Hood Vents

[drs]

I have seen a couple X5s with silver grills on the hood under the windshield washer nozzles. Does anyone know if the trim is available and will it fit an 2003? I called a dealer and he did not see it referenced in parts database and I did not see it advertised in the 2005 accessories catalogue.

drs

[adrian.b]

take a look here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-X5...QQcmdZViewItem

[Don Coffey]

A word to the wise. Adrain.b is pointing you in the right direction, however I brought a set of vents and grills of this guy and after only one month, the amount of paint that has come of is unreal. I don't know if I can prove it, but I believe that he has taken standard black grills and vents and then painted them himself. I will now have to strip down the grills and vents and repaint them myself. Hopefully doing a better job than him. The vents are not hard to take of, (just be careful not to snap the plactic retaining clips) and have a go at painting them yourself.

[pseto]

I don't think those will fit, it mentions 2004+. I thought MY 00-03 (pre facelift) had the older style vents and do NOT come in any other color but black. I think some people have painted the vents themselves.

[adrian.b]

Sorry, I didnt condone the seller at all, I just did a quick Ebay search and posted the first URL that came along. Personally I wouldn`t do that mod because I dont like the look of silver vents in my black bonnet (hood).

[ctm14]

The 2004 and newer 4.4 w/sport package come with the titanium grilles and air intakes. I have 2004 3.0 and replaced my existing black ones with titanium. I don't know if they are available for the pre-facelifted 03 but check the parts list for the 4.4 sport.

[BMERGRL]

I used a high quality plastic primer first and then used a high quality plastic Ti/textured paint and did the 'look' myself...if you take your time and paint in short bursts and allow the paint to fall onto the piece and not overshot it so it runs you'll achieve the look you want for $15.00 and you'll get to spend some quality time doing an easy mod on your "X".

Listen to what Don Coffey said above about the black plastic clips...they are too easy to snap off (they are located on the connection of the washer fluid tube to the vent assembly)

[RealShakaZulu]

Originally Posted by BMERGRL

I used a high quality plastic primer first and then used a high quality plastic Ti/textured paint and did the 'look' myself...if you take your time and paint in short bursts and allow the paint to fall onto the piece and not overshot it so it runs you'll achieve the look you want for $15.00 and you'll get to spend some quality time doing an easy mod on your "X".

Listen to what Don Coffey said above about the black plastic clips...they are too easy to snap off (they are located on the connection of the washer fluid tube to the vent assembly)

I've got about 3 vent hood threads going... how did you remove the vents (ie disconnect the hose and heater or the whole nozzle)???

[BMERGRL]

how did you remove the vents (ie disconnect the hose and heater or the whole nozzle)???

...while I was doing the mod...I had stop and post a question too.....the only think that comes apart is the 'thing' that looks like a connection w/ the tubes going towards it. This connection comes apart...there is a little clip that lifts up and then releases the parts that come together. This is where they break...you just have to release the pressure on them and then pull them apart.

The vents come away from the hood by depressing on all the square lil' plastic holders.....you have move them so they release from the metal tabs holding them in place.

The black square piece where the fluid comes out does not actually come off the vent assembly.

Hope this helps.....