While pulling into an inclined parking spot my 2003 540i6 bottomed out on the driver's side front end and cracked the black plastic underbody piece that fits right behind the front bumper on the bumper's corner. Since the part has vents in it, from the Pacific BMW part diagrams I'm guessing this is a "Brake cooling Left - 525i,528i, 530i & 540i - 525i,528i, 530i & 540i 97-03 $13.11". Two questions: (1) did I get the right part? (diagram is not clear & price seems low) and (2) how tricky is the install?

cross reference the part numbers with realoem.com

cross reference the part numbers with realoem.comThanks for the link, still not sure but maybe item 23 in "E39 540i FRONT BUMPER TRIM PANEL (FROM 09/00)" (for SN GF71067) at realoem.com (sorry i'm not permitted to post links).

UNBELIEVABLE>
I always have to watch the front becasue its so low.
Is it just the sport ? Or do reg 5series have the same low nose problem?
I had slammed cars that cleared the parking lumps and my 540i/6 dont:confused

... Is it just the sport ? ...I remember reading somewhere that the sport suspension was something like an inch lower than non-sport.

Wrt underbody plastic, from snooping around realoem, there appears to be three types of front trim:

FRONT BUMPER TRIM PANEL (UP TO 9/00)
FRONT BUMPER TRIM PANEL (FROM 09/00)
M TRIM PANEL, BUMPER, FRONT(SA715)

Per my original append, I'm having trouble sorting out the different parts, but from what I can tell there is no difference in the underbody (plastic) parts (eg air duct is same for all three).

I actually have one off my 525 but i doubt it will fit. Ask Jonmcc, he might have his 540 cover laying around. Its a VERY easy install. Pop on , screw on, relax.

... but i doubt it will fit ...
Yeah ... I finally tracked down the part at realoem under "vehicle trim => mounting parts, engine compartment". It's a: "lower left engine compartment cover" and there are several variations. For the "M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE" (MTECH?) its a $95 part (#51712694899), for all other trims its < $20. Also, apparently for MTECH there two versions one "WITH BRAKE AIR CHANNEL" and one "WITHOUT BRAKE AIR CHANNEL". I'm pretty sure mine is a "WITH", but wasn't the MTECH trim only offered on the 2003 540s with sport option or was it used in other years / models? Any explanation on the presence / absence of the air channel?

... Its a VERY easy install ...
Thanks ... I'll give it a try.

are you talking about the piece I circled on my car in the pic below? if so then that is indeed the correct part and part # you need if the "right" side is considered the drivers side (I think it is, correct?)...you do need the one with the brake duct :)

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd283/jonmcc/100_2564a.jpg

the part is $73 online from tischer bmw
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214336

and $71 online from crown bmw
https://secure.webmakerx.net/Default-2.aspx?hostname=parts.crownauto.com

are you talking about the piece I circled on my car in the pic below? ... Yup, that's the part. Just noticed a post from today on "M-tec brake duct 'extensions'?" I guess the M5 is the other model with MTECH trim and the M5 is the "WITHOUT" and the 540 is the "WITH". Also, thanks for the links!

... you need if the "right" side is considered the drivers side (I think it is, correct?)...Also, Thanks for the heads up, I would have guessed "left" side, I'll check before I order.

Also, Thanks for the heads up, I would have guessed "left" side, I'll check before I order.

now that I think about it and after a few minutes on google I think youre right, the drivers side is the left side :) so that means your part number is 51-71-2-694-832

... 51-71-2-694-832 ...hmmm ... i'm looking at realoem data ... wouldn't that be 51712694899 ?

My right side is cracked - - who cares really. I am not going to replace it because it will only crack again. :eyecrazy

hmmm ... i'm looking at realoem data ... wouldn't that be 51712694899 ?

well damn...the source I was looking at says 51-71-2-694-832 is the left side, but I would trust realoem over all else. sorry about that, I guess my advice is a bit off tonight. that'll teach me to post when Im tired :embarrasm

My right side is cracked - - who cares really. I am not going to replace it because it will only crack again. :eyecrazy

I care, if mine was cracked I would replace it asap. its pretty visible and Ive seen e39s driving down the road with cracked ones before, it looked pretty rough...

I care, if mine was cracked I would replace it asap. its pretty visible and Ive seen e39s driving down the road with cracked ones before, it looked pretty rough...

Visible if you are a midget. My car rides low to the ground and with Mtech OEM you cant see crap unless you get down on your hands/knees and look under the car. Since only the underside is cracked (not the side) at least on my car it is not visible at all. BTW I can respect being particular its just that when I make right turn out of any driveway, unless I drive like a snail, it usually touches a bit so I would be replacing it every week.

Visible if you are a midget. My car rides low to the ground and with Mtech OEM you cant see crap unless you get down on your hands/knees and look under the car. Since only the underside is cracked (not the side) at least on my car it is not visible at all. BTW I can respect being particular its just that when I make right turn out of any driveway, unless I drive like a snail, it usually touches a bit so I would be replacing it every week.

lawlz :rofl

yeah if its the underside and not visible then I could see leaving it alone. Ive just seen a few M5s where the outside edge is cracked up or some pieces have broken off and it looks awful. b/c you can definitely see it when youre driving beside them on the hwy a couple lanes over.

HEY!!!

My 97 sport dont have that black plastic piece.?
Why?
I know the pictured one above looks like an m bumper,is that why?

HEY!!!

My 97 sport dont have that black plastic piece.?
Why?
I know the pictured one above looks like an m bumper,is that why?

Danny, look at your specific model/year on realoem.com and you'll be able to easily answer this question yourself.

... My 97 sport dont have that black plastic piece.?Seems like there should be some type of cover there. Here is the realoem link

www-dot-realoem-dot-com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DN53&mospid=47588&btnr=51_2427&hg=51&fg=75

They list something like 5 different versions of the part depending on year, model, and trim.

Just repair it with some pure silicon which can be had in black. Who can see it anyway and how will you feel when you crack it again? You could likely salvage the duct from your old one if you are handy. Forgettaboutit!