Damaged metal in underside (heatshield panel piece?)

tranquility · 04-22-2022, 10:34 AM

So I discovered this weird damaged metal thing from underneath my car (attached pic-sorry it's upside-down, I'm using my phone and it strangely did that even though I took it properly). I have no idea what it was actually or how it got damaged but apparently the shop said that's what it is and it was like that cuz it's near the exhaust and was caused by heat/vibration and it's normal; they just cut off that damaged part.

Just wanted to get 2nd opinions cuz I would've thought a crazy rock or something hit it. I have no idea what it is so asking you experts.

I guess it's OK they just removed that piece?

GerryC · 04-22-2022, 02:58 PM

It looks like the edge of one of the heatshields. It goes up into the tunnel area above the exhaust to reflect heat away from the interior. As that's at the outer edge, it's an area of the shield that doesn't really do anything so the dealer's 'fix' is reasonable.

The only risk is that the part removed weakens it near the mounting bolt and it continues to tear or rattle. I'd say it's fine. Deal with it later if it gets worse.

OTOH, I'd say something you drove over likely snagged it to cause the damage. Vibration alone won't tear the metal, and it's designed to be hot.

Gerry

tranquility · 04-22-2022, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GerryC

It looks like the edge of one of the heatshields. It goes up into the tunnel area above the exhaust to reflect heat away from the interior. As that's at the outer edge, it's an area of the shield that doesn't really do anything so the dealer's 'fix' is reasonable.

The only risk is that the part removed weakens it near the mounting bolt and it continues to tear or rattle. I'd say it's fine. Deal with it later if it gets worse.

OTOH, I'd say something you drove over likely snagged it to cause the damage. Vibration alone won't tear the metal, and it's designed to be hot.

Gerry

Thanks for your analysis. I'm just trying to figure out what the heck I snagged. I know my car's low but if I hit anything, wouldn't the surrounding areas be damaged? Seems like that's the only thing that got twisted. I recall the underside is just flat so no idea how it could change so much before whatever caused that. So weird, but luckily it was only that. Maybe (most likely) it was that time I got beach-whaled on some lousy snow ridge.

GerryC · 04-22-2022, 06:16 PM

Hard packed snow could easily do it. The panels are pretty lightweight. They're designed to reflect heat and aren't structural.

Gerry

04-22-2022, 10:34 AM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3245 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Damaged metal in underside (heatshield panel piece?) So I discovered this weird damaged metal thing from underneath my car (attached pic-sorry it's upside-down, I'm using my phone and it strangely did that even though I took it properly). I have no idea what it was actually or how it got damaged but apparently the shop said that's what it is and it was like that cuz it's near the exhaust and was caused by heat/vibration and it's normal; they just cut off that damaged part. Just wanted to get 2nd opinions cuz I would've thought a crazy rock or something hit it. I have no idea what it is so asking you experts. I guess it's OK they just removed that piece? Attached Images __________________ The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation...It's bullsh*t. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal...Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy?
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04-22-2022, 02:58 PM	#2
GerryC Captain 1613 Rep 849 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 M40i, BMW X5x40i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i [10.00] 2023 BMW Z4 M40i [9.72]	It looks like the edge of one of the heatshields. It goes up into the tunnel area above the exhaust to reflect heat away from the interior. As that's at the outer edge, it's an area of the shield that doesn't really do anything so the dealer's 'fix' is reasonable. The only risk is that the part removed weakens it near the mounting bolt and it continues to tear or rattle. I'd say it's fine. Deal with it later if it gets worse. OTOH, I'd say something you drove over likely snagged it to cause the damage. Vibration alone won't tear the metal, and it's designed to be hot. Gerry __________________ 2023 Z4 ///M40i Thundernight Metallic/Cognac Vernasca/Moonlight/Shadowline/19" Black 799M/PP/DAP/ACC/HK 2022 X5 xDrive40i Phytonic Blue/Cognac Vernasca/DAPP/LSP/PP/CCP/PAP/20" Style 738/Spare Tire/Trailer Hitch
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04-22-2022, 06:16 PM	#4
GerryC Captain 1613 Rep 849 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 M40i, BMW X5x40i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X5 xDrive40i [10.00] 2023 BMW Z4 M40i [9.72]	Hard packed snow could easily do it. The panels are pretty lightweight. They're designed to reflect heat and aren't structural. Gerry __________________ 2023 Z4 ///M40i Thundernight Metallic/Cognac Vernasca/Moonlight/Shadowline/19" Black 799M/PP/DAP/ACC/HK 2022 X5 xDrive40i Phytonic Blue/Cognac Vernasca/DAPP/LSP/PP/CCP/PAP/20" Style 738/Spare Tire/Trailer Hitch
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