Missing air inlet grill?

[trajanl]

I noticed today that my driver's side air inlet grill is missing! (See pic in case I'm not naming the part correctly.)

Has anybody experienced this? Do people steal these? Can they fall off? There's no other signs of vandalism, and I haven't hit anything.

Also, does anybody know if this is a part that simply snaps into place, i.e. will I be able to attach it assuming no mechanical knowledge?

Thanks for any insights!

[AYTifosi]

Maybe it wasn't installed properly or at all? Maybe it was removed for a service reason and not reinstalled?

Either way it can't be too expensive. It seems like it would just snap in place. Easy fix.

[SteveC]

Yes, that part just clips in. I hit a bird and it pushed mine out of its clips. Took a tech no time just to clip it back in

[CanAutM3]

I lost mine too this winter. During a big snow storm, my lower inlets got packed with snow due to hitting snow banks, I assume I lost it then.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by trajanl

I noticed today that my driver's side air inlet grill is missing! (See pic in case I'm not naming the part correctly.)

Thanks for any insights!

Your only error in naming this part is that it's a grille, not a grill. A grill is what you cook on.

[Brasko]

That's an easy fix. I had the same thing happen to my non-ZCP M3. It popped off after a thorough wash & detail sesh. Popped it back in with ease.

If I'm not mistaken, I think the part is actually called a "Bumper cover side bracket".

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Brasko

That's an easy fix. I had the same thing happen to my non-ZCP M3. It popped off after a thorough wash & detail sesh. Popped it back in with ease.

If I'm not mistaken, I think the part is actually called a "Bumper cover side bracket".

Actually this is the terminology, "Grille, air intake, open, left":

[Brasko]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Actually this is the terminology, "Grille, air intake, open, left":

Not if you purchase from the dealership. When I purchased a set to paint gloss black the dealership kept referring to it as a side bracket. GetBMWParts also refers to it has a bracket.

It's not a highly functional piece. The term "air intake" is deceiving.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Brasko

It's not a highly functional piece. The term "air intake" is deceiving.

Not sure what you mean by not highly functional? It's not the intake itself but it is an intake grille that keeps your upstream engine radiator from getting damaged by debris.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by Brasko

Not if you purchase from the dealership. When I purchased a set to paint gloss black the dealership kept referring to it as a side bracket. GetBMWParts also refers to it has a bracket.

It's not a highly functional piece. The term "air intake" is deceiving.

Realoem refers to it as "Grill, air intake, left" (and right).

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Not sure what you mean by not highly functional? It's not the intake itself but it is an intake grille that keeps your upstream engine radiator from getting damaged by debris.

I think he means it's blanked off, and no air flows through it.

Also, I think you picked the wrong part - looking here, you gave the name of #5 (Grill, air intake, open, left) not #8 (Grill, air intake, left).

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...63#51118056599

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

Your only error in naming this part is that it's a grille, not a grill. A grill is what you cook on.

[SD ///M4]

I think that the confusion arises from the fact that the OP didn't do a very good job describing the missing part. He said "air inlet grill" so naturally everyone looked at the big air inlet grille that dominated most of the picture, when it's actually the much smaller non-functional trim piece on the right side of the picture that's missing. Then GregW posted a diagram from realoem without actually indicating which number he was referring to and there was no description in the diagram. Then Brasko mentioned that his parts guy called it a bracket, which doesn't make any sense.

I agree with dinonz () that the part is actually #8 in the diagram, "Grille, air intake, left" and not #5, "Grill, air intake, open, left". The cost is ~$37.

[trajanl]

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I am referring to part #8.
I can't tell if the air that enters there really goes upstream or if it's more of a dead end.
In any case, I'm waiting to hear back from my service advisor at the dealership to see if they will cover it under warranty. Otherwise, I'll just buy it online and snap it in myself. I appreciate the feedback that it's a cinch to do.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by trajanl

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I am referring to part #8.
I can't tell if the air that enters there really goes upstream or if it's more of a dead end.
In any case, I'm waiting to hear back from my service advisor at the dealership to see if they will cover it under warranty. Otherwise, I'll just buy it online and snap it in myself. I appreciate the feedback that it's a cinch to do.

Okay, that's different; I see now in your photo the small one is missing. #8 is calle "Grille, air intake, left", without the "open". I don't think grille #5 is removable without removing the bumper. If it is, I'd like to know how to clean the radiator behind.

[bmrwrld]

Make a claim through your insurance.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Brasko

It's not a highly functional piece. The term "air intake" is deceiving.

Originally Posted by dinonz

I think he means it's blanked off, and no air flows through it.

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

I think that the confusion arises from the fact that the OP didn't do a very good job describing the missing part. He said "air inlet grill" so naturally everyone looked at the big air inlet grille that dominated most of the picture, when it's actually the much smaller non-functional trim piece on the right side of the picture that's missing. Then GregW posted a diagram from realoem without actually indicating which number he was referring to and there was no description in the diagram. Then Brasko mentioned that his parts guy called it a bracket, which doesn't make any sense.

I agree with dinonz () that the part is actually #8 in the diagram, "Grille, air intake, left" and not #5, "Grill, air intake, open, left". The cost is ~$37.

Originally Posted by trajanl

I can't tell if the air that enters there really goes upstream or if it's more of a dead end.

It is a functional element. It is the air intake for the "air curtain" over the front wheels.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It is a functional element. It is the air intake for the "air curtain" over the front wheels.

Right! I forgot about the "air curtain"! This was an element that was identified even on the M4 Concept Car in 2013. I never looked at mine closely enough to determine whether there was actually any air flow through it.

OP: Better get that replaced, otherwise it could be the cause of a Cars 'N Coffee mishap sending you into the median out of control because it changed the airflow on that side of the car!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

OP: Better get that replaced, otherwise it could be the cause of a Cars 'N Coffee mishap sending you into the median out of control because it changed the airflow on that side of the car!

[Gassy]

[trajanl]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It is a functional element. It is the air intake for the "air curtain" over the front wheels.

Strong work.

[xgroza]

So anyone tried calling BMW and replacing it under the warranty? Any success? Mine just disappeared yesterday.

Seems like 40 bucks is way too expensive for a small piece of plastic.