[zenmoused]

Hi everyone. My underhood shield has been torn to shreds after running over some random car part on the highway, and I need to fix it. I'm sure that I'm not the only person who's had to replace theirs- how did you guys deal with it? I've found the part number (51757129341), and the best price I can find online is $136 shipped. I'd pull the trigger since that's not too bad, but I've seen a bunch of posts saying it should be about $60? Has anyone just taken theirs off? Are there aftermarket solutions?

[Alexander]

No idea what you are talking about, is this the foam piece? AKA the sound dampening which is 100% useless?

getbmwparts.com is a great and cheap place to find OEM/ Aftermarket goodies.

[hookah66]

I have another issue with this. I remembered that on my traded in 2002 e46 325xi there was a rather well made thick padded insulation under the hood. But on mine 2009 e93 with n52 3.0L engine I ain't got any, even though there are six holes pre-drilled underhood to accept fasteners. I also went to ECStunning and found an insulator kit that fits e93 series. Is there any reason that insulation pads are no longer provided due to heat dissipating requirements? Or is it just another measure for BMW to save on pennies? It appears it is still installed in models for non-US markets, perhaps due to lower engine displacements? Would like to hear comments on this.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by hookah66

Or is it just another measure for BMW to save on pennies?

cost savings. early E90s got the underhood pad ('06, '07). They stopped putting them in cars during the '08 model year iirc.

[Alexander]

I've got one in my garage I think. It's a sound dampener.

[zenmoused]

Sorry I'm naming it from the part name on realoem.com. It's the plastic undertray that covers the bottom of the car. It's called underhood or undercar shield or splash shield. I wish it had a standard name gah.

[hookah66]

My engine gets very hot, a lot hotter than my old e46, and was concerned whether it would dull the hood paint prematurely? Or is that I am too anal about this?

[hookah66]

Originally Posted by zenmoused

Sorry I'm naming it from the part name on realoem.com. It's the plastic undertray that covers the bottom of the car. It's called underhood or undercar shield or splash shield. I wish it had a standard name gah.

that is OK...you have touched an interesting topic, which I haven't read at all at any of the postings about the absence of underhood insulation pad. The undercarriage splash cover is for acoustics, and it somewhat lowers the air flow turbulance as well. A secondary benefit is that it keep the engine compartment fairly clean of roadway grime & debris. Do you really need it? Mechanically it does nothing, just like the underhood insulation padding, but it certainly contributes to a well mannered overall ride in comfortableness and quietness.

[zenmoused]

Great, thank you for your insight! I think I'll remove it for now and if I notice any difference I'll put a new one on.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by zenmoused

Great, thank you for your insight! I think I'll remove it for now and if I notice any difference I'll put a new one on.

You'll notice a drop in MPG without it in there. It stops air from coming under the front dam, and swirling up and getting snagged in the engine compartment. If you look under the car, it's pretty much smooth front to back to minimize air drag.

[Edward]

yea, at speed, you're going to significantly increase drag because that low pressure air under the car will not be moving quickly to the rear of the car. It might be a similar drag effect of driving fast with windows open. Plus it keeps the underside of the engine bay from getting overly dirty. I'd replace that thing pretty quickly if it were me. I'm taking extra precautions to make sure that the underside of this car is as intact as the exterior because it all serves a function.

[ENINTY]

I replaced my under engine pan about 2 years ago and I got it from the dealer for $65. It takes just a few minutes to replace. $130 seems a bit steep for the part, but it is rather large so shipping costs mat be the issue. See if a dealer will sell it to you locally. It fits in the back seat.

[zenmoused]

Dealer quoted me at $165. :-/

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by zenmoused

Dealer quoted me at $165. :-/

I checked on tischer, and the part is now around $120. I bought my part back in early 2007 and it was $65. I guess BMW has found a part on the car that they can make money on. I have to be honest, when I got it for $65, I was surprised it was so inexpensive.

[MrDummy]

Originally Posted by hookah66

My engine gets very hot, a lot hotter than my old e46, and was concerned whether it would dull the hood paint prematurely? Or is that I am too anal about this?

It does make some sense that this could happen, but I am fortunate to own a 2006 which has the hood dampner.

[reprod]

Originally Posted by MrDummy

It does make some sense that this could happen, but I am fortunate to own a 2006 which has the hood dampner.

I hear ya... I have an '08 with the insulation pad under the hood. I will be moving this same pad to my next '11 e92 also (if I choose to stay BMW, got to test drive that S4 to see if I can deal with the numbness )

[MusclezMarinara]

OP Do you mean this part?



#2

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by hookah66

My engine gets very hot, a lot hotter than my old e46, and was concerned whether it would dull the hood paint prematurely? Or is that I am too anal about this?

Probably. It's not even installed on new cars. Your paint reaches higher temps if it sits in the sun.