Valence different on Air-Con cars?

[suzie650]

Hi
Sorry, I have a quick question again. Is there an E30 that has a second cut-out in the metal valence to accomodate the upper opening on a Tech II front valence? Cars with factory-fitted A/C?

And in that case, is it advisable to "open" my valence when I come to retrofit the A/C?

Cheers
Séb

[FESI]

yes it is different it has two horizontal holes for air con models, well i would advise you to open it but it is not essential

[suzie650]

Cheers

[ian332isport]

I've not opened mine up, and it seems to work fine.

Ian.

[suzie650]

But your Kit was factory fitted, wasn't it? What is used to hide the metal valence then?

[ian332isport]

But your Kit was factory fitted, wasn't it? What is used to hide the metal valence then?

I fitted mine myself (the aircon, the body kit was factory)

On a standard sport, there's just a strip of black tape on the valance to make the hole in the tech2 valance look dark.

Ian.

[suzie650]

I fitted mine myself (the aircon, the body kit was factory)

Lucky man! Our cars have unfortunately some "history"... Try to line up the *&?!!$@ togther...

On a standard sport, there's just a strip of black tape on the valance to make the hole in the tech2 valance look dark.

OK, seen it on the ETK. Didn't you have any issues with not having airflow onto the condenser?

[mrLEE30]

the factory fitted A/C condensor radiator pulls air from the grill/kidney area aided by an electric fan, the upper hole in the lower valance is normally for the oil cooler unit used on most (if not all 325's) and some (round these parts) 320's, although i dont belive they do so much.

you can see below the factory condenser almost hidden behind the electric fan, the lower valance will not flow too much air to this area ,if any at all (ignore the circled bits that for the tech 2 tech article)

[beardymat]

although not essential, BMW put the hole there for some reason and since its not difficult to cut it would probably be better to cut it out if you can as more airflow can only be a good thing.

mind you i am lucky enough to have the correct valance so its probably just the snob coming out.lol

[ian332isport]

the upper hole in the lower valance is normally for the oil cooler unit used on most (if not all 325's) and some (round these parts) 320's, although i dont belive they do so much.

The oil cooler uses the lower hole in the lower valance. The upper hole is for the aircon.

Ian.