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I am purchasing a base model 2003 and I have a question about the appearance of the side vents. I see some pictures whereby the design features a ridge that splits the center from the vent opening and extends all the way to the rear of the door panel. I've seen pictures whereby the side vent is plain and does not feature the center ridge. What is the difference?
I am purchasing a base model 2003 and I have a question about the appearance of the side vents. I see some pictures whereby the design features a ridge that splits the center from the vent opening and extends all the way to the rear of the door panel. I've seen pictures whereby the side vent is plain and does not feature the center ridge. What is the difference?
I believe they are called spears and supposedly to help control air. My 03 z06 doesn't have them
They are BSMs (Body Side Moldings). They were an option from the factory. The idea is that they improve the flow of air around the car. I would advise you to pick whichever you prefer. They can be easily removed if you do not like them.
They are BSMs (Body Side Moldings). They were an option from the factory. The idea is that they improve the flow of air around the car. I would advise you to pick whichever you prefer. They can be easily removed if you do not like them.
Thank you, I couldn't find anything online, but I knew the forum would have the answer.
My BSM's probably saved me several hundred of repair dollars due to a very careless vehicle owner that parked next to me and left before my return.. I was able to heat treat the sizable dent in the BSM so the issue is barely noticeable. I keeping mine.
if you have them on use care in removing as some colors could be faded and leave a stripe there.
Since our cars are 20+ years old I don't think removing will do anything other than reveal a ghost stripe. The only time I wish I didn't have mine is when detailing the car.
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None of my three C5s had them, but I do not mind the way they look on the car. As stated, some like them, some don't. Fairly easy to remove if you don't.
When I bought mine, the dealer was emphatic that they were there purely to deal with careless door openers who parked next to your car. I got them, since the C5 was to be my primary vehicle including commuting. And I had a few dings in my 5.0 Mustang's doors...
IMO opinion they provide very little protection as most doors from vehicles parked next to you would hit the door above the BSM near the door handle similar to my C7Z in the picture below.
This is an ongoing 20+ year debate on them in terms of looks. Good news is they are fairly easy to remove if you don't like them. I’m the original owner of my 2004 and the car had them on when I drove it off the dealer lot. If I had ordered the car, I probably would not have checked the box. Over the years I thought about removing them and a kind Forum member even photo-shopped my car without them to give me a better idea on how it would look with the BSMs removed.
Quite honestly, I’m simply indifferent to them so I guess they’re staying on. Until I change my mind again….
I am the other side. I have them on mine and will soon be removing them, I think it looks better, cleaner, without them. Being Magnetic Red I am sure there will be a slight fade stripe as the rear hatch has where the rear emblem was. However being on the side I don't think it will be as severe, and no one has noticed the emblem spot on the hatch.
Read somewhere it is seven pounds of downforce. They are on mine and I like them
While technically it may provide 7 pounds it was found by ac ident in the wind tunnel per the book All Corvettes are Red.
7 pounds is not really any benefit.
Mine had them when I got it and based on the build sheet they were added.
I really have no preference either way.
Based on how often we get questions here many never noticed them for 20 plus years.
My take is too much fuss is made over such a small thing. If someone wants them more power to em. If not that is your right too.
I might recommend some read the Dr Suess book the Star Belly Sneetches.
some had stars some did not. They used to argue over who was right. Sone guy invented a machine that added starts or removed the. In the end they added and removed so much no one knew who had what to start with. Then the guy left town with all their money.
They found it really did not matter and they paid a big price to learn that. .
C5 2003 Side Vents
