What are they ?

[Martin62]

While I was looking under my car (for the first time!) I noticed 2 steel channel sections, one on each side to the rear of the front wheels, attached to the floor pan with free edges pointing down.
What are they for ?
I have not noticed them on any of my previous Coupes or convertible or Audi 90
Any ideas ?
I did wonder if they were to stop the exhaust or something like that ?

[K Simmonds]

They are indeed to protect the exhaust, namely the cat's.

[80Quattro]

I think the idea is that they hit the ground rather than the cats. One of mine clearly put up a bit of a fight while in the hands of the company the Police used to store it when they tried to move it with a fork lift truck, but that's another matter!

[Martin62]

Oh right.
That makes sense as my exhaust does seem to hang very low.
Cheers.

[mcandmar]

As above late model cars had them to protect the cats, i use mine regularly on the avant when i meet those nasty little metal speed ramps.