This is a great example for...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...3-edition.html

After looking at my bumper I have a curved piece that extends from the bumper to forward and attaches to the subframe. Is that what you are referring to?

Here is what I am talking about.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps2ea41f8b.jpg

Do you mean the flap (#8) which can be found in the parts diagram under VEHICLE TRIM (main group) & BUMPER, REAR (sub group) & at the link to the part nbr index: :D

It looks to me like the rounded bottom that goes into what I am showing is missing on his bumper.

X5Prof could use some photo tips from Green Dragon .... If its the two 'vertical' bars in the blurry picture, my guess, if you pull off the oval hitch mount location cover, you will see that PO Fox Mulder misinstalled a [perhaps] aftermarket trailer hitch, or part of it - perhaps an alien spaceship recovery hitch?

Rear bumper diffuser .. That's all.

This phone is really getting on my nerves. A pox on blackberry!

Hmm, yeah I guess it is a heat shield. It was so weird looking, the paranoid side of me was thinking it might be something more interesting. ;)
http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/...psaa90788b.jpg

If you look at mine, you'll see yours extends longer & is not bent under like mine.