Do you think the side marker (gills) ducts are functional?

jtown · 03-08-2007, 04:47 PM

It looks like that duct goes way down in there. Do you guys think they're functional?

I saw an image that looked into the duct, but I can't find it now ...

swamp2 · 03-08-2007, 06:14 PM

In the E46 M3 one of the side gills serves to cool engine electronics. They are packing quite some CPU power into cars these days and just like a PC they need cooling. In general BMW lets form follow function and this is the way it worked on the M3 in the past. I suspect it will be exactly the same on the E92. If they were 100% for looks I bet BMW would really get some flak for that!

v1p3r · 03-09-2007, 03:11 AM

swamp2, why would they get flak for that? i'm not challenging you, just asking, because I dont understand what the big deal is with implementing design features purely for aesthetic value

swamp2 · 03-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1p3r

swamp2, why would they get flak for that? i'm not challenging you, just asking, because I dont understand what the big deal is with implementing design features purely for aesthetic value

BMW typically is good about design based on function over form. Wouldn't non functional side vents be a bit too ricey for a typical BMW customer? I think if they were not functional people would really call them out on it.

BeBogus · 03-09-2007, 01:59 PM

The Z8 had turn indicator lights built into its side vent. I don't know if that was functional or not but this M3 marker reminds me of it.

scottwww · 03-09-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp2

BMW typically is good about design based on function over form. Wouldn't non functional side vents be a bit too ricey for a typical BMW customer? I think if they were not functional people would really call them out on it.

Without a doubt, I would think of it as ricey if it were not functional. If one side is functional, and the other side is cosmetic, I would have hoped they would find another way to provide this cooling for the electronics (if that is what the vents are for). Other than that, they look just fine. Much better than the photochops.

swamp2 · 03-09-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottwww

Without a doubt, I would think of it as ricey if it were not functional. If one side is functional, and the other side is cosmetic, I would have hoped they would find another way to provide this cooling for the electronics (if that is what the vents are for). Other than that, they look just fine. Much better than the photochops.

One side is probably functional and the other side is added for balance/aesthetics. Seems like a good compromise to me. Only one was functional on the E46 M3.

Robert · 03-09-2007, 02:34 PM

You get a Merc if you want that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1p3r

swamp2, why would they get flak for that? i'm not challenging you, just asking, because I dont understand what the big deal is with implementing design features purely for aesthetic value

03-08-2007, 04:47 PM	#1
jtown Lieutenant Drives: TBD Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norcal Posts: 596 iTrader: (0)	Do you think the side marker (gills) ducts are functional? It looks like that duct goes way down in there. Do you guys think they're functional? I saw an image that looked into the duct, but I can't find it now ...
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03-08-2007, 06:14 PM	#2
swamp2 Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 8,315 iTrader: (1)	Based on history, yes In the E46 M3 one of the side gills serves to cool engine electronics. They are packing quite some CPU power into cars these days and just like a PC they need cooling. In general BMW lets form follow function and this is the way it worked on the M3 in the past. I suspect it will be exactly the same on the E92. If they were 100% for looks I bet BMW would really get some flak for that!

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03-09-2007, 03:11 AM	#3
v1p3r Private First Class Drives: E46 330i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 168 iTrader: (0)	swamp2, why would they get flak for that? i'm not challenging you, just asking, because I dont understand what the big deal is with implementing design features purely for aesthetic value

03-09-2007, 01:59 PM	#5
BeBogus New Member Drives: 08' BMW 535i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	The Z8 had turn indicator lights built into its side vent. I don't know if that was functional or not but this M3 marker reminds me of it.