Brake ducts for e36

[akinthecat]

There are two air vents just next to the fog lamps and i heared from the dealer that i can either have a cap to cover those holes or have air ducts which channels cooling air to the inner brake rotors of the front brakes. So i bought a pair.

when i tried to install it at the shop it turned out that these ducts were 1/2 inch too short as it could be attched to the front of the bumper but could not fit to the back of the wheelwells. With some creative cutting however, the shop could fit it back into the wheelwells.

my car's bodykit came straight from the factory as the m-tecknik bodykit so the mechanic had a theory that the air ducts i got were for the 'normal' 320i. So i either had to do some dremel work or change to another airduct.

I have not gone to the dealer to ask about this, but if its too much trouble i'd rather retrofit the airducts myself. what do you all think?

I'm currently focusing on the looks of the car, there's nothing much i can do to the engine without breaking the bank.

I recently had some new dunlops and the car's alignment done at the shop. Took her for a speed test and went over 210kmph. there's still some minor vibrations on the front passenger side of the car and the mechanic thinks i might want to look at my lower arm bushings. if this is the case do i have to change just one set or change both front bushings at the same time? I know i need to do the alignment again if i have done repairs to the suspension etc. But how do you know when to replace the bushings? What type of car behaviour do i need to experience?

[Dudesky]

I've seen retrofits of standard brake ducts to M3 bumpers, in fact, if memory serves me right, Rooz did it. But that's probably different than the M-tecknic kits.

As far as the front suspension, the control arm bushings are sold in pairs, so you might as well do both- it doesn't really make sense to do only one side, knowing at some point you'll have to do the other side anyway. Especially if you're having someone else do it for you, you'll pay more in the long run. Loose steering and sometimes wheel shimmy at high speeds can indicate worn bushings, but visual inspection is your best bet for determining their condition- the rubber will have tears if it's worn, and the control arm will have excessive play when you grab the wheel and move it around.

[akinthecat]

dropped by the shop to check it out. The arm is rock solid and there is no visual indication that the bushings are torn. Could it be the brake rotors or a wheel bearing?? The bearing spins the wheel and there's no shimming but i can't tell from the brake rotors. I might as well do the entire front end and get it replaced.

[Dudesky]

Are your wheels balanced?

[akinthecat]

Dirty now, but balanced..wat else do i look for?

[94bmw325i]

hmm I think stock brake ducts fit into M3 bumpers fine. I know a bunch of locals running M3 bumpers and they said the stock ducts fit in fine.