Radiator Cover Hole

[lucasxdiniz]

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.

 

[beanie]

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.

 

[maupineda]

I would be interested

 

[GT Spec]

I'd also be interested if it match the colour/texture of the rest of the plastic shroud

 

[CliveN]

Me too

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'd be interested too Lucas.

 

[lucasxdiniz]

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.

 

[axelleveau]

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 [ref]lucasxdiniz[/ref], might be worth doing a search

 

[enuff_zed]

If you can't get a perfect match then it looks better to make it something contrasting IMO.

 

[Mr Tidy]

If you can't get a perfect match then it looks better to make it something contrasting IMO.

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.

 

[barryb97]

Check out Skyer Motorsports

 

[enuff_zed]

Just wondering: could you do manhole-sized ones?
And could you post to Las Vegas?

 

[lucasxdiniz]

If you can't get a perfect match then it looks better to make it something contrasting IMO.

Yeah, I agree. That's plan B essentially.

Check out Skyer Motorsports

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.

 

[Beedub]

it doesn't particularly bother me.... but...... go on then, im in.

 

[lucasxdiniz]

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.

 

[Mr Tidy]

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.

That's interesting as my M has only ever got close to 100 degrees in traffic in the summer! Even hooning it doesn't get to 100. :?

 

[lucasxdiniz]

That's interesting as my M has only ever got close to 100 degrees in traffic in the summer! Even hooning it doesn't get to 100. :?

To be fair it only ever goes over 100°C in hard hoons in summer when I'm in really tight, windy road (mid/north Wales). So on and off throttle and high RPM and not a whole lot of airflow for quite a bit. Or as you say, if you're stationary at some traffic lights.

I expected that the engine would still go over 100°C when stationary after a hoon while idling due to heat soak even in Winter, but did not manage that.

 

[mmm-five]

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.

That's interesting as my M has only ever got close to 100 degrees in traffic in the summer! Even hooning it doesn't get to 100. :?

Mine has seen some very high temps when on track in 30º+ summer days - but usually only saw the orange warning light, and the red light once when I was on a cooling down lap.

Replaced the whole cooling pack after that (about 100k miles by then) and it's never happened again.

 

[Beedub]

mine goes over 100 ( oil ) regularly ..... but it takes a good track session to do it on 28 + days and recovers extremely quickly..... Water stays bang on....

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks guys.

mine goes over 100 ( oil ) regularly ..... but it takes a good track session to do it on 28 + days and recovers extremely quickly..... Water stays bang on....

Yours is working a bit harder though with your 'charger!

Mine generally settles between 70 and 100 degrees. Even on Craig's run in the Lakes this year it didn't reach 100, but ambient temperature wasn't anything special for July.