[Tag]

OK, I understand it light and strong and why if you were getting a hood or spoiler you would want it. What I don't understand is the look of it; I think it looks ugly IMO. I wouldn't mind having CF as long as it was painted the same color as my car. Just wondering if anyone else felt the same?

[Arustik1]

Exterior...of course

Interior...different story

[scollins]

My poll would have been "it depends." It depends on the part and the color of the car. Sparkling Graphite works with unpainted CF, Alpine White not at all (in my opinion of course.)

For small exterior parts, I like the CF look: Roundels, grille, maybe splitters or a spoiler.

But I really don't like the look on the large pieces. I think a CF hood looks terrible, especially under direct sunlight. Some think that SG has a purple hue to it at times, but CF most certainly does.

But people don't want to paint their CF parts. They likely didn't buy them for the weight savings, but for the fact that they are CF and wanted "the look". And how is someone going to know you spent a lot of scratch on CF parts if you paint it to match the car?

[superlubricity]

Originally Posted by scollins

My poll would have been "it depends." It depends on the part and the color of the car. Sparkling Graphite works with unpainted CF, Alpine White not at all (in my opinion of course.)

For small exterior parts, I like the CF look: Roundels, grille, maybe splitters or a spoiler.

But I really don't like the look on the large pieces. I think a CF hood looks terrible, especially under direct sunlight. Some think that SG has a purple hue to it at times, but CF most certainly does.

But people don't want to paint their CF parts. They likely didn't buy them for the weight savings, but for the fact that they are CF and wanted "the look". And how is someone going to know you spent a lot of scratch on CF parts if you paint it to match the car?

+1

[OO---OO]

I think it looks like garbage on cars when its not painted the OE color. looks like the owner couldnt afford a new hood so he went to the junk yard and found a black one.
but, on the other hand, if they leave the vents unpainted, i think it looks aggressive!

[Lost Horizon]

I do quite a bit of design work with CF, but really only use it for the strength/weight properties to get the best out for some system/assembly. In the right application, you can set world records with CF in the right places.

I confess, I really don't get it as trim pieces on the interior. It seems a bit Poser-ish in that sense. That's the problem tho, with understanding how things work... You tend to lean to the practical.

As an expression of art, well, that covers a lot of turf. In my world, a BMW is a bit of both art and engineering, but mostly engineering.. so.. sure.. If it makes you feel good pulling up to your favorite Starbucks, go for it.

[ejazbmw]

my spoiler is bare cf i kinda like the combo on jet black and bare cf....but if i ever got a cf hood I'd probably paint it though that's a bit to much cf for my liking

[josephr25]

As a mechanical engineer... I would never consider CF for cosmetic purposes. I wouldn't even bother with CFRP parts made as "wet carbon."

[ZJP]

Small Carbon Fiber accents compliment a car nicely, but larger pieces such as hoods, fenders, trunks, etc. draw too much attention and really serve no purpose other than giving the car a "boy racer" appearance.

Here is a prime example of how CF is properly used.
http://www.exotixboard.com/showthread.php?t=6239

[oldaccount]

Originally Posted by Tranzporter

Here is a prime example of how CF is properly used.
http://www.exotixboard.com/showthread.php?t=6239

that has awesome.

[AJerman]

It's funny. CF is fairly expensive to use for just a look, and I think that most people who do use carbon fiber parts, do it because of the weight benefits as well as the look. It's almost like the justify the cost of the look with the fact that it gives performance gains as well.

I do think it looks silly sometimes, but I think the worst part is the ricers that use it that put a bad taste in our mouths. If used right, it doesn't look terrible, and in the case of the roof of the M3, it's very helpful keeping the center of gravity low.

In the end, it's all personal expression, just like color. Some people like the look, others don't.

[ATSR]

To the OP, as long as it is REAL carbon fiber and it comes like that from the manufacturer, I absolutely LOVE the way it looks. Can't stand any kind of look alike carbon fiber. People that use/like that stuff should be removed from society.

[Androo000]

farbon ciber is sooo overplayed.

[ChaneRZ]

Originally Posted by alejotrujillo

To the OP, as long as it is REAL carbon fiber and it comes like that from the manufacturer, I absolutely LOVE the way it looks. Can't stand any kind of look alike carbon fiber. People that use/like that stuff should be removed from society.

+1

[mJ335]

IMO, I think CF makes our cars look more sporty. But then I do agree when CF is used a little too much (e.g. the whole hood, roof, trunk A.K.A. SilverBullet's car lol) then it looks a bit "ricey". CF accents I think are perfect. Exposing vents of CF roof, Exposing edges of CF bootlid, CF mirrors, CF roundels, CF diffusors, CF sharkfin, etc...

[92tripleblack]

It's all opinion. I'm with you. I don't like the look of carbon fibre. Looks like the cheap neon plastic parts of the mid 80s that were all the rage to me. Originally, it was used to show off that you had ultralight parts, so you were fast, and it cost a ton, so you had money. Now its cheap enough that every high school kid puts it everywhere.

Look at that comercial for body soap for men with the kids dismissing it because it doesn't smell strong enough, and the name doesn't dominate, etc. That's what I equate the market for carbon fiber these days.

[Year's_End]

I like CF on rear diffusers and roofs, but that's about it. Interior trim works if it's done properly.

[hotrod2448]

I agree with the "it depends" statement. my biggest problem is the amount of "fake" carbon pieces floating around. Just about everything I've seen is carbon over fiberglass and is poor quality.

Good carbon work is a rarity in the aftermarket.

[exo-ak-dk]

hate CF only buy it if it's the only thing available

[AV9]

+1 on depending...it can be a great accent on your car...that's what i did!