[dieselj]

Awesome guide, very helpful. Thank you!

[MrRX34]

I just got my pair of grills but can't seem to get the OEM ones out for the life of me!! When you guys are saying start with the bottom tabs, do you actually pull those tabs up or down??

How are some of you having such an easy time taking out the old grill?? Did they superglue mine on lol?

[BRAISKI]

I just "tried" to change my grill but it seems like the the '11 has different fitment slightly bigger.

I thought I had all the screwdriver/bits I will even need but it seems like I don't! So I had to go buy Torx 30!!!

[JC316]

Originally Posted by MrRX34

I just got my pair of grills but can't seem to get the OEM ones out for the life of me!! When you guys are saying start with the bottom tabs, do you actually pull those tabs up or down??

How are some of you having such an easy time taking out the old grill?? Did they superglue mine on lol?

I don't think they would have glued your grille. I believe I pushed up to get the tabs out.

Originally Posted by BRAISKI

I just "tried" to change my grill but it seems like the the '11 has different fitment slightly bigger.

I thought I had all the screwdriver/bits I will even need but it seems like I don't! So I had to go buy Torx 30!!!

Odd,

I was able to get mine off with torx 20

[MrRX34]

Nevermind, I was able to pop out the old ones and put in the new grill....looks amazing!!

[islander1]

These instructions were such a great help!! I was able get get the grills swapped out in about 15 mins.
Aside: For a 2010 E92 you'll need a T30 driver.

[V88TAC]

thanks for th write up just fitted mine!

[KdoubleU]

Thanks for this write up. I am the ultimate NOOB. Not only in the BMW world, but for DIY as well. Removed the top 3 clips and pulled with some pressure, entire grill snapped right out. Took 10 mins for entire project. Love the new look. Thanks again!

[PANDA335i]

Just used this write up as well, lots of help. Thanks!

[TX]

Just got done installing these CF grilles using your directions on my E92 m3. Removing those TORX screws and getting at the tabs from behind is a MUST. I just used my fingers to squeeze the tabs in and pulled out at the same time, one by one. Granted I did ruin a few fingers and nails in the process, but it was worth it!.
Beware though that the replacement carbon fiber grilles had the mounting tabs on them molded WAY too thick and it would have split the plastic bumper cover slots installing them. I had to shave them down. I used the OEM grills as a reference for how much to shave off the clips. BEWARE! and check your aftermarket parts carefuly. Pics are attached.

[wld1nwest]

Great instruction. Took 10-15 minutes. Easy.

[OneThreeFive]

Great DIY, thank you!

[Chowster]

Did anyone have difficulty getting the torx screws back into place? I have 3 in no problems, but my right-most screw won't engage the threads. I read above that someone else had problems with 2 of their screws going back in.

Any tips or help? Thanks.

[Black Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Chowster

Did anyone have difficulty getting the torx screws back into place? I have 3 in no problems, but my right-most screw won't engage the threads. I read above that someone else had problems with 2 of their screws going back in.

Any tips or help? Thanks.

The clip nut is bent, so the angle won't allow the threads to grab. Just pop it off and rebend it with pliers, or better yet, pick up a new one from the dealer and pop it into place.

[ERIK430i]

Just installed BMW Performance Black Kidney Grilles tonight. Took about 5 minutes. The instructions in this thread helped. The chrome ones popped right out and these popped right in.

They really bring out her eyes.

BMW Performance Black Kidney Grille-Left (PN: 51 71 2 146 911)
BMW Performance Black Kidney Grille-Right (PN: 51 71 2 146 912)

[quattrosaint]

Spent 10 minutes trying to get one clip off. My hands are big and could not reach. Time to pay someone before I break the bumper!!

[fububoi83]

left one took 20mins to take it out. (or to figure it out)
right one took me less than 1min lol.

Thanks!

[Sofla328]

jsut did this Helped alot taking out those 4 screws, THANKS!!!

[QLD]

Thanks for the DYI

Job Completed on my LCI E92!!

Working at a steady, not rushed pace - both grilles were removed and replaced in 10 minutes 25 seconds - and I have never done anything like this before, so am a complete noob.

Bottom and side clips were manipulated by hand from behind and popped out, and the three top clips simply needed a small flat screwdriver to push down on the clips.... took only seconds.

And I didn't go buy a Torx Driver either, simply used an old Allen Key that was laying around. The T driver isn't needed.

I reckon it looks ten times better now: BMW Performance Gloss Black Grilles - ftw!!



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Check out my pictorial tut for full details here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500394

It's in friendly PDF format.





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[aandrew335]

Thanks for the right up it really helped. I had air scoops to install as well.

I found that it weas easier to remove the grills by first removing the air intake funnel above the grills, and then sticking my hand through there to get to the tabs on the grill. My hands were to big to fit behind the bumper by pulling it back, so putting my hands through the intake funnel holes was a lot easier.

-Andrew

[rovensail]

:::cue "that was easy" button:::

[ajohnson300]

Hey thanks for the post, after spending around 7 minutes on the first grill, the second was out and the new black grills replaced in under 20 minutes. Thanks for posting