Could someone tell me how to access the bottom of the radiator on a '07 530i. I'm having trouble removing a plastic piece that I think can be removed to give me access to visually inspect the bottom of the radiator. I see two clips (photo) but the thing is not budging . Just afraid that I might break the plastic. I have a coolant leak in the bottom driver side of the radiator. Is that the location of the drain plug? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Those "clips" you have pointed to are part of the radiator fan shroud. When you drop the fan shroud into place those tangs slip into those slots.

Wife's X5 had a coolant leak and this is how I confirmed it was from the radiator. First, cleaned everything up with the hose and clean water. Took off the underside like you have done already. Dried everything with compressed air. Started up the car. After some time, I could see there was steam coming from the passenger side bottom the radiator. Used my inspection mirror and I could see the steam from underneath the car and some from looking in through the grill. Never was able to see an actual water running coolant leak. New radiator fixed the problem.

Removing the radiator is pretty easy. I spent the bulk of the time figuring out how the clips that hold the fan shroud in place work. The driver side clip flips forward and the passenger side clip is depressed. Once you do that the fan shroud comes right out easily.

 

Just remove the fan housing, super easy 10 minute job

 

+1

Once you figure out the clip configuration...super easy.

It's like a $400 part, but you may just want to have a replacement radiator on hand ready to go (since you'll be going through the effort of draining the coolant and disconnecting everything).