inside of the wheel arch: is a cover missing? for E93-E92

Zio7 · 04-27-2025, 11:24 AM

Hi everyone,
I have an E93 cabrio (320d, year 2012) and I have a doubt: behind the front wheel on driver's side, I saw that the inner side of the wheel arch has the bodywork visible without any plastic/felt cover, that is present in the rest of the wheel arch.
It leaves exposed some cables and holes towards the engine compartment. I'm attaching a photo below to explain.
I fear that this way the water from the road sprayed by the wheel could cause some troubles on those cables or going to the engine compartment from the holes.
I don't understand if a protection cover has come off, or if it is the normal way the wheel arch is done.
Can anyone who has the E93 cabrio or the E92 coupè (that should be similar) take a look in his car, behind the front driver's side wheel, and let me know if it is normal for the central area to be without any cover like that?
thank you

Phil325i · 04-28-2025, 06:27 AM

Mine had similar holes in the inner wing. I just taped them over to prevent water getting into the engine compartment.

Jeff S · 04-28-2025, 09:17 AM

That is how it looks on a pre-LCI E92

Zio7 · 04-28-2025, 10:36 AM

Ok, thanks for confirming that everything is ok and it's made that way.
To be honest it seems a bit strange to me that BMW leaves that part with cables exposed to the risk of rocks, water, mud... but evidently it works anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Mine had similar holes in the inner wing. I just taped them over to prevent water getting into the engine compartment.

Can i ask you how you managed to tap permanently those holes on your car? Have you covered that box with cables too?

Phil325i · 04-28-2025, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zio7

Can i ask you how you managed to tap permanently those holes on your car? Have you covered that box with cables too?

Not touched the cable 'box'. It works just fine as it is and protects the connectors from the elements. I did not 'tap' the holes, just used some heavy duty weather strip tape to cover them over. Not caused any issues and has been in place for years

Zio7 · 04-29-2025, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Not touched the cable 'box'. It works just fine as it is and protects the connectors from the elements. I did not 'tap' the holes, just used some heavy duty weather strip tape to cover them over. Not caused any issues and has been in place for years

Ok thank you!

steifan · 05-01-2025, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff S

That is how it looks on a pre-LCI E92

It's like that on pre-LCI E90s as well

Cyril Sneer · 05-09-2025, 05:49 PM

That stupid opening cost me (and countless others) a big chunk of money after the AC hose corroded from junk that came through it and built up. Poor design, that. Should have at least covered the hose.

I wonder if it has any purpose though. Something to do with air pressure between the wheel wells and engine compartment maybe? I don't know...

ptpending · 05-10-2025, 01:12 AM

AC hose is laid from other side of the car
this opening is in the left arch
and AC hose laid on right pillar near right arch.

Cyril Sneer · 05-12-2025, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

AC hose is laid from other side of the car
this opening is in the left arch
and AC hose laid on right pillar near right arch.

Exact same openings are on the right side. At least on my car.

I know this because my A/C pipe corroded due to smegma built up on it due this opening. And because there are multiple threads about this exact issue.

ptpending · 05-13-2025, 03:53 AM

this opening is used for aux water pump
since it was installed only with old diesel engines and on M3, most people in NA haven't seen it
it look like that

The Nightman · 05-15-2025, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

this opening is used for aux water pump
since it was installed only with old diesel engines and on M3, most people in NA haven't seen it
it look like that

Yup. This was brought up a couple years ago and covering those holes can help reduce road noise.

I wasn't aware of the holes causing rust on the other side though; maybe a good idea to cover those as well then

04-27-2025, 11:24 AM	#1
Zio7 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Bmw 3-er cabrio E93 Join Date: Apr 2025 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	inside of the wheel arch: is a cover missing? for E93-E92 Hi everyone, I have an E93 cabrio (320d, year 2012) and I have a doubt: behind the front wheel on driver's side, I saw that the inner side of the wheel arch has the bodywork visible without any plastic/felt cover, that is present in the rest of the wheel arch. It leaves exposed some cables and holes towards the engine compartment. I'm attaching a photo below to explain. I fear that this way the water from the road sprayed by the wheel could cause some troubles on those cables or going to the engine compartment from the holes. I don't understand if a protection cover has come off, or if it is the normal way the wheel arch is done. Can anyone who has the E93 cabrio or the E92 coupè (that should be similar) take a look in his car, behind the front driver's side wheel, and let me know if it is normal for the central area to be without any cover like that? thank you Attached Images
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04-28-2025, 06:27 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 669 Rep 3,254 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Mine had similar holes in the inner wing. I just taped them over to prevent water getting into the engine compartment. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace with cross bar; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-28-2025, 09:17 AM	#3
Jeff S Private 60 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i, 2011 E90 328i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	That is how it looks on a pre-LCI E92
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05-09-2025, 05:49 PM	#8
Cyril Sneer Second Lieutenant 185 Rep 206 Posts Drives: E36 M3/4/5 / E91 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	That stupid opening cost me (and countless others) a big chunk of money after the AC hose corroded from junk that came through it and built up. Poor design, that. Should have at least covered the hose. I wonder if it has any purpose though. Something to do with air pressure between the wheel wells and engine compartment maybe? I don't know...
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05-10-2025, 01:12 AM	#9
ptpending Brigadier General 710 Rep 3,399 Posts Drives: e81 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	AC hose is laid from other side of the car this opening is in the left arch and AC hose laid on right pillar near right arch. __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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05-13-2025, 03:53 AM	#11
ptpending Brigadier General 710 Rep 3,399 Posts Drives: e81 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	this opening is used for aux water pump since it was installed only with old diesel engines and on M3, most people in NA haven't seen it it look like that Attached Images __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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