[1.fresh.f30.335]

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Hey guys,

This is a quick guide to removing and replacing your kidney grills.

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes

Tools Necessary:
T20 Torx
T30 Torx
small flat head or pick tool

Steps:

1. Locate the rubber hood seal at the front of the engine bay.






2. Remove the seal, starting at a side will make it easier.




3. There are going to be 8 screws (6) T30 torx and (2) T20 torx which need to be removed. A T20 torx screw is located over each headlight








4. Now that all 8 screws are removed, the bumper cover should slide forward. Be careful and make sure to pull straight forward rather than up as there are 4 metal clips which hold the bumper in place which would break.






5. The bumper cover is flexible to a reasonable extent, allowing for a hand or tool too fit behind the grills. Moving away from the center of the bumper allows for more flex, anyone with big hands would probably find it easiest to start on the outside and work inward.






6. Now using the flat head or pick tool press the release tabs on the grill while gently pulling on the grill from the outside, there are 3 clips on both the top and bottom of the grill as well as 1 clip on each side.









Note: the bottom clips are going to require using your hand rather than the screw-driver because they face the ground.




7. Once the first grill is free of the bumper you can easily access the other grill... Don't be impatient and pop a new grill in before having both sides removed, it makes more work for yourself.






8. Now just gently push the new grills into place, run your hand around the gloss black trim piece to ensure all the clips are secured

*use a microfiber cloth if you don't want fingerprints*




9. After the new grills are in place, line the metal clips up with the bumper cover, and then slide it back into place.









10. Once in place replace all 8 screws and prior to tightening them ensure that the bumper cover is even, I did this by comparing two of the outermost points.






I also repeated this procedure on the rubber seal using the outermost T30 screws as reference points, its not necessary but always helps to keep the car looking it's best.






I hope this helps answer any questions and Good-luck!

[DrivenByE30]

PS: your driveway is only missing a Mercedes to complete the big four German Premium Brands

Hows do you like the A3 and Boxster over the F30? how do they compare?

[1.fresh.f30.335]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

PS: your driveway is only missing a Mercedes to complete the big four German Premium Brands

Hows do you like the A3 and Boxster over the F30? how do they compare?

Haha, I know we've looked into the Benz's a few times just never worked out... it's an a4 thats in the background, and we have a Q7 and an A8L too (we like those quattro cars haha) I like different things about different cars, they each have a unique character. Power-wise, the bimmer kills em

[MiloMia]

thank you op, this thread came in handy.

[K.Ip]

great write up

thanks!

[pkimM3r]

now its time to do mine tonight

[scott@bmwhn]

Cool, looks about the same routine as the E9x models. Thanks!

[pkimM3r]

when i did this, i was sort of worried on how far back i had to bend the bumper. guess everything worked out just fine though.

[positiveions]

car looks so much better. good job

[ORIGIN M.]

Nicely done - Thanks for sharing sir

[WULFFZA]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

PS: your driveway is only missing a Mercedes to complete the big four German Premium Brands

Hows do you like the A3 and Boxster over the F30? how do they compare?

Mercedes is his wife's name. She doesn't hang in the driveway. That's not how she rolls.

[E91-Norway]

Here is the result on a Melbourne Red F30

[Bluesummer]

looks like major pain in the ass

[Em/1]

Thanks--perfect timing, just got the new ones!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Bluesummer

looks like major pain in the ass

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.

[R12ax7]

Great info! I'd be interested to hear if anyone successfully swaps the grills without removing the bumper cover like you could on the e9x. The tabs look almost the same, granted removing a couple torx screws is no big deal.

[E91-Norway]

Hi!

If you have small fingers, you my be able to do it.
Still you have to work with silky hands....

[wdeerfield]

I was able to take mine out on the E90 without even popping the hood. Just lift the tabs from the front with my fingers. You really need to take off the top of the bumper cover to do this?

[Karazy]

Thank you for sharing!

[E91-Norway]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

I was able to take mine out on the E90 without even popping the hood. Just lift the tabs from the front with my fingers. You really need to take off the top of the bumper cover to do this?

Yes me to, but luckely the F30 has a more aggressiv design especial in the front end

[M5007]

First of many mods I hope. Nice ride

[woo1]

You actually don't need any tools for this. They pop out easily, and without damage if you pull around the edges and pull one clip out at a time. I recently did mine and it worked perfectly. The dealerships just yank them straight out with one forceful pull. The total time to replace both kidneys was about 4 minutes. If they feel stuck, spray the clips with silicone and pull again. Easy!