Is Your E46 M3 Overheating?
The E46 M3 front air intake duct works just fine, but overtime the plastic gets brittle and the bottom portion of the duct tends to bow. This causes air to slip past the oil cooler and radiator limiting the maximum air for cooling. In addition, you do not want air to escape past the cooler/radiator as this will cause unwanted lift. Without getting too technical on aerodynamics, you want to keep faster moving air below the bumper and slower moving air on top.
Our Buildjournal Radiator Duct for the E46 M3 is an all-aluminum piece to avoid any future bowing due to wear and tear. It’s also lightweight at just 3 lbs. The install is also super easy. We’ll show you how to install it.
⚠️ Currently this product has not been tested with aluminum reinforcement front bumper beams found on earlier E46 M3 models.
Parts List
- (2) End plates
- (1) Bottom plate
- (4) M6 Nutserts
- (4) M6 Hex Head Bolts
- (4) M6 Button Head Bolts
- (4) M6 Nylon Nuts
Tools Required
- 10mm socket/wrench
- 4mm allen key
- Nutsert tool
- 9mm or 23/64" drill bit
2
Hours
2/5
Difficulty
Install Directions
1. Remove Bumper
2. Remove bumper reinforcement beam/bar
3. Remove OEM radiator shroud
Note: OEM radiator shroud can be trimmed to keep existing ducts for upper kidney
4. Find the (4) OEM holes on the radiator support bracket and drill using a 9mm or 23/64″ drill bit – there are 2 on each side
5. Install the provided M6 nutserts
6. Install the radiator duct using the supplied (4) M6 hex head bolts
Also watch Ride with Kee‘s step-by-step install video for our Radiator Duct!
Special thanks to Kee and Stefan for putting together this video!
Hi,
Is it functional with the OEM auxiliary fan installed?
Regards
Do you have to remove your AUX fan for this?
Does this fit in the stock bumper cover?
Yes it will fit behind stock bumper cover however you may need to trim if you’re using aluminum front bumper reinforcement bar.