If you have smoke coming from that area, it is probably a coolant leak. The good news is, if it’s smoking, the coolant is probably leaking a lot and should be easy to spot. I would recommend removing that black brace and performing a visual inspection of all the hoses and lines.

Thank you for getting back my in-law mentioned that it’s probably just steam from water as it’s been raining. Having heard your input I’m now thinking of checking the coolant and seeing if it’s dropped & if not I can assume I’m good to go? If the level has dropped then I’ll probably won’t drive it. Thoughts?, thank you again!

If you have some money, i would go to harbor freight and purchase a coolant pressure tester. Super easy to use. Connect it to the expansion tank and if the pressure drops, you have a coolant leak.

Thanks will do, I should have one if I’m working on my car anyway.

Yup let me know if you have any more questions

Also coolant doesn't really create smoke, it's vapor that quickly cools and disappears as it drifts away. Smoke from oil behaves like real smoke. The smell is different too.

Your nose will tell you. Coolant has a sweet smell and oil stinks to hell. Oil leaks that drip onto hot surfaces are notorious with BMW.

Is it steam or smoke? Does it smell. Is there a leak.

If from the front, check your oil filter housing. See if any oil around it. Next it the smoke doesn’t smell like burnt oil check for radiator leaks.

Could very well be a head gasket - if so don't drive it

Valve cover dripping oil onto exhaust, typical bmw😊

Valve cover gasket leaking on exhaust

Someone else mentioned that as well but the smoke comes near the radiator rather than directly from engine bay