Plastic fenders and fabric wheel well liners

Gregko · 09-22-2007, 12:56 AM

2nd week and 3rd car wash and I just noticed something I wasn't expecting. I already knew that the fenders were plastic, but I didn't realize that the rear wheel wells were lined with a soft, pliable synthetic fabric.

I searched on the topic but my KW's didn't bring anything back.

I guess it's pretty impressive how much thought went into weight savings/ distribution in the E92...

Has anyone else noticed this or have any idea what the material is? It looks like the same woven glass mat fabric that boat hulls are laid up with, but it lacks any resin/ epoxy impregnation. Anyone?

halB · 09-22-2007, 08:20 AM

This is a picture of what the car is made of:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=13

SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! · 09-22-2007, 09:26 AM

its just a felt lining

am i missing something special??

Mike UK · 09-22-2007, 09:50 AM

They got this on the new c class mercs as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!

its just a felt lining

am i missing something special??

Well I thought it would be a right bugger to clean if it gets dirty/ caked in mud etc.

45ACP · 09-22-2007, 12:05 PM

The felt lining helps minimize the sound of gravel and sand bouncing around in the wheelwell, unlike with the cheap plastic that other cars use (i.e. Infiniti/Nissan).

Gregko · 09-22-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the info. I assumed weight savings, but this sounds right.

Safety2213 · 09-22-2007, 01:18 PM

I think all German cars are moving to this, its also probably cheaper to manufacture, ship and install. In addition, you no longer have rust issues and repairs are much easier as well as shipment from the factory.

HyperM3 · 09-22-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halB

This is a picture of what the car is made of:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=13

In looking at that chart, it seems our front fenders are also made of plastic. I didnt know that.

tctic · 09-23-2007, 09:11 PM

Only the E92s are manufactured with Plastic Fenders.

karliejai · 09-24-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctic

Only the E92s are manufactured with Plastic Fenders.

and how come?

beatloafer · 09-24-2007, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbyP

I think all German cars are moving to this, its also probably cheaper to manufacture, ship and install. In addition, you no longer have rust issues and repairs are much easier as well as shipment from the factory.

My '02 VW had the felted wheel liners.

Neema · 09-24-2007, 04:22 AM

The front fenders and the side skirts are made of a thermoplast, the rest of the car is steel and aluminum. And other then minimizing sound and being cheaper.....i dont see anything special about fabric liners.

HyperM3 · 09-24-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karliejai

and how come?

+1.

oldaccount · 09-24-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halB

This is a picture of what the car is made of:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=13

so theres 9 different color codings for steel, and plastic fenders

tctic · 09-24-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karliejai

and how come?

I am interested in knowing too.

But just a guess... probably something to do with the 50/50 weight distribution. The Coupe may just be swaying too much of its weight to the front therefore the plastic fenders. I am also assuming plastic fenders are more expensive so they are not used in the E90. Another guess is this material was not 'mature' enough to use by BMW when the E90 was introduced. Don't take my words for it though, just my speculations.

F32Fleet · 09-25-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregko

2nd week and 3rd car wash and I just noticed something I wasn't expecting. I already knew that the fenders were plastic, but I didn't realize that the rear wheel wells were lined with a soft, pliable synthetic fabric.

I searched on the topic but my KW's didn't bring anything back.

I guess it's pretty impressive how much thought went into weight savings/ distribution in the E92...

Has anyone else noticed this or have any idea what the material is? It looks like the same woven glass mat fabric that boat hulls are laid up with, but it lacks any resin/ epoxy impregnation. Anyone?

I don't know if BMW has continued with this, but the wheel well material on the E46 was recycled foam found in BMW car seats. BMW has a division that dismantles older/scrap BMW's.

Revlis · 09-25-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctic

Only the E92s are manufactured with Plastic Fenders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karliejai

and how come?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperM3

+1.

Weight Distribution. The plastic fenders and battery located in the trunk are both measures used to keep weight balance near the Perfect 50/50.

Bonus would be that it's cheaper as well no doubt.

M3 Fenders anyone? Cannot be far off.

gloster · 09-25-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Weight Distribution. The plastic fenders and battery located in the trunk are both measures used to keep weight balance near the Perfect 50/50.

+1 They had to do several things to the e92 to handle the weight increase/distribution changes necessary for a retractable top.

lvwirelessguy · 09-25-2007, 02:24 PM

On the new X5's the front bumper and fenders are one plastic piece

tctic · 09-25-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Weight Distribution. The plastic fenders and battery located in the trunk are both measures used to keep weight balance near the Perfect 50/50.

Bonus would be that it's cheaper as well no doubt.

M3 Fenders anyone? Cannot be far off.

Not so sure about 'cheaper'. Special composite materials can be more expensive than steel.

Black Rocketship · 10-12-2009, 03:44 PM

Sorry to jump in late on this, but anyone know how the fender material holds up to salt in the winter? Seems like it wouldn't do too well, but maybe it's tougher than it looks. Thanks.

Derek Zoolander · 10-12-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatloafer

My '02 VW had the felted wheel liners.

Umm... you sure about that? Pretty sure they're plastic.

09-22-2007, 12:56 AM	#1
Gregko Enlisted Member 3 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0)	Plastic fenders and fabric wheel well liners 2nd week and 3rd car wash and I just noticed something I wasn't expecting. I already knew that the fenders were plastic, but I didn't realize that the rear wheel wells were lined with a soft, pliable synthetic fabric. I searched on the topic but my KW's didn't bring anything back. I guess it's pretty impressive how much thought went into weight savings/ distribution in the E92... Has anyone else noticed this or have any idea what the material is? It looks like the same woven glass mat fabric that boat hulls are laid up with, but it lacks any resin/ epoxy impregnation. Anyone?
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09-22-2007, 08:20 AM	#2
halB Colonel 53 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: W211 E350 4M MkV GTI 987.2 S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Just north of Toronto iTrader: (0)	This is a picture of what the car is made of: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=13 __________________ 07 E93 335i - Returned at lease end 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde - Blk/Blk, AMG pkg w/18". Sport Susp. F1 Asym. Debadged. 09 MkV GTI w/Leather & 18" Huffs. F1 Asym 10 987.2 S w/Leather sport seat, Sport Chrono, 19" Carrera S II wheels
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09-22-2007, 09:26 AM	#3
SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! Lieutenant Colonel 216 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: 06' E90 330, 20' F97 X3m Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: L.I, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i SPORT [7.34]	its just a felt lining am i missing something special?? __________________ LIVE FAST..DRIVE FASTER!!
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09-22-2007, 12:05 PM	#5
45ACP Long Live the 1911 47 Rep 643 Posts Drives: Hooptie Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 550i [0.00] 2008 M Coupe (retired) [0.00] 2007 335i (retired) [0.00]	The felt lining helps minimize the sound of gravel and sand bouncing around in the wheelwell, unlike with the cheap plastic that other cars use (i.e. Infiniti/Nissan).
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09-22-2007, 01:12 PM	#6
Gregko Enlisted Member 3 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0)	Makes sense Thanks for the info. I assumed weight savings, but this sounds right.
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09-22-2007, 01:18 PM	#7
Safety2213 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 135i Manual M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: BG iTrader: (1)	I think all German cars are moving to this, its also probably cheaper to manufacture, ship and install. In addition, you no longer have rust issues and repairs are much easier as well as shipment from the factory.
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09-23-2007, 09:11 PM	#9
tctic Major 40 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Only the E92s are manufactured with Plastic Fenders.
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09-24-2007, 04:22 AM	#12
Neema Major General 788 Rep 7,246 Posts Drives: a few BMWs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	The front fenders and the side skirts are made of a thermoplast, the rest of the car is steel and aluminum. And other then minimizing sound and being cheaper.....i dont see anything special about fabric liners. __________________ LTMW Widebody+1M front bumper+Slek CF Lip\|M3 Hood\|StopTech BBK\|M-Sport Rear Bumper+DD CF Diffuser\|Custom Recaro Seats\|KW V2\|BavX LS3\|M3 Side Skirts+Custom CF Lip\|BBS CHR 19x10.5+BBS Lugs\|LCI Taillights\|RD Sport Anti-Sway Bars\|GIAC S2\|ER Intercooler+CF Shroud+Charge Pipe\|Tial BOV\|Injen Intake\|MS downpipes\|Custom Exhaust\|BMS Oil Catch Can\|M3 DCT wheel+TiD CF Paddles\|BMW CF Trunk Spoiler\|Aluminum Pedals
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09-25-2007, 02:24 PM	#19
lvwirelessguy Captain 30 Rep 955 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2012 Golf TDI Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 702 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2005 M3 [0.00]	On the new X5's the front bumper and fenders are one plastic piece
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10-12-2009, 03:44 PM	#21
Black Rocketship Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: Black 335i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (0)	Sorry to jump in late on this, but anyone know how the fender material holds up to salt in the winter? Seems like it wouldn't do too well, but maybe it's tougher than it looks. Thanks.
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