F31 kidney grill removal

marcw · 01-25-2016, 11:15 PM

I recently got a 2016 F31 LCI and didn't like the chrome look on my Melbourne red car. So I decided to replace the kidney grills with black ones. I found some instructions that have you remove the front bumper cover. I thought that was crazy overkill and I didn't want to get it back on crooked or have something else happen. So I decided to remove the grills just going through the slats.

I started with the passenger side one and loosened the clips going from the right going counter clockwise. The bottom clips were difficult to reach with just my fingers. I could touch the clips but couldn't assert enough pressure. So I used an old PC expansion port slot cover. I wrapped the lower part of the L shaped 'tool' with some tape so that it's sharp edges wouldn't scratch up the paint. It worked like a charm. Once the first grill was out removing the other side took less than 30 seconds. All total I spent maybe 10 minutes for both sides. No bumper cover removal needed. No screws to unscrew etc. Below are some pics.

Jason954x · 01-26-2016, 01:22 PM

I did the same but I got the double slatted.

THE_AVIATOR · 01-30-2016, 02:48 AM

I was thinking the same. Haven't tried it yet, but all the past week I've been thinking it's possible.

Your call looks stunning with red and black grilles.

I'm going to do that on my Imperial Blue F30

katodevin · 02-05-2016, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason954x

I did the same but I got the double slatted.

Will those fit the f30? Where'd u order from? Looks great.

Jason954x · 02-05-2016, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katodevin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason954x

I did the same but I got the double slatted.

Will those fit the f30? Where'd u order from? Looks great.

Yes it does. I got it on eBay for $75 I think

haraldb · 02-05-2016, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason954x

Yes it does. I got it on eBay for $75 I think

Im pretty sure the grill is different on the f30, my guess is that i will not fit.

Jason954x · 02-05-2016, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haraldb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason954x

Yes it does. I got it on eBay for $75 I think

Im pretty sure the grill is different on the f30, my guess is that i will not fit.

You're right but he can still get the F30 version

msp0rt · 02-10-2016, 11:29 AM

I just did this last night. No bumper loosening needed. 15 min job. I have slim fingers and I loosened all without a tool but I can see how the tool would help.

Looks great.

Rick Hunter · 02-11-2016, 12:34 AM

I posted a similar DIY last year... used a hex key to help.

It really is an easier way to get at the grilles without having to remove part of your bumper!

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1183240

01-25-2016, 11:15 PM	#1
marcw Captain 584 Rep 695 Posts Drives: 2021 M2 Competition Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, OR USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Porsche C4S Coupe [0.00] 2019 330ix Sportwagon [0.00] 2014 Jaguar F-Type ... [0.00] 2021 M2 Competition [0.00]	F31 kidney grill removal I recently got a 2016 F31 LCI and didn't like the chrome look on my Melbourne red car. So I decided to replace the kidney grills with black ones. I found some instructions that have you remove the front bumper cover. I thought that was crazy overkill and I didn't want to get it back on crooked or have something else happen. So I decided to remove the grills just going through the slats. I started with the passenger side one and loosened the clips going from the right going counter clockwise. The bottom clips were difficult to reach with just my fingers. I could touch the clips but couldn't assert enough pressure. So I used an old PC expansion port slot cover. I wrapped the lower part of the L shaped 'tool' with some tape so that it's sharp edges wouldn't scratch up the paint. It worked like a charm. Once the first grill was out removing the other side took less than 30 seconds. All total I spent maybe 10 minutes for both sides. No bumper cover removal needed. No screws to unscrew etc. Below are some pics. Attached Images
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01-26-2016, 01:22 PM	#2
Jason954x Second Lieutenant 123 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 435i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: FLA iTrader: (0)	I did the same but I got the double slatted. Attached Images
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01-30-2016, 02:48 AM	#3
THE_AVIATOR Private First Class 15 Rep 106 Posts Drives: F30 320i LCI M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Egypt iTrader: (0)	I was thinking the same. Haven't tried it yet, but all the past week I've been thinking it's possible. Your call looks stunning with red and black grilles. I'm going to do that on my Imperial Blue F30
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02-10-2016, 11:29 AM	#8
msp0rt Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I just did this last night. No bumper loosening needed. 15 min job. I have slim fingers and I loosened all without a tool but I can see how the tool would help. Looks great.
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02-11-2016, 12:34 AM	#9
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 304 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	I posted a similar DIY last year... used a hex key to help. It really is an easier way to get at the grilles without having to remove part of your bumper! http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1183240 __________________
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