[radiumwolf]

Greetings,
I'm looking for opinions and information on the two Vented Hood options.

ALPHA-N G8X M3 / M4 CARBON VENTED HOOD
https://x-ph.com/alpha-n-g8x-m3-m4-carbon-vented-hood/
$4,955.00

or

RW CARBON BMW G8X M3/M4 FULL CARBON FIBER DTM STYLE HOOD
https://x-ph.com/rw-carbon-bmw-g8x-m...tm-style-hood/
$2,999.95


These both look the same in the photos but are priced pretty differently. The Alpha-N is built to order but the RW CARBON hood looks available now.

Have anyone of you tried either? Do you know if there's any build quality difference? I'm planning on fitting this on my 2022 M4 Comp.


Thanks for any feedback.

[Chapter2099]

I didn’t even know the RW hood existed. I’ve been eyeing the Alpha N hood for a while now, but this definitely makes me rethink things especially if I can save almost $2K.

I’m curious if there’s a quality difference etc. I wish there was a more equal comparison with the photos (ie. Seeing the RW hood painted on an IOMG G8X), but side by side photos, they are ridiculously close.

I’ll be watching this thread closely, OP. Great find.

[Chapter2099]

I know who can help us…

Powerbeast Can you post a review here of your thoughts on the Alpha N hood? Fitment, etc.?

We were just talking about it the other day in your thread.

[Matt@Evolve]

Alpha N hood is amazing, about to install our 2nd one. Honestly it transforms the cars front end to be a lot more aggressive. Their quality is always spot on too. It’s really an OEM level of construction. Which makes sense as they were involved in the BMW 3.0 CSL project.

RW looks like a knock off to me, which sucks as it makes manufacturers not want to invest in creating products.

[EatThatLunchBaby]

Originally Posted by Matt@Evolve

Alpha N hood is amazing, about to install our 2nd one. Honestly it transforms the cars front end to be a lot more aggressive. Their quality is always spot on too. It’s really an OEM level of construction. Which makes sense as they were involved in the BMW 3.0 CSL project.

RW looks like a knock off to me, which sucks as it makes manufacturers not want to invest in creating products.

Have you installed both previously or is this opinion based off the pictures?

[Chapter2099]

Originally Posted by Matt@Evolve

Alpha N hood is amazing, about to install our 2nd one. Honestly it transforms the cars front end to be a lot more aggressive. Their quality is always spot on too. It’s really an OEM level of construction. Which makes sense as they were involved in the BMW 3.0 CSL project.

RW looks like a knock off to me, which sucks as it makes manufacturers not want to invest in creating products.

Appreciate this, Matt.

Noob question: I plan on purchasing one of these likely from IND or XHP, but am not familiar with the process of getting a carbon fiber hood painted.

Is it just a simple bring it into a paint shop and let them do their thing? Are their considerations, etc.

My G80 will be Alpine White so I don’t imagine paint matching should be too difficult, but I genuinely am not knowledgable about this area.

[mike@x-ph.com]

OP,
taking for using link from the website, hopefully, you'll use it to place your order as well

I was planning on getting the Alpha-N hood for my next M4, but now that RW is available, i'll probably give them a shot.

Its half the price and RW products have spot on fitment, its worth the savings in my opinion

[Matt@Evolve]

Originally Posted by Chapter2099

Appreciate this, Matt.

Noob question: I plan on purchasing one of these likely from IND or XHP, but am not familiar with the process of getting a carbon fiber hood painted.

Is it just a simple bring it into a paint shop and let them do their thing? Are their considerations, etc.

My G80 will be Alpine White so I don’t imagine paint matching should be too difficult, but I genuinely am not knowledge about this area.

Ideally take it somewhere that has experience with painting over carbon fiber. And if you want any exposed then I believe there are specific UV protecting paints that can help withstand the sun.

IND might be able to advise more on this as they have a lot of experience working with carbon fibre. I’m sure they’d be happy to help as part of the purchase.

[GoodGuyAvi]

After personal experience with Alpha N brand I would go only with them !!!!

[John4C]

Originally Posted by Matt@Evolve

Alpha N hood is amazing, about to install our 2nd one. Honestly it transforms the cars front end to be a lot more aggressive. Their quality is always spot on too. It’s really an OEM level of construction. Which makes sense as they were involved in the BMW 3.0 CSL project.

RW looks like a knock off to me, which sucks as it makes manufacturers not want to invest in creating products.

RW is a knock off. Someone 3d scanned the Alpha N hood and now there's about four different factories in China making this hood. That's why you're suddenly seeing RW and Bimmerplug offer it (they're both selling the same stuff). If you want to save money just buy from the Chinese factory directly for a fraction of the price.

Alpha N is going to be a higher quality piece but whether or not that quality is needed / noticeable when professionally installed and painted is another question entirely.

I do feel for Alpha N here as I would imagine in 12 months this hood will be everywhere.

[Powerbeast]

I’ll just drop these here

Fit and finish absolutely superb! Seriously it’s an OE fitment, was truly plug and play.

[OEM3]

I have the RW Hood and I can tell that the Alpha N is better quality and fitment. I just didn't want to spend the extra 2k. just keeping it 100 with you guys.

[radiumwolf]

Awesome photos! looks really good

[radiumwolf]

Originally Posted by 1mjustaguy

I have the RW Hood and I can tell that the Alpha N is better quality and fitment. I just didn't want to spend the extra 2k. just keeping it 100 with you guys.

I totally, understand. Makes me lean in the direction of the Alpha-N.

[radiumwolf]

Originally Posted by Powerbeast

I’ll just drop these here

Fit and finish absolutely superb! Seriously it’s an OE fitment, was truly plug and play.

Do you have some photos with the hood closed? Looks great!

[Fugazii]

If you paint the hood how can anyone tell if it's a knock off just curious?!

[AhsanU]

Having seen a few of the replicas of the Alpha N hood at MPACT this past year.. I'd say stick with the original. In this instance, you may get what you pay for in terms of fitment.

The replicas are okay for lips/diffusers/when the fitment can't be seen as much because the carbon add-ons are low on the body, but in the case of the hood replicas - you see the panel gaps very easily. On a very dark car, I'm sure it's far less noticeable. However, seeing it on brighter paints even further highlighted the bad fitment of the replicas.

[samurphys73]

I have the Alpha-N. Fitment and carbon weave is perfect. Worth the extra over the knock offs

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Fugazii

If you paint the hood how can anyone tell if it's a knock off just curious?!

That's what I'm thinking since I plan on painting it to match the car finish.

The issue is finding someone who can match the BMW Brooklyn Grey.

This might be the deciding factor and I might have to go with Alpha and have IND paint it.

[metalbmxer]

buy nice or buy twice... i skipped the chinese-made options & willing to pay more for my soon-to-be-installed 3D designs rear end

[Rotherd31]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

That's what I'm thinking since I plan on painting it to match the car finish.

The issue is finding someone who can match the BMW Brooklyn Grey.

This might be the deciding factor and I might have to go with Alpha and have IND paint it.

Granted, it's a much smaller sample size, but IND painted all four of my front fender reflector replacement sets and the paint on ALL of them was flawless. One of them was individual Rosso Corsa and my last set was Brooklyn Gray!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Rotherd31

Granted, it's a much smaller sample size, but IND painted all four of my front fender reflector replacements and the paint on ALL of them was flawless. One of them was individual Rosso Carsa and my last one was Brooklyn Gray!

They did my reflectors too, perfect match.

We offer their products and use their painting service all the time, they do excellent work.