Maybe we do have brake ducts?

M3takesNYC · 02-19-2013, 05:04 PM

I know most people say we do not have any functional brake ducts but I had my wheels off yesterday and low and behold I found each front wheel arch had a little grill and upon further review each had a path of airflow entering from the left and right lower bumper holes. The passenger side had air flowing through the heat exchanger (think it is power steering radiator) and than once air passed through there it continues on through the vents I think.

The driver side obviously has part of the air intake ducting but there is a small hole in the ducting that lets some air pass through into the fender vents. Its such a small hole I cannot believe it has any actual utility.

I also was searching and found some regular e90 guys order the brake ducts from our cars so I actually think we do have brake ducts to some degree

thekurgan · 02-19-2013, 05:17 PM

I've seen those as well. I believe they are small to prevent lift; but who knows.

bradleyland · 02-19-2013, 06:18 PM

"Real" brake ducts don't vent in to the wheel arches. They vent in to the center hub of the brakes.

Have a look at the Google Image search results for brake ducts to see the difference.

M3takesNYC · 02-20-2013, 10:22 PM

I understand they are not the most high performance variety but nonetheless they vent air into the brake disk area so its better than nothing that is for sure

Echo M3 · 02-21-2013, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3takesNYC

I understand they are not the most high performance variety but nonetheless they vent air into the brake disk area so its better than nothing that is for sure

Whatever cooling they do provide, it is incredibly inadequate and insufficient. Take a spirited drive on some backcountry mountain roads, or take it to the track. You will overheat the rotors within 20-30 minutes.

SROC5 · 02-21-2013, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo M3

Whatever cooling they do provide, it is incredibly inadequate and insufficient. Take a spirited drive on some backcountry mountain roads, or take it to the track. You will overheat the rotors within 20-30 minutes.

+1, "...klink, tink, crackle..."

OP, good observation though, I'd have to see that for myself next time the wheels are off the car.

gblansten · 02-21-2013, 08:23 AM

This thread would have more fun if you had asked about break ducks. Interesting though nonetheless.

DBH · 02-21-2013, 11:32 AM

The E46 M3 had brake ducts that directed cool air directly toward the front brakes.

However, you had to remove a plate, installed during manufacture, at the back of each duct to activate.

The E9X M3 has no such ducts.

M3takesNYC · 02-21-2013, 01:08 PM

Look in your wheel wells-there ARE ducts. Whether they provide any true benefit is the issue. There is no question if you look there are vents directing air toward the inner wheels.

02-19-2013, 05:04 PM	#1
M3takesNYC Banned Drives: m3 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NYC Posts: 426 iTrader: (0)	Maybe we do have brake ducts? I know most people say we do not have any functional brake ducts but I had my wheels off yesterday and low and behold I found each front wheel arch had a little grill and upon further review each had a path of airflow entering from the left and right lower bumper holes. The passenger side had air flowing through the heat exchanger (think it is power steering radiator) and than once air passed through there it continues on through the vents I think. The driver side obviously has part of the air intake ducting but there is a small hole in the ducting that lets some air pass through into the fender vents. Its such a small hole I cannot believe it has any actual utility. I also was searching and found some regular e90 guys order the brake ducts from our cars so I actually think we do have brake ducts to some degree
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02-19-2013, 05:17 PM	#2
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,856 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've seen those as well. I believe they are small to prevent lift; but who knows. __________________ 08 E90M3 6MT Alpinweiss/Carbon

02-19-2013, 06:18 PM	#3
bradleyland TIM YOYO Drives: 2011 135i - Silver 6MT M-sport Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 475 iTrader: (0)	"Real" brake ducts don't vent in to the wheel arches. They vent in to the center hub of the brakes. Have a look at the Google Image search results for brake ducts to see the difference. __________________ 2010 135i - TiAg Coral Red 6MT ///M-Sport 2013 X3 28i - N20 Mineral Silver / Sand Beige / Premium, Tech

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02-20-2013, 10:22 PM	#4
M3takesNYC Banned Drives: m3 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NYC Posts: 426 iTrader: (0)	I understand they are not the most high performance variety but nonetheless they vent air into the brake disk area so its better than nothing that is for sure

02-21-2013, 08:23 AM	#7
gblansten Captain Obvious Drives: 2011 BMW M3 SSII/Black Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Thick ascending limb Posts: 1,241 iTrader: (0)	This thread would have more fun if you had asked about break ducks. Interesting though nonetheless.

02-21-2013, 11:32 AM	#8
DBH Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA Posts: 275 iTrader: (0)	The E46 M3 had brake ducts that directed cool air directly toward the front brakes. However, you had to remove a plate, installed during manufacture, at the back of each duct to activate. The E9X M3 has no such ducts.

02-21-2013, 01:08 PM	#9
M3takesNYC Banned Drives: m3 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NYC Posts: 426 iTrader: (0)	Look in your wheel wells-there ARE ducts. Whether they provide any true benefit is the issue. There is no question if you look there are vents directing air toward the inner wheels.