Anyone cut out the strut in front of the FMIC ?

Si-M240i · 03-17-2010, 07:48 AM

Has anyone cut the plastic strut off which runs accross infront of the FMIC ?

I removed the "V" plastic struts but I am tempted to remove this piece too.

What does it support or fix to ?
does it matter if I cut it out ?

Any advise and pics appreciated

Si

randomquickness · 03-17-2010, 09:58 AM

I cut mine out and I know a few others have...don't remember it being too important

Si-M240i · 03-17-2010, 12:52 PM

I want to try to do this wthout removing the bumper and FMIC !!! I can remove my DIY Mesh FMIC Grill though and use a hacksaw blade out of the frame. So sore hands and scuffed knuckles for me soon. How hard was the plastic to cut as I wont be able to put much force behind my sawing ?

Eyeman · 03-17-2010, 06:04 PM

If it's due to appearance, paint/anodize the FMIC black, then you cant see the strut/bars.

randomquickness · 03-17-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si-135i

I want to try to do this wthout removing the bumper and FMIC !!! I can remove my DIY Mesh FMIC Grill though and use a hacksaw blade out of the frame. So sore hands and scuffed knuckles for me soon. How hard was the plastic to cut as I wont be able to put much force behind my sawing ?

it will be virtually impossible to use a hack saw WITH the fmic still in. even with the fmic out it was still awkward in there and I used a hack saw for the big stuff and then cleaned it up with a dremel and sand paper.

BMW86 · 03-17-2010, 06:45 PM

OT what's the purpose of those flap things under our front bumper?

Mitch1er · 03-17-2010, 07:32 PM

i removed front grill and cut the plastic v brace last week. the purpose of the plastic v brace to protect the intercooler from crushing if/when you bottom out the car. i used a good knife and just cut it out without damaging the intercooler. looks 100x better.

Si-M240i · 03-18-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch1er

i removed front grill and cut the plastic v brace last week. the purpose of the plastic v brace to protect the intercooler from crushing if/when you bottom out the car. i used a good knife and just cut it out without damaging the intercooler. looks 100x better.

I have already done that too and the same way. I now want to remove the thick plactic bar infront of the FMIC to a) improve looks and b) better air flow through the FMIC.

I have seen a "wire saw" that is used by hand with a loop at each end to use to get the "sawing" action around an item rather than "on" it.

This should do the trick and only £3. For use on wood plastic and bone.

Si-M240i · 03-22-2010, 03:12 AM

Well I used the Wire saw above and it took about 3 minutes each side to saw through. So the whole job too about 15 mins and no need to remove the bumper or the FMIC.

I can now see the whole of my FORGE FMIC through my balck Mesh grill and it looks Damn Mean !!!!

BMW86 · 03-22-2010, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si-135i

Well I used the Wire saw above and it took about 3 minutes each side to saw through. So the whole job too about 15 mins and no need to remove the bumper or the FMIC.

I can now see the whole of my FORGE FMIC through my balck Mesh grill and it looks Damn Mean !!!!

Pics please

Si-M240i · 04-03-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

Pics please

On my air intake mod posted today, you can see the cut at one end, which was done with the wire saw and a glimpse of my FMIC

03-17-2010, 07:48 AM	#1
Si-M240i Major 137 Rep 1,450 Posts Drives: M240i LCI Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Anyone cut out the strut in front of the FMIC ? Has anyone cut the plastic strut off which runs accross infront of the FMIC ? I removed the "V" plastic struts but I am tempted to remove this piece too. What does it support or fix to ? does it matter if I cut it out ? Any advise and pics appreciated Si __________________ M240i LCI (Mineral Grey):- M2 Door Mirrors, M2 Black Kidney Grills, Lower grille inserts, MP Exhaust, Dinan Carbon Fibre CAI, hot climate intake elbow
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03-17-2010, 09:58 AM	#2
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	I cut mine out and I know a few others have...don't remember it being too important __________________
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03-17-2010, 12:52 PM	#3
Si-M240i Major 137 Rep 1,450 Posts Drives: M240i LCI Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0)	I want to try to do this wthout removing the bumper and FMIC !!! I can remove my DIY Mesh FMIC Grill though and use a hacksaw blade out of the frame. So sore hands and scuffed knuckles for me soon. How hard was the plastic to cut as I wont be able to put much force behind my sawing ? __________________ M240i LCI (Mineral Grey):- M2 Door Mirrors, M2 Black Kidney Grills, Lower grille inserts, MP Exhaust, Dinan Carbon Fibre CAI, hot climate intake elbow
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2010, 06:04 PM	#4
Eyeman Colonel 121 Rep 2,036 Posts Drives: 2008 135 blk, blk, step Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1994 Porsche 968 Cab [0.00] 2017 AMG GTS [0.00] 1994 Porsche 968 Coupe [0.00] 1977 Mercedes 450SE ... [0.00] 2008 135 [8.00]	If it's due to appearance, paint/anodize the FMIC black, then you cant see the strut/bars. __________________ Injen, RR OCC, MadDad Whisper, donut spare, 19x8.5et43fr 19x9.5et45r Volk LE37's, rear fenders rolled/pulled, PSS4S 225/35fr 255/30r, KW V1's, AR coated catless dps, Cross strutbar, CF grills and license plate holder, iCarbon diffuser, ETS black anodized FMIC, M3 control arms, Quaife, ER chargepipe, ForgeDV's, Topspeed Custom Tune, V3sims, Braille, Andrey_GTA rear hub mod, Ebay Mstyle front bumper and performance style side skirts.
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03-17-2010, 06:45 PM	#6
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	OT what's the purpose of those flap things under our front bumper?
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03-17-2010, 07:32 PM	#7
Mitch1er Lieutenant 26 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: covina, CA iTrader: (21)	i removed front grill and cut the plastic v brace last week. the purpose of the plastic v brace to protect the intercooler from crushing if/when you bottom out the car. i used a good knife and just cut it out without damaging the intercooler. looks 100x better.
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03-22-2010, 03:12 AM	#9
Si-M240i Major 137 Rep 1,450 Posts Drives: M240i LCI Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Well I used the Wire saw above and it took about 3 minutes each side to saw through. So the whole job too about 15 mins and no need to remove the bumper or the FMIC. I can now see the whole of my FORGE FMIC through my balck Mesh grill and it looks Damn Mean !!!! __________________ M240i LCI (Mineral Grey):- M2 Door Mirrors, M2 Black Kidney Grills, Lower grille inserts, MP Exhaust, Dinan Carbon Fibre CAI, hot climate intake elbow
	Appreciate 0 Quote