DIY: E90 Sedan M3 - Side Grill Gill Removal & Install

[whats77inaname]

I picked up 2 sets of trim tools @ Harbor Freight. I used these 2 tools from each set and had both sides done in ~5 mins. I used the yellow one to work the end, and the blue one to work out the top clips, then pulled up a bit, then done. No marring/scratching of the paint, and as you can see, no broken ends.

[BIU]

Had attempted to remove these twice now with no luck...

Like the others have mentioned... I cant seem to get enough leverage and force to pry them out with the screwdriver method...

Luckily I havent scratched or dented anything with my double masking tape protection *touch wood*

Can anyone confirm if:

1) The gorilla tape method only works on E92?

2) Is the entire mesh piece removable (w/ zip tie method), if yes; Will I be able to unclip the side grill from that point?


Thanks!

[dmk08]

I was able to do this today on my E90 in about 10 minutes total. Took really sticky packing tape and stuck 2-3 pieces on the old gills just on the chrome part. Made sure the tape was stuck all the way together at point of contact. Pulled while pressing up a little and both popped out pretty easily.

[kmccabe]

Are there any pics of people using the zip tie method? Likely going to be trying this in the next week or so, and am interested in which method to use.

[ms2bmw]

I used these two to remove the side markers on an E90 and was done in 10 minutes. No damage whatsoever.

[pbonsalb]

I have a set of those. Were you leveraging just the center section with the light or were you leveraging the honeycomb?

[ms2bmw]

I don't think it matters but I went with the lights. So insert as shown above then slowly push up for the top tab then do the bottom tab in the opposite direction.

[JonM]

I just finished this mod. What a PITA. I consider myself fairly adept at DIY too.

The problem is the plastic for the black honeycomb mesh is very soft and flexible. The tabs on the chrome/OEM gills are very rigid. You can squeeze the tabs together all you want from front or from behind inside the fender, and the honeycomb just gives with them. I was unable to remove the stock gills, even from behind with the washer tank completely removed, without breaking several chrome tabs. It is a bummer such a simple thing works this way.

Also, I got my side gills from IND. In case it's not obvious to others, in order to get the badges to fit properly flush, you need to sand or grind down the flat vertical end. IND uses one of the aftermarket/generic matte black gills and they are not exact copies of the OEM ones. The stock ///M badges do not fit.

[325rider]

Originally Posted by JonM

I just finished this mod. What a PITA. I consider myself fairly adept at DIY too.

The problem is the plastic for the black honeycomb mesh is very soft and flexible. The tabs on the chrome/OEM gills are very rigid. You can squeeze the tabs together all you want from front or from behind inside the fender, and the honeycomb just gives with them. I was unable to remove the stock gills, even from behind with the washer tank completely removed, without breaking several chrome tabs. It is a bummer such a simple thing works this way.

Also, I got my side gills from IND. In case it's not obvious to others, in order to get the badges to fit properly flush, you need to sand or grind down the flat vertical end. IND uses one of the aftermarket/generic matte black gills and they are not exact copies of the OEM ones. The stock ///M badges do not fit.

So is the easiest thing to do is have a shop take them off, paint them what u want, and re install, or just order OEM BMW edition ones and install urself.

[geneatals]

Honestly I think is the "best" way to do it...more labor intensive, but less frustration and possible chance or paint damage..

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...side+gills+e90

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by geneatals

Honestly I think is the "best" way to do it...more labor intensive, but less frustration and possible chance or paint damage..

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...side+gills+e90

Opinions vary on that, my man. I wasn't frustrated, and at no time was my paint endangered

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Opinions vary on that, my man. I wasn't frustrated, and at no time was my paint endangered

fair enough...good to have options though...I was pretty frustrated, did the OP's method, but would have gone this route if this DIY was up when I swapped my gills...

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by geneatals

fair enough...good to have options though...I was pretty frustrated, did the OP's method, but would have gone this route if this DIY was up when I swapped my gills...

Very true. I'm always glad when there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[JonM]

Originally Posted by geneatals

Honestly I think is the "best" way to do it...more labor intensive, but less frustration and possible chance or paint damage..

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...side+gills+e90

That is the way I did it. It is the "least crappy" way to do it for sure.

[SethC]

I am pretty sure that changing the e90 m3 side grill is harder than the e92 m3

[gbizzle]

My driver's side was such a pain that I had to use vice grips to pull it out. Nonetheless, I got it out and installed the BMW black chrome gills along with IND tinted side lights.

[GTB/ZR-1]

Just did it on my E90--a bit of pucker factor a few times, but using a taped up *small/thin* screwdriver & the Harbor Freight trim tools, I was able to get them done w/ microscopic paint 'disturbance' on the driver's side where I pried it from the back.

The stockers both 'popped' out as I worked them out--thankfully w/o broken tabs.

Many thanks to the OP & other suggestions in the thread!

[rimlist]

Originally Posted by JonM

Also, I got my side gills from IND. In case it's not obvious to others, in order to get the badges to fit properly flush, you need to sand or grind down the flat vertical end. IND uses one of the aftermarket/generic matte black gills and they are not exact copies of the OEM ones. The stock ///M badges do not fit.

has this changed? IND claims to use OEM for their painted gills.

[BimmerRookie]

Great write up! I just got mine from iND and was looking for the lighting assembly! So you just unscrew the old one and replace it into the new purchased one?

[xnfsx]

Sigh This Is So Hard.

[Bimmer22]

I read all the posts here. When it came time to do mine it was a difficult job. I ruined a set of pry tools in the process....but better that then my paint. In the end, prying one of the ends out far enough to slip some weed wacker line around the grill followed by a hard yank did the trick for me.

Fingers hurt like hell afterwards....

[Rat3d ///M]

Anyone know where to get the side grill in black that aren't $300+?

I really want to get rid of the chrome so my side grills match my front hood grills (gloss black) but the only ones I have seen are expensive and I am not paying $300+ for a piece of plastic. I prefer one that doesn't include new LED's, just one that replaces the chrome with gloss black, includes the ///M emblem and reuses the old LED strip.