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

skiborsy · 06-15-2012, 11:05 PM

So if you hypothetically DID scratch the paint a bit installing the above, would you use DR Colorchip or touchup paint to fix it?

Other than the hypothetical issue, really happy with the results!

whats77inaname · 09-26-2012, 10:37 PM

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 · 10-07-2012, 10:56 PM

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 · 11-03-2012, 01:42 PM

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 · 05-28-2013, 02:55 PM

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 · 05-31-2013, 08:18 PM

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

pbonsalb · 06-03-2013, 01:09 PM

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

ms2bmw · 06-03-2013, 04:49 PM

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 · 06-04-2013, 06:46 AM

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 · 06-04-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

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 · 06-04-2013, 10:22 PM

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 · 06-04-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

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 · 06-04-2013, 11:51 PM

Quote:

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 · 06-05-2013, 12:08 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-05-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

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 · 04-14-2014, 05:52 PM

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

got da booze · 04-14-2014, 07:08 PM

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 · 07-04-2014, 10:20 AM

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!

06-15-2012, 11:05 PM	#67
skiborsy Private First Class Drives: 2011 Le Mans Blue E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 155 iTrader: (1)	So if you hypothetically DID scratch the paint a bit installing the above, would you use DR Colorchip or touchup paint to fix it? Other than the hypothetical issue, really happy with the results! Last edited by skiborsy; 04-14-2014 at 07:50 PM.
	0

09-26-2012, 10:37 PM	#68
whats77inaname Banned Drives: when at all possible Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tx Posts: 1,740 iTrader: (15)	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. Attached Images Last edited by whats77inaname; 09-27-2012 at 09:46 AM.
	0

05-31-2013, 08:18 PM	#72
ms2bmw New Member Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NorCal Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	I used these two to remove the side markers on an E90 and was done in 10 minutes. No damage whatsoever. Attached Images
	0

06-04-2013, 06:46 AM	#75
JonM Private First Class Drives: E90 M3 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 168 iTrader: (4)	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. __________________ Jon Maddux 14 R1200RT \| 10 S1000RR \| 09 F650GS \| 08 M3 Sedan \| 06 M Coupe \| 01 M coupe
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06-04-2013, 10:22 PM	#77
geneatals Ninja Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) Posts: 3,199 iTrader: (2)	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 __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 AW l Black Novillo Leather \| Carbon Fiber Leather Trim \| ZCP \| ZP2 \| M-DCT \| Navigation \| Moonroof \| 6FL l Pics/Mods Retired: 2008 535i l AW l Black Dakota Leather l Bamboo Anthracite l ZPP l ZSP l 6FL
	0

10-07-2012, 10:56 PM	#69
BIU Lieutenant Drives: 2008 A22 E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 582 iTrader: (0)	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!
	0

11-03-2012, 01:42 PM	#70
dmk08 ///Maniac Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,904 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 E92 [0.00]	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.
	0

05-28-2013, 02:55 PM	#71
kmccabe New Member Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States Posts: 20 iTrader: (1)	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.
	0

06-03-2013, 01:09 PM	#73
pbonsalb Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 08 E90 M3, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,517 iTrader: (3)	I have a set of those. Were you leveraging just the center section with the light or were you leveraging the honeycomb?
	0

06-03-2013, 04:49 PM	#74
ms2bmw New Member Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NorCal Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	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.
	0

04-14-2014, 05:52 PM	#82
sethc Registered Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: illinois Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	I am pretty sure that changing the e90 m3 side grill is harder than the e92 m3
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04-14-2014, 07:08 PM	#83
got da booze Boozilla Drives: 2011 E90 ZCP ///M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 319 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2011.75 BMW M3 [3.50]	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. __________________ BMW 2011.75 E90 ZCP M3 Jet Black \| Dinan Intake/Tune/Exhaust/Underdrive/Strut Bars \| Lux V4 \| OSRAM 5500K CBI \| 25% Tint \| sitting in a storage-like state. M3 E90 OEM chrome grills, OEM strut bars, and OEM pulley w/ belts for sale! If interested, please send me a PM.
	0

07-04-2014, 10:20 AM	#84
GTB/ZR-1 Second Lieutenant Drives: Pending... Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central, FL Posts: 252 iTrader: (8)	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! __________________ * '11.75 E90/DCT LMB--GOT ONE! * '06 Mitsu Evo MR SCCA/HPDE Weapon * '09 Nissan GT-R (Gone) * '90 ZR-1 (Fast)
	0

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