Contemplating opening up the side crease/vent

[Yeineken]

We just picked up the new X5 and the air curtain vents actually being functional got me pondering on this again! Def going to figure this out during my conversion. I feel like some simple cutting and molding of the plastic fenders to make it functional shouldn't be all that difficult. Some more mockups attached.

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

We just picked up the new X5 and the air curtain vents actually being functional got me pondering on this again! Def going to figure this out during my conversion. I feel like some simple cutting and molding of the plastic fenders to make it functional shouldn't be all that difficult. Some more mockups attached.

If these renders are any near to your end result, be sure to take notes and pictures for a DIY.

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[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

We just picked up the new X5 and the air curtain vents actually being functional got me pondering on this again! Def going to figure this out during my conversion. I feel like some simple cutting and molding of the plastic fenders to make it functional shouldn't be all that difficult. Some more mockups attached.

Interesting. Be careful, because BMW struggled with it:

"Was at M studio this week [October 2011] as part of my ED and got to talk for to a lead engineer for quite a while. He clarified that these front fender areas that now suggest the vents, originally were meant to have real functional vents. They'd be even bigger than the ~2cm they are now. (Thus cutting them open in the shape they are now would apparently not provide much aerodynamic benefit, i.e. release significant wheel well air pressure). However they couldn't get the fender sheet stamping molds accurate enough within the allotted time/budget. Particularly the two fenders sides exactly mirroring each other in shape proved too hard to achieve with functional vents. Pity, but I do respect that they either do it right or not at all."

I included your renders in a post of one of the sticky threads:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...30&postcount=4

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Interesting. Be careful, because BMW struggled with it:

"Was at M studio this week [October 2011] as part of my ED and got to talk for to a lead engineer for quite a while. He clarified that these front fender areas that now suggest the vents, originally were meant to have real functional vents. They'd be even bigger than the ~2cm they are now. (Thus cutting them open in the shape they are now would apparently not provide much aerodynamic benefit, i.e. release significant wheel well air pressure). However they couldn't get the fender sheet stamping molds accurate enough within the allotted time/budget. Particularly the two fenders sides exactly mirroring each other in shape proved too hard to achieve with functional vents. Pity, but I do respect that they either do it right or not at all."

I included your renders in a post of one of the sticky threads:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...30&postcount=4

Thanks for this info and using my renders in that thread. I'll have to measure and take some good pictures of the X5's air curtain this weekend. I feel as tho the X5's width is about the same or smaller than the 1M's vent crease. I'll do some more investigating.

If anyone wants to help out I could use some pictures of inside front rear fender liners with some rulers in the shots.

I don't have my 1M fenders on liners yet for my build but I might order them soon so I can really sit down on this project. And if successful then the rear vents are next.

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

... I feel like some simple cutting and molding of the plastic fenders to make it functional shouldn't be all that difficult. ...

... He clarified that these front fender areas that now suggest the vents, originally were meant to have real functional vents. ...

I'm pretty sure it can be done. Certainly in the way that some great 1M conversions have been carried out so far fi by TUN3D and ilikebmxbikes: with the right determination, step by step approach and asking/listening to all who have something constructive to say about it.

That conversation with the M engineer about problems stamping the part to the right symmetry. It suggest to me that these front fenders are metal. Same is suggested by several pictures of the crashed vehicles. Fortunately I haven't had to find out the hard way on the material of our fenders. Who can attest to the front fender material?

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by eeghie

... He clarified that these front fender areas that now suggest the vents, originally were meant to have real functional vents. ...

I'm pretty sure it can be done. Certainly in the way that some great 1M conversions have been carried out so far fi by TUN3D and ilikebmxbikes: with the right determination, step by step approach and asking/listening to all who have something constructive to say about it.

That conversation with the M engineer about problems stamping the part to the right symmetry. It suggest to me that these front fenders are metal. Same is suggested by several pictures of the crashed vehicles. Fortunately I haven't had to find out the hard way on the material of our fenders. Who can attest to the front fender material?

I believe they are some kind of metal. I was referring the plastic fenders as the inside plastic fender liner where the air duct would go to shoot out the crease. Sorry if there was confusion.

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

I believe they are some kind of metal. I was referring the plastic fenders as the inside plastic fender liner where the air duct would go to shoot out the crease. Sorry if there was confusion.

Agreed: working the metal and dodging the washer fluid tank will be the hard parts. Modifying the fender liners and (beige, driver-side) filler plastic parts will be relatively easy.

[Yeineken]

Got to get outside in the sun today to do some measuring of the X5's air curtain. Near its widest its just above 1.8mm and near the narrowest its 1.3mm. Judging by this the 1M's 2mm crease should be more than effective to actually keep air pressure low inside the wheel well. If anyone still wants to help pitch in with doing some identical shots with a ruler on their 1M it would be appreciative.

Looking inside the wheel arches it seems that the part inside the wheel arch cover that leads out the air curtain is a separate part (highlighted orange). Going to search on real oem in a little to see if i can locate it.

EDIT: Found the part number for the inside X5 duct. $25 a piece. #51-65-7-294-539 | #51-65-7-294-540
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&fg=10&hl=15

[Luca335]

You mean 18mm and 13mm or 1.8cm and 1.3cm, right?

[eeghie]

This guy seems to have nailed it:







Source: Autogespot

[E30 Racer]

Anyone seen that front lip spoiler before? Looks great. I like the attention to air flow management.

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by E30 Racer

... I like the attention to air flow management.

Then check this out: first mention of a diffuser and flat floor that I've heard off (probably applied to the car in above pictures)

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by eeghie

This guy seems to have nailed it:

Attachment 1191277

Attachment 1191278

Attachment 1191280

Source: Autogespot

wonder how hard it would be to keep the turn indicator.