Removed my front plate with interesting result

[renegadewill]

I have a 98 323is and I recently removed my front plate and put on the Bav auto front plate delete. I love the way it looks.

I noticed on my commute that my car's temp gauge doesn't reach center until much later in my commute than when I had the front plate.

Recently I went on a 400 mile drive in the rain and temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. For most of the drive I averaged roughly 80 mph, getting around 35 mpg and the engine temp gauge was a little on the cold side the entire time. Only coming to the center when I stopped to fill up.

I don't think I have a broken thermostat, because the car doesn't guzzle fuel and it does reach temperature at times.

Is it possible that the front plate was restricting air flow to the engine? The car also feels like it has a little more power.

Just wondering. Thanks.

[slocar]

The plate hangs in the airflow, sure ... not much at all though compared to the total open surface area ... you still have the kidney grilles and most of the lower grille open even with the plate in place. I'd say it's probably placebo effect on the power and you just looking at the gauge from a different angle to see what you want. Alternatively, yes, a sticking thermostat would make the difference more pronounced I guess.

I can assure you that I have driven 2 of my e36s for a combined total of probably over 3 years with US plate mount, euro plate and the plate delete and not once did I see a difference in the temp gauge or the performance of the car.

[Eric93se]

Gimme a break! replace the thermostat. Maybe you will get 36mpg.

[E36 fanatic 325]

Not trying to steal your thread but my car runs colder also so this is a result of a sticking thermostat?

[MParallel]

The plate does hang slightly in the airflow of the rad (US plates are worse) but not airflow to the engine.