Front Intake Blocked?

RJC · 12-04-2018, 12:48 PM

Hello!

I recently purchased the new X5 and noticed that the front intake near the tires are blocked with a plate of plastic.

Is this normal? If so, then is the grill just cosmetic?

yvnrg1981 · 12-04-2018, 12:56 PM

Just like on the old ones, the 5.0 has radiators down there for extra cooling so probably will be open for those models. The 4.0 probably doesn't or doesn't need the extra cooling. On the plus side if there are radiators down there you have extra protection from stones putting holes in them.

denniss · 12-04-2018, 12:59 PM

Mine is not blocked. Also 40i

denniss · 12-04-2018, 01:01 PM

i will take a look again today.

RJC · 12-04-2018, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denniss

i will take a look again today.

Thank you. Can others check as well?

I asked the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and they said it is supposed to be blocked but I've never seen this sort of thing before... My F36 has all of the front intake grills open.

RJC · 12-04-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvnrg1981

Just like on the old ones, the 5.0 has radiators down there for extra cooling so probably will be open for those models. The 4.0 probably doesn't or doesn't need the extra cooling. On the plus side if there are radiators down there you have extra protection from stones putting holes in them.

This is my first X5. Are you saying the older models have them covered up?

denniss · 12-04-2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJC

This is my first X5. Are you saying the older models have them covered up?

yes F15 2006 x5 3.5i had them blocked.

AndroidRobot · 12-04-2018, 01:41 PM

For what it's worth even my X3 M40i has one side close while the other is open

roadkillrob · 12-04-2018, 01:49 PM

My f15 has both sides blocked fully

RJC · 12-04-2018, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

For what it's worth even my X3 M40i has one side close while the other is open

interesting...

lumpydog · 12-04-2018, 01:56 PM

My 2013 E70 - blocked. Purely decorative and non-functional.

While you're looking, check the vents out behind the front tires as well - yup, decorative too!

Kief · 12-04-2018, 02:08 PM

My previous F15 35i, both sides blocked

RJC · 12-04-2018, 02:27 PM

Lots of decoration. I'm so confused as to why my F36 (428i) has all open vents while these SUVs don't. Thanks everyone for checking!

prizos · 12-04-2018, 04:36 PM

Amazes me how people still comment why design cues like these aren’t open. It’s quite simple. M Sport versions of standard BMWs are simply styling versions with the odd nicety like painted callipers and more expensive wheels to extracate more cash from your wallet. If you want a real m car then buy one... you will not regret it.

prizos · 12-04-2018, 05:08 PM

Just to reiterate ... if it’s an ‘M Sport’ version of a 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 or X version of a standard BMW it’s really just cosmetic.

RJC · 12-05-2018, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

My previous F15 35i, both sides blocked

Good to know. Thanks.

skalberti · 12-05-2018, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJC

Hello!

I recently purchased the new X5 and noticed that the front intake near the tires are blocked with a plate of plastic.

Is this normal? If so, then is the grill just cosmetic?

I looked at ours last night. The passenger side is open with an oil cooler sitting there and the driver side is closed off. The intercooler is front and center. There's a lot of ducts in the front that have the purpose of brake cooling and to move air around the tires.

RJC · 12-05-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skalberti

I looked at ours last night. The passenger side is open with an oil cooler sitting there and the driver side is closed off. The intercooler is front and center. There's a lot of ducts in the front that have the purpose of brake cooling and to move air around the tires.

Which model do you have? So one side is covered and the other is open?

skalberti · 12-05-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJC

Quote:

Originally Posted by skalberti

I looked at ours last night. The passenger side is open with an oil cooler sitting there and the driver side is closed off. The intercooler is front and center. There's a lot of ducts in the front that have the purpose of brake cooling and to move air around the tires.

Which model do you have? So one side is covered and the other is open?

40i Msport

r33_RGSport · 12-05-2018, 09:23 AM

Maybe it is sDrive and xDrive variant?
Based on the parts diagram, it is just a cover that you can remove from the back of the bumper.

denniss · 12-05-2018, 10:04 AM

One side open. Second closed on msport

AndroidRobot · 12-05-2018, 10:13 AM

Here are some pics, my car is pretty dirty after a month trip yesterday.

12-04-2018, 12:48 PM	#1
RJC First Lieutenant 179 Rep 301 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive45e Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (0)	Front Intake Blocked? Hello! I recently purchased the new X5 and noticed that the front intake near the tires are blocked with a plate of plastic. Is this normal? If so, then is the grill just cosmetic? Attached Images
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12-04-2018, 12:56 PM	#2
yvnrg1981 Second Lieutenant 101 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Manalapan, NJ iTrader: (0)	Just like on the old ones, the 5.0 has radiators down there for extra cooling so probably will be open for those models. The 4.0 probably doesn't or doesn't need the extra cooling. On the plus side if there are radiators down there you have extra protection from stones putting holes in them.
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12-04-2018, 12:59 PM	#3
denniss Captain 392 Rep 769 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Mine is not blocked. Also 40i Attached Images __________________ 2022 x4mc (gone) 2019 X5 40i M-Sport (gone) 2016 X5 35i M-Sport (gone)
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12-04-2018, 01:01 PM	#4
denniss Captain 392 Rep 769 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	i will take a look again today.
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12-04-2018, 01:41 PM	#8
AndroidRobot Major General 4328 Rep 6,121 Posts Drives: 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2022 Porsche Boxste ... [0.00]	For what it's worth even my X3 M40i has one side close while the other is open __________________ 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Gentian Blue 2023 Porsche Spyder Python Green (on order) 2022 BMW M3 Comp AWD IOMG/Kyalami Orange (SOLD) 2018 BMW M2 Mineral Grey(SOLD) 2019 BMW X5 50i Carbon Black/Tartufo (SOLD)
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12-04-2018, 01:49 PM	#9
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	My f15 has both sides blocked fully
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12-04-2018, 01:56 PM	#11
lumpydog Captain 691 Rep 978 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	My 2013 E70 - blocked. Purely decorative and non-functional. While you're looking, check the vents out behind the front tires as well - yup, decorative too!
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12-04-2018, 02:08 PM	#12
Kief Major General 4428 Rep 5,724 Posts Drives: '24 iX50; '23 i4 M50 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika iTrader: (26)	My previous F15 35i, both sides blocked Attached Images __________________ __________________ '24-I20 iX 50; '23-G26 i4 M50; '22-G82 M4Cx;20-G05 M50i; '20-F82 M4CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F80 M3CS; '18-F85 X5M; '18-G01 X3M40i; '18-F80 M3ZCP; '17-F80 M3ZCP; '15-F15 X5; '15-F82 M4; '12-E92 335is; '11-E70 X5d; '11-E89 Z435is;'09-E89 Z435i; '08-E92 335i; '06-E90 330i; '05-E83 X3; '04-E83 X3; '03-E46 325Ci* *retired
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12-04-2018, 02:27 PM	#13
RJC First Lieutenant 179 Rep 301 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive45e Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (0)	Lots of decoration. I'm so confused as to why my F36 (428i) has all open vents while these SUVs don't. Thanks everyone for checking!
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12-04-2018, 04:36 PM	#14
prizos New Member 6 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Amazes me how people still comment why design cues like these aren’t open. It’s quite simple. M Sport versions of standard BMWs are simply styling versions with the odd nicety like painted callipers and more expensive wheels to extracate more cash from your wallet. If you want a real m car then buy one... you will not regret it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-04-2018, 05:08 PM	#15
prizos New Member 6 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Just to reiterate ... if it’s an ‘M Sport’ version of a 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 or X version of a standard BMW it’s really just cosmetic.
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12-05-2018, 09:23 AM	#20
r33_RGSport General 12913 Rep 18,683 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	Maybe it is sDrive and xDrive variant? Based on the parts diagram, it is just a cover that you can remove from the back of the bumper. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
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12-05-2018, 10:04 AM	#21
denniss Captain 392 Rep 769 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	One side open. Second closed on msport Attached Images __________________ 2022 x4mc (gone) 2019 X5 40i M-Sport (gone) 2016 X5 35i M-Sport (gone)
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12-05-2018, 10:13 AM	#22
AndroidRobot Major General 4328 Rep 6,121 Posts Drives: 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2022 Porsche Boxste ... [0.00]	Here are some pics, my car is pretty dirty after a month trip yesterday. Attached Images __________________ 2022 Porsche Boxster GTS Gentian Blue 2023 Porsche Spyder Python Green (on order) 2022 BMW M3 Comp AWD IOMG/Kyalami Orange (SOLD) 2018 BMW M2 Mineral Grey(SOLD) 2019 BMW X5 50i Carbon Black/Tartufo (SOLD)
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