What are those connectors on top of my engine?

I've been puzzling over this one since the first time I opened the hood. What are those connectors? I haven't traced the wires yet but you can see them disappear somewhere down under the intake manifold just to the left of the red circle. My guess is diagnostics of some kind. The engine is a N52B30AE in my 2012 328i coupe. I've searched the usual parts sources - no luck. Any ideas?

I'm still looking for my dipstick and under hood insulator pad too, has anyone seen them?

Originally Posted by jpt

...I'm still looking for my dipstick and under hood insulator pad too, has anyone seen them?

Funny man

The connectors have no function on your engine. They are needed for the 330i. Your engine does not have a dipstick. Whether or not under-bonnet insulation is fitted seems to vary with the geographic market. I have it on my 325i. You can always retro fit it...

OK so I knew I was missing a dipstick, but now no bonnet either?

Where do I look for the bonnet ..........

Originally Posted by laser

OK so I knew I was missing a dipstick, but now no bonnet either?

Where do I look for the bonnet ..........

It may have been stored in the boot before the ship left Southampton.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

It may have been stored in the boot before the ship left Southampton.

Good thought but nope ..... no spare tyre there either!

Hmmn, I better get the jack out and look under the car for the spare tire. Good thing it came with a complete tool set just in case I find the loose screw that made these brilliant deletion decisions . . .

Phil325i, what do the connectors do on the 330? Wouldn't it have saved BMW a euro or two to delete them if they're useless on my car?

BTW, I already retrofitted the under hood pad. Sounds and looks better now but I can't fry eggs on the hood any more . . .

jpt

Originally Posted by jpt

Hmmn, I better get the jack out and look under the car for the spare tire. Good thing it came with a complete tool set just in case I find the loose screw that made these brilliant deletion decisions . . .

You'll have better luck finding those if you use your flashlight. The flashlight is in the seatback pockets.

Originally Posted by Squidget

You'll have better luck finding those if you use your flashlight. The flashlight is in the seatback pockets.

And while you're looking, set your travel mug in the handy heated/cooled cup holder in the center console. (Don't close the lid; the iPod case on the underside will probably get in the way.)

Originally Posted by laser

Good thought but nope ..... no spare tyre there either!

Man, I'd...sew!

PS, don't go looking for a jack.

Took me half an hour to find the locking-nut socket.

Originally Posted by laser

Good thought but nope ..... no spare tyre there either!

In my E93, the under-hood pad and spare tire are one, stored as a snow ski prophylactic at the rear pass-through.

The connectors OP noted are for the OEM inflation pump, limited to 32 lb pressure to inflate the 'spare.' Care should be taken to wrap the 'spare' fully around one's deflated unit prior to inflation.

Now, I'm surprised you don't know this. It is covered in the videos BMW asks you to watch when purchasing any vehicle sold in the USA.

.

Originally Posted by jpt

Phil325i, what do the connectors do on the 330? Wouldn't it have saved BMW a euro or two to delete them if they're useless on my car?

I seem to recall they are related to the operation of the two- (or is it three-?) stage inlet manifold only fitted to the 330i.

So if you debadge your car, and put a 330 on it, will the under hood bonnet, spare tire, flashlight, and dipstick appear?

Just asking...................:-)

Originally Posted by twhisten

So if you debadge your car, and put a 330 on it, will the under hood bonnet, spare tire, flashlight, and dipstick appear?

Originally Posted by twhisten

Just asking...................:-)

Well, let's see.....my car has a 330i designation on it and I have an under bonnet pad, a flashlight, backrest nets, a cooled console cupholder, and a three stage induction system.....so, it seems to work for the most part. I still don't have a dipstick, a factory jack or a spare and only about half the tools, so it's not perfect.

Looks like you nailed it Phil325i. The connectors are for two absent DISA valve motors that would be there if this engine had a three stage intake manifold.
I found a nice description of how they work here http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/10/22/58

I guess it's better than just leaving the wires hanging or um deleting them but why design a special clip just to display the useless things right on top of the engine? I'm still wondering if since the wires carry a direct ECU signal they might have some diagnostic value.

I've got to mention, other than BMW's peculiar choice of things to leave out of this car I really love driving it. Coming from an E46 325ci I find it to be considerably quicker especially accelerating from mid to upper RPM ranges. It has surprised me a few times with unexpected available power yes even for a 328i. Lots of fun - just like a BMW should be!

jpt

Had my 335i 2 months and it still feels like Christmas everytime I drive it.