M400 / Front Splitter

[madmax2000]

Why doesn't the M4OO have a front splitter?

Cheers
MAX

[joust]

Cause some hooligan took it off???

Seriously, the factory have said before that it doesn't make that much difference.

J

[Micknall]

No front splitter on the M400. It's merely a cosmetic addition on standard M12s, and its deletion on the M400 is in keeping with that models 'no frills' remit.

[MisterX]

Micknall said:

No front splitter on the M400. It's merely a cosmetic addition on standard M12s.

If it is now considered just cosmetic, I'm tempted to remove it forthwith from mine because the benefit of the extra ground clearance is far in excess of the cosmetic value.

However, two questions: 1 - will removal leave any unsightly holes (can't tell from sitting in my office, with car at home!), and 2 - in situ, does the splitter give protection to the shell, in other words act as a bit of a buffer incase of catching the front on curbs etc?

[buxton]

Given the limited ground clearance with the splitter on, you are bound to have more damage overall with it fitted as your more likely to hit stuff. Most road access would be easier as it is always the splitter that catches ramps or curbs.

The question may be, does it strengthen the front edge of the car? but since the M400 and the GTC don't have the splitter I guess it doesn't and hence it is more cometic than structural.

Brian

[obes]

I must admit, I thought about taking it off when I saw the M400 but after scraping it on a ramp this morning , I decided to leave it on and let it take the punishment rather than the paintwork!! A black marker pen is much easier to use on the splitter than a Merlin Purple touch up kit on the nose !!!

[MisterX]

obes said:

I must admit, I thought about taking it off when I saw the M400 but after scraping it on a ramp this morning , I decided to leave it on and let it take the punishment rather than the paintwork!! A black marker pen is much easier to use on the splitter than a Merlin Purple touch up kit on the nose !!!

Agreed, but without the splitter there may have been no scrape anyway. Having paid (last year) to replace a damaged splitter I guess what I'll probably do is wait til I knacker it again and just take it off rather than buy a new one.

[geoffreytaylor]

Mole Valley tell me they are always replacing splitters at "only £175" a go. Apparently they cut the old one away from the one piece moulding. They have also advised grinding some of the bottom lip away. Could be a problem for me when I get my car - borrowed an old 308 GTB and the front spoiler kept grounding on my drive.

[m12_nathan]

"Apparently they cut the old one away from the one piece moulding."

No cutting required - the splitter bolts on.

[amg merc]

I wish I'd know this a couple of weeks ago! I'm on my 2nd splitter (after onlt 2.5 months!) and could have saved the cash! As a thought; what about removing the splitter then, to protect the underlip, Aralditing on a stainless stell plate - this won't show and will protect the underside?!
PS - I have 1/4 inch trimmed off of the splitter and it helps a lot.

[jdh1]

I could have sworn the pictures of the M400 I've seen showed a front splitter! There's definitely something there anyway.

[ashp]

buxton said:

Given the limited ground clearance with the splitter on, you are bound to have more damage overall with it fitted as your more likely to hit stuff. Most road access would be easier as it is always the splitter that catches ramps or curbs. The question may be, does it strengthen the front edge of the car? but since the M400 and the GTC don't have the splitter I guess it doesn't and hence it is more cometic than structural. Brian

I didn't know the GTC doesn't have a splitter - did I miss something ?

[m12_nathan]

Don't worry guys - could be worse, instead of the splitter scaping as you go up ramps the whole rear diffuser could fall off for no reason.

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=98492&f=7&h=0

</for barefoot's benefit>