[supermike222]

I have 2019 BMW 430i and for fun I removed my engine cover to see if the car would be slightly louder. I did notice a really slight difference, nothing big though on my car specifically.
Something surprising that I noticed though was that the steering felt a bit more precise and handling seemed a little bit better?
The engine cover is only like 5 pounds at most so I don't know why it made that noticeable of a difference.

Will removing the engine cover be bad for any of the wiring and whatnot? My car is a lease so I don't put too many miles on it and I am in California so it basically never rains here, if it does rain or if I go on long trips, then I'll just put it back on just in case.

I did my research and I found mixed things on this, the main thing I know about the engine cover is that it's there mostly for keeping the engine cleaner, lowering noise, and aesthetics.

[328iX]

Engine noise primarily comes from the exhaust and the intake, the cover is there for aesthetics and yes noise reduction. There is also a foam pad underneath the cover that mutes the noise of the injectors and other mechanical clatter.

Removing the cover/ foam pad will not harm anything, if anything it's better for the engine because it does not allow the wiring to bake underneath and will promote airflow.

Regarding your steering improving, that's in your head, lol.

[Billfitz]

Google 'placebo effect' and 'confirmation bias'.

[supermike222]

Originally Posted by 328iX

Engine noise primarily comes from the exhaust and the intake, the cover is there for aesthetics and yes noise reduction. There is also a foam pad underneath the cover that mutes the noise of the injectors and other mechanical clatter.

Removing the cover/ foam pad will not harm anything, if anything it's better for the engine because it does not allow the wiring to bake underneath and will promote airflow.

Regarding your steering improving, that's in your head, lol.

Thanks, just wanted to make sure

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Google 'placebo effect' and 'confirmation bias'.

Yeah that would make sense lol... I am still confused because I didn't even think that the weight would make any difference at all, I did some more testing with the handling and it's the same as before. (I think)

[rjd_F30]

No, go ahead. And no, it didn't affect your handling, that's in your head

[meltbox]

Personally when I take it off and run the engine with the hood open I freak out the engine is knocking. Terrible horrible sounding engine at idle....

[Billfitz]

That's the sweet sound of a direct injected engine.

[Gen13 F36]

Yikes. I want to know what you smoking.... I like some handling improvement too