Following an unusually heavy snow last weekend I heard a knocking / dragging sound emanating from the LF wheel well. Upon further investigation (taking a look under my E60), I discovered the reason for noise: the protective under body cowling / plastic cover that runs from the fire wall under the passenger cabin to the C pillar was separated from the undercarriage and dragging along the ground. I removed (tore) what was left of it away from the undercarriage.

Besides road noise being a bit louder and hearing pebbles and such smacking up against the undercarriage, is there a benefit to having it replaced?

My common sense is telling me that it was there for the protection of components in the underbelly of the car. Thought I would pose the question to the group before making further inquiries of my local dealer.

If I opt for replacement, this will definitely be something I would hire out to an indy and not to my local dealer's service operation.

Thoughts and opinions most definitely welcome.

 

Those plastic under-body panels protect the bottom and prevent rust. Besides protecting, those panels help airflow and help with fuel efficiency.

If I were you, I would buy that panel and take it to any mechanic with a lift and he should be able to put it up in 10 minutes. 9 of those minutes will be putting the car on the lift and raising it. :-)

 

if you daily drive the car, just replace it.
living in an area with snow and salt/sand on the roads they protect the undercarriage quite a bit and keep it clean along with the subframe

 

Also, that would be the side your fuel filter lives on....replace

 

I would replace it. They are there for air flow and sound suppression

 

OP has 2006 530 (with N52 engine). Fuel filter on that car is inside the fuel tank, not under the car.

Nonetheless, my vote is to replace that plastic under-body panel, especially in Michigan winters.

 

+1 - Rust inhibitor plus significant improvement in under car airflow and reduced drag.

If you occasionally do spirited driving at speeds greater than the speed limit , underbody panels reduce lift significantly by eliminating under body turbulence in airflow.