M3/M4 M3 bonnet bulge and air vents?

[Cashmere]

Hi guys. I was just wandering about the bonnet bulge on the M3. Is it any way functional or is it purely for cosmetic purposes? Also about the air vents, I recall reading somewhere that they are (or only one is) functional but I cant seem to find that info at the moment. Can some one enlighten me?

Thanks

 

[coolraoul]

Yep the bulge is functionnal, it hides a bit of the motor.
One air vent is functional; the other is here to look symetrical.

For the details, I can't say more.

 

[Cashmere]

well I recall on the E46 M3 the S54 motor was a bit big and therefore there was a sliiight bulge.......however, on the E92 its just HUGE! Even when I look at the engine bay, it doesnt really seem like such a big bonnet bulge was necessary, which is why im assuming it was more for the aesthetics...

 

[CorpusCallosum]

One of the vents is used for cooling of the engine and the other is strictly cosmetic from the point of view of symetry... The bulge as mentioned is also so the engine fits into the engine bay as it is to tall for the normal bonnet...

 

[Sunny]

One of the vents is used for cooling of the engine and the other is strictly cosmetic from the point of view of symetry... The bulge as mentioned is also so the engine fits into the engine bay as it is to tall for the normal bonnet...

Not for cooling the engine, it is the air intake for the engine.

 

[Zafiro]

when you take a close look you notice there isnt much space between the engine and the hood. The hood is needed.

 

[vedjo01]

I recon BMW engineers don´t bother with asthetics when their perfomance models are at hand(and other non M,naturally)..So,if M model has different air vents and hood buldge,its for functional purpose only IMO .

 

[El Zorro]

I guess another reason for the bulge is that enough space must be left between the engine and the hood, for pedestrian safety.

 

[coolraoul]

^^ Yeah this is right, the bonnet has to be a bit supple not to injure too much the pedestrian. So it can't be so near to the motor.

 

[klier]

N/M

Looks like ithe bulge is needed after all, when I see than pic. That V8 sits a bit higher than the other engines if I am correct.

Also:

View attachment 50fb17cb7ad7fffd5d1fa07391f8e590.jpg