[TTyza]

Anyone know of a good site to purchase matte black kidney grills for the F30? Also would prefer the full plastic ones not painted so that they dont chip!

Thanks

[Joshhleee]

Originally Posted by TTyza

Anyone know of a good site to purchase matte black kidney grills for the F30? Also would prefer the full plastic ones not painted so that they dont chip!

Thanks

buy it from europeanauto source or you can buy it from ind directly but its more expensive.

[j.c]

thanks for sharing it!

[Hoody335]

This was awesome, well done changed my grills in 10-12 minutes easily my first time doing it!!

[AWMSPORT]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

Hey guys,

This is a quick guide to removing and replacing your kidney grills.

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes

Tools Necessary:
T20 Torx
T30 Torx
small flat head or pick tool

Steps:

1. Locate the rubber hood seal at the front of the engine bay.

Attachment 703162

Attachment 703163


2. Remove the seal, starting at a side will make it easier.

Attachment 703164


3. There are going to be 8 screws (6) T30 torx and (2) T20 torx which need to be removed. A T20 torx screw is located over each headlight

Attachment 703165

Attachment 703166

Attachment 703167


4. Now that all 8 screws are removed, the bumper cover should slide forward. Be careful and make sure to pull straight forward rather than up as there are 4 metal clips which hold the bumper in place which would break.

Attachment 703168

Attachment 703169


5. The bumper cover is flexible to a reasonable extent, allowing for a hand or tool too fit behind the grills. Moving away from the center of the bumper allows for more flex, anyone with big hands would probably find it easiest to start on the outside and work inward.

Attachment 703170

Attachment 703171


6. Now using the flat head or pick tool press the release tabs on the grill while gently pulling on the grill from the outside, there are 3 clips on both the top and bottom of the grill as well as 1 clip on each side.

Attachment 703172

Attachment 703173

Attachment 703174

Attachment 703175

Note: the bottom clips are going to require using your hand rather than the screw-driver because they face the ground.

Attachment 703176


7. Once the first grill is free of the bumper you can easily access the other grill... Don't be impatient and pop a new grill in before having both sides removed, it makes more work for yourself.

Attachment 703177

Attachment 703178


8. Now just gently push the new grills into place, run your hand around the gloss black trim piece to ensure all the clips are secured

*use a microfiber cloth if you don't want fingerprints*

Attachment 703179


9. After the new grills are in place, line the metal clips up with the bumper cover, and then slide it back into place.

Attachment 703180

Attachment 703181

Attachment 703182



10. Once in place replace all 8 screws and prior to tightening them ensure that the bumper cover is even, I did this by comparing two of the outermost points.

Attachment 703183

Attachment 703184


I also repeated this procedure on the rubber seal using the outermost T30 screws as reference points, its not necessary but always helps to keep the car looking it's best.

Attachment 703185

Attachment 703186


I hope this helps answer any questions and Good-luck!

Works like a charm...but the only small issue I came across was that when putting back the front bumper if you don't align them exactly , you can see either more or less, or completely uneven gap.

My suggestion is to take a picture, or mark the exact spot with a small dot (sharpie) and of the gap for the hood line before you start..

great DIY !!

[BJWDekker]

Thank you for this excelent photo guide!

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Thanks for all the appreciation guy! I'm glad I could help. I'm going to throw up a DIY on springs, a 335i downpipe, wheel fitment and a how-to on vinyl wrapping by the end of May... Sorry for the delay but she's in storage for the winter, and yes I'm very sad, very very sad.

[lokito]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

Thanks for all the appreciation guy! I'm glad I could help. I'm going to throw up a DIY on springs, a 335i downpipe, wheel fitment and a how-to on vinyl wrapping by the end of May... Sorry for the delay but she's in storage for the winter, and yes I'm very sad, very very sad.

I'm definitely looking forward for these DIY threads....

[hav2flynow]

Awesome man.. That was easy.. Thanks for the detailed info.

[Travel4surf]

This is crazy! Just peal the sides with your finger tips and pull out!

It literally only took me 30 seconds to replace each one....

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by Travel4surf

This is crazy! Just peal the sides with your finger tips and pull out!

It literally only took me 30 seconds to replace each one....

yeah, there are a dozen ways to skin a cat... I didn't pull them out like you did because I was afraid to break a clip, don't get me wrong its diffidently faster but idk if I would do it.

[hav2flynow]

I agree.. I was afraid to break a clip. And i did not see a good way to put my fingers in there.. My E90 was easy like that but this is very different. But I enjoyed the task of taking off the front end anyway.. Only took 15 Min and i was not in a hurry.

[newbmwuser]

that was alot harder than expected, lol you guys make it out to be a walk in the park lol

its not difficult per say, its just really time consuming, and took alot more force than expected. Also for future modders, the bottom clamps are impossible to get to with a tool, just use your hands

but here is the result!
I think it goes great with my black number plates too



itll do me well until I get my m-sport bumper retrofit!

thanks guys and good luck

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

that was alot harder than expected, lol you guys make it out to be a walk in the park lol

its not difficult per say, its just really time consuming, and took alot more force than expected. Also for future modders, the bottom clamps are impossible to get to with a tool, just use your hands

but here is the result!
I think it goes great with my black number plates too

itll do me well until I get my m-sport bumper retrofit!

thanks guys and good luck

was it really that hard or are you just not very handy, haha just kidding. I like the look

and even though I wrote the thread I used my fingers to pop the lower clips, I agree that there is some finesse necessary.

[newbmwuser]

Originally Posted by 1.fresh.f30.335

was it really that hard or are you just not very handy, haha just kidding. I like the look

and even though I wrote the thread I used my fingers to pop the lower clips, I agree that there is some finesse necessary.

Not handy at all, it's literally my third time with a screw driver and my first using a torx(?) screw

It doesn't help that my fingers are short and fat lol

[willibn]

I managed to do this without detaching the bumper... small hands, patience, and a bit of creative juice and the job was complete.

[KellerKiller]

I would suggest against trying this in the cold. It's been in the 20s for a few weeks here, and I couldn't get the bumper to pull away nearly as far as in the guide... Barely able to wedge a flat head screwdriver down on the outside edge, and then the damn tab was too stiff to get it out. lol I'm just going to cut my losses and have the dealer do it. Then, if they dork it up it's on them and not me!

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by KellerKiller

I would suggest against trying this in the cold. It's been in the 20s for a few weeks here, and I couldn't get the bumper to pull away nearly as far as in the guide... Barely able to wedge a flat head screwdriver down on the outside edge, and then the damn tab was too stiff to get it out. lol I'm just going to cut my losses and have the dealer do it. Then, if they dork it up it's on them and not me!

I had this same problem and it wasn't cold outside at all. I endedup using this metal tool I have that was included when Santa brought my kid's trampoline. It has a little hook on the end to stetch the springs. I reached in from the front of the grill and pulled each of the tabs. It was so easy - no need to undo the top of the front bumper if you have a tool like this one.

[AntBabeee]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I had this same problem and it wasn't cold outside at all. I endedup using this metal tool I have that was included when Santa brought my kid's trampoline. It has a little hook on the end to stetch the springs. I reached in from the front of the grill and pulled each of the tabs. It was so easy - no need to undo the top of the front bumper if you have a tool like this one.

what was the weather when you did it. I am in california. I tried then morning... wont budge... fingers hurt now... its about 55 deg F. outside.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by AntBabeee

what was the weather when you did it. I am in california. I tried then morning... wont budge... fingers hurt now... its about 55 deg F. outside.

It was probably about the same - 55-60ish. I'm tellying you, you just need to get some sort of a tool that has a little hook on the end and reach in from the front of the grill and just pull on each of the clips from the front.

[AntBabeee]

Originally Posted by mikew2069

It was probably about the same - 55-60ish. I'm tellying you, you just need to get some sort of a tool that has a little hook on the end and reach in from the front of the grill and just pull on each of the clips from the front.

i bought a mini pry bar thats fits in there but man it still hard...

[btinl]

Has anyone had a problem just pulling the grills out? The e90 grill swap was so easy that way.