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      01-27-2013, 12:29 PM   #1
flagger
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Carbon Roof vs Moonroof

There has been lots of discussion and comparisons between the three pedal cars and the two pedal cars (another below) with documented results, but other than the "carbon roofs are better" statements from its proponents, are there any tests out there to support the claim.

I'm not disputing the fact the carbon roof is a "little" lighter with a commensurate lowering of the CG, but is it enough to make a difference in lap times or acceleration?

My personal feeling is it is just another form of bling. I have no doubt that a car with multiple panels will be faster, but not sure the difference will justify the cost for a mixed use vehicle, (street and track days).

So, is anyone aware of a comparison between the two?
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      01-27-2013, 12:33 PM   #2
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I'm glad you posted this question. As I found myself recently considering between the two in regards to functionality rather than weight, but would still like to know the latter. I've decided to go moonroof with a cf vinyl wrap and venture shield
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      01-27-2013, 12:33 PM   #3
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This test has been done. Unfortunately it was done with a driver of the carbon fiber car who weighed 45 pounds more than the driver of the moonroof car. Also one car was a sedan and one was a coupe. Also one car had DCT and one had a MT. Results were close.
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      01-27-2013, 12:38 PM   #4
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Performance difference will be minute. Carbon roof looks great on certain paints, especially Melbourne and alpine, but I love my moon roof. It's nice even in winter to crack it open to prevent the car from getting stuffy. While i still feel a twang of regret when I see cf, it's quickly overcome by the utility and luxury of the moon roof. I've chosen to shed weight in the exhaust and rims to even up the weight score with the cf guys.
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      01-27-2013, 12:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flagger View Post
There has been lots of discussion and comparisons between the three pedal cars and the two pedal cars (another below) with documented results, but other than the "carbon roofs are better" statements from its proponents, are there any tests out there to support the claim.

I'm not disputing the fact the carbon roof is a "little" lighter with a commensurate lowering of the CG, but is it enough to make a difference in lap times or acceleration?

My personal feeling is it is just another form of bling. I have no doubt that a car with multiple panels will be faster, but not sure the difference will justify the cost for a mixed use vehicle, (street and track days).

So, is anyone aware of a comparison between the two?
1. In stock form, unlikely.
2. There is no charge for a moon roof in place of the default carbon fiber roof.
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      01-27-2013, 01:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eau Rouge View Post
2. There is no charge for a moon roof in place of the default carbon fiber roof.
Sorry for not being clear. I meant price difference for multiple panels, (fenders, hood, trunk lid, etc.).

Thanks for reply.
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      01-27-2013, 01:13 PM   #7
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One of the reasons to get the E92 M3... Carbon fiber Roof!
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      01-27-2013, 01:14 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdoughty View Post
Performance difference will be minute. Carbon roof looks great on certain paints, especially Melbourne and alpine, but I love my moon roof. It's nice even in winter to crack it open to prevent the car from getting stuffy. While i still feel a twang of regret when I see cf, it's quickly overcome by the utility and luxury of the moon roof. I've chosen to shed weight in the exhaust and rims to even up the weight score with the cf guys.
totally agree:
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      01-27-2013, 01:53 PM   #9
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Unless you plan on tracking the car I doubt you would notice the increase in weight and decrease in structural rigidity. Many people prefer the look of the carbon fiber roof, but to each is own. IMHO I think the carbon roof adds a nice contrast to the overall appearance of the car. The only difference I could foresee would be in the resale market. I would guess that more buyers would seek the carbon roof over the moonroof. But if you like the moonroof then go for it. It's what you like, not us.
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      01-27-2013, 03:48 PM   #10
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hahaha ! This again...... until i see proof , i will consider anyone who thinks it does make a difference to be crazy....

REAL proof.... !
Track test with one driver , identically equipped cars with same tires.
0.00000000000002 seconds per lap is my guess.
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      01-27-2013, 03:51 PM   #11
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I never use my moonroof.....mine is a e90, but if i had a choice, i'd go with cf.
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      01-27-2013, 03:53 PM   #12
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if i had a choice in my e90 i would take the carbon roof as the moonroof decreases headroom once i have a helmet on making my seating postion not as perfect as i would like.
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      01-27-2013, 03:58 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flagger View Post
There has been lots of discussion and comparisons between the three pedal cars and the two pedal cars (another below) with documented results, but other than the "carbon roofs are better" statements from its proponents, are there any tests out there to support the claim.

I'm not disputing the fact the carbon roof is a "little" lighter with a commensurate lowering of the CG, but is it enough to make a difference in lap times or acceleration?

My personal feeling is it is just another form of bling. I have no doubt that a car with multiple panels will be faster, but not sure the difference will justify the cost for a mixed use vehicle, (street and track days).

So, is anyone aware of a comparison between the two?
A little lighter??? its 45lbs lighter at the most criticial point of the car its center of gravity.. What comparision are you exactly looking for?

The argument can be made that most mods on this car are bling..this is not one of them..its functional, its factory and its free..what else need I say
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      01-27-2013, 04:34 PM   #14
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Count me in for the sunroof. I am hoping the new M4 will also have a sunroof option
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      01-27-2013, 04:36 PM   #15
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With a moon roof the M3 looks too similar to a regular 3 series. The carbon fiber roof is one of the things that makes this M3 unique.
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      01-27-2013, 04:56 PM   #16
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For Me...... I can care less about the "performance" aspect.

-I use the sun roof all the time in my other cars (mainly tilt function)
-Will I buy a M3 with a sunroof? Absolutely Not

It think CF roof looks like crap on Space Gray and Black cars..... It definitely looks like crap with most bamboo interiors.

BUT AW / CF is a timeless combo

At the end of the day, one should choose CF for looks and not performance.

I was first going to order a Space Gray, 6MT with sunroof .......A friend made a comment - Besides the engine, you pretty much took out everything that makes M3 a M3.....meaning DCT & CF roof. His comment sure made me think for a while.
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      01-27-2013, 05:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTG View Post
For Me...... I can care less about the "performance" aspect.

-I use the sun roof all the time in my other cars (mainly tilt function)
-Will I buy a M3 with a sunroof? Absolutely Not

It think CF roof looks like crap on Space Gray and Black cars..... It definitely looks like crap with most bamboo interiors.

BUT AW / CF is a timeless combo

At the end of the day, one should choose CF for looks and not performance.

I was first going to order a Space Gray, 6MT with sunroof .......A friend made a comment - Besides the engine, you pretty much took out everything that makes M3 a M3.....meaning DCT & CF roof. His comment sure made me think for a while.
three things wrong here. 1. CF looks good on all the colors some better than others. 2. Looks is a later consideration compared to its performace benefits. 3. DCT and CF roof dont make an m3 both are new to this gereration.
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      01-27-2013, 05:10 PM   #18
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No matter what your arguments are in terms of how noticeable a difference it is:

The carbon fiber roof is a significant and defining cost element of the E92 M3.

The roof would easily cost you $5000 to replicate.

Paying the same price for a car yet electing to have a moon-roof instead is just (in my opinion, of course) a completely and profoundly illogical decision.

If BMW offered a 300hp version of the engine, would you choose it for the same price? "I can barely feel the difference around town!"

Last edited by Goat Rodeo; 01-27-2013 at 05:23 PM..
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      01-27-2013, 05:10 PM   #19
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Don't think it makes much of a difference, if any based on following: 1) Sedan vs Coupe performance, don't see it in published track times on same tracks and same trannies; 2) in racing, Turner Motorsports (and aGerman tuner, can't remember which one exactly) actually believe that sedan is better aerodynamically/dynamically vs the coupe despite lack of CF..ie CF roof and weight isn't enough to make a difference, 3) At the M driving school, when instructors were asked about feature differences showing up in lap times of ZCP/Non ZCP, Sedan vs Coupe, CF roof vs no CF roof, they said that various features weren't predictors of lap times, ie fastest laps always went to the best drivers, no matter what configuration and given a certain driver, feature configuration didn't determine the speed of any given lap. So unless we're talking pro-racing differences where split seconds really matter, just be happy w/ your choices & enjoy them to their fullest extent!

Quote:
Originally Posted by flagger View Post
There has been lots of discussion and comparisons between the three pedal cars and the two pedal cars (another below) with documented results, but other than the "carbon roofs are better" statements from its proponents, are there any tests out there to support the claim.

I'm not disputing the fact the carbon roof is a "little" lighter with a commensurate lowering of the CG, but is it enough to make a difference in lap times or acceleration?

My personal feeling is it is just another form of bling. I have no doubt that a car with multiple panels will be faster, but not sure the difference will justify the cost for a mixed use vehicle, (street and track days).

So, is anyone aware of a comparison between the two?

Last edited by FogCityM3; 01-27-2013 at 05:21 PM..
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      01-27-2013, 05:15 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD View Post
three things wrong here. 1. CF looks good on all the colors some better than others. 2. Looks is a later consideration compared to its performace benefits. 3. DCT and CF roof dont make an m3 both are new to this gereration.
Not going to get into colors and tastes argument and clearly what makes an M3 a M3 discussion was for only this generation.
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      01-27-2013, 05:16 PM   #21
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Yes so get what you want and practice your driving. Oh and maybe a suspension mod or three! My sedan with Dinan stage 3 and front control arm monoballs is a heck of a lot better than a car with a CF roof handling wise!
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      01-27-2013, 05:18 PM   #22
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BTW I got these mods in three phases and each was profound in its benefit but I keep 100 lbs of salt in the trunk to add to traction in case it snows and I can't feel that when it goes in or when it goes out in the spring- not at all.
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