[plien69]

BMW advertises their Air Curtains technology for the 2 Series Coupe. I had assumed that the intake for the air curtains were the outermost vertical section of the front fascia. I got a chance to look closely at a 235 today at the NYIAS, and that section is non functional. The thin, vertical black "grill" is actually closed off.

Looking at the trailing edge of the forward portion of the front wheel well, I can see a tall thin outlet which might be the outlet for the air curtain. Which means the intake must be from one of the main bumper openings. It probablyisn'tthe main center one, so it must be one of the outer ones, but both those look like they have cooling radiators (oil?). So the air either has to pass through the radiators -- or divert around them -- before flowing out the wheel well to form the air curtain. But then I can't see the air building up enough "ram force" to form an effective curtain.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Uridian]

I noticed that as well. The base model 228i I test drove had functional air curtains through the outermost vertical sections, beside the fog lights. On my 228i M Sport, like that M235i you saw, the sections are blocked off with a black plastic grill. I haven't examined further, but maybe this weekend I'll have a closer look to find a route for the air

[plien69]

So looking at pictures online, it looks like Euro bumpers actually have the opening for the air curtains:



While the US bumpers do not:


What's up with that?

[DanG]

Looks like the two European M235i have the M Performance front splitter installed.

[riccappa]

I thought I read somewhere it depended on what transmission you had. Could be wrong, but check both manual and auto and see if one has it and the other doesn't.

[BenWM]

I have an auto Australian model (same as EU), and my air curtain vents are open as per the first two pics.

[Killramos]

Took a look at mine (m235i Canadian / NA same difference). It definitely has the outlet on the inside from the front wheel for the curtain.

I think the air comes in from the 2 slits on the far outside edges of the bumper air ducts. You can see it on the red car in the above picture.

So the black blanked off section (which mine also has) must be for something else.

Basically I think it has curtains but I don't really know for sure.

[SchmullisBob]

Just spoke to my BMW dealer in FL and his response was "that's only on the 228, not the M235", although you can get the part for a 228 and replace the closed version on the M235

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by SchmullisBob

Just spoke to my BMW dealer in FL and his response was "that's only on the 228, not the M235", although you can get the part for a 228 and replace the closed version on the M235

Ask him why are they advertising Air Curtains on M235i on BMW website. And ask him for the part number for open ones. It makes zero sense to have them open on 228 and make another part for M235i to block them. The opening is there on both

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by SchmullisBob

Just spoke to my BMW dealer in FL and his response was "that's only on the 228, not the M235", although you can get the part for a 228 and replace the closed version on the M235

this is the intake on a m235i at my local dealership which had it open

[BentZero]

Mine are closed :/ MY16

[JasonPetrie]

mine are open MY15 235

[cmiller219]

mine are open 16 235

[Supernaut]

Production dates don't seem to matter, but as suggested on another thread, the pics of open air curtain vents all seem to be on cars with closed left sided aux cooler intakes, while closed curtain vents are paired with open aux coolers.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Production dates don't seem to matter, but as suggested on another thread, the pics of open air curtain vents all seem to be on cars with closed left sided aux cooler intakes, while closed curtain vents are paired with open aux coolers.

All m235i have open aux coolers, at least in USA

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

All m235i have open aux coolers, at least in USA

Not the convertibles, at least through last year. Note that the posted 235 pics showing open curtain intakes are all 'verts or non-US cars.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Production dates don't seem to matter, but as suggested on another thread, the pics of open air curtain vents all seem to be on cars with closed left sided aux cooler intakes, while closed curtain vents are paired with open aux coolers.

Yep, that describes both my 15 and 16 235s. Open auxiliary vents (left and right) and closed air curtain vents.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Not the convertibles, at least through last year. Note that the posted 235 pics showing open curtain intakes are all 'verts or non-US cars.

Yeah I see the pattern here, so in USA verts have them open and coupes are closed?

But it still makes zero sense

[BentZero]

Yeah, seems to be the case. Mine is a MY16 coupe in the US.

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Yeah I see the pattern here, so in USA verts have them open and coupes are closed?

But it still makes zero sense

That's my suspicion based on what people have posted, but I have zero idea why, either. Convertibles do lack the left hand aux cooler in the US as do most (maybe all) non-US 235s. If this correlation is true, why would the curtain be useful if the right side cooler vent is open, but not the left? It's an open part vs a closed part, so there can't be cost savings. The front wheels/tires should be the same size on staggered and square cars, so that can't be it. This is really bugging me.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

That's my suspicion based on what people have posted, but I have zero idea why, either. Convertibles do lack the left hand aux cooler in the US as do most (maybe all) non-US 235s. If this correlation is true, why would the curtain be useful if the right side cooler vent is open, but not the left? It's an open part vs a closed part, so there can't be cost savings. The front wheels/tires should be the same size on staggered and square cars, so that can't be it. This is really bugging me.

I really think it's a manufacturer screw up I am going to dealer for oil change tomorrow and will ask.

[Cumberlandjames]

The whole thing is very strange and like many BMW fitments, not clear why they have done what they did. I have a 2016 F23, 235 eng, 8SP Auto, NA spec, canadian car with open air curtain vents but no auxiliary rad in the LH side. Its totally closed. To add another kink my brake cooling ducts which are on either side of the intercooler/main rad are blocked off with panels inside the wheel wells. Why have them if they are blocked off? (I have removed them. ) So why do some cars require the extra rad for cooling and some not?