Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
-
- Member
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:10 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
had the wheels off to paint up the brake calipers in some black and noticed these removable plastic parts
top one must be easier access to parts so no need for bumper off?
is the bottom one to help with brake cooling in the summer or on a track day?
thanks
top one must be easier access to parts so no need for bumper off?
is the bottom one to help with brake cooling in the summer or on a track day?
thanks
- Attachments
-
- IMG-1607.jpg (157.73 KiB) Viewed 1151 times
-
Onlinebigwinn
- Lifer
- Posts: 4557
- Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:13 pm
- Location: Lincoln UK
- Contact:
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
allow you access to change your bulbs in headlights and foglight
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
EWS Delete PM me
Coding- airbags etc PM me
EWS Delete PM me
Coding- airbags etc PM me
- Argenta
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Indeed brake cooling ducts. I know they look misguided for aiming mostly at the tire.. But then again aerodynamic works in mysterious ways & Bmw usually knows what they’re doing in this regard.
Why theyre partly covered from factory I don’t know. I do know covering front inlets generally lowers drag.
Why theyre partly covered from factory I don’t know. I do know covering front inlets generally lowers drag.
-
- Member
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2015 12:35 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
I tried getting the bottom one out the other day to investigate the washer fluid leak - they are part of the air duct, which is wider than the hole and seems to clip inside the bumper as well, so I couldn't work out how to get mine out.
2006 Imola Z4MC (wife's shopping trolley)
1990 Toyota Carina (Started as a free family heirloom, now apparently a Classic)
2016 Toyota Avensis 1.6D (yup, the *really* slow one).
2011 TDM900
1997 VFR750 project. 95% complete. Only 30% left to do.
1990 Toyota Carina (Started as a free family heirloom, now apparently a Classic)
2016 Toyota Avensis 1.6D (yup, the *really* slow one).
2011 TDM900
1997 VFR750 project. 95% complete. Only 30% left to do.
- Argenta
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Why d’you wanna take it out? To change bulb etc its the bigger lid above it
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26417
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
I believe it is indeed there to aid brake cooling on track days. I don't have it, so removed before I bought the car 11+ years ago. We need a track guy to post and confirm, I'm not such a person these days .
- srhutch
- Moderator
- Posts: 26959
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: East Sussex, UK
- Contact:
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Brake ducts. There are two versions. Some cars came half covered up, others came fully open. No rhyme or reason though that I recall.
-
OnlineVanne
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1572
- Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:55 pm
- Location: Dubai
- Contact:
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
they are there to pressurize the wheel well, does it aid with cooling? not sure, or is it to keep your shiny rims cleaner? who knows.
2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC Building/Developing Z4 GT3
Powered by Severn Tuning
Powered by Severn Tuning
- Argenta
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Wheel wells are generally too pressurized anyway (not good for drag) so I doubt thats the reason tho
- grannyknot
- Member
- Posts: 412
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
On the top of the brake ducts there are vents and the half opening at the back, I'm thinking if the duct was sealed off at the back and on top so no air could move through it it would result in less drag.
The air inside would pressurize slightly and would become a pillow air that the oncoming air would slide off, does that make sense?
Something I just thought of, those vents on the top of the duct being used to cool the xenon bulbs other wise there would be no air movement behind the headlights.
The air inside would pressurize slightly and would become a pillow air that the oncoming air would slide off, does that make sense?
Something I just thought of, those vents on the top of the duct being used to cool the xenon bulbs other wise there would be no air movement behind the headlights.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
- Argenta
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
I think the "vents" are there for the horns
- grannyknot
- Member
- Posts: 412
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
The vents in the top of the brake ducts may also let some sound out but keeping the xenons cool is more of a priority I would think, the lighting wiring harness already has a reputation for drying of a cracking down to bare wire.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
- Argenta
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:49 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Mine
- Attachments
-
- 294FB137-5233-43AC-83FD-68F4920D3C02.jpeg (97.82 KiB) Viewed 668 times
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4745
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
This makes sense to me. I bet the plate was added to stop the vent catching water/crap slung forwards off the tyre.grannyknot wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 2:36 am On the top of the brake ducts there are vents and the half opening at the back, I'm thinking if the duct was sealed off at the back and on top so no air could move through it it would result in less drag.
The air inside would pressurize slightly and would become a pillow air that the oncoming air would slide off, does that make sense?
Ideally you'd route/duct the air to somewhere useful - e.g. to cool the brakes or to direct air cleanly around the outside of the wheel well - or blank them off, flush with the face of the bumper (but that would look a bit odd).
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
-
- Member
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:34 pm
what does these plastic removable vents do in the front arch - Z4MC
Top ones in the arch liner are to access bulbs - still a pig of a job with them out...!
I removed the bottom ones on my car trying to improve brake cooling on the standard brakes - made absolutely naff all difference!
They're still removed with the AP brakes fitted, but these of course are *much* better!
I removed the bottom ones on my car trying to improve brake cooling on the standard brakes - made absolutely naff all difference!
They're still removed with the AP brakes fitted, but these of course are *much* better!