[1bad335]

Great DYI. Completed my first mods today. 12mm spacers in the rear. (Burger Motorsports) and Gloss black kidney grilles on my BSM F30. Thanks

35% tint going on tomorrow.

[rinax808]

Thanks! I just got my F30 last weekend & Saturday is supposed to be my project day where I install my new black grills. Thanks for the detailed instructions ::

[AZ330FZL]

Just used the DIY to complete my install. Took maybe 20 minutes. As suggested once the first one is out use the opening to access the second. Super easy. Black grills on BSM looks awesome! Will post pics when there is some light for good pics.

[Edrin55]

Thank You to the OP for posting this thread.
I am a new member here and a new BMW owner. I just purchased my car on Friday, March 22. I was originally going to pay the Stealership $60 to switch out the grills (labor only). The hardest part of this mod was squeezing your hand/arm behind the bumper to pop out the tabs. Mind you, I am no Joe mechanic. All in all it was a fast and easy mod.

[ReddRight88]

First off...awesome work and thanks for sharing OP.

My method wasn't as clean or measured. I just applied force and pesto! Starting pulling w/ both hands behind the grill. Favored the grill edge closest to the headlights (pulled it level but unevenly).

This wasn't my original intent. Wanted to use the DIT instructions, but as I discovered my toolset was w/o the T30 attachment. I just got frustrated and lost my patience.

BL: if you have the tools and time (20 mikes) go thru the process. I was stupid and lucky -- could have easily scratch the lip of the grill cutout.

[ARam]

Does anyone know if this DIY grill replacement applies to the F06 Gran Coupe?

[Jacko]

I just used a small pick with a 45* end to release the tabs. It took me about 10 minutes to do my car. Really easy to do.

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by ARam

Does anyone know if this DIY grill replacement applies to the F06 Gran Coupe?

It does not, that doesn't mean it isn't the same but just that this DIY is meant for the F30... I would think that you could do something similar on an F06 but I don't have one and haven't had the opportunity to work on one as of yet so I have no clue.

Sorry for giving the vaguest answer possible

[ohrich]

To 1.fresh.f30.335

Thanks for the post. Just finished installing them after work.... Took me about 15 minutes... I can't believe I was going to make an appointment with the service dept. to do it.

Thanks... This was a great post.

[Infamouz627]

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

I'm curious as well. Has anyone had any experience with aftermarket M performance grills such as this one?

[jtuds]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

It really could not be much easier. I guess if you had your two year old reach between the grille slats and release the tabs it would be but....

Seriously, this is essentially the same as on the F10 and it took me longer to take out my tools and put them away than it did to do this swap.

I'm worried about taking that seal strip off and taking screws out if the bumper

[jtuds]

Originally Posted by Jacko

I just used a small pick with a 45* end to release the tabs. It took me about 10 minutes to do my car. Really easy to do.

Did you take out the screws and remove the strip?

[tdizzle]

Just did this in about 7 mins taking my time. No need to take the bumper off or use any tools for that matter.

I just looked at the new grills to understand where the tabs where and started on the edge and top and put my hand between the slots and pushed down on the tabs while pulling on the grill. Don't be afraid to use a bit of force. I got around the top tabs starting from the outside and gave it a good tug and the whole top pulled out and left only the bottom. Those were slightly harder but once you got one loose the others were easy. The middle seemed the be the last one standing. Once you have the top loose you can see the bottom tabs and it makes it a bit easier.

Leave the grill out and work on the other one and that one takes about 1 min to pop out. To put back in takes about 30 seconds for both.

Super easy mod, no need to take the bumper off or have any tools. (the grill slots flex a bit so you can get your hand in there without worry - at least I was able to). I thought I may break something at first when I tugged so hard but nothing was remotely damaged and the old grills look in perfect condition.

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

Just did this in about 7 mins taking my time. No need to take the bumper off or use any tools for that matter.

I just looked at the new grills to understand where the tabs where and started on the edge and top and put my hand between the slots and pushed down on the tabs while pulling on the grill. Don't be afraid to use a bit of force. I got around the top tabs starting from the outside and gave it a good tug and the whole top pulled out and left only the bottom. Those were slightly harder but once you got one loose the others were easy. The middle seemed the be the last one standing. Once you have the top loose you can see the bottom tabs and it makes it a bit easier.

Leave the grill out and work on the other one and that one takes about 1 min to pop out. To put back in takes about 30 seconds for both.

Super easy mod, no need to take the bumper off or have any tools. (the grill slots flex a bit so you can get your hand in there without worry - at least I was able to). I thought I may break something at first when I tugged so hard but nothing was remotely damaged and the old grills look in perfect condition.

There have been a few people who have done it exactly as you have and it is completely possible for those with smaller hands, unfortunately for people such as myself I would have snapped a slat had I gone that route. If you can do it without the tools thats great, this is just a write up on how the dealer does it.

[v1k1ng01]

Just used your DIY for my kidney grills. Brilliantly detailed, thanks for doing the work to post this! Here a pic of my work:

[eljefe87]

I looked at the DIY and told my self I can doit in 10 min tops. Got to admit it wasn't as easy as I expected, but i was able to do it just took me like 20 min. I did try to just mess with the grilles with out removing anything but didn't have any luck. Second was a lot easier. I am sure you guys will be careful if you do it on your own but be extra careful when you undo the top and side clips. While pulling the top clips scratched the inside paint some. Good thing it is in the inside and it is not metal otherwise I would be really angry at myself.

[1bad335]

Nice job the Black looks great on the EBII. I tried myself to pull the grills without undoing the bumper top and failed. Overall, an easy job that looks great when done.

[endless402]

did it in 5 minutes without any tools after I figured out that it is the middle tab that you have to pull...not the outer tab. fingers a bit sore but happy not to have to buy tools!

[dog_dealer]

thanks! took me 10 mins to install it on my friends f30

[sfr002]

Just did mine last night. Did it without removing the bumper, I have long skinny fingers so just went through the grille and just pulled each tap down one at a time and worked my way around.

[steven121313]

Thank you for your info. I think this is time save and quick solution. Great job!

[c3r2z8f30i]

I just swap the grills on my car, it was very easy. I didn't use any tools just started to pull from the top corners. Each clip slowly came out one at a time, once I had one grill out the second was much easier. I just push it out from the back. Very easy