[BD_F22]

Whats up everyone so I just got my ER Carbon Fiber engine cover and to be honest am a little disappointed.. It seems like its cheaply made and the weave doesn't look nearly as good as other carbon fiber parts I have. Can anyone else chime in who owns it if they feel the same way or have different experience? Thanks guys

[TeinBMW]

Why not return the cover due to imperfections and was it expensive? i dont see much value in carbon fiber work under the hood. Cant be truly appreciated when its covered.

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by TeinBMW

Why not return the cover due to imperfections and was it expensive? i dont see much value in carbon fiber work under the hood. Cant be truly appreciated when its covered.

I wouldn't say it has imperfections I was just expecting a little more of a solid piece and for it to be better made.. It was about $200 and it looks nicer than the stock cover imo. Also the reason I got it is because I do attend quite a bit of events and meets so I always have a bunch of people asking me to pop the hood and figured I would dress the engine bay up a bit

[TeinBMW]

Ahh kk makes sense.

[shadow191]

I have it and I agree, it's very thin and flimsy for the price. The weave was ok on mine, but around the corners it's a little off. Once bolted on it looks good, but the construction could be better. But I don't think they can make it any thicker and not have it weigh a ton.

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by shadow191

I have it and I agree, it's very thin and flimsy for the price. The weave was ok on mine, but around the corners it's a little off. Once bolted on it looks good, but the construction could be better. But I don't think they can make it any thicker and not have it weigh a ton.

I think I would have been a lot happier with it if it had that thick foam the stock one has on the inside of it because that foam makes it feel sturdier and stronger.. Oh well though atleast it still looks really nice, I am in the process of applying a BMW roundel to it I think it looks naked without it

[wdeerfield]

thats a lot to spend on something no one else sees. wow.

[Dylanize]

So now you need carbon intake duct, carbon cabin air filter housing, carbon fuse covers. Looks random all by itself...

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by Dylanize

So now you need carbon intake duct, carbon cabin air filter housing, carbon fuse covers. Looks random all by itself...

I agree I am going to be ordering a carbon fiber skinning kit that I saw from a fellow member and will be tackling that project soon, I am also thinking of switching to the UR CAI because the DCI looks so ugly next to the cf cover haha

[lito]

Originally Posted by BD_e92

I agree I am going to be ordering a carbon fiber skinning kit that I saw from a fellow member and will be tackling that project soon, I am also thinking of switching to the UR CAI because the DCI looks so ugly next to the cf cover haha

doet!

[lito]

but your right about the ER cf engine cover quality wise for what its worth. It wil start yellowing after a while. Had to reclear mine. Thinking about skinning it in Carbon Kevlar.

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by lito

but your right about the ER cf engine cover quality wise for what its worth. It wil start yellowing after a while. Had to reclear mine. Thinking about skinning it in Carbon Kevlar.

Just the man I was talking about! Your thread definitely inspired me to look it up and want to do it

And wow really? Maybe I should put more clear on it now while its not yellow to prevent it

[shadow191]

I put a roundel on mine and it does look much better.

Originally Posted by BD_e92

I think I would have been a lot happier with it if it had that thick foam the stock one has on the inside of it because that foam makes it feel sturdier and stronger.. Oh well though atleast it still looks really nice, I am in the process of applying a BMW roundel to it I think it looks naked without it

[shadow191]

Not really, people spend more on stuff that is even less visible. I've seen cars with chromed subframes and such. Granted they go to car shows a lot, but still. I've just never liked the way the engine looks and this helps some. Lots of people don't care, but some do. I even pulled some brackets that were showing some corrosion and painted them. It was barely noticeable, but it bugged me because I knew it was there. I'm trying to figure out a way to move/hide some of the wires/hoses that are everywhere.

Look at VW guys and the crazy wire tucking engine bay shaving they do. I personally think it's really cool. Or the crazy VQ engine bays on G's and Z's, some of those guys have 5 figures in just chrome/polished parts.

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

thats a lot to spend on something no one else sees. wow.

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by shadow191

I put a roundel on mine and it does look much better.

What type of emblem did you put? I read a review thread by former_boosted that said he used an e90 trunk emblem and shaved the pegs off the back.. So I ordered an e90 emblem and will try the same. Also what adhesive did you use for it to stick?

[shadow191]

I used a trunk emblem, got it on eBay. It came in separate pieces, the emblem had to be glued to the chrome part with pegs. So I just used the emblem itself and it was the right diameter. 3M molding tape is all you need, the emblem should come with it on there already.

[HighPSI]

Originally Posted by shadow191

I put a roundel on mine and it does look much better.

what is the black cover on the ecu box?

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

detail your engine bay then when you pop it it looks new, and clean.

[roll_the_dice]

Is the piece made entirely of carbon fiber or skinned over OEM part? If it is made entirely of CF, it will be very thin and flexible. It is durable for sure, but not what we think of when we see OEM parts that are made of thicker plastic and sturdier. So if you can see the CF weave on the inside of the piece, there is no other support other than the CF itself. The real intent of carbon fiber parts is the weight gain. In a race car, that is a huge thing, but in our street cars, not so much.

Also remember, The grain in the Carbon Fiber will change depending on the curvature of the piece being worked and each piece will be unique...much like leather. I have seen rolls of CF with a straight grain and some that waffle back and forth. But once finished, they both look great.

I think the picture looks good and if you had to find "problems" by looking at it off the car, no one will ever notice with it on the car. Just my 2 cents, but I have put carbon fiber on several dozen car full interior trim pieces and that piece looks good.

BMW Mirror Caps 2x2 twill


VW Touareg center console 1x1 plain weave

[whosdady]

I love mine! The quality could be a little higher and I wish they did more with the spot where the emblem goes. However it is one of my favorite additions. It really adds to the engine bay.