Is CF getting old now?

[sclass]

What's the going rate for these CF bonnets/boots? Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't one have to swap the bonnet and boot at the same time to preserve the car's handling balance?

 

[moranor@axis]

im planing to remake my sump guard from carbon that thing weighs a ton

 

[Sankekur]

What's the going rate for these CF bonnets/boots? Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't one have to swap the bonnet and boot at the same time to preserve the car's handling balance?

Not really, its not like you will be loosing that much weigh that there will be noticeable difference in the characteristics of your car.

im planing to remake my sump guard from carbon that thing weighs a ton

Why not just remove it completely?

 

[sclass]

Ok cool. Are the weight gains worth the cost of the CF parts or is it just cool to say you have CF parts?

 

[Sankekur]

Well any weight loss is probably worth it strictly speaking, but you will have to do a lot more that a couple of CF bits to have a noticeable effect, so if is is part a greater plan for overall weight reduction then go for it, but if not, then you will just be wasting your money. Although if you want to be able tell people that you have CF bits on, or it make you happy, then go for it as well :rollsmile:

 

[sclass]

Well any weight loss is probably worth it strictly speaking, but you will have to do a lot more that a couple of CF bits to have a noticeable effect, so if is is part a greater plan for overall weight reduction then go for it, but if not, then you will just be wasting your money. Although if you want to be able tell people that you have CF bits on, or it make you happy, then go for it as well :rollsmile:

Yeah as a part of an overall package it seems good, but rand for rand I think I'd rather upgrade suspension bits :rollsmile: (dying for Koni sport shocks...:fencelook::=)

 

[moranor@axis]

the sump guard is also for aerodynamics... and if its not there and i run over something hard i would like something for protection...

 

[frikkieh]

BMW either has some lightweight parts planned or strong German chicks...:rollsmile:

 

[Sankekur]

the sump guard is also for aerodynamics... and if its not there and i run over something hard i would like something for protection...

I doubt is makes that much change to the aerodynamics of the car seeing as the rest of the underside is not very flat. Unless you are planning to make the entire underside of the car flat. How fast are you planning to go? Thought you want to drift the car?
Will a CF one really provide the same protection as a steel one? I know CF is strong but it seems to shatter/crack on point impacts, a couple of CF bonnets I have seen so far seem to crack due to stone chips etc.
Also planning to do a lot of off roading?

 

[frikkieh]

http://papers.sae.org/2010-36-0302/

Abstract

Automotive manufacturers have intensified their efforts to decrease the vehicle drag coefficients and weight in order to optimize fuel consumption, in all light commercial vehicles segments. The sump guard is an important component to be evaluated; it has significant influence in drag and in the total weight of vehicles.

 

[Sankekur]

Be that as it may, I still don't think the BMW on has that massive affect on the aerodynamics of the car, just my opinion having looked at it.

 

[moranor@axis]

carbon can be made to adsorb alot of impact look at enduro bikes they use carbon for this...

the plate is there to channel air around the gearbox for cooling as well as create a good pressure differential over there radiator... bmw went to alot of effort with the aerodynamics under the e46...

the thing with carbon is it can be as flimsy or as strong as you want it to be think about the forces racing yachts are subjected to... its all about how its layered and the right choice of core material...

 

[kabal]

carbon is "torsionally" strong in a sense. it will take/absorb impact if designed for that direction.

laminate 10 layers for carbon fibre together, and you can hammer a nail through it easier than steel

 

[Sankekur]

Exactly the point I was trying to make

 

[Rennzport]

CF vinyl - past it's sell by date

Real CF - wont get old any time soon
However, large exposed real CF panels - I can see that getting old (ie. full boots, bonnets) .. all depends on the individuals taste

How are these CF bootlids and bonnets to the touch? The are lighter but do they feel solid/robust when opening/closing?

The good quality ones open and close just like the oem parts.
I close mine in the exact same manner as I did with the original parts coz theure pretty solid and well constructed.
No need to press down gently.. Just slam it

If a part of this size is flimsy, its probably cheap and I suggest saving your money.

 

[moranor@axis]

guys wtf... how often do you run over something hard? if it does happen i want something there to protect the engine...

there are quite a few reasons to have a sump guard so why would i just take it off?

if i wanted to protect the engine from nails i would use a carbon kevlar hybrid weave...

canoes and kayaks also receive huge blows from rocks in different directions... when last did you see one made of steel?

 

[Coisman]

:drama:

 

[Pidondo]

CF looks great on the new M dynamic models. not sure how functional it is tho

 

[kabal]

guys wtf... how often do you run over something hard? if it does happen i want something there to protect the engine...

there are quite a few reasons to have a sump guard so why would i just take it off?

if i wanted to protect the engine from nails i would use a carbon kevlar hybrid weave...

canoes and kayaks also receive huge blows from rocks in different directions... when last did you see one made of steel?

well I as just talking generally.

anyway, to maintain the "aero" effect of the sump guard, and have it as effective and more as the stock one at protecting your sump would be super super expensive and a huge waste of money for nothing.

I would take cheap real carbon mirror caps that are asthetically functional, and dont offer the "benefit" (why if something is light, must it only be used for weightsaving, sounds snobbish to me.....) of carbon instead of spending problably 10s of thousands on redesigning structural components.


btw, those on about weight savings, I suggest that you rather practice and do 100's/1000's of track laps in your car. after that you will be faster than any amount of carbon fibre diet you put your car on

 

[tcal69]

personal preference I guess... I love the CF for some reason, but I will not go over board:=):

CF might be old news, but that's like asking me if I'll still date Demi Moore or something stupid like that haha:rollsmile: