[Chris_UNCHIP]

I want to install grille shutters on my X3 G01. Anyone knows how to wiring it ?

part: 51137497227 I think.

[swestland85]

Doesn't come this as standard?

[Chris_UNCHIP]

Originally Posted by swestland85

Doesn't come this as standard?

My G01 x3 doesn't come with grille shutters

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by Chris_UNCHIP

My G01 x3 doesn't come with grille shutters

Why would you want them? The benefit is negligible and they have been problematic on G12 and G30 vehicles.

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by Chris_UNCHIP

My G01 x3 doesn't come with grille shutters

Hmm, I though it was a standard on all models but apparently it doesn't. I can find only one reference in my brochure to it as "Active Air Stream kidney grille". But that's it, on the German brochure it's mention as standard option on xLine, M-Sport and Luxury line as "Active Air Stream Niere mit Nieren-Längs-stäben Vorderseite in Optik Aluminium satiniert". So it probably is market specific, not sure if it will be on mine.

Anyone knows if it is listed as an option code on anyone's VIN option list?

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by swestland85

Hmm, I though it was a standard on all models but apparently it doesn't. I can find only one reference in my brochure to it as "Active Air Stream kidney grille". But that's it, on the German brochure it's mention as standard option on xLine, M-Sport and Luxury line as "Active Air Stream Niere mit Nieren-Längs-stäben Vorderseite in Optik Aluminium satiniert". So it probably is market specific, not sure if it will be on mine.

Anyone knows if it is listed as an option code on anyone's VIN option list?

It's generally regions with hot climates that don't get them, I assume you will get them in Netherlands?

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

It's generally regions with hot climates that don't get them, I assume you will get them in Netherlands?

I assumed we get it, but looking at pictures of X3's on the stock of dealers it shows all grilles being 'open'. (https://bmw-ekris.nl/bmw-occasions/b...benzine/319289 and https://bmw-ekris.nl/bmw-occasions/b...benzine/326743)

Or is the default setting sets the grill 'open'? So I'm not sure about it.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by swestland85

I assumed we get it, but looking at pictures of X3's on the stock of dealers it shows all grilles being 'open'. (https://bmw-ekris.nl/bmw-occasions/b...benzine/319289 and https://bmw-ekris.nl/bmw-occasions/b...benzine/326743)

Or is the default setting sets the grill 'open'? So I'm not sure about it.

That's Interesting, I thought the active grills would be on all euro models but I am obviously wrong

Mine are closed all the time when car is off, I have never noticed them open at all but maybe I have not looked at right time

If yours doesn't come with them it would be a worthwhile upgrade although there maybe a reason that they aren't fitted?

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

That's Interesting, I thought the active grills would be on all euro models but I am obviously wrong

Mine are closed all the time when car is off, I have never noticed them open at all but maybe I have not looked at right time

If yours doesn't come with them it would be a worthwhile upgrade although there maybe a reason that they aren't fitted?

Hmm, I further investigated this comparing diesel cars and petrol cars and it looks like it's only on diesel cars.
Here's a 30d from Germany with active kidneys: https://suchen.mobile.de/auto-insera...ction=parkItem

Here's a 30d from Holland, with active kidneys: https://www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/bm...8-4d91337610b6
And a 20d from Holland, with active kidneys: https://www.ekris.nl/bmw/voorraad/bm.../diesel/274670
And a 20i which doesn't have it: https://www.ekris.nl/bmw/voorraad/bm...benzine/319289

Diesel engines need to heat up before they operate well, a cold diesel you need to run soft and wait for the oil to become warm after that you can push it. That could be a reason why it's just on diesels as they benefit the most from a quicker warm-up time. Probably it will also reduce emissions.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by swestland85

Hmm, I further investigated this comparing diesel cars and petrol cars and it looks like it's only on diesel cars.
Here's a 30d from Germany with active kidneys: https://suchen.mobile.de/auto-insera...ction=parkItem

Here's a 30d from Holland, with active kidneys: https://www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/bm...8-4d91337610b6
And a 20d from Holland, with active kidneys: https://www.ekris.nl/bmw/voorraad/bm.../diesel/274670
And a 20i which doesn't have it: https://www.ekris.nl/bmw/voorraad/bm...benzine/319289

Diesel engines need to heat up before they operate well, a cold diesel you need to run soft and wait for the oil to become warm after that you can push it. That could be a reason why it's just on diesels as they benefit the most from a quicker warm-up time. Probably it will also reduce emissions.

UK petrol model seem to get it, my 40i has the shutter and I looked at a few used 20i models and they have it as well, not sure why it should be different with us being so close

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01807288906852

[swestland85]

Hmm interesting, and a bit strange as I would assume our weather climates are similar. But probably BMW UK made a different decision than BMW NL. Anyway good to know it's different for each market.

[Seaz]

I would code them open if i could. I find they reduce performance , these engines get hot

[TreDirtyFive]

I am actually trying to figure out if I can code mine to stay open at all times with the crazy temps we are getting in SoCal right now. They always close when I park and keeps ambient heat in the engine bay skyrocketing. No bueno.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by swestland85

Hmm interesting, and a bit strange as I would assume our weather climates are similar. But probably BMW UK made a different decision than BMW NL. Anyway good to know it's different for each market.

I'm not sure if I'm seeing things but this UK one looks like it doesn't have the grills

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01808119376598

Maybe it has also changed here so they're not included?

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by MarkyM

I'm not sure if I'm seeing things but this UK one looks like it doesn't have the grills

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01808119376598

Maybe it has also changed here so they're not included?

Looks like it doesn't have it. I was browsing the part catalog and I wondered how the parts where for the active kidney. I found out you can actually see if you car has the active kidneys in your VIN options list.
If you look here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_5795 you will see there is an option called CO2 package with Air flap control S1CBA=Yes. So this option is on my VIN decode and would assume this is the active kidney grill.

[titomi]

To add more confusion to this, I have seen a G01 xdrive20i with active kidney grills here in NL (or at least it looked like that, I cannot see the radiator or what is behind the grills). It was an Xline, didn't have the radar (so no active cruise control) but not sure about other specs that can be related to the grills.

[j1980mac]

Has anyone figured out how to code them open yet?

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

Has anyone figured out how to code them open yet?

Interested as well. Maybe Stephen BimmerCode

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Interested as well. Maybe Stephen BimmerCode

Thanks, I just asked him on the coding thread here on the forum.

[dan321]

BMW says the active kidney grills are there for aerodynamics and to improve milage.

ACTIVE AIR STREAM KIDNEY GRILLE.
The Active air stream kidney grille knows when engine, brakes and other components need air and automatically opens the air vents. If no further air intake is required, it closes them again. This improves aerodynamics, and fuel consumption falls.

https://www.bmw.cc/en_CC/topics/fasc...odynamics.html

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by dan321

BMW says the active kidney grills are there for aerodynamics and to improve milage.

ACTIVE AIR STREAM KIDNEY GRILLE.
The Active air stream kidney grille knows when engine, brakes and other components need air and automatically opens the air vents. If no further air intake is required, it closes them again. This improves aerodynamics, and fuel consumption falls.

https://www.bmw.cc/en_CC/topics/fasc...odynamics.html

Yeah I know it says that, but I've never seen it open. Must be a sneaky little flap.

[Zirenz2006]

I've seen mine open once this summer after I pulled in the garage...there was also a fan running, shortly after it stopped I watched the grills close