Front bumper lower grill / mesh F13 650i X-Drive 2013

[Oizon]

Hello

Recently I noticed that one of the front bumper grills on my car is fake. For some reason it's the lower right grill. The right side grill ventilation path is blocked by a plastic sheet that is a part of that grill. I have an optional M-Sport packet installed from the factory. There were no accidents with this car.

Can anyone tell me if it's normal? Also maybe someone knows where I can order a "real" grill from my lower right bumper hole? I don't want to purchase a new bumper because of this. Not sure why that part is blocked but you can't ignore it once you noticed it.

[Opie55]

That looks like the original grill, but looks like somebody blocked it with a custom cut piece of plastic. I think step one is for you to investigate further to see if that plastic piece can just be removed. But yes, you can replace just the grill. You do not need to buy a new bumper.

EDIT See Modified Response Below.

[Opie55]

To modify what I just said, I just went to RealOEM.com and it shows that blocking plate as a separate part. But it is grayed out and not listed on the parts list. So it's a mystery to me what that was/is. I forget which cooler is behind there. My 2015 does not have that blocking plate, and I don't think I've ever seen one before. But it is clearly an original BMW part. I wonder if it was a cold climate thing to keep the transmission warmer or something. Anyway, look up your car by VIN on RealOEM and see if it's not grayed out. In any event, the good news is it is a separate part that can be removed.

[Oizon]

Thank you very much for your reply. I will try to check if this plastic sheet is removable and not a part of the grille itself. Hopefuly I won't have to buy a new piece. I'll ask to check this next time when I'll be visiting the car shop. Not sure If I'll be able to do it myself.

[Qsilver7]

Depending on your model/build date/options etc...the way your grill looks..it's probably supposed to be that way.
When you pull up the diagram for the M-bumper grilles...and click on the part nbr for the "shield" (#2)...it shows a list of other BMWs that use that same part.

It appears that the only US models that use it have the N55 engine (640i/640iX)...and no US market 650i/650iX uses that shield...but the EURO market does. So again, if your car has it, then its supposed to be their. Whether you leave it there...is up to you.

Lots of other BMWs have grilles that are similar...where one side is fully open and the other is partially open...and sometimes both grilles may be totally closed. It all depends on if there is something behind the grille that requires air flow. My 2014 F15 X5 is similar to yours...one side is fully open & the other side is partially open.

#2 - 51118050835

[Qsilver7]

Here's an example of my f15 where the front grilles are not alike...one is half open/half sealed (right side)...the other is mostly sealed with a small opening on the very end (left side).