driving without the belly pan. anything speaking against it?
01-06-2005, 02:36 PM
#12
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Don't have it on since I bought it last year... no damage so far (cross my fingers) [more]
My mechanic insist that it is not a necessary component. He has worked with many A4's and says he never saw anything go wrong because the belly pan was not there.
And if you search the forum, there are some who think there is absolutely no protection offered. The belly pan is made of plastic, and if there is something that has enough force to damage the engine, the plastic probably would not stop it.
However, like someone else said, Audi put it there for a reason. It does not look nice, and no one can even see it... so there is no point for Audi to put it there unless it is necessary for some reason (thinking that Audi would like to cut cost in any way, remember the 96-98 A4's have the small passenger mirrors?).
I don't have the $$ now, but I will probably get one when I can afford it. The way I see it is that driving the car is a risky behavior. Not having a belly pan on just adds a little to that risk and also makes you worry, taking your mind off the road. So I would rather have it so I know everything on the car is the way it is meant to be from the factory (well, other than all the mods, but that is, um, acceptable risk).
My 2 cents.
Anyone know where to get one cheap? $120 quoted by local stealership
And if you search the forum, there are some who think there is absolutely no protection offered. The belly pan is made of plastic, and if there is something that has enough force to damage the engine, the plastic probably would not stop it.
However, like someone else said, Audi put it there for a reason. It does not look nice, and no one can even see it... so there is no point for Audi to put it there unless it is necessary for some reason (thinking that Audi would like to cut cost in any way, remember the 96-98 A4's have the small passenger mirrors?).
I don't have the $$ now, but I will probably get one when I can afford it. The way I see it is that driving the car is a risky behavior. Not having a belly pan on just adds a little to that risk and also makes you worry, taking your mind off the road. So I would rather have it so I know everything on the car is the way it is meant to be from the factory (well, other than all the mods, but that is, um, acceptable risk).
My 2 cents.
Anyone know where to get one cheap? $120 quoted by local stealership
01-06-2005, 06:04 PM
#14
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Audi put that belly pan on for two reasons:
Cooling the engine/aerodynamics and airflow under the car, AND to make the engine quieter from outside the car. I believe ETKA calls this part something to the effect of sound insulation.
However I'd have to say 99.9% of the time, driving without it isn't necessary/detrimental.
However I'd have to say 99.9% of the time, driving without it isn't necessary/detrimental.
01-07-2005, 03:20 AM
#15
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but when you drive without one your engine bay temps are about 50 degrees higher...
iirc that's the number UrS4 came up with when he took his car to the track and experimented. Granted it's not the end of the world if you run without one, mine is only about half there now cuz of 9 years of use, but it's probably a good thing to have imho.
01-07-2005, 03:22 AM
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you could try a junk yard as well... they might have one at a more reasonable price... also
the nemo mirrors weren't a cost cut, they were to make the car more narrow to allow them to navigate the narrow streets and parking garages in europe. Just thought I'd letcha know 
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