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      06-21-2014, 02:24 PM   #1
oscr972
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DIY: M Performance Grille Installation

Below is a link to the F30 board thread so you don't have to search.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=701830

A couple of differences with our 2series:
There are 6 torx screws vs 8 in the F30
The grilles have three clips top, two bottom and one on each side

Last edited by oscr972; 06-23-2014 at 07:28 PM.. Reason: Additional info
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      06-21-2014, 06:20 PM   #2
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Just did this and it is not as easy as it looks. Pulling the bumper only allow me to unclip the top 3 and the rest wouldnt come off

I end up ripping two slants to get access
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      06-21-2014, 06:53 PM   #3
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You took out the wrong bolts, I almost made the same mistake. You pull the black weather stripping off in front of the bolts you took out instead. Once off, you will see all the smaller Torx screws that come out with only hand tight pressure on them. The bumper then pulls out a good 4-5 inches to easily get behind and release the tabs.
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      06-25-2014, 02:42 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Delnari
You took out the wrong bolts, I almost made the same mistake. You pull the black weather stripping off in front of the bolts you took out instead. Once off, you will see all the smaller Torx screws that come out with only hand tight pressure on them. The bumper then pulls out a good 4-5 inches to easily get behind and release the tabs.
I did pull the weather stripping and release the bumper few inches...still was only able to get the top taps released, couldnt get the sides

I rather break the stock grills that I'll never reuse than break the bumper
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      06-25-2014, 06:09 PM   #5
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I installed mine last night. It was super easy, and had no problems getting to the clips but then I have small hands though so that helped.
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      06-25-2014, 07:38 PM   #6
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i have pretty big hands, but after you get the technique going its pretty easy. i did come out with a few scuffs on my hand though
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      06-25-2014, 08:32 PM   #7
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the key is to get one grill out and use the opening of the first grill to get the other one out
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      01-05-2015, 08:50 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
the key is to get one grill out and use the opening of the first grill to get the other one out
The first grill is the issue if you have big hands and/or forearms (I'm cursed with both). Took 30 minutes to carefully remove the first one. I had to use tools to get to the bottom and side ones. Once the first grill was out it took 10 minutes to finish the job.

Last edited by tke743; 01-05-2015 at 10:26 AM..
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      01-05-2015, 11:48 AM   #9
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I have small hands and forearms, but I still felt more comfortable with a long flathead screwdriver wrapped in electrical tape. I used it to push at the clips.
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      02-22-2015, 08:46 PM   #10
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Another way to do it.

If you happen to have these lying around, here's an easy way to do it... Need a Mirror on a stick and a trampoline spring puller. Then, find the clip with the mirror, stick the puller in through the slat to pull on the tab, and give the grill a yank to free that tab. Takes a bit of finesse with the pressure, but it works. The second grill after getting the first one off is literally 20 seconds. No bumper removal!
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      03-31-2015, 11:35 AM   #11
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I just did the grill swap.

I tried pulling the bumper out but it wouldn't move more than a couple of inches. It didn't feel right so I ended up using a bent fork to manipulate the tabs, which after finding the right technique worked like a charm.
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      03-31-2015, 03:26 PM   #12
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I did mine a few days ago, did the pulling method, very easy since my wrists are not too big!

caution: you can get cut in the process.... lol
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      03-31-2015, 09:01 PM   #13
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Per my other thread, did any of y'all happen to notice if the front center PDC sensors were accessible with the grills removed? I'm hoping to avoid spending $400 at the dealer to have the front bumper removed to do this job.

Thanks.

Bob
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      04-08-2015, 02:47 PM   #14
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I used one of these thru the slats. Works a treat !
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shires-Woode.../dp/B002YA551S
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      04-08-2015, 03:21 PM   #15
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I used method of removing top bumper fasteners but I was not able to remove bottom two tabs as they were almost impossible to reach.
I looked around in the garage for suitable tool and found caulk applicator gun has a long rod with u shape end.
I use it and was surprised how easy it was to remove two tabs (30 seconds max) and thought that would have been a viable solution.
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      04-08-2015, 04:18 PM   #16
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Cut out your stock grills if you have no use for them, that's the easiest method. I tried the method above and couldn't get to the bottom clips. Grilles were in 5 minutes after I decided to cut.
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      04-08-2015, 04:21 PM   #17
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No need to cut. Even a long screwdriver taped with electrical tape will work. That is what I did. Removed the bumper slightly pulled forward and shoved the screw driver down, positioned the end against the clip and pushed down the clips while sliding the grill forward to catch. Continued with the rest.
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      04-18-2015, 05:37 PM   #18
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Tried doing this just now (the non-bumper removal method) and am having some trouble. I can bend the clip with a tool I taped together but I couldn't pull it out. So I stuck a camera in there and noticed this black material where the clip is supposed to go through when pressed. That supposed to be there? Am I supposed to pull the clip through that? Pics below (links to imgur, sorry can't attach pics with phone)

this is the bottom clip, viewed from the right)
(right above the clip is the black material)
http://imgur.com/dVzWxhB

(clip pressed upwards to release but doesn't seem to be anything for it to go through?)
http://imgur.com/wctp21x

I didn't want to keep pulling cuz the bumper was starting to move a lot. Appreciate any input!
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      04-18-2015, 06:00 PM   #19
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Give it one more go. I gave up after the first attempt but reshaped my BMW Grille Fork (tm) and once I found the right technique it was quick work. Try to pull the grill out after each tab has been pushed in to keep it from snapping back in locked position. You should be able to feel and hear the tabs click down into the clip when you get it right. In the second pic it looked like you're not touching the actual tab. Good luck!
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      04-18-2015, 06:42 PM   #20
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Are you pushing the tabs down and outward? Looking at the tabs at my old ones, the piece that locks in place is on the outside of the tab, so in reality you should be pushing the top tabs down, the bottom tabs up, and the side tabs inward. Look at the new ones to get an idea.

Other than that, as previously stated, get one clip to lock and pull it as much as possible. Then work on the next one. Push and pull to lock it and then continue repeating.
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      04-22-2015, 02:05 PM   #21
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I haven't done this before because I wasn't willing to remove the bumper.

So the two methods for replacing the grills without removing or moving the bumper are:

1: Brake one grill, take it out, reach in thru the broken grill and pull the tabs by hand on the grill that's not broken.

2. Use a tool to pull the tabs of the grills and pull the grills out after pushing on the tabs with the tool?

Am I correct?


And LAST:

Im assuming the new grills just snap into place?

Roman
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      04-25-2015, 05:18 PM   #22
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Roman: yes and yes
It's a real easy job once you get going with the tabs.
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