Brake Vent Duct blocked?

pz619 · 07-19-2017, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chois2

My M240i Vert has both open ducts and open curtains. June 2017 build.

Damn it! There goes my theory.

Who has a wind tunnel we can borrow? We need to get to the bottom of this.

Chili_Palmer · 07-21-2017, 07:48 AM

2017 230i M-sport coupe with THP, both brake ducts and air curtains blocked.

Maynard · 07-21-2017, 12:05 PM

Has anybody emailed the 'geniuses' about this? - I'd be curious what the official story is. Something tells me that the real story has something to do with those guys getting drunk/stoned on the assembly line, and just making it up as they go along. With about 10,000 ultra-precise adjustments in each new build, it pays to have something that the idiots can screw off on w/o causing problems. When they are feeling cranky they can just leave the ducts closed, instead of putting an empty coke can inside the fender.

3.0L · 07-21-2017, 12:13 PM

The brake vent ducts on my 2014 M235i are open. Also, mine appears to have all of the extra cooling radiators as well.

I vaguely recall reading somewhere on this forum that BMW cars shipped to hot climate areas are equipped with the extra cooling devices. I don't know if that was just the 2-series or all BMW's.

3rdcoast228i · 07-22-2017, 01:36 AM

I'm really suspecting that this is because of brake dust. But I hope someone finds a more official answer.

Cumberlandjames · 07-22-2017, 06:35 AM

My 2016 M235iX convertible has open air curtains and now open brake vents as I have removed the blanking plate. It may be something as simple as the air flow engineer having the brake cooling duct closed to improve operation of the air curtain for efficiency. It will be interesting to see if there is any reduction on the amount of brake dust that accumulates on the wheels.

MarcoZandrini · 07-23-2017, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan86

Dear BMW,

Why?

Aerodynamics, plain and simple.

NISFAN · 07-25-2017, 07:09 AM

UK spec 2017 coupe (240i).

Open brake ducts

And

Open side curtains

No additional radiator.

TajoMan · 07-28-2017, 11:18 AM

M240 xdrive coupe, US spec
2/2017 built
Staggered tire size (PSS)

Both duct and air curtains are opened.

No sure this helps or make it worse, but I do get A LOT of brake dust on front wheels.
Thank god that I got gray wheel (which is basically the dust color lol).

phillipthlin · 02-08-2018, 09:09 AM

2014 228i M-Sport with Staggered Tires
Built June '14

Brake vents open
Air curtains closed
Equipped with two aux coolers.

I also notice the dramatically increased amount of brake dust on the front wheels when compared to the rear.

2 Lover · 02-14-2018, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumberlandjames

My 2016 M235iX convertible has open air curtains and now open brake vents as I have removed the blanking plate. It may be something as simple as the air flow engineer having the brake cooling duct closed to improve operation of the air curtain for efficiency. It will be interesting to see if there is any reduction on the amount of brake dust that accumulates on the wheels.

I found brake vents are blocked on mine. How did you remove the plate that blocks the vent?

mdputnam · 02-14-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Lover

I found brake vents are blocked on mine. How did you remove the plate that blocks the vent?

Unscrew the bottom and pull it out?

2 Lover · 02-16-2018, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdputnam

Unscrew the bottom and pull it out?

Is it 10mm bolt maybe?

42395_skyline · 02-16-2018, 12:34 PM

'17 M240i 6 speed coupe with extra aux radiator, brake vents open, air curtains closed.

I always wondered why but it's this thread that has me now bothered by it, I wasn't bothered by it before lol

itzzoscar · 02-16-2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Lover

Is it 10mm bolt maybe?

8mm bolt

cxp213 · 02-16-2018, 02:09 PM

2014 M235i with brake ducts open, heat exchangers present, and air curtains closed.

ralawren · 02-16-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cxp213

2014 M235i with brake ducts open, heat exchangers present, and air curtains closed.

Same here 2015 228i m sport with track handling pkg. brake vents open but air curtains blocked.

Cumberlandjames · 02-17-2018, 07:17 AM

I've been running mine with both open and there is a significant reduction in the brake dust so there's obviously lots of air being fed through the wheel. Not really worried about the efficiency as much as the nuisance of constantly cleaning the wheels. Mine hibernates all winter so not sure of the impact of leaving them open in the winter and having all that yuk sprayed on your wheels.

RoundelM3 · 02-17-2018, 11:01 AM

2016 228i M-Sport convertible - air curtains open and aux cooler on passenger side from factory. Brake duct covers in place and ducts full of dirt and leaves. I removed the covers today, as I'm not sure why they should be closed. More air flowing over the brakes seems like a good idea; possible effects during rainy/wet weather, but that remains to be seen. As an aside, my 2013 335i M-Sport sedan doesn't have the air curtains but the brake ducts have always been open. No issues after 5 years with that setup.

2 Lover · 02-17-2018, 06:09 PM

I removed the cap blocking air duct. Now from the front bumper, it is literally open -nothing
thru the duct- . Do you guys think it will be OK with damage from small stone or something can harm the brakes. I'm thinking if I have to attach some kind of metal net on duct.

07-21-2017, 07:48 AM	#24
Chili_Palmer Enlisted Member 25 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Estoril Blue 6MT Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	2017 230i M-sport coupe with THP, both brake ducts and air curtains blocked. __________________ As long 3-pedals are an option, I will exercise my right to suffer the handicap and indignity of slower shifts and reaction times. Estoril Blue and Terra 230i Track Handling and Lighting Package w/6 speed manual
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07-21-2017, 12:05 PM	#25
Maynard Colonel 3848 Rep 2,873 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	Has anybody emailed the 'geniuses' about this? - I'd be curious what the official story is. Something tells me that the real story has something to do with those guys getting drunk/stoned on the assembly line, and just making it up as they go along. With about 10,000 ultra-precise adjustments in each new build, it pays to have something that the idiots can screw off on w/o causing problems. When they are feeling cranky they can just leave the ducts closed, instead of putting an empty coke can inside the fender.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2017, 12:13 PM	#26
3.0L Colonel 8934 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The brake vent ducts on my 2014 M235i are open. Also, mine appears to have all of the extra cooling radiators as well. I vaguely recall reading somewhere on this forum that BMW cars shipped to hot climate areas are equipped with the extra cooling devices. I don't know if that was just the 2-series or all BMW's. __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
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07-22-2017, 01:36 AM	#27
3rdcoast228i Captain 225 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2016 228i Msport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I'm really suspecting that this is because of brake dust. But I hope someone finds a more official answer.
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07-22-2017, 06:35 AM	#28
Cumberlandjames Private First Class 54 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Xdrive cabriolet Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ottawa Ont iTrader: (0)	My 2016 M235iX convertible has open air curtains and now open brake vents as I have removed the blanking plate. It may be something as simple as the air flow engineer having the brake cooling duct closed to improve operation of the air curtain for efficiency. It will be interesting to see if there is any reduction on the amount of brake dust that accumulates on the wheels.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2017, 07:09 AM	#30
NISFAN Major General 3487 Rep 9,709 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	UK spec 2017 coupe (240i). Open brake ducts And Open side curtains No additional radiator.
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07-28-2017, 11:18 AM	#31
TajoMan Lieutenant 174 Rep 400 Posts Drives: M240 xdrive, X3M40i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	M240 xdrive coupe, US spec 2/2017 built Staggered tire size (PSS) Both duct and air curtains are opened. No sure this helps or make it worse, but I do get A LOT of brake dust on front wheels. Thank god that I got gray wheel (which is basically the dust color lol).
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02-08-2018, 09:09 AM	#32
phillipthlin Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	2014 228i M-Sport with Staggered Tires Built June '14 Brake vents open Air curtains closed Equipped with two aux coolers. I also notice the dramatically increased amount of brake dust on the front wheels when compared to the rear.
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02-16-2018, 12:34 PM	#36
42395_skyline Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	'17 M240i 6 speed coupe with extra aux radiator, brake vents open, air curtains closed. I always wondered why but it's this thread that has me now bothered by it, I wasn't bothered by it before lol
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02-16-2018, 02:09 PM	#38
cxp213 Lieutenant 313 Rep 525 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	2014 M235i with brake ducts open, heat exchangers present, and air curtains closed.
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02-17-2018, 07:17 AM	#40
Cumberlandjames Private First Class 54 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Xdrive cabriolet Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ottawa Ont iTrader: (0)	I've been running mine with both open and there is a significant reduction in the brake dust so there's obviously lots of air being fed through the wheel. Not really worried about the efficiency as much as the nuisance of constantly cleaning the wheels. Mine hibernates all winter so not sure of the impact of leaving them open in the winter and having all that yuk sprayed on your wheels.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2018, 11:01 AM	#41
RoundelM3 Major General 1835 Rep 6,989 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	2016 228i M-Sport convertible - air curtains open and aux cooler on passenger side from factory. Brake duct covers in place and ducts full of dirt and leaves. I removed the covers today, as I'm not sure why they should be closed. More air flowing over the brakes seems like a good idea; possible effects during rainy/wet weather, but that remains to be seen. As an aside, my 2013 335i M-Sport sedan doesn't have the air curtains but the brake ducts have always been open. No issues after 5 years with that setup. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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02-17-2018, 06:09 PM	#42
2 Lover Enlisted Member 18 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2017 F22 230i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I removed the cap blocking air duct. Now from the front bumper, it is literally open -nothing thru the duct- . Do you guys think it will be OK with damage from small stone or something can harm the brakes. I'm thinking if I have to attach some kind of metal net on duct.
	Appreciate 0 Quote