Shutters in my Nostrils
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: UK
My Ride: Please see signature
Replacing my standard grilles with chrome ones from eBay, I noticed that I have plastic horizontal "shutters" (not sure how else to describe them) behind my grilles in the "nostrils" of my car.
In the current cold weather, they seem to be closed all the time - I am guessing that in warmer weather they open up to let air flow through the radiator. Many years ago my father used to block his radiator grille with cardboard or hardboard in the winter for just the same thing.
I have noticed that several members' cars don't seem to have these - in pictures you can see the radiator clearly behind their grilles.
So my question is: are these a regional thing, or an engine-type thing? Who gets them, and who doesn't?
Here's mine:
And here are two E60s that don't seem to have them at all:
And one that does (this one's a Sport, so it's not a Sport / non-Sport thing):
In the current cold weather, they seem to be closed all the time - I am guessing that in warmer weather they open up to let air flow through the radiator. Many years ago my father used to block his radiator grille with cardboard or hardboard in the winter for just the same thing.
I have noticed that several members' cars don't seem to have these - in pictures you can see the radiator clearly behind their grilles.
So my question is: are these a regional thing, or an engine-type thing? Who gets them, and who doesn't?
Here's mine:
And here are two E60s that don't seem to have them at all:
And one that does (this one's a Sport, so it's not a Sport / non-Sport thing):
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Providence, Rhode Island
My Ride: 2005 545i Titanium Silver/Black/Poplar: Steptronic, Sport, Cold Weather, Premium Sound, Comfort Seats, Sat Radio, NAV & Shades
I noticed you have a diesel. Maybe it is a diesel/non-diesel thing. I don't have a diesel and I don't have those.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Liverpool, United Kingdom
My Ride: E60 530Dse
I have a diesel and I have them 
must be to keep it warm at night 
They open up at speed only done so by the wind mind as if I take it to a car wash and was it with the water spray you can see them open up..
must be to keep it warm at night They open up at speed only done so by the wind mind as if I take it to a car wash and was it with the water spray you can see them open up..
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Bucharest, Romania
Search the forum...it's been discussed before.
If i remember correctly it has to do smth with the heating of the engine (helps warm up the engine quicker).
Also if i remember correctly it depends on the zone where u live. It'a local thingie regardless if it's a diesel or not.
I don't have them.
If i remember correctly it has to do smth with the heating of the engine (helps warm up the engine quicker).
Also if i remember correctly it depends on the zone where u live. It'a local thingie regardless if it's a diesel or not.
I don't have them.
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From: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Stourbridge, UK
My Ride: 535D Sport Auto
I don't have them on my UK car as I understand from previous threads its just extreme cold weather countries that get them. I think my car should have them as it takes an age for the engine to warm up before the heater starts to work. :thumbsdown:
and I don't have them, it is a Diesel thing.
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by red-max' post='230918' date='Jan 28 2006, 03:57 PM
Replacing my standard grilles with chrome ones from eBay, I noticed that I have plastic horizontal "shutters" (not sure how else to describe them) behind my grilles in the "nostrils" of my car.
At least my car has, maybe it has something to do with the cold weather package?
They have nothing to do with the grill, they are behind it.
Now in the winter time they seem to be shut most of the time.