Just another question

Peter Coomaraswamy

Peter Coomaraswamy

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I would have piggy-backed on the thread below but mine is so unrelated I thought a new one would be better; I also hope I don't upset anyone, remember- this is just a question!

While driving home today I noticed quite a few automobiles with chrome or "stainless" wheel arches. The drivers of these vehicles all seemed to be of the same ethnicity (although I'm not advocating "profiling"). As I have been fitting the finishing touches to my old gal, I recall that there are many 3.0CS-family cars that "sport" similar accoutrements. Is there a purpose for these pieces or are the simply ornaments on the CS, and if ornaments what do they symbolize? I think in the back of my mind I always wondered about this, I just never had a time and place to ask.

Thanks,
 
I believe the CSL's originally had them to cover the wider 7" rims of the Alpina wheels vs the stock 6.5."
 
The vast majority of these chromed fender trims fitted on cars is just for the "bling" factor. But there was a function to the oem chromed arch trims (much wider than aftermarket) when they were fitted to the factory CSLs (installed with 7X14" Alpinas). The CSL Alpinas with their fitted super wide 205 tires (fat at that time), slightly protruded past the fenders. Per German TUV regulations (then and now), no parts of the wheels and tires are allowed to protrude beyond the fenders, hence the fitment of the chromed arches.

This was also done to the later E24 M635Csi coupes fitted with the then humongous 415mm BBS/Michelin TRX wheel/tire system. This setup also protruded beyond the fenders, necessitating the added wheel arches, now in body colored plastic in place of chrome.
 
So what cars before the CSL had similar chrome arches?

FWIW, I just bought a set I and am quite stoked to get them on my car. I did a trial fit and they add some nice width, and as noted above the original fitment was to cover wider wheels so while they are bling today, they served a performance purpose in their day.

Not quite a bat kit or M3 box flares, but still there for a reason.
 
Way cool!

Allot of times when I show people not familiar with the e9 pictures on the web invariably there is/are an assortment of pictures/years. Many people have asked me; "why does that car have the chrome things over the wheels?" Now I can answer them... semi-intelligently!

Thanks!
 
I think sometimes they are there to complete the line of chrome along the side of the car, from bumper to bumper like.

I guess they can also serve a purpose as protectors of the wheel arches
 
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