Happened to me too. Broke most of the tabs getting the driver side grill out then you can remove the other grill without any breakage of the tips as you can get at the back of it. You can then release the one post that is working by grabbing the cable with some needle nosed pliers (for me it was the passenger side that was still operational). I then took a hacksaw blade and cut the post off on the driver side (yes you can get at it like this). Took some time but did manage to cut it free. Hood then was able to open.

The parts are actually very reasonable in price. I replaced both post locks, both cables and the one post for less than $100 buying then from the stealership even!

BTW, I did find a thread on here somewhere giving me some guidance.

Good luck!

__________________
Cheers!
Bill

2002 X5 4.6is
Estoril Blue, born 11/01
~226,000km's
rebuilt tranny (11/12)
New paint (8/12)
Chain rails inspected and are good (01/13)