Originally Posted by babymog

I'll go back to '86 when a couple of Engineers at Mercedes were telling me about this new 124 turbodiesel: The idea of the panels is to control engine compartment temperature. There is plenty of airflow with the panels on, and clean air from the radiator. The engine heats quicker and stays up to temp, which is good for efficiency and engine life. Sound abatement is also good.

The airflow without the panel includes lots of high-pressure air under the car, competing with the air coming through the radiator. It also has more dirt for the engine, and more aerodynamic drag on the bottom of the car.

So in short; yes.