[BMWSKI]

Hi All.

As promised, please find below a photo of my VERY homemade grille removal tool...
It's not the prettiest thing but it works. I've taken my grilles on and off loads over the past couple of weeks and this makes it very quick and easy.

It's made up of two bars of coat hanger wire and then sealed together with Gaffa tape. I originally tried it with one piece of wire but it was too weak. The tape also makes it scratch-proof.

I find it easier to start with the bottom clips.
First I go for the middle clip and then the ones either side. This should release the bottom of the grille pretty much instantly and you should feel movement.
Just make sure you place the tool right into the clip as there is a small 'nub' that needs compressing in.
I then tackle the clips halfway up on either side. Once these are free then give the entire grille a gentle wiggle and you should see/feel some movement.
Then tackle the top clips. Work from left to right (or vice versa) and once the tool is located correctly the clips should pull down and come free.

You will no doubt need a combination of this tool and some flexible fingers but bear with it and all should be fine.
Obviously once the first grille is off, all you need to do is get your hand inside to release the clips on the other one.
Your new grilles will just push and snap into place.

I will try to video it at some point but as you can imagine it's pretty difficult to remove the grille and film at the same time!

Let me know if I need to explain it in more detail...

[JustChris]

Thanks for taking the time to do that. I will be doing the MPerf grills on the next car fir sure.

[Torquein]

Thanks this looks like just the ticket

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Do you have a part number?

[Zippeh]

Get it patented and get yourself onto Dragons Den!

[Theone88]

Will be having a go later, tried doing it with my fingers and no joy!

Was thinking of going the bonnet route which most people have done but will try ur new tool first!

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Do you have a part number?

Originally Posted by Zippeh

Get it patented and get yourself onto Dragons Den!

Sent the application form off today!

Originally Posted by Theone88

Will be having a go later, tried doing it with my fingers and no joy!

Was thinking of going the bonnet route which most people have done but will try ur new tool first!

Let me know how you get on...

[Theone88]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

Sent the application form off today!

Let me know how you get on...

Failed miserably!!

Tried both the tool and through the bonnet route and no luck! Really worried about damaging the bumper and decided to call it a day. Not sure if I've even managed to put it back on properly, slight gap between the headlight and the bumper.

Was so much easier on the E90!



How much d'you think it would cost to get it done properly?

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Theone88

Failed miserably!!

Tried both the tool and through the bonnet route and no luck! Really worried about damaging the bumper and decided to call it a day. Not sure if I've even managed to put it back on properly, slight gap between the headlight and the bumper.

Was so much easier on the E90!



How much d'you think it would cost to get it done properly?

Not sure but a quick call to your dealer would do it. Maybe tie it in with some other work / service etc?

[FSE23]

thanks for that, I'm pretty bad doing these things without manual. I might consider a change soon.

[sahajesh]

Same here, I just can't remove the damn grilles so will get stealer to do :-(

[Theone88]

After having another go today.......they're out!!

Went the bonnet route for the top clips, used BMWSKI's tool for the bottom and sides!!

Won't tell u how long it took tho!

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by Theone88

After having another go today.......they're out!!

Went the bonnet route for the top clips, used BMWSKI's tool for the bottom and sides!!

Won't tell u how long it took tho!

well done! have a beer now

[Theone88]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

well done! have a beer now

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by Theone88

After having another go today.......they're out!!

Went the bonnet route for the top clips, used BMWSKI's tool for the bottom and sides!!

Won't tell u how long it took tho!

More patient than me - I can't be arsed!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

More patient than me - I can't be arsed!

Really can't understand why people are struggling with these! I had them both out in less than 5 minutes! Almost as easy as changing the exhaust tips!

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by teaston

Really can't understand why people are struggling with these! I had them both out in less than 5 minutes! Almost as easy as changing the exhaust tips!

Certainly wasn't 5 mins for me - if anyone near Sheffield or Manchester wants to do them for me (and get paid!), I'm happy to do that!

I'll give it one more go later this week but so far there's plenty of my DNA on the grilles and they're still in place.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

Certainly wasn't 5 mins for me - if anyone near Sheffield or Manchester wants to do them for me (and get paid!), I'm happy to do that!

I'll give it one more go later this week but so far there's plenty of my DNA on the grilles and they're still in place.

I also didn't get a single scratch, not showing off just like to let people know it can be simple if you do it a certain way.

Get your finger right behind the tab and push the middle of the tab then pull the grill with your other hand then never stop pulling with that other hand, start with one of the side tabs then when you feel a little click move to the next one, once 2 or 3 are released it gets very easy.

[sahajesh]

Nope, still nothing when trying by hand - will ask someone at work tomorrow to see if they can do it, otherwise dealer it is