Belly Pan Cover - Is it really necessary?

[pzzvv]

Long story short, my m3 is lowered, & the center belly pan is torn to shreds & one of the side felt pieces ripped off somewhere along the way. I know I can replace it, but there really isn't much point bc it will continue to scrape.

So my question is, how important are these pieces? I know they play a part in downforce & protecting some of the parts in the undercarriage, but besides that, if I were to have them removed, will my car be affected in a noticeable way? My next 8 months of driving will just be primarily around my campus.

I know there is a guy who makes them in aluminum, & I already messaged him, but as I asked above, are these pieces really that important & is anyone driving without them?

[Beemdog]

The large center undercarriage pan affects air-flow through the heat exchangers/radiator. How much I'm not sure. It does have a spill vent in it. You might also get some flapping of the front fascia at speed without these bits in place, possibly some panel rattles or noises.

[JoeKixxon]

My driver's side felt-triangle got ground off and hung like a flap until I pulled it off like a scab. It hasn't changed anything. But if I leave a car show, peel out, and then hop a center island... I'll be sure to blame that.

[fhaze3]

PSI down by 1.5psi as well. HUGE difference.

[pzzvv]

Originally Posted by fhaze3

PSI down by 1.5psi as well. HUGE difference.

Huh?

[pbonsalb]

The front plastic tray may affect air passages and may help hold the bumper cover. Mine is a bit torn up also from 7 years of year round use. Replacing every 5 years might just be part of the cost of ownership. When I do mine, which I have patched together for now, I would consider aftermarket plastic or sheet metal if available. I will retain those front covers and not simply do away with them.

[schwin]

Agreed. these are not cheap! Looking order mine soon at ECS

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3-S65_4.0L/ES2763340/

[VictorH]

I just ordered a new center section only from my dealer yesterday and with BMWCCA discount it was $176.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

The large center undercarriage pan affects air-flow through the heat exchangers/radiator. How much I'm not sure. It does have a spill vent in it. You might also get some flapping of the front fascia at speed without these bits in place, possibly some panel rattles or noises.

Correct. It is there for several reasons:

A) aerodynamics
B) underhood air control
C) underhood protection

BMW did not put it there for no reason. You should replace it as soon as possible, though it's not like the car is undriveable until then. I would certainly avoid hitting large puddles or driving on crappy roads until then, however. Just think about what would happen if a bunch of water got thrown up onto a belt? Or if some rocks made their way onto a pulley?

[quiksi]

Originally Posted by pzzvv

Huh?

was a joke reference to this dude

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075458

[fhaze3]

Originally Posted by quiksi

was a joke reference to this dude

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075458

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by dparm

Correct. It is there for several reasons:

A) aerodynamics
B) underhood air control
C) underhood protection

BMW did not put it there for no reason. You should replace it as soon as possible, though it's not like the car is undriveable until then. I would certainly avoid hitting large puddles or driving on crappy roads until then, however. Just think about what would happen if a bunch of water got thrown up onto a belt? Or if some rocks made their way onto a pulley?

I think in general the part is there to make the car "better" but not necessary for operation?

[pbonsalb]

I know people who have driven other BMWs for years without the factory under tray.

[jdamore]

The covers are more important then lowering your car so much that your scraping everywhere.

[4corners]

next time mine are replaced i'll douse them in resin to make them stronger.

[schwin]

Originally Posted by dparm

Correct. It is there for several reasons:

A) aerodynamics
B) underhood air control
C) underhood protection

BMW did not put it there for no reason. You should replace it as soon as possible, though it's not like the car is undriveable until then. I would certainly avoid hitting large puddles or driving on crappy roads until then, however. Just think about what would happen if a bunch of water got thrown up onto a belt? Or if some rocks made their way onto a pulley?

Not saying it was the sole cause of a cracked belly pan, but I went through a flash flood, and both xenon control modules went out as the rain filled up the streets. They are getting replaced as we speak!

[pzzvv]

Originally Posted by quiksi

was a joke reference to this dude

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1075458

Whoops. Sorry I didn't catch on to that

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I know people who have driven other BMWs for years without the factory under tray.

& no issues?

Originally Posted by jdamore

The covers are more important then lowering your car so much that your scraping everywhere.

My car isn't unbelievably low, but the covers are scraping because of generally shitty inclines & roadwork where I live currently. But when I will be commuting from my apartment to my campus garage (a 1 mile drive), the car wont have anywhere to scrape. & given how busy I am at the moment, I just wanted to know how important it is to replace this part.

[goldsteina9]

Originally Posted by pzzvv

Whoops. Sorry I didn't catch on to that



& no issues?



My car isn't unbelievably low, but the covers are scraping because of generally shitty inclines & roadwork where I live currently. But when I will be commuting from my apartment to my campus garage (a 1 mile drive), the car wont have anywhere to scrape. & given how busy I am at the moment, I just wanted to know how important it is to replace this part.

you have nothing serious to worry about. I ripped mine off a while back and have since not had an issues. I'm slammed and have scraped undercarriage and frame without any issues.

[DSilk]

The pan serves 3 purposes. First it is used to control airflow under the car. Second it is used to protect the soft aluminum oil pan. Finally it is used to keep the engine compartment cleaner and dryer. BMW didn't put it on for no reason. It's best to replace it.

[Move Over]

I had something fly up and hit my pan the other day. It dented the hell out of it in two areas. I bet if I didn't have my pan on...It would have put a crack through my oil pan. Luck of the draw if you are running without it.

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by goldsteina9

you have nothing serious to worry about. I ripped mine off a while back and have since not had an issues. I'm slammed and have scraped undercarriage and frame without any issues.

Form over function right?

[Groundpilot]

Does anyone know what is the openning in the middle of that pan is for?
I cracked mine a while ago and decided to replace it with self made pan from the thin sheet of plexiglass.
I left it solid, no openig and never had any problems, even on the race tracks. And i am supercharged.