vetfever

Bolting the snows on to my new (to me) 2009 C4.

Kind of shocked to see there are no inner fenders on the back portion of the rear wheel well. Mufflers get sprayed with everything the rear tires throw up.

At first I thought something has got to be wrong - that they went missing from my particular car, but internet pics show that they're really aren't any?

As in the pic below...

scorcherjf

Yep, no inner fender in that area. The mufflers (C) and the cats (A) get extremely hot so any plastic liner near them would melt. They're metal so they'll hold up fine compared to plastic.

Brian 162

Inner fenders equal excess weight. I don't think 911's ever had them. My old SC didn't have them.

993GT

normally aspirated cars are open as you've seen...turbo models are enclosed

vetfever

I do smell the road oil(s) that have hit the exhaust when I pull into the garage and park it. Seems like these components will take quite the beating in winter.

Q: are there aftermarket metal shields one can install??? Otherwise regular spraying and cleaning will minimise I guess.

BIG smoke

What's that smell?
Is one of the joys of owning these cars.
Welcome.

pongobaz

I wouldn't worry about it too much. OE mufflers have held up amazingly well over the last 14 years including 8 winters on mine.

Montychristo128

Its all Stainless steel, so should not rot.

Imo000

These engines have a hard time shedding heat and probably the reason the rear wheel wells were left open. Tires are air pumps so having an open path to them will help with air movements for the engine.

docdrs

Great answer and reasoning, plus it makes for less to remove when doing maintenance