[DOCTOR 3VIL]

You are looking at about $3000 which includes a new headliner, the part (mine was Vorsteiner) and labor.

[ventura_328Ci]

Although I am all for going non-sunroof, I believe I read somewhere that the new roof will only add about 1/2" of extra headroom. If that is the sole reason you are doing this, do you really think spending $3k is worth gaining 1/2" of space for your head?

Also, you can purchase an OEM metal roof without a sunroof opening? I know they produced M3's from the factory without sunroofs, but I was not aware you could actually buy the roof still. How much do these cost?

[daytonaviolet]

ventura has great point. OP what is your main priority? is it more headroom, CF looks or both? because you can actually just install the metal roof with no sunroof and it will solve the headroom issue as both the metal roof and csl roof uses the same headliner. the csl roof will solve both the headroom and the CF look. i guess the next thing is for someone with a CSL roof or metal roof to acutally measure the distance from the tranny tunnel to the headliner.

ohh.. i guess i could measure that tonight also, depending on what seats you have in your m3... oem seats vs bucket seats, that will also make a difference. because i know my csl bucket seats actually sit about 2" lower then my oem power seats at the lowest position.

[daytonaviolet]

okay i just measured just measured the distance of the tranny tunnel to the roof as well as the distance from my csl seats to the roof. here are the numbers.

tranny tunnel to headliner = 37"
center of csl seat to headliner = 39" (seat all the way back, this is probably where a 6"4" person would put there seat)
center of csl seat to headliner = 37.5" (seat positioned for my short ass, im 5'6")

so basicly the csl seats are angled a bit as they dont have any adjustments, but the further back you set the seat the more head room you get. (37.5" --> 39")

[Project E46M3]

hummmm....what is the weight difference between a cf roof (vcsl or oem csl) vs the metal roof?????

[AttaQ]

There is definitly a good chunk of headroom to be gained going no sunroof.
<--- 6'5"

But I would be interested in how much you could also gain/lose with manual vs. motorized seats. But in my car (no sunroof, manual seats) headroom is good, but it is still tight with a helmet.

[keca10]

Originally Posted by Project E46M3

hummmm....what is the weight difference between a cf roof (vcsl or oem csl) vs the metal roof?????

From what I understand:
Sunroof to OEM CSL roof = -45lbs
Sunroof to OEM metal roof = -33lbs.

So metal to CF... = -12lbs.

Not sure about vcsl. I know their trunks are much lighter than CSL trunks.

[keca10]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

ventura has great point. OP what is your main priority? is it more headroom, CF looks or both? because you can actually just install the metal roof with no sunroof and it will solve the headroom issue as both the metal roof and csl roof uses the same headliner. the csl roof will solve both the headroom and the CF look. i guess the next thing is for someone with a CSL roof or metal roof to acutally measure the distance from the tranny tunnel to the headliner.

ohh.. i guess i could measure that tonight also, depending on what seats you have in your m3... oem seats vs bucket seats, that will also make a difference. because i know my csl bucket seats actually sit about 2" lower then my oem power seats at the lowest position.

I am starting to think that maybe I should just try opening the roof when on the track. Stick my helmet out of the sunroof with the seats all the way up. Might lose my teeth when braking hard though.

But to answer your question... headroom (practicality) is something I have a long shot of selling to my wife as a decent reason for spending the money. I started thinking CF since metal roof is about 800 bucks (unpainted) and going CSL after paying arm and a leg for labor is kind of in the noise (if I can get the CSL roof for maybe $700 or so more). Lower weight high up is also a plus but I am a big dude, so if something should shed weight, it should probably be me.

Ross Bentley wrote in his second Speed Secret book that if you are over 200lbs and 6 feet you might want to consider a DSB (a different sport beacon). I remember reading that and getting kind of dissapointed even though I have no chance of going pro no matter how short or tall I am.

I guess my thinking is that if I am paying about $3000+ to go to no sunroof (for practicality), might as well pay another $700 and go with the CSL roof (for the looks).

Honestly, I also considered trying to just trade my car for another M3 that doesnt have a sunroof (and hopefully has manual seats).

[Reach]

Is there any better solid info on how much headroom you get back by doing a sunroof delete? I've heard everything from 1/2" to 2". I'm inclined to believe its more like 2" from looking at the cassette.

I'm also 6'5" and have a strong preference for keeping the stock interior, while still competing full seasons of autocross and the occasional track day. My head hits the roof just barely in my normal seating position, and I need about 2" more headroom to comfortably wear a helmet in a straight-up position and move my seat forward.

[Project E46M3]

I think the best way to gain headroom and keep costs down is to get the oem metal roof (you have to paint) or vcsl roof...then get a race seat XL version and vac floor mounts and side mounts...skip sliders so you it would be at the lowest seating position possible. You would be damn near sitting on the floor and gain a few inches...