M Sport Brake Ducting

BMW GENIUS · 04-29-2016, 11:45 AM

I made a strange observation today and noticed that M sport Packaged 228i's AND M235i convertibles in 2016 (from what I can see) have the brake cooling ducts closed off. After scratching my head I went and checked my 2015 M235i and noticed the ducts were opened for breathing to the brakes. Has anyone else noticed this or have any explanation of this?

BMW GENIUS · 04-29-2016, 11:53 AM

This is the closed duct on M235i Convertibles/228i coupes/convertibles

allthatisntnow · 04-29-2016, 12:12 PM

Mine have the caps on - coupe. Think its to do with climate. Wetter areas have them closed off to help reduce brake disc exposure to moisture and road salt with the option of removing them for "performance use" - track days etc. Wouldn't have thought it would aid much aerodynamically having them sealed and am not 100% sure on BMWs official stance on the matter.

BMW GENIUS · 04-29-2016, 12:15 PM

Hmmm interesting interpretation, but a helpful perspective nonetheless. I wonder if the THP on the 228i would have any effect. I just have a hard time understand that they would do this on a sports car of all cars. I noticed none of our X1's have theirs covered, but it would make sense if they are different regionally like you had mentioned.

raleedy · 04-29-2016, 12:22 PM

Light-weight car, big brakes. Not much of a cooling issue in normal street use. Surely some aero benefit from closing them off.

Tpeterson · 04-29-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW GENIUS

I made a strange observation today and noticed that M sport Packaged 228i's AND M235i convertibles in 2016 (from what I can see) have the brake cooling ducts closed off. After scratching my head I went and checked my 2015 M235i and noticed the ducts were opened for breathing to the brakes. Has anyone else noticed this or have any explanation of this?

My 2015 228i Coupe has the ducts open and there is louvered area behind the aux. radiators that I don't see in your pic. Change for 2016?

Tpeterson · 04-29-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

My 2015 228i Coupe has the ducts open and there is louvered area behind the aux. radiators that I don't see in your pic. Change for 2016?

here's a pic

rich8566 · 04-30-2016, 06:58 PM

My 2014 M235i coupe has the ducts open

xantdieselx · 05-01-2016, 09:59 AM

2016 M235i x-drive my car has the vents open as well.

mcompact · 05-01-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich8566

My 2014 M235i coupe has the ducts open

Same for my 2014.

Dylan86 · 05-01-2016, 09:43 PM

2015, ducts open.

Bee Pee · 05-04-2016, 06:04 AM

Just reading this reminds me I need to my duct covers off now that winter has gone and spring has sprung here in UK.

If concerned about road salt etc but need extra cooling perhaps something like this might work [based on F8x M3/M4 product below....]

http://www.revozport.com/f8x/rzp-brake-cooling-kit.html

scrape1 · 05-04-2016, 06:49 AM

They are definitely open on my 2014 228i

BMW GENIUS · 05-04-2016, 08:17 AM

The reoccurring trend I'm seeing is that it seems to be consistently open on the Coupes. Couldn't imagine a roof change would require a variation in the m sport brake ducting but who knows!

Zooks527 · 05-04-2016, 08:31 AM

FWIW, my April 2015 build M235xi coupe has both the brake ducts open and the auxiliary radiator grills on both sides.

In the summer, the driver's side front wheel runs hotter than the passenger's side, probably because the aux radiator on the driver's side is for coolant (always in service when the water pump runs) versus the oil cooler on the passenger's side being open on-demand only if the oil is over 240F.

ThreeToTwo · 05-10-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthatisntnow

Mine have the caps on - coupe. Think its to do with climate. Wetter areas have them closed off to help reduce brake disc exposure to moisture and road salt with the option of removing them for "performance use" - track days etc. Wouldn't have thought it would aid much aerodynamically having them sealed and am not 100% sure on BMWs official stance on the matter.

That's two UK guys (you and BeePee) that have them closed.

My 2016 235 coupe has them open and no optional bits to close them. That said, aren't they actually useful, even on the road, if you're pushing on a winding road?

rich8566 · 05-16-2016, 09:29 PM

Is the open or closed duct a regional issue?

2Banger · 05-17-2016, 09:21 AM

where do i find this so i can check?

ThreeToTwo · 05-29-2016, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Banger

where do i find this so i can check?

Here's mine, circled, on standard set-up.

I checked using a torch: If you get the car somewhere with low light (eg garage or just evening), you can shine the torch into the duct towards the wheel. The duct points towards the brake disc but you can see light around the tyre (well, I can since my ducts are open

).

2Banger · 06-01-2016, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeToTwo

Here's mine, circled, on standard set-up.

I checked using a torch: If you get the car somewhere with low light (eg garage or just evening), you can shine the torch into the duct towards the wheel. The duct points towards the brake disc but you can see light around the tyre (well, I can since my ducts are open

).

Thanks i will have to check, I've noticed everytime i get back from drive my right side (Driver side in AUS) above the wheel panel is hot.

Cumberlandjames · 07-25-2017, 09:18 AM

Old tread but still many unanswered questions as to design rationale. My M235 convertible, Auto trans, has air curtains open, brake vents closed (now open because I removed the plates) and no aux water cooler on LH side.
Why don't I get a water cooler?

Sypher · 07-25-2017, 09:26 AM

Probably because it's a convertible. Seems like the trend is to not include the aux cooler on the vert models. Why? Not sure... Not perceived as sporty? Maybe they run the heater more often?

04-29-2016, 11:45 AM	#1
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	M Sport Brake Ducting I made a strange observation today and noticed that M sport Packaged 228i's AND M235i convertibles in 2016 (from what I can see) have the brake cooling ducts closed off. After scratching my head I went and checked my 2015 M235i and noticed the ducts were opened for breathing to the brakes. Has anyone else noticed this or have any explanation of this?
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04-29-2016, 11:53 AM	#2
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	This is the closed duct on M235i Convertibles/228i coupes/convertibles Attached Images
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04-29-2016, 12:12 PM	#3
allthatisntnow Lieutenant 377 Rep 596 Posts Drives: BMW M2C, 991 C2 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: North East iTrader: (0)	Mine have the caps on - coupe. Think its to do with climate. Wetter areas have them closed off to help reduce brake disc exposure to moisture and road salt with the option of removing them for "performance use" - track days etc. Wouldn't have thought it would aid much aerodynamically having them sealed and am not 100% sure on BMWs official stance on the matter.
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04-29-2016, 12:15 PM	#4
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	Hmmm interesting interpretation, but a helpful perspective nonetheless. I wonder if the THP on the 228i would have any effect. I just have a hard time understand that they would do this on a sports car of all cars. I noticed none of our X1's have theirs covered, but it would make sense if they are different regionally like you had mentioned.
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04-29-2016, 12:22 PM	#5
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Light-weight car, big brakes. Not much of a cooling issue in normal street use. Surely some aero benefit from closing them off.
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04-30-2016, 06:58 PM	#8
rich8566 Major 609 Rep 1,124 Posts Drives: M2 + Z-4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	My 2014 M235i coupe has the ducts open Attached Images __________________ Current: 2017 ///M2 manual 2004 E85 Z-4 manual
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05-01-2016, 09:59 AM	#9
xantdieselx Kingslayer 411 Rep 1,479 Posts Drives: 23' M3 Base Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SWFL iTrader: (0)	2016 M235i x-drive my car has the vents open as well. __________________ Previous Cars: 2008' 135i, 2010' 328i, 2013' 328i, 2016' M235i, 2017' X1, 2019' M240i Current Cars: 2019' X3, 2021' M3 Comp
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05-01-2016, 09:43 PM	#11
Dylan86 Colonel 1330 Rep 2,214 Posts Drives: F15d msport, F22 m235i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	2015, ducts open. __________________ My F22 Road/Track Build
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05-04-2016, 06:04 AM	#12
Bee Pee Brigadier General 1777 Rep 4,515 Posts Drives: AW M2 DCT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SW London iTrader: (3)	Just reading this reminds me I need to my duct covers off now that winter has gone and spring has sprung here in UK. If concerned about road salt etc but need extra cooling perhaps something like this might work [based on F8x M3/M4 product below....] http://www.revozport.com/f8x/rzp-brake-cooling-kit.html __________________ Fettled M135i EB AT then AW M2 DCT - both gone but not forgotten: Current '22 X3M LCI..
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05-04-2016, 06:49 AM	#13
scrape1 Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 229 Posts Drives: '14 228i M Sport, '04 X3 3.0i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	They are definitely open on my 2014 228i
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05-04-2016, 08:17 AM	#14
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	The reoccurring trend I'm seeing is that it seems to be consistently open on the Coupes. Couldn't imagine a roof change would require a variation in the m sport brake ducting but who knows!
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05-04-2016, 08:31 AM	#15
Zooks527 Captain 310 Rep 886 Posts Drives: 2015 M235xi / 2005 Tacoma 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mansfield, MA iTrader: (0)	FWIW, my April 2015 build M235xi coupe has both the brake ducts open and the auxiliary radiator grills on both sides. In the summer, the driver's side front wheel runs hotter than the passenger's side, probably because the aux radiator on the driver's side is for coolant (always in service when the water pump runs) versus the oil cooler on the passenger's side being open on-demand only if the oil is over 240F. __________________ 2015 M235xi coupe, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather, Fineline Stream trim, Steptronic, xDrive, ZPP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, 5DP, hk w/BimmerTech amp, Enhanced BT Prior 40 years: 67 BelAir wagon / 68 LeMans Tempest / 70 Mustang Mach 1 / 72 El Dorado / 78 Corvette / 81 Subaru GL wagon 4WD / 83 s10 Blazer 4x4 / 85 Bronco 4x4 / 96 Bronco 4x4 / 04 Passat 4mo / 09 BMW 335xi Last edited by Zooks527; 05-04-2016 at 08:37 AM..
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05-16-2016, 09:29 PM	#17
rich8566 Major 609 Rep 1,124 Posts Drives: M2 + Z-4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	Is the open or closed duct a regional issue? __________________ Current: 2017 ///M2 manual 2004 E85 Z-4 manual
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05-17-2016, 09:21 AM	#18
2Banger M POSTER 132 Rep 516 Posts Drives: 2er Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: QLD iTrader: (0)	where do i find this so i can check?
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07-25-2017, 09:18 AM	#21
Cumberlandjames Private First Class 54 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Xdrive cabriolet Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ottawa Ont iTrader: (0)	Old tread but still many unanswered questions as to design rationale. My M235 convertible, Auto trans, has air curtains open, brake vents closed (now open because I removed the plates) and no aux water cooler on LH side. Why don't I get a water cooler?
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07-25-2017, 09:26 AM	#22
Sypher Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 260 Posts Drives: '16 228i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Probably because it's a convertible. Seems like the trend is to not include the aux cooler on the vert models. Why? Not sure... Not perceived as sporty? Maybe they run the heater more often?
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