[Waise]

On our 2019 X7 40i with M sport package, both lower grilles are blocked (see pic). I was told on this bulletin that on X7 50i both side is unblocked for proper airflow and on X7 40i only driver side should be unblocked. I spoke with dealer, they said there are X7 that both side are blocked depending on options and BMW will never make that mistake 🤔

Does anyone know how to check for this? would this be from VIN number?

I am also taking it in to dealership for the lost front right ultrasonic sensor..

[CruiseControl]

I have posted about this a couple of times. You should ask the dealer what options determine open vs. closed. I would love to hear the answer to this question.

[unfoundnemo]

I don't think decoding the VIN would give any specific information other than finding the production date if you could confirm they made a production change, or if there is an option for this beyond engine type that nobody else was able to figure out yet. I would think they would have had to make a change since the driver and passenger side pieces likely wouldn't match, so you're talking about them fabricating a piece that wouldn't need to exist otherwise.

My 2020 X7 M Sport 40i is open on the passenger side. Production date 2019-10-13.

[iconoclast]

Anyone on here with 50i or M50i that has both sides unblocked? Mine is not and dealer said they dont have a p/n for a grill without the blocked back. Curious if I can just remove the backing or if there is a specific grill that is fully vented.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Anyone on here with 50i or M50i that has both sides unblocked? Mine is not and dealer said they dont have a p/n for a grill without the blocked back. Curious if I can just remove the backing or if there is a specific grill that is fully vented.

It is just the backing cover.

I have done this research since BMW uses the new style of side grill, starting on 2017 G30 5-series.
It consist of 2 pcs, the grill itself and the cover.

50i and M50i, I believe, have 2 oil coolers behind it, hence need to be open.

40i, I believe if you are equipped with two package or another package (forgot about this other one), you'll have an oil cooler on one side.

So, if you guys want to open it up, you can. Just need to remove the back cover.

[iconoclast]

50i and M50i are covered too. that is why i originally inquired with my dealer about a backless grill for mine and they stated part doesnt exist.

how does one remove the back cover?

[Waise]

It is interesting; I am at the BMW dealer. I looked at 8 X7 and X5 40i ; all have their lower passenger side grille unblocked with a cooler/condenser showing.

The dealer still thinks mine is OK as is both side blocked because BMW Engineers will not make a mistake like that.

So, I will not argue with her; since we have only one BMW dealership; I will try with a different person sometimes later.

[iconoclast]

Did you look at any 50i or M50i?
Is mine the only one blocked on the driver's side?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

50i and M50i are covered too. that is why i originally inquired with my dealer about a backless grill for mine and they stated part doesnt exist.

how does one remove the back cover?

You should be able to remove the cover by opening up the sides under belly cover to gain access to it.
The grill cover just held by clips.

Separate #6 from #5.

[iconoclast]

You're the best. I will take a gander tonight. Thanks!

[Waise]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Did you look at any 50i or M50i?
Is mine the only one blocked on the driver's side?

Unfortunately, I did not see any X7 or X5 50i on the lot. They did have X5M and both side lower grilles were open.

[iconoclast]

Different bumper and grill layout on the F95.

[jcarlilesiu]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Anyone on here with 50i or M50i that has both sides unblocked? Mine is not and dealer said they dont have a p/n for a grill without the blocked back. Curious if I can just remove the backing or if there is a specific grill that is fully vented.

yes, I have the 50i and both sides are unblocked.

I also have the towing package with transmission cooler.

[jcarlilesiu]

If I remember correctly, there is the option for two additional radiators down there.

One is an oil cooler the other is a transmission cooler.

If you get a 40i that doesn't have towing, then both are closed.

If you get a 40i with tow package, one side is open (transmission cooler)

If you get a 50i that doesn't have towing, one side is open (oil cooler)

If you get a 50i with towing package, both sides open (oil and transmission cooler)

[CruiseControl]

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

If I remember correctly, there is the option for two additional radiators down there.

One is an oil cooler the other is a transmission cooler.

If you get a 40i that doesn't have towing, then both are closed.

If you get a 40i with tow package, one side is open (transmission cooler)

If you get a 50i that doesn't have towing, one side is open (oil cooler)

If you get a 50i with towing package, both sides open (oil and transmission cooler)

Interesting, this is my first time hearing this. I have the 40i with tow package, one side is open.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

yes, I have the 50i and both sides are unblocked.

is it possible to post a photo?
curious to see how it looks.

[Waise]

jcarlilesiu what you posted is informative, thank you. I guess I will find out next week when they have to replace my lower driver side grille with missing ultrasonic sensor (my original issue). To do this, they have to remove the bumper. A nice hefty $990 job. I'm assuming my insurance will cover.

It is interesting that now the dealer says, there is possibility that my (*passenger side) lower grill may need to be unblocked, but they will find out once they remove the bumper. they said they had done some research 🤔

I told them if there is a cooler/condenser behind it, then I agree to make it unblocked which makes it a BMW error.

Now that I have the information you provided, I don't remember having the towing package because I didn't think I was going to tow anything with my X7.

Next week I will find out for sure at least that's what I'm hoping.

[CruiseControl]

Originally Posted by Waise

jcarlilesiu what you posted is informative, thank you. I guess I will find out next week when they have to replace my lower driver side grill with missing ultrasonic sensor (my original issue). To do this, they have to remove the bumper. A nice hefty $990 job. I'm assuming my insurance will cover.

It is interesting that now the dealer says, there is possibility that my driver side lower grill may need to be unblocked, but they will find out once they remove the bumper. they said they had done some research 🤔

I told them if there is a cooler/condenser behind it, then I agree to make it unblocked which makes it a BMW error.

Now that I have the information you provided, I don't remember having the towing package because I didn't think I was going to tow anything with my X7.

Next week I will find out for sure at least that's what I'm hoping.

Let us know how things go. Here's pics of mine, blocked on the drivers side.

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...96&postcount=1

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

If I remember correctly, there is the option for two additional radiators down there.

One is an oil cooler the other is a transmission cooler.

If you get a 40i that doesn't have towing, then both are closed.

If you get a 40i with tow package, one side is open (transmission cooler)

If you get a 50i that doesn't have towing, one side is open (oil cooler)

If you get a 50i with towing package, both sides open (oil and transmission cooler)

I have a 40i without towing and one side is open.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

I have a 40i without towing and one side is open.

Same here.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Waise

It is interesting that now the dealer says, there is possibility that my (*passenger side) lower grill may need to be unblocked, but they will find out once they remove the bumper. they said they had done some research 🤔

if that is the case then have warranty cover the sensor repair since they will be futzing around in the same general area to fix this error.

[jmciver]

I have a 40i with the passenger side open, but I also have the towing package (and there is a radiator in that spot). After looking at the parts catalog for a bit, specifically the section that has the remote radiator that comes with the trailer package, I think I may have an explanation. Beginning in 2020, BMW may have begun configuring some X7's with "Trailer Coupling Preparation", making it easier for dealers to do a complete trailer retrofit if wanted by the customer. If you look at the link below, you will see the different configurations, which include "Trailer Coupling Preparation" with option code S8SLA.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=17_1318

So, for those of you with the passenger side vent open and don't have the factory trailer package, decode your VIN to see if you have the trailer prep option code above. Below is the VIN decoder I have used a lot in the past:

https://www.mdecoder.com/

The only other explanation I can think of is that beginning in 2020, BMW maybe decided to add that radiator to all 40i X7's to allow for better cooling, regardless if the trailer package is installed or not.