[Demon Barber]

I decided I wanted an oil cooler guard, so I ordered the Fall Line Motorsports model from IND. I thought it would benefit from additional protection, so I had a stainless steel grating welded onto the opening to protect against smaller debris. I plan on installing this myself soon, and will update with the results. Just thought I'd throw out this idea in case there are folks like me who want a guard, but felt like the large openings would still leave the cooler too vulnerable.

[CanadianF90M5]

Great minds think alike

[Aronis]

It's just dumb that the stock setup was not like that....ya, sure it can get plugged with snow in winter, but doubt it....mud, sure if I go offload. Just a poor design choice by BMW.

Mike

[Demon Barber]

Glad to see some other folks doing these mods. Such an oversight in the design department on an otherwise relatively bulletproof super sedan. I hope this encourages more people to protect their oil coolers and prevent some serious headaches and expenses. I'll post some pics once I install this thing. Cheers fellas!

[Egrunt]

Nice modification. Do you think by adding the mesh to cover the openings will it restrict airflow to the cooler? I only say this because I would have thought the manufacturers of these products would have incorporated it into the initial design.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Egrunt

Nice modification. Do you think by adding the mesh to cover the openings will it restrict airflow to the cooler? I only say this because I would have thought the manufacturers of these products would have incorporated it into the initial design.

the bottom is the exit of the air flow not the inlet.

[Maverik259]

honestly i would like to see some data that these "aftermarket" solutions would actually protect the oil cooler at all. The gaps are so large that i really don't see what it could actually protect you from. The mesh seems like exactly what they should have included with the design especially considering the high cost for these products. Cudo's to all of you making the mods to the mod but seems to me like you shouldn't even have to.

[Demon Barber]

I completely agree that mesh of some sort is necessary for solid protection. Thankfully doing this yourself doesn't cost much extra, but is a hassle of finding someone to cut the mesh to a custom size and then find a welder to attach it. It would be nice if the aftermarket manufacturers would just make them this way.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Demon Barber

I completely agree that mesh of some sort is necessary for solid protection. Thankfully doing this yourself doesn't cost much extra, but is a hassle of finding someone to cut the mesh to a custom size and then find a welder to attach it. It would be nice if the aftermarket manufacturers would just make them this way.

ya but then they'd jack up the prices even more. lol

[Used2be]

[QUOTE=Maverik259;26558383]honestly i would like to see some data that these "aftermarket" solutions would actually protect the oil cooler at all. The gaps are so large that i really don't see what it could actually protect you from. The mesh seems like exactly what they should have included with the design especially considering the high cost for these products. Cudo's to all of you making the mods to the mod but seems to me like you shouldn't even have to.[/QUOTE

I bought my Fall Line guard from IND, and after I’d added the mesh to it, I asked Ryan at IND if he’d suggest to Fall Line that they become pro-active with their design and send the mesh upgrade to all their previous customers, and add it to the guard for the future. Ryan said he passed that on to Fall Line back in April of this year. The mesh I used is pretty weak, I’m a fan of that used by CanadianF90M5. Sturdy and will keep the small stones from possibly puncturing the cooler. Bought in bulk by the manufacturers, the costs for the fairly expensive stainless mesh could be kept down at the retail level for the end user. I’ve experienced no rise in engine oil temps after mounting the guard with the mesh.

[Maverik259]

[QUOTE=Used2be;26558863]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

honestly i would like to see some data that these "aftermarket" solutions would actually protect the oil cooler at all. The gaps are so large that i really don't see what it could actually protect you from. The mesh seems like exactly what they should have included with the design especially considering the high cost for these products. Cudo's to all of you making the mods to the mod but seems to me like you shouldn't even have to.[/QUOTE

I bought my Fall Line guard from IND, and after I’d added the mesh to it, I asked Ryan at IND if he’d suggest to Fall Line that they become pro-active with their design and send the mesh upgrade to all their previous customers, and add it to the guard for the future. Ryan said he passed that on to Fall Line back in April of this year. The mesh I used is pretty weak, I’m a fan of that used by CanadianF90M5. Sturdy and will keep the small stones from possibly puncturing the cooler. Bought in bulk by the manufacturers, the costs for the fairly expensive stainless mesh could be kept down at the retail level for the end user. I’ve experienced no rise in engine oil temps after mounting the guard with the mesh.

I like the way this blends with the oem under carriage covers better than the turner

[Demon Barber]

The Fall Line Motorsports model is heavy gauge stainless. Not sure about the Turner model. I used a very heavy gauge stainless grating that I ordered online for about 50 bucks. Local welding shop charged me 25 bucks to attach it. Should keep out most debris without restricting airflow to any meaningful degree.

[Demon Barber]

Just installed my modified cooler guard today and I'm very pleased with the end result. Did it myself in my garage with lift stands from myliftstand.com which gave plenty of room to work. I used a jigsaw instead of an angle grider to cut the modified opening in the plastic skid plate, after marking it with a white wax pencil. This is probably the most difficult part. You also have to drill holes into the aluminum frame for 4 nutserts/rivnuts, but drilling aluminum isn't bad because it's so soft. If you aren't familiar with how these work, I'd watch a YouTube how-to video first to understand how you're crushing the nutsert to create threaded holes in the frame. This is the second most challenging part, because the rear two holes you have to drill partially into the wall of a cross bolt shank to get clearance, which the instructions don't explain very well. Otherwise not that hard and took me about 4 hours total working time.

IND provided instructions aren't great, as the pictures are too dark in black and white, and the descriptions are very brief, often combining several steps into a single description. They do have a video on YouTube, but it's very brief without any narration and does not show all of the steps. If you're somewhat mechanically inclined, you'll figure it out.

[///WeissBisBlau]

Is this exposed oil cooler still a problem on the LCIs?

[brava09]

This is aftermarket modification and may void your warranty in case something goes wrong.
Bmw may claim the additional grill impeded the proper cooling, therefore your damaged engine is not covered

[DrHeLpErZx]

Originally Posted by brava09

This is aftermarket modification and may void your warranty in case something goes wrong.
Bmw may claim the additional grill impeded the proper cooling, therefore your damaged engine is not covered

You will not block enough air flow to overheat the oil and damage the engine. The amount it covers is negligible. No need to fear monger people who mod their cars.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by brava09

This is aftermarket modification and may void your warranty in case something goes wrong.
Bmw may claim the additional grill impeded the proper cooling, therefore your damaged engine is not covered

What a pointless and wrong statement. Thanks. These guards go on the bottom. Air flow comes from the top of the cooler through the bumper.

[TrevorM3]

brothers brand new m4 hit a rock the other day, oil cooler spilled all over the driveway.

shit design..

[19M5]

Originally Posted by CanadianF90M5

Great minds think alike

I just purchased and installed my Turner skid plate. How did you install the mesh? Looks like you drilled some holes for rivets, used a rivet gun and held the mesh in with rivets?

[Aronis]

So much for the ultimate driving machine......this issue should have been resolved in the second model year after one or two engine losses. For those who want optimal cooling for "Tracking" their car, let them remove something rather than the rest needing to add something for normal car use.

Mike

[AHall]

Originally Posted by Aronis

So much for the ultimate driving machine......this issue should have been resolved in the second model year after one or two engine losses. For those who want optimal cooling for "Tracking" their car, let them remove something rather than the rest needing to add something for normal car use.

Mike

I am thinking of getting one of these. Do you have one Mike?

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by AHall

I am thinking of getting one of these. Do you have one Mike?

No....I was not that impressed with the first design. The opening is still quite large and the space between the frame and the bottom of the radiator really does not provide any protection from impact with a item large enough to hit the radiator in the first place. Those who modified it with the tighter grid made excellent improvements. I'd just love to hear from the BMW engineers on their idea of how much difference in cooling between this open unprotected set up and some thing with a real proper cover? I just did an oil change on my car and was pointing out to a friend (who has a BMW M550 on a boat coming this way and is very excited) that the oil radiator is a big danger here and showed it to him.

I just watch the roads VERY carefully for debris. Hope I don't regret adding something. I tried to find some kind of mesh at Home Depot and Lowes, but no luck.


Mike