Does Euro M3 have brake cooling ducts?

adc · 02-13-2009, 06:14 PM

I test drove a DCT sedan yesterday and got a chance to poke around the dirty bits... noticed it didn't have any brake cooling ducts - I was very surprised at this, all the BMW's I've owned so far have had them.

I also test drove a 135i back to back and thought it had better brake pedal feel - perhaps I was imagining things. At least it had the damn ducts...

So do Euro models have brake cooling ducts? Does someone make a set?

Many thanks - and apologies if this has been discussed before...

FStop7 · 02-13-2009, 06:28 PM

No. The front ducts are used for engine intake and the oil cooler.

adc · 02-14-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

No. The front ducts are used for engine intake and the oil cooler.

I noticed that on the US model... on such a fast heavy car... ouch... how could they possibly have missed that??

If I got an M3, I'd buy the left and right OEM ducts and play with them, see if there is any possibility there.

Or perhaps the way to go is similar to the E39 M5 HD ducts...

FStop7 · 02-14-2009, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

I noticed that on the US model... on such a fast heavy car... ouch... how could they possibly have missed that??

adc · 02-14-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

No need to roll the eyes, brake cooling ducts cost very little to implement and work well.

I have not yet driven a car that needs LESS brake cooling.

doba_s · 02-14-2009, 12:55 PM

yeah, it is kind of disappointing that BMW didn't put BD on the M3 ...

135i have 6p calipers so it might have better brakes ...

I am almost done with my custom BD which will be tested very soon ...

jml · 02-14-2009, 01:49 PM

I wish someone would invent a snap-in drake duct that can be removed for trips to the dealer. Kinda a give away.

doba_s · 02-14-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jml

I wish someone would invent a snap-in drake duct that can be removed for trips to the dealer. Kinda a give away.

i don't see why do you need to remove it ... why would they have a problem with this mod ?

adc · 02-14-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doba_s

135i have 6p calipers so it might have better brakes

Not sure they're better in the sense of sheer stopping power - they may have better feel who knows.

Quote:

I am almost done with my custom BD which will be tested very soon ...

Would you mind posting some pics? I'm sure many people will be interested...

doba_s · 02-14-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

Not sure they're better in the sense of sheer stopping power - they may have better feel who knows.

Would you mind posting some pics? I'm sure many people will be interested...

i will when i am done ... still waiting for some parts to come in

Robert · 02-15-2009, 03:27 AM

brakes, who needs them, you slow down when you crash.

Seth_Horwitz · 02-15-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

brakes, who needs them, you slow down when you crash.

Your insurance company must love you.

e46e92love · 02-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

brakes, who needs them, you slow down when you crash.

jml · 02-15-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doba_s

i don't see why do you need to remove it ... why would they have a problem with this mod ?

They are not idiots. There are a few tell tale signs or extreme use of the car, which, despite the marketing stance of BMW, will lead you to warranty and complimentary maint arguments. Micro-cracked rotors, prematurely worn rotors, accelerated service intervals, rubber worms/nuggets, rubber streaks on the hood, rock chips...etc.

I was never ultimately denied warranty coverage, except for things within a linear foot of the motons on the E46. But really annoying to have to roll out the wife with her lawyer hat on now and then.

Seth_Horwitz · 02-15-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jml

... wife with her lawyer hat on ...

Off topic, but that's sexy. Sorry. Back OT.

mmmelbourne · 02-16-2009, 06:38 AM

Just look at my fiasco with BMW $0 maintenance when trying to warranty brakes:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194531

adc · 02-16-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmelbourne

Just look at my fiasco with BMW $0 maintenance when trying to warranty brakes:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194531

I read that, sorry about your misfortunes...

My SA knows I track my car and if I showed up with extra brake cooling, he would think it's a great idea. I like to think...

JJM335 · 02-16-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

No need to roll the eyes, brake cooling ducts cost very little to implement and work well.

I have not yet driven a car that needs LESS brake cooling.

I am sure BMW...manufacturer of F1 and LeMans race cars...has not forgoten about brake cooling on one of their premier street cars.

Just because there are no holes in the bodywork leading to the brakes doesn't mean there is no airflow going to them.

adc · 02-16-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJM335

I am sure BMW...manufacturer of F1 and LeMans race cars...has not forgoten about brake cooling on one of their premier street cars.

Just because there are no holes in the bodywork leading to the brakes doesn't mean there is no airflow going to them.

Well, just ask the guys who track these cars... also ask them if BMW, the 3rd team in the F1 championship, has fitted worthy brake pads & fluid in their $70k wonder car.

I love BMW's to death, but that doesn't mean turning a blind eye towards any shortcomings. I notice those, and fix them.

I'm just looking at these things as part of the cost of ownership. I am currently hesitating between a 135i that would receive a fair number of mods, vs. an M3 that would stay relatively stock. Determining how stock exactly will certainly play in my little financial analysis.

Seth_Horwitz · 02-16-2009, 08:21 PM

3rd team in the F1 championship is like the tallest midget. Actually, I don't think they'll be as high this year. Alonso was standing on his head towards the end of last year, and will probably have a decent car this year. Even if they're all really ugly. Sorry. Back on topic.

GregW / Oregon · 02-16-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

No. The front ducts are used for engine intake and the oil cooler.

It's the transmission oil cooler on the right side. Not sure if there is enough room to siphon off some air on each side for the brakes. That would be a good mod for track, if possible.

JAJ · 02-16-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJM335

I am sure BMW...manufacturer of F1 and LeMans race cars...has not forgoten about brake cooling on one of their premier street cars.

Just because there are no holes in the bodywork leading to the brakes doesn't mean there is no airflow going to them.

I agree with this post. I'm pretty sure they didn't forget, although there may not be enough airflow to handle every track condition.

The real question is "how did BMW design the air flow through the brakes and how do we enhance it?" It would be relatively easy to put a splitter across the bottom of the front bumper and install a duct through the felt shroud and blast air straight back into the wheel wells. The question is "will the brakes cool better?" or will you just interfere with the carefully designed aerodynamics and produce less downforce and more drag without improving cooling?

There's no getting around it - we really need a wind tunnel...

02-13-2009, 06:14 PM	#1
adc Major General 2765 Rep 6,762 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	Does Euro M3 have brake cooling ducts? I test drove a DCT sedan yesterday and got a chance to poke around the dirty bits... noticed it didn't have any brake cooling ducts - I was very surprised at this, all the BMW's I've owned so far have had them. I also test drove a 135i back to back and thought it had better brake pedal feel - perhaps I was imagining things. At least it had the damn ducts... So do Euro models have brake cooling ducts? Does someone make a set? Many thanks - and apologies if this has been discussed before...
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02-13-2009, 06:28 PM	#2
FStop7 I like cars 331 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	No. The front ducts are used for engine intake and the oil cooler. __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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02-14-2009, 12:55 PM	#6
doba_s Major General 407 Rep 6,107 Posts Drives: X7 l Cayenne l 997.2RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Danville iTrader: (26)	yeah, it is kind of disappointing that BMW didn't put BD on the M3 ... 135i have 6p calipers so it might have better brakes ... I am almost done with my custom BD which will be tested very soon ...
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02-14-2009, 01:49 PM	#7
jml Major 128 Rep 1,144 Posts Drives: X5M, GT3RS, GT4 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	I wish someone would invent a snap-in drake duct that can be removed for trips to the dealer. Kinda a give away.
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02-15-2009, 03:27 AM	#11
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	brakes, who needs them, you slow down when you crash.
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02-16-2009, 06:38 AM	#16
mmmelbourne New Member 3 Rep 17 Posts Drives: e92 ///M3 melbourne red Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	Just look at my fiasco with BMW $0 maintenance when trying to warranty brakes: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194531
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02-16-2009, 08:21 PM	#20
Seth_Horwitz Tired of feather footed //M drivers 19 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 330ci, 911 Turbo X50 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	3rd team in the F1 championship is like the tallest midget. Actually, I don't think they'll be as high this year. Alonso was standing on his head towards the end of last year, and will probably have a decent car this year. Even if they're all really ugly. Sorry. Back on topic.
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