Belly Panel removed
 

I removed the "belly Pan" from my 400e a few years ago and maybe it picks up a bit more dust/dirt under the hood,I don't know, but my temp is a whole LOT better than on the 500e. Is / has anyone else taken the "belly" pan off their 500e or 400e? If not , why not?

One problem with removing that noise encapsulation tray on a 500E is that it holds the fender liners in place-if you do not find another way to hold the liners in place, they'll get sucked into a wheel and destroyed.

I also think you'd be screwing with the airflow under the body, which is something as I understand is very carefully established.

I'm keeping mine in place, FWIW

Just add another screw
 

I have a screw added to the leading most edges of the fender liners on my 400e conversion and it hold just fine. Yeah I learned the hard way as the Body shop did not put a fastener of any sort there when I picked it up.

Michael is right on! The management of airflow under the body is as important as over the body. The engine pan is critical to maintaining downforce and low drag.

Well guys, I'm usually the first one to say you shouldn't argue with German engineers,,,,,,, but I remove my stock pan from my 500e every spring and don't put it back on until the fall.

Even though I have a RennTech radiator in my car it still will want to run hot when moving slowly through town during hot/muggy days. Removing the panel helps keep it cool. It makes a noticeable difference in my car.

The car also sees speeds well over 100mph at least a couple of times a week(for a good 10 miles or so), and I haven't had any problems with handling/ or my inner fenders.

(although) I do have a couple of extra scews in the corners of my front spoiler(for my brake ducts) which are probably helping hold the fened wells in place.

Just another data point... 91 and newer 911's (964 and 993 models) have a "belly pan" under the engine as well. The factory claims it aids in aerodynamic efficiency. However, all of the factory race cars (Cup Cars) run without these engine covers in place. Oil temperatures are much reduced as a result; also, the exhaust valves have much less wear.

The reason the factory wanted 911 owners to keep the cover on was so the car would meet lower sound restrictions in parts of Europe.