Installed front lip but removed deflector guards - what is this part called?

[F82ny]

Hi,

The bodyshop that installed my front lip had to remove the left and right slash/reflector guards. I now see exposed area and wonder if there's any harm leaving it as is. See picture (pic taken from another member here from another post, I just circled the part in question).

It looks like this black part is plastic and protects the frame rail (both sides)? I tried finding this piece here but cannot find it

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...2-BMW-M4&mg=41

Here it is
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1...uine-bmw-part/

Is there any harm if this piece gets scuffed up due to back out of steep driveway?

Thanks

[BBoyM3]

Are these what you are referring to?

Lower Deflector - Left - BMW (51-71-8-054-281)
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...MtMGwtbDYtZ2Fz

Lower Deflector - Right - BMW (51-71-8-054-282)
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...MtMGwtbDYtZ2Fz

[F82ny]

No, I'm referring to the part that I circled above. The deflectors you show cover that part up.

[F82ny]

Found it... it's called the deformation element

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-4-S...-/264182852277

In particular, the black plastic piece affixed to the aluminium.
What is a deformation element?

[Relak]

Dunno what it is, but I've run mine without the deflectors for a year now and haven't had any issues.

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by Relak

Dunno what it is, but I've run mine without the deflectors for a year now and haven't had any issues.

I've had both my left and right brake rotor heat shields randomly start scraping the rotors, I pushed them out of the way, but it happened within a few weeks of removing mine so I'm wondering if that's the reason it happened, I mean they are very soft metal.

[cionide]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

I've had both my left and right brake rotor heat shields randomly start scraping the rotors, I pushed them out of the way, but it happened within a few weeks of removing mine so I'm wondering if that's the reason it happened, I mean they are very soft metal.

Apparently rocks get stuck between the rotor and the heatshield. That's probably what happened, and when you bent it out of the way the rock fell out.

[F82ny]

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1...uine-bmw-part/

That’s it. For those who removed their deflectors are yours scratched or scuffed from backing out or pulling into steep driveways? Any harm if this get scuffed up or is it just cosmetic?

[F82ny]

Originally Posted by F82ny

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1...uine-bmw-part/

That’s it. For those who removed their deflectors are yours scratched or scuffed from backing out or pulling into steep driveways? Any harm if this get scuffed up or is it just cosmetic?

?

[Spun Crankhub]

That body shop you used could have cut a portion of the trim, but still left it in place and not exposing you to crap jumping up into an area of the underside of your car. I installed my lip, and needed to do some light cutting, but made it work.

[F82ny]

Originally Posted by TacoChris

That body shop you used could have cut a portion of the trim, but still left it in place and not exposing you to crap jumping up into an area of the underside of your car. I installed my lip, and needed to do some light cutting, but made it work.

Right... but I’m asking if there’s any issue leaving it as is. That black damper in particular. Any issue if this gets gets scuffed?

[Rahul718]

I’d like to know too. Are those deflectors just there for aerodynamics or are they protecting something? Is that aluminum piece the frame rail? If so is it safe to be exposed like that in terms of scraping and bumps?