the idea in the end.

HTH

[daz05]

Theres a post on the Z4forum which details it looks like lots of work.

[mat205125]

Have the cars that have been done had their roofs REPLACED with a carbon item, or had a carbon skin fitted over the existing roof?

The roof skin of a steel monocoque is a structural load bearing component, and any replacement would have to duplicate this function or strengthen the chassis (and safety cell) in other ways to retain integrety - I'm sure that when BMW manufactured the CSL M3s, they weren't messing about with disc cutters and adhesive mastic, and some careful calculations and design work went into the concept and execution.

[mmm-five]

The roof skin of a Z4 Coupe is NOT a structural part, and thus the replacement of the panel with a carbon fibre one does nothing other than reduce weight and make the car more aesthetically pleasing.

The process involves removing the roof lining trim, removing some bolts and then removing the roof panel from the sticky mastic tape that BMW use. The fitting of the CF panel is the reverse of that.

All in cost is about £2k though.

[mat205125]

Thanks 5. That's really interesting. Didn't know that the roof was a bolt in piece. What does the tailgate hinge on?

[dan101smith]

Talk to Geoff Steel if no-one else can help.

I asked them about a CF roof for my E36 (they list one for E46) and they said that if I supply a roof skin, they'll use it to make the CF roof.

I've decided not to bother, but that wasn't mega £££.

[asbo]

mat205125 said:

Thanks 5. That's really interesting. Didn't know that the roof was a bolt in piece. What does the tailgate hinge on?

Think of the Z4M Coupe as a 'Targa', only with bars atop the window and you'll get the idea.

[mmm-five]

mat205125 said:

Thanks 5. That's really interesting. Didn't know that the roof was a bolt in piece. What does the tailgate hinge on?

The hinges are attached to the structural member that joins the two B pillars together.

[john_p]

Why has nobody made a removable panel yet!

[Banus333]

john_p said:

Why has nobody made a removable panel yet!

Quite simply because there is no profitable market! How many Z4M Coupe owners are there worldwide who want to spend £2000+ on a new roof panel to save just a few pounds weight? Only those with more money than sense.... "It's easy to part a fool from his money" is the adage that immediately springs to mind. Just go on a flaming diet!!

[john_p]

A targa Z4M Coupe would be amusing


And this is PH, most people have more money than sense - when it comes to cars anyway

Edited by john_p on Thursday 23 April 13:01

[honest_delboy]

john_p said:

A targa Z4M Coupe would be amusing


And this is PH, most people have more money than sense - when it comes to cars anyway

Edited by john_p on Thursday 23 April 13:01

Targa Z4M ? Now you're talking, some lightweight clipout panels for summer days whilst keeping the practicality of the hatch...

[sixspeed]

Hi!

My Z4M is the one mentioned above. And the thread I posted originally on Z4-Forum is here.

It's a fair bit of work, but not impossible if you don't mind getting your hands dirty. Just a case of dropping the roof lining, undoing 4 bolts and then gettting the cutting wire out. Apply some new sealant, fix and bond the roof, replace the trim and off you go! We did it on my driveway, so it can't have been that bad! Was quite scary doing it to an (at the time) 40k car, but now they've halved in value I guess it's not as bad! :P

I got my panel from TC Kline. 1600USD at the time, don't know if their prices have changed, but obv with the new exchange rate you'll pay more than the 900-odd it cost me delivered at the time. Though as said, there's more places doing the panel now so competition may have lowered the price?

And as for the structural remarks, it's fine from this point of view. The Coupe Z4M is just a Roadster with the coupe roof bolted on top. All the structural strength is in the original "roof-less" design, so the roof panel is just a skin.

[daz05]

Banus333 said:

john_p said:

Why has nobody made a removable panel yet!

Quite simply because there is no profitable market! How many Z4M Coupe owners are there worldwide who want to spend £2000+ on a new roof panel to save just a few pounds weight? Only those with more money than sense.... "It's easy to part a fool from his money" is the adage that immediately springs to mind. Just go on a flaming diet!!

I dont think anyone would seriously consider this a weight saving mod, its more about the looks.

[Dover Nige]

If it's purely about the looks why would a "wrap" just on the roof not be a better option..??