AAA came and charged my battery after it had died. I don’t recall anybody taking the cover off in the past but this guy did and he swears the bolt was missing and it wasn’t him that lost it. Anybody know where I can find the official part or will just anything work from the hardware store?

 

I looked at the old pictures of my R56 and seems like there was nothing there on my car either.
Don't have a car any more to confirm, so don't just take my word for it. I know cowl was removed at least once during windshield replacement, so maybe it was lost at that time but even if it did I didn't notice any issues with that bolt or nut missing in 10 years driving, so definitely not too critical.

 

Mine is missing the same nut, I believe.

 

Just checked RealOEM and it could be part 51161943122 - Plastic capnut with washer, according to this diagram: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_6604

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...161943122~oem/




Yep those are it and they are self tapping into that plastic, if you over tighten they can come off. Takes a 10mm socket is i remember right.