[Hasser]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

Twin Power Single Turbo

thought so

[///MIKE M]

Lol at everyone complaining about the vents on an x3 not being functional....look at the M2.

At least the x3 ones look like vents haha

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by ///MIKE M

Lol at everyone complaining about the vents on an x3 not being functional....look at the M2.

At least the x3 ones look like vents haha

I guess we have to wait and see.

The M2 should have had a open fender vent like the original 1M was supposed to have. Maybe Gen 2 will have it.

[nanceman]

Originally Posted by allen3ybq

Thanks for giving me faith lol

Seriously, wait for the F97.

[COBodom]

Looks like BMW finally corrected one the ugliest cars in their lineup. No longer a caricature of X5.

Unfortunately, they also released the new 6 Series Gran Turismo, but that's off topic.

[pookguy]

I think these look amazing. But still holding out for a X3M.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by ///MIKE M

Lol at everyone complaining about the vents on an x3 not being functional....look at the M2.

At least the x3 ones look like vents haha

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

I guess we have to wait and see.

The M2 should have had a open fender vent like the original 1M was supposed to have. Maybe Gen 2 will have it.

We were having this discussion in another thread about 2 weeks ago. I found this post by Max Well very interesting.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=220

Not sure if the vents are or are not functional on this X3 M40i but time will tell on the F97 and the future. I bet we will eventually see active air breathers like the ones that exist on the new X3 kidney grilles.

Yes...I saw the video and I don't care what Calvin Luk said lol. He looked green and very nervous in that video and was fumbling around for his words so he could have made a mistake saying they are not functional.

There is another post in the thread above where someone (skier219) with an expertise in aerodynamics could argue that the side vents "communicate preassure"...so yes...that could make them functional without air passing through them.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=236

Until the production model actually comes out...we just don't know.

Regardless...that slit in the photo below is very interesting.

[ORIGIN M.]

Bingo. I love the PI work, way to flush them out.

I thought I could see an opening in the wheel-well, in that pix ^ it's clear as day.

Originally Posted by kozzi

We were having this discussion in another thread about 2 weeks ago. I found this post by Max Well very interesting.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=220

Not sure if the vents are or are not functional on this X3 M40i but time will tell on the F97 and the future. I bet we will eventually see active air breathers like the ones that exist on the new X3 kidney grilles.

Yes...I saw the video and I don't care what Calvin Luk said lol. He looked green and very nervous in that video and was fumbling around for his words so he could have made a mistake saying they are not functional.

There is another post in the thread above where someone (skier219) with an expertise in aerodynamics could argue that the side vents "communicate preassure"...so yes...that could make them functional without air passing through them.

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=236

Until the production model actually comes out...we just don't know.

Regardless...that slit in the photo below is very interesting.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

Bingo. I love the PI work, way to flush them out.

I thought I could see an opening in the wheel-well, in that pix ^ it's clear as day.

Clear as day in that picture...but who knows? There is a chance they could weld it shut for production.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by ///MIKE M

Lol at everyone complaining about the vents on an x3 not being functional....look at the M2.

For those possibly new to the X3 forum, the issue of the vents being functional vs decorative could come across as a picky complaint from folks just wishing to denigrate the new model. But for those who have been around following the 2nd Gen X3 forum know this has been a discussion point for some years.

When I started the ‘Wish List…’ thread, http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1015499 , in July 2014, the first item was to hope for the ‘full aerodynamic improvements’ which BMW has been touting over the past four years or so. This was a result of my research into how the heavier and larger X5 could obtain better gas mileage than our X3, and turns out much of it was a result of these aerodynamic changes in the X5 at the time. That thread can be found at ‘Horsepower and Speed – the graph’ , http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1004702 .

SCOTT26 was the second poster to the Wish List back in 2014 and wrote, “Done”. To this day I have no idea how he is affiliated with BMW, or even if he is, but he seems to project intimate knowledge of BMW’s new models, so perhaps he is part of the Engineering and/or Marketing team (maybe the Moderators or someone can comment)?

So in the Comparison photos which Jason shared in ‘G01 X3 Highlights: Inter-models and Versus Predecessor’ on 27 Jun 2017, http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1398083 ,the third picture clearly shows a working Air Breather graphic on the Blue X3 M40i G01 in which the airstream is flowing through the Breather Vent. So all is good so far, and what we’ve been expecting.

The confusion about the Breather as an active vent arose with the ‘Autogefuhl’ video which X4guy posted on 29 Jun at 114PM, http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...397493&page=10 , in which the Moderator discusses the ‘fake vent behind the wheel well…’ at the 4’17” mark into the video when showing the X3 M40i specifically. I attributed that to simple error as all of the information and expectations to date indicated the Breathers are active on this model. In my post at 232PM in same thread, though, I mention how the Designer Calvin Luk seemed to also imply it is not functional by stating ‘it is more a decorative element to the car’ at the 28’51” mark. But, and I think this is important, the models he was reviewing with the Moderator inside the building were not the M40i variant - the white model is the 30d, and the brownish (?graphite) model next to it is the Luxury line 30d as well. These we know have the quite remarkable Cd of 0.29, but the M40i has a Cd of 0.33. As skier (with a background in aeronautics) pointed out, high performance cars have different requirements for downforce, so it seems possible some of that higher Cd can be attributed to distinct differences in flow/pressure design. But as you indicate, not all M models have the breather. The M6 has neither curtains or breathers, the M2 only the curtains (no breathers), but the M3, M4, X5M and X6M have both curtains and breathers. As we're close to being a mini X5, it is just surprising with the performance of the M40i we wouldn't have similar aerodynamic requirements, and hence the need for a breather.

So at this point I have no idea, but clearly a wheelwell vent is shown in the comparative picture I posted (which Kozzi referenced), and I have to think at least one model in this line-up must use the vent, otherwise they would keep it smooth. Economy of scale would dictate they are using interchangeable body parts for the major components of the vehicles, regardless of model, so on the ones which don’t need the breather, they just plug them.

My gut feeling is that the video’s Moderator may have been confused about the M40i’s Breather after hearing Calvin say they were just decorative elements on the lower performance 30d series, and that the M40i will have a functioning breather element. The non-performance models may not need the assist with downward pressure as much as the M40i. But until someone who has actually seen the M40i and the other models with a focus on this area can clarify, we are just guessing.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

Needs to be MOVED..it's terrible there.

You know that it's in the same location for pretty much every single BMW X car out right now right? This isn't new to this year or to the X3.

I agree that they could have picked a more subtle location though but it's better than Mercedes taking up 1/4 of their front grill for the camera's, radars, etc.

[ORIGIN M.]

The production car will be exactly the same as this tester.

Originally Posted by kozzi

Clear as day in that picture...but who knows? There is a chance they could weld it shut for production.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

The production car will be exactly the same as this tester.

I wouldn't bet on it. Watch them seal that opening in the wheel well for mass production.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by kozzi

I wouldn't bet on it. Watch them seal that opening in the wheel well for mass production.

Don't believe the trolls.

That tester is just like the production model.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

Don't believe the trolls.

That tester is just like the production model.

Wait...What!?

Dude...stop spreading rumors with official photos of a production G01 M40i!!! Those air-breathers are fake because Mr. Calvin Luk says so!!!

[ORIGIN M.]

No Doubt !

Originally Posted by kozzi

Wait...What!?

Dude...stop spreading rumors with official photos of a production G01 M40i!!! Those air-breathers are fake because Mr. Calvin Luk says so!!!

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Crisp

You know that it's in the same location for pretty much every single BMW X car out right now right? This isn't new to this year or to the X3.

I agree that they could have picked a more subtle location though but it's better than Mercedes taking up 1/4 of their front grill for the camera's, radars, etc.

No way. My wife's X3 has the birds eye view camera setup. I don't see a camera stuck dead center between the kidney grills.....e

[ORIGIN M.]

Way.

So when you see you're wife tell her it's a much, much better camera.

In fact it's much better than the current surround view camera, believe it or not.

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

No way. My wife's X3 has the birds eye view camera setup. I don't see a camera stuck dead center between the kidney grills.....e

[CalCarNut]

But it's UGLY where the 2018 has it. Maybe if you get the truck in black, it won't be as noticable...lol

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

But it's UGLY where the 2018 has it. Maybe if you get the truck in black, it won't be as noticable...lol

Carbon Black, thank you very much !