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Radiator Cover Hole
- lucasxdiniz
- Member
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- Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:41 am
- Location: Northamptonshire
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Radiator Cover Hole
Hi all,
Does anyone here feel bothered by the big hole in the front of the engine bay where the non-Ms would have their expansion tank cap? I can see why BMW chose to re-use the part (a new tool would cost £75-100k for a part of that size), but I can't help but look at that hole whenever I open the bonnet to stare lovingly at the engine (fairly often).
Which is why I am working on this:
I'm interested to know if people would want something like this in their car. The only viable manufacturing option here is 3D-printing; I will be looking at SLS/SLA in either glass-filled nylon or tough resin. If there's some interest, it will influence how I design the mounting method and, potentially, I could get a better deal from a 3D printing company if I'm ordering a few units. I reckon to print a 1off for myself will be around £60-100 depending on material and process.
I will be driving the car with temperature stickers where the 3D printed part will be, that will drive the material decision really.
Does anyone here feel bothered by the big hole in the front of the engine bay where the non-Ms would have their expansion tank cap? I can see why BMW chose to re-use the part (a new tool would cost £75-100k for a part of that size), but I can't help but look at that hole whenever I open the bonnet to stare lovingly at the engine (fairly often).
Which is why I am working on this:
I'm interested to know if people would want something like this in their car. The only viable manufacturing option here is 3D-printing; I will be looking at SLS/SLA in either glass-filled nylon or tough resin. If there's some interest, it will influence how I design the mounting method and, potentially, I could get a better deal from a 3D printing company if I'm ordering a few units. I reckon to print a 1off for myself will be around £60-100 depending on material and process.
I will be driving the car with temperature stickers where the 3D printed part will be, that will drive the material decision really.
Z4MC: Interlagos Blue | Individual Champagne | BC Racing RS Coilovers | Powerflex Arms | 4.1 FD
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Radiator Cover Hole
Can’t say it’s ever bothered me, but I think one or two have covered this area with something so you’re not alone.
RUBYIMOLACARBON
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Radiator Cover Hole
I would be interested
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Radiator Cover Hole
I'd also be interested if it match the colour/texture of the rest of the plastic shroud
E85 M, Aero Skirts and Hardtop
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Diagnostic scanning and coding in Essex
Schrick 288/280 Cams and Rockers
Karbonius Race Airbox
BMW Motorsport 4.1 FD
Supersprint Full System inc 100 Cell Cats
163M CSL Rims
Bilstein/Eibach B12
Recaro Sportster CS
Diagnostic scanning and coding in Essex
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- Mr Tidy
- Legend
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- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Radiator Cover Hole
I'd be interested too Lucas.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- lucasxdiniz
- Member
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- Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:41 am
- Location: Northamptonshire
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Radiator Cover Hole
More interest than I expected to be honest. I'll spend more time on it this weekend and hopefully print a prototype next week.
I too want the finish and texture to be the same, but that is almost impossible to achieve without some finishing process. I am expecting a bit of sanding and painting to be needed to make it look OE. I'll report back once I actually have one installed and people can then decide if it's too much effort for them to deal with or if it's cost effective for me to do it for them.
Feedback on the ///M logo placement and size is welcome. Can possibly tailor individual prints and add/remove features.
I too want the finish and texture to be the same, but that is almost impossible to achieve without some finishing process. I am expecting a bit of sanding and painting to be needed to make it look OE. I'll report back once I actually have one installed and people can then decide if it's too much effort for them to deal with or if it's cost effective for me to do it for them.
Feedback on the ///M logo placement and size is welcome. Can possibly tailor individual prints and add/remove features.
Z4MC: Interlagos Blue | Individual Champagne | BC Racing RS Coilovers | Powerflex Arms | 4.1 FD
- axelleveau
- Member
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- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:46 am
Radiator Cover Hole
I am 90% sure someone on here did a full cover out of Carbon Fibre, and am 50% sure I came across a similar plug to what you want to do lucasxdiniz, might be worth doing a search
Gone - Ford Ka MK2 Petrol - Black
Will hang around to carry materials/people and in emergency - Ford Fiesta MK7 1.0 Ecoboost - Black, white rally rims, white decals, remapped
Now - Z4 Coupe - Montego Blue: Here
Will hang around to carry materials/people and in emergency - Ford Fiesta MK7 1.0 Ecoboost - Black, white rally rims, white decals, remapped
Now - Z4 Coupe - Montego Blue: Here
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Radiator Cover Hole
If you can't get a perfect match then it looks better to make it something contrasting IMO.
- Mr Tidy
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- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Radiator Cover Hole
Yes, I was thinking that too! M placement looks fine, but you could make the M a bit bigger!
Looking forward to seeing your prototype anyway.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- barryb97
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Radiator Cover Hole
Check out Skyer Motorsports
CDV del, clutch stp, LeatherZ console, strut bar, PB brakes, TC Kline coilovers, M3 reps, Stromung, Intravee II, paintd reflect, Hdlt wash disable, AS SSK, RTAB lmtrs, Vibra tech, BMW pedals, Skyer frnt. r lip, r defuser, coil cover, rad cover.
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Radiator Cover Hole
Just wondering: could you do manhole-sized ones?
And could you post to Las Vegas?
And could you post to Las Vegas?
- lucasxdiniz
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Radiator Cover Hole
Yeah, I agree. That's plan B essentially.
Personally not a fan of the exposed carbon look. The only thing I'd have from Skyer is the aero skirts if I couldn't find OE ones, or the carbon roof if mine got badly dented - I'd still paint it over though.
Z4MC: Interlagos Blue | Individual Champagne | BC Racing RS Coilovers | Powerflex Arms | 4.1 FD
- Beedub
- Lifer
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Radiator Cover Hole
it doesn't particularly bother me.... but...... go on then, im in.
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- lucasxdiniz
- Member
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:41 am
- Location: Northamptonshire
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Radiator Cover Hole
I did use the car to commute to and from work a couple of days and on the way back I was able to get it nice and hot, but due to the greasy weather, couldn't really get the oil temps over 100°C, which means I didn't get the car anywhere as hot as it could potentially get.
Does anyone have any planned hooning this month, I can send you some temp stickers to get better data. Let me know.
Does anyone have any planned hooning this month, I can send you some temp stickers to get better data. Let me know.
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Z4MC: Interlagos Blue | Individual Champagne | BC Racing RS Coilovers | Powerflex Arms | 4.1 FD