Hi everybody.

I just have a quick question, which I hope someone is able to help me with!

Does a 2008 535d have the notorious swirl flaps fitted? And if it does, is it the same crappy version that would snap off, as on earlier BMW's?

Maybe this question has been answered before, but I couldn't really find a good answer anywhere...

 

I have a 2009, is it best to change them, it has done 100K

 

I think that 535d has a rubber flaps so it should be ok.

 

There is no such thing as rubber swirl flaps, only rubber covered metal flaps.

2008 535d has the swirl flaps too, but they are the newer reinforced ones. Same flaps that I had in my 2004 530d.. They are stronger than the older flaps, but there has been some problems with them too. The axel of the older swirl flap is 4mm thick, and the axel of the newer flap is 4.5mm .
Many who has removed these newer flaps from their car, have reported back that the flaps were very strong. It was the same when I removed mine, they were strong. However, I wouldn't trust they can't break.

- Antti -

 

Thank you very much for that reply! Very useful! :-)