Are the new grills actually more 'functional' as BMW claims?

mmckenzie · 05-12-2021, 10:37 AM

Heard from BMW time and time again that one of the primary reasons for a larger vertical grill (at least on G8X) is to "improve cooling" but I just don't think this is true, mainly because of the frontal beam and the radar in the bottom (if so equipped). To me M5C easily wins in the openings department, without the bigger grills. Don't get me wrong, I do like the new grills - just don't believe it when they say cooling was the primary driver.

xlover · 05-12-2021, 11:12 AM

They have said cooling was not the primary driver behind the grill design language.. it is 1) modern styling and market demand 2)long term this design language will allow for better integration of various autonomous driving sensors

I think ppl are confusing "more cooling" with the general statements about the M3/M4 front end requiring more cooling and airflow vs the series models and technical highlights showing how specific elements of the overall front end design support the need for increased airflow

heavyD^2 · 05-12-2021, 12:25 PM

While I’m sure that the grilles don’t hurt cooling I imagine that additional cooling was not the main driver here.

jailonacs99 · 05-12-2021, 01:56 PM

You can see from the photos, the cooling/air intake areas are almost identical. What makes the G8x grill "bigger" is that the kept the kidney shape over that solid plastic bumper portion. So they've joined upper and lower visually, even though they are bisected horizontally.

Crester · 05-15-2021, 01:43 AM

It's just for style. BMW wanted this car to "stand out"... which is surely does.

I saw a picture of the new M4 with it's front bumper off and it proves the grille is just for style. All of the openings had coolers or ducts behind them EXCEPT... there's still a bumper/crash bar going across the middle of the grille. So the part of the grille around where the license plate is doesn't actually provide any benefit for cooling.

jkap27 · 05-15-2021, 12:16 PM

This is a bit of an odd comparison why would it need more cooling than an M5? Likely needed more than an f80 m3 and they just wanted to do something different visually . The grille/headlight area on the f80 was already quite crowded horizontally with the attached headlight/grille look. I'm assuming the front of the m5 has more surface area although I don't know the measurements. Looking at this g80 front end for hundreds of hours has me focusing more on the lower front fascia area of all cars and I have to say the combined look is quite elegant in my opinion. That area on the m5 just looks like a big hole with nothing going on and it doesn't really add anything to the design

zamboni · 05-15-2021, 02:17 PM

The new grille design completely failed the visual test the radar sensor is off center not balance at all. In terms of airflows' the new design is similar to M5 except for the brakes which have an air duct channel air to both sides.

vetteflier · 05-16-2021, 11:32 AM

The grill allows outstanding airflow to the radiator and condenser, as well as the intercoolers. Plus, front brakes. It's entirely functional. There's no such thing as 'too much' airflow. I both love the way it looks and the way it functions. A flat grill with no intake for the air creates induced drag. This doesn't.

Jacky Treehorn · 05-16-2021, 11:37 AM

That's a heck of a large area for bugs to fly into and get lodged ! I'd imagine it be caked in a year or two, like a fly trap!!

AndroidRobot · 05-17-2021, 08:03 AM

you're also not including the M5's ACC sensors which lies in the middle and isn't part of the active cooling area. I think there's more to every picture than just what we can see

Blindside_137 · 05-18-2021, 03:49 PM

You answered your own question.

Crester · 05-20-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteflier

The grill allows outstanding airflow to the radiator and condenser, as well as the intercoolers. Plus, front brakes. It's entirely functional. There's no such thing as 'too much' airflow. I both love the way it looks and the way it functions. A flat grill with no intake for the air creates induced drag. This doesn't.

It doesn't really add airflow. As I said above... there's a big portion of the middle of the grille blocked off because of the bumper crash bar.

vetteflier · 05-20-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crester

It doesn't really add airflow. As I said above... there's a big portion of the middle of the grille blocked off because of the bumper crash bar.

I'm not sure I would consider 4.5" out of 19 a "big portion."

Crester · 05-20-2021, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteflier

I'm not sure I would consider 4.5" out of 19 a "big portion."

If BMW made that section body coloured... it would make a very BIG difference to the look of the car.

vetteflier · 05-21-2021, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crester

If BMW made that section body coloured... it would make a very BIG difference to the look of the car.

Mine's black, so wouldn't matter. But I think you're right. Especially on a red car with red calipers. Not sure about white, though.

05-12-2021, 10:37 AM	#1
mmckenzie Private 217 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2021 G80 M3 6MT (BSM) Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Are the new grills actually more 'functional' as BMW claims? Heard from BMW time and time again that one of the primary reasons for a larger vertical grill (at least on G8X) is to "improve cooling" but I just don't think this is true, mainly because of the frontal beam and the radar in the bottom (if so equipped). To me M5C easily wins in the openings department, without the bigger grills. Don't get me wrong, I do like the new grills - just don't believe it when they say cooling was the primary driver. Attached Images Last edited by mmckenzie; 05-12-2021 at 10:45 AM..
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05-12-2021, 11:12 AM	#2
xlover Colonel 2191 Rep 2,557 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	They have said cooling was not the primary driver behind the grill design language.. it is 1) modern styling and market demand 2)long term this design language will allow for better integration of various autonomous driving sensors I think ppl are confusing "more cooling" with the general statements about the M3/M4 front end requiring more cooling and airflow vs the series models and technical highlights showing how specific elements of the overall front end design support the need for increased airflow
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05-12-2021, 12:25 PM	#3
heavyD^2 Colonel 3689 Rep 2,956 Posts Drives: X3M Competition Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Too close to Santa iTrader: (0)	While I’m sure that the grilles don’t hurt cooling I imagine that additional cooling was not the main driver here.
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05-12-2021, 01:56 PM	#4
jailonacs99 Captain 484 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 xDrive Competition Join Date: May 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW M4 MxDrive ... [0.00]	You can see from the photos, the cooling/air intake areas are almost identical. What makes the G8x grill "bigger" is that the kept the kidney shape over that solid plastic bumper portion. So they've joined upper and lower visually, even though they are bisected horizontally.
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05-15-2021, 01:43 AM	#5
Crester New Member 110 Rep 26 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	It's just for style. BMW wanted this car to "stand out"... which is surely does. I saw a picture of the new M4 with it's front bumper off and it proves the grille is just for style. All of the openings had coolers or ducts behind them EXCEPT... there's still a bumper/crash bar going across the middle of the grille. So the part of the grille around where the license plate is doesn't actually provide any benefit for cooling.
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05-15-2021, 12:16 PM	#6
jkap27 Lieutenant 468 Rep 425 Posts Drives: BMW M240I Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	This is a bit of an odd comparison why would it need more cooling than an M5? Likely needed more than an f80 m3 and they just wanted to do something different visually . The grille/headlight area on the f80 was already quite crowded horizontally with the attached headlight/grille look. I'm assuming the front of the m5 has more surface area although I don't know the measurements. Looking at this g80 front end for hundreds of hours has me focusing more on the lower front fascia area of all cars and I have to say the combined look is quite elegant in my opinion. That area on the m5 just looks like a big hole with nothing going on and it doesn't really add anything to the design
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05-15-2021, 02:17 PM	#7
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1129 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	The new grille design completely failed the visual test the radar sensor is off center not balance at all. In terms of airflows' the new design is similar to M5 except for the brakes which have an air duct channel air to both sides. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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05-16-2021, 11:32 AM	#8
vetteflier Captain 474 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M4 Competition Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	The grill allows outstanding airflow to the radiator and condenser, as well as the intercoolers. Plus, front brakes. It's entirely functional. There's no such thing as 'too much' airflow. I both love the way it looks and the way it functions. A flat grill with no intake for the air creates induced drag. This doesn't.
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05-16-2021, 11:37 AM	#9
Jacky Treehorn Private First Class 135 Rep 115 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	That's a heck of a large area for bugs to fly into and get lodged ! I'd imagine it be caked in a year or two, like a fly trap!!
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05-17-2021, 08:03 AM	#10
AndroidRobot Major General 4328 Rep 6,121 Posts Drives: 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2022 Porsche Boxste ... [0.00]	you're also not including the M5's ACC sensors which lies in the middle and isn't part of the active cooling area. I think there's more to every picture than just what we can see __________________ 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Gentian Blue 2023 Porsche Spyder Python Green (on order) 2022 BMW M3 Comp AWD IOMG/Kyalami Orange (SOLD) 2018 BMW M2 Mineral Grey(SOLD) 2019 BMW X5 50i Carbon Black/Tartufo (SOLD)
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05-18-2021, 03:49 PM	#11
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6707 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	You answered your own question.
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