We overly-litigious (and often whiney, per BMW AG) Americans have pre-emptively complained ourselves out of the functioning brake cooling ducts on our American-spec M5s. As such, a few of us are trying to retrofit our Beasts with these ducts. BMW, via their M-Technic kits sells a conversion kit for 520/528/540 owners to add an M5 facade, but that kit includes a horizontal cross-member (diffuser/splitter) that mucks up the face of the car, IMHO.
I understand that your Euro-spec M5s simply contain virtually the same grill as ours, only the corners are opened (where ours are blocked) for air flow to the brake channels.
My request: could any of you with access to European BMW part numbers determine the P/N for the front bumper grill insert that contains the opening for the brake duct air channels? I would like to maintain the factory (read: Euro) appearance while adding the function of more air to the rotors.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated! If there's anything that we can get on this side of the pond that you cannot (doubtful, I know), I'd be happy to do so.
Perhaps you read my thread about a whining sound from the transmission, well no one replied to it so I guess no one read it.
Anyway my car is in for change of rear axle (or mayby just rear ,not reverse, gear or whatever it is called). I am picking it up tomorrow and I will try to get the P/N and post it for you.
you know I've been following the threads about the brake ducts with some confusion - I'm still not exactly sure which parts are supposed to be blocked/different on the US cars.
but from what you say below Teutonaddict, I think my grill is blocked in the corners just as yours is (and in fact Jerry's new car is the same - we were comparing them on Sunday)
I haven't got any clear photos of my grill - I will take some tomorrow night and post them... I'll also take a couple looking down into the engine where you can see an aluminium (looking) duct
from what I read before it sounds like the US cars also had a piece of ducting missing - if any of you guys can post pics of your cars I'll try to match the shots so we can play spot-the-difference
My service guy today said the ducts were standard on the first generation Euro M5s, but were discontinued due to excessive dust staining. That's why the M-Technic grill was developed to enable those who wanted additional brake cooling for track applications.
the European ducts are also covered. No difference.
The "M-Technic" front spoiler is the spoiler for the "Sport package" available to the 5-series. This is identified by one more horisontal bar in the middle of the air-intake of the front spoiler. Ugly. And one easy way to spot a "wanna-be-M5" 5-series. I do not know if that one have "opened up" air intakes.
In any case, it's easy to do on your regular M5 spoiler.
Situation solved, it sounds like.
Those desiring more airflow to the brakes can (a) purchase the duct pieces that connect the back of the grill insert to the existing channels and (b) either:
(1) buy the M-Technic grill insert (far corners opened to feed duct, BUT also molded to mount horizontal diffuser), OR
(2) use the stock (US-spec AND Euro-spec...I stand corrected!) grill insert and drill your own holes (a la Andy Menard)!
For interested M5 owners, the parts required are:
51-11-7-890-013 AIR BRAKE CHANNEL FRONT LEFT [$US 15.81]
51-11-7-890-014 AIR BRAKE CHANNEL FRONT RIGHT [$US 15.81]
51-11-2-495-280 Grill insert with duct openings and molding for horizontal diffuser [$US 31.95]
51-11-7-893-048 Ugly-*** horizontal diffuser[$US 36.75]
Hope that clears it up!
OK - I've been down to the garage and have taken some pictures of my front grill and a piece of ducting that looks like the brake ducts.
here's the front grill:
and here's a picture of a duct the seems to end near the front of the car with nothing leading into it - is this the brake duct you guys have been talking about?
there are some more photo's in this photopoint album, including some of the duct taken from further away which should help you place its location in the engine bay.
interestingly, it also seems that this has always been the case, as this photo of a German car from the cover of Car magazine in December 1998 shows:
incidentally it was this article that convinced me that I had to own an M5
I hope this helps you guys clear up the whole ducting issue - please make sure what you're doing is safe if it turns out that everyone has their ducts closed as standard...
ciao
Ian
oops - atrocious spelling again...
[This message has been edited by ijam (edited 06 March 2001).]
Alright, DrKev, I'm giving it a shot. I'm calling the mail order desk at The BMW Store in Cincinnati today. Ordering:
-splitter
-M5 rear trunk mat ($71.20)
-extra set of OEM floor mats ($100)
-coin tray replacement for console ashtray
-touch-up paint (doh! those stone chips are a *****!)
-Catrol Racing Syntec 10W60 (they can ship it, if it's 100% synthetic)
Euro M5 owners: a favor to ask
so I guess no one read it.
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