[Pauloxxi]

After some searching in this forum, I learned that bumpers are different around the F30 Models, and I cannot simply replace the trim with whisker over the base model bumper, unless we "shave" some bumper material. I would really like BMW or some Aftermarket would come with a whisker lip design that fits directly over the base line bumper and trim. I hope this happen soon, because I think the base line is missing something on that bumper, and I also think there are more people interested on such mod.

[Tommy_hf]

Or shave the trim, they're cheap. I've done that with sportline inserts on a baseline front bumper.











You might need to put some black vinyl on the bumper behind the trimmed out part of the insert on lighter colored cars, but it's easy and looks much better.

[Pauloxxi]

Tommy hf, I really liked your idea. I'm OK to shave the trim, but not the bumper. So your idea comes perfect.
My car is jet black, therefore your suggestion comes very good.
If you could please send a picture of the result, with a cam at the same level as the trim, it would be perfect for me to see the result.

Thanks a lot!

[Tommy_hf]

There you go :-)

[lbovill]

Originally Posted by Tommy_hf

There you go :-)

Did you adhere it to the bumper at all and if so with what?

[Tommy_hf]

No it just clicks right into place, no glue or tape needed at all. Improved the looks of the car a lot :-)

[lbovill]

Originally Posted by Tommy_hf

No it just clicks right into place, no glue or tape needed at all. Improved the looks of the car a lot :-)

Thanks. I will be working on it this evening.

[lbovill]

Originally Posted by lbovill

Thanks. I will be working on it this evening.

I gave it a shot. I could not get it snug enough so I installed a plastic tie in a hidden location that I could snug up the trim to the bumper. Still wish I had better skill or luck. Not sure which I needed. But it looks darn good.

[lbovill]

Originally Posted by lbovill

I gave it a shot. I could not get it snug enough so I installed a plastic tie in a hidden location that I could snug up the trim to the bumper. Still wish I had better skill or luck. Not sure which I needed. But it looks darn good.

Here are a couple cell phone shots, pretty happy with the end result. I will be painting the whiskers black and adding them, I think. But they are not in yet.

*** sorry photos were deleted from host site *** I don't have backups of them but will answer questions if anyone has them ***

[lbovill]

Side note, I ended up having to trim the bumper on my car to keep it from showing through the opening for the vent. So my modification was a little more permanent than the OP's but here is a daylight shot which shows the final fitment a little better. Whiskers have not been attached yet. Thanks again to the OP for the details of the modification.

[Tommy_hf]

looks a lot better than the stock base bumper :-)

[lbovill]

I agree, the baseline bumper is just missing something, it is too bland. I was on the verge of performing an M sport conversion before I saw that this was possible and that it was not going to cost $1000+ to do. Again thanks.

[overkill1125]

Originally Posted by lbovill

I gave it a shot. I could not get it snug enough so I installed a plastic tie in a hidden location that I could snug up the trim to the bumper. Still wish I had better skill or luck. Not sure which I needed. But it looks darn good.

Can you elaborate on the use of plastic tie? Did mine a while ago but the fit is not 100% snug. Let me know where you tied the brackets?

[lbovill]

Will post a picture showing it. But basically you need one of the partial or full open grills and then drilling a small hole in the scoop that the opening is there for. And a small hole in the top of the grill. Both hidden from view. Then feeding a thin plastic zip tie through so that the part that locks it stays in back but you can pull it snug from the outside and then snug it and clip the excess off. The hole should be on the top of both as it is essentially acting as the mounting points the car does not have. In addition I am putting some double sided tape in there. Not to hold it but to fill space and prevent light leakage from the fog light.

I have to work on them tonight so I will snap some shots and post them. In the end I think it came out pretty well.

FYI in order to see the tie you would have to be on the ground looking up and at an angle into the grill. And even then since the tie is black it would be hard to notice.

[lbovill]

Here are a couple pictures of the plastic tie installation I needed for my conversion. I think it works well, and you cannot see it in practice. In the photos I have a flash on the iphone lighting up the interior of the space and I am putting the camera about three to six inches off the ground to see it. It is not as good as OEM but I am satisfied with the install, and the flush fitment afterward. Also you could use smaller zip ties and potentially you could pretty easily invert where the ties connect hiding the "buckle" (for lack of a better word) above the scoop and pulling it tight through the hole then clipping it and tucking the remainder away, but it is just not that important to me considering that you will not get it as snug or tight and as I said you cannot see it without laying on the ground and shining a flash into the space.

Also you could drill the hole in the scoop further back into the shadows. Anyway, long winded but here you go:

*** sorry photos were dropped from hosted site, no longer have back ups *** feel free to PM me if you want to know what it looks like, or have any questions ***

Also please excuse the dirt and fingerprints etc. on my car, I did not have a chance to wash it or clean it before posting but thought the information was more important. Anyone doing this should also consider adding some 3M foam tape to the back of the grill right at the edge where it meets the bumper above the fog light. If not there is a possibility of light leak no matter how snug you pull the piece in.

[lbovill]

As a short follow up, attempted to paint the whiskers myself and the paint would not stick (clearly I did not know what I was doing), so I caved for the black painted whiskers from iND. It just looked cleaner than silver on my car. I had to also switch the grill for the partial open grill. So this is the final conversion on the baseline model.

[RSnic]

Originally Posted by Tommy_hf

Or shave the trim, they're cheap. I've done that with sportline inserts on a baseline front bumper.

Great explanation; have been trying to add whiskers to my Base 328i; I have a few questions that I ask for your help with:

• First, looks like one of the cuts on the Sports line grill follows the Base grill -- is that correct (see attached photo)?
• Second, how did you determine where to make the other cut on the Sports line grill (again, please look at attached picture)?
• Finally, what did you use to cut the Sports line grille?

BTW, are these the correct part numbers:
51117300739 Sport line lower grill, left
51117300740 Sport line lower grill, right
51117293105 Sport line lower grill trim, left
51117293106 Sport line lower grill trim, right

Appreciate your assistance
Thank you very much

[Tommy_hf]

Basicly I took the other sides original insert to determine the location of the cut. I just held it against the sport version and taped the line to dremel it off. :-)

[RSnic]

Did I get parts list correct?

[IndotagSwizz]

Originally Posted by RSnic

Did I get parts list correct?

there are two different types of covers, I was at the dealership getting the oil and maintenance this morning and I checked again since I will be doing this mod very soon as well

If you have a 320i
Close grid left: 51117300737
Close grid right: 51117300738
Finisher rod left: 5117292105
finisher rod right: 5117293106

If you have a 328i
Partially open grid left: 51117300739
Open grid right: 51117279702
Finisher rod left: 5117292105
Finisher rod right: 5117293106

[RSnic]

Originally Posted by IndotagSwizz

there are two different types of covers, I was at the dealership getting the oil and maintenance this morning and I checked again since I will be doing this mod very soon as well

If you have a 320i
Close grid left: 51117300737
Close grid right: 51117300738
Finisher rod left: 5117292105
finisher rod right: 5117293106

If you have a 328i
Partially open grid left: 51117300739
Open grid right: 51117279702
Finisher rod left: 5117292105
Finisher rod right: 5117293106

IndotagSwizz,

Appreciate your response. I have 328i so rather than these grills:
51117300739 Sport line lower grill, left, partially open
51117300740 Sport line lower grill, right, partially open

I need an open grill on the right, rather than a partially open -- is that because of the hot climate version (S823A), which I also have?

Thank you very much

[RSnic]

IndotagSwizz,

I just checked in the BMW ETK and the reason for difference in right grill is that , though we both have Hot Climate version (S823A), you probably have automatic transmission, while I have a manual, and you have some other options