[eric135i]

anybody have experience with one or the other?

Plasti Dip - cheap, excess can be peeled right off.

Aftermarket black gloss grill - expensive @$100+ , labor intensive to replace.

has anyone replaced their front grill? is it really that labor intensive like the videos show?

tia

Eric

[RW Carbon]

I have used both. I have tired to plasti dip my E82 and E60 grilles before but was not a fan of how it turned out so I went with Gloss Black ones. I know some members on here have done it and turned out pretty nice but you just need some experience with plasti dip.

We do have the gloss black ones in stock for $99.95 w/ free shipping inside the continental US.

[eric135i]

Originally Posted by RW Carbon

I have used both. I have tired to plasti dip my E82 and E60 grilles before but was not a fan of how it turned out so I went with Gloss Black ones. I know some members on here have done it and turned out pretty nice but you just need some experience with plasti dip.

We do have the gloss black ones in stock for $99.95 w/ free shipping inside the continental US.

how's the install? i just popped the hood today it it looks REAL tight inside!
especially having to remove all those torq screws... doesn't even look like my kiddie sized arms & hands can reach in there.

[RW Carbon]

Originally Posted by eric135i

how's the install? i just popped the hood today it it looks REAL tight inside!
especially having to remove all those torq screws... doesn't even look like my kiddie sized arms & hands can reach in there.

The install is fairly simple. Just remove that radiator shroud/cover. On the back of the grilles there are some tabs that need to be pressed to release the grilles. To ensure that non break or crack leave your car in the sun for 30 mins to heat up the plastic or use a heat gun or even blow dryer. The new ones are even easier to install they just press in using the same mounting tab holes.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Aftermarket black gloss grill will look a lot cleaner.

[XenaBimmer]

I plastidipped mine and love the look

[retiredmarine]

i did mine black gloss. it looks more classy IMHO. it wasnt really labor intensive...use this thread....

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

[eric135i]

Originally Posted by retiredmarine

i did mine black gloss. it looks more classy IMHO. it wasnt really labor intensive...use this thread....

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

that's a superb writeup!!!! thanks big time, i'll go with ordering the gloss black grills

[ryanSTL]

No and No.

First of all, consider ordering the body painted surround M performance grills from IND.

Second of all, don't remove or loosen your bumper!!! i simply pulled my grills carefully straight out. I used a little piece of curved metal to help pop the tabs. It was a little metal stake from a tent set i had lying around in the garage. Same little piece of crap that comes with a slip N slide. you could bend a piece of a clothes hanger to work. SIMPLE. for goodness sake don't F with your bumper...

[retiredmarine]

It really wasn't major maintenance Ryan...lol

[VO_1M]

Originally Posted by ryanSTL

First of all, consider ordering the body painted surround M performance grills from IND.

That! I just ordered mine a few days ago. Should make the car look really nice. I can't stand the chrome. I will be doing the grills and IND front and rear color matched reflectors the day i get the car. Can't wait

[ryanSTL]

Originally Posted by retiredmarine

It really wasn't major maintenance Ryan...lol

there are tons of replies on the DIY thread from people who struggle with removing the bumper and getting to the grills that way. There are also a handful of people whose hood doesn't line up properly afterwards.

but hey, whatever floats your boat. I prefer the 10 minute method touching nothing but the grills.

[retiredmarine]

Well if your not mechanically inclined whatsoever, maybe. but I did mine and it was a breeze. you are only removing the weather strip and the top part of the bumper to access the grills, not the whole thing.