Need help with painted reflector install

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 09:31 AM

HELLLLLPPPP!!!!

I tried to remove the stock painted reflector and it wouldn't budge. I don't want to keep jamming a screwdriver in between the reflector and the bumper. I checked the DIY for this and it's pretty lousy. Can anyone give any pointers on how to properly remove the painted reflector.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

tampabayboy · 04-08-2009, 09:55 AM

No screwdriver required.

Use your thumb to push the fender along the outside of the reflector. You have to push pretty hard and it will pop right out. Make sure you don't let it drop inside the fender.

TBB

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tampabayboy

No screwdriver required.

Use your thumb to push the fender along the outside of the reflector. You have to push pretty hard and it will pop right out. Make sure you don't let it drop inside the fender.

TBB

Push from above the reflector or below the reflector?

the_stranger · 04-08-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymarc1979

Push from above the reflector or below the reflector?

Push on the bumper below the reflector and it will pop right out. good luck

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_stranger

Push on the bumper below the reflector and it will pop right out. good luck

Tried pushing from above and below. They won't budge. This is frustrating.

BMWDEMON · 04-08-2009, 11:39 AM

seriously? PUSH HARD on the lower edge of the reflector in an UPWARD motion and then out towards your body...it will move up allowing clearance for the tabs that keep it locked in as there are small upside down u-shaped springs that compress...once you do this and feel the reflector move pull the reflector towards you and it will pop out...they go in the opposite way. You have to use a good amount of strength and may take several time to get it right.

M

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWDEMON

seriously? PUSH HARD on the lower edge of the reflector in an UPWARD motion and then out towards your body...it will move up allowing clearance for the tabs that keep it locked in as there are small upside down u-shaped springs that compress...once you do this and feel the reflector move pull the reflector towards you and it will pop out...they go in the opposite way. You have to use a good amount of strength and may take several time to get it right.

M

Wow talk about frustrating. Those things are not coming out.

lebreeze · 04-08-2009, 01:14 PM

I used a old credit card and squeezed it under the reflector. Then I slowly worked the credit car around the reflector to loosen it up a bit. Hope this helps

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 01:22 PM

Nevermind, I figured it out. The trick is to wedge the longer side of a credit card or a plastic card underneath the reflector. Once the card is wedged in there, then you have to wiggle and push the reflector upwards. After a few tries they poped right out.

Thank God

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lebreeze

I used a old credit card and squeezed it under the reflector. Then I slowly worked the credit car around the reflector to loosen it up a bit. Hope this helps

BINGO!!!! Worked perfectly. Thanks for all your help guys.

monsta · 04-08-2009, 03:15 PM

glad you got it, just pushing it in like others had said was the easiest way most people are too afraid to give it a little more strength for fear of ruining the bumper...

markymarc1979 · 04-08-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsta

glad you got it, just pushing it in like others had said was the easiest way most people are too afraid to give it a little more strength for fear of ruining the bumper...

Yea I was pushing on it pretty hard and the bumper was really starting to flex. I didn't want to do any damage to the bumper.

GregW / Oregon · 04-08-2009, 06:35 PM

Did you

? No credit card required.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=178

Captain Slow · 04-08-2009, 10:47 PM

when i swapped by reflectors out, the factory had them installed upside down.

pittsy · 04-08-2009, 11:02 PM

just a little pressure under the reflectors does the tricks, mine come out without much effort

BMWDEMON · 04-09-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymarc1979

Nevermind, I figured it out. The trick is to wedge the longer side of a credit card or a plastic card underneath the reflector. Once the card is wedged in there, then you have to wiggle and push the reflector upwards. After a few tries they poped right out.

Thank God

good to hear....guess the CC gave you a little more room for direct pressure.

e92MMM · 04-09-2009, 09:13 AM

anyone have the painted bimmmian reflectors. mine dont sit flush with the bumper anyone else having this issue

markymarc1979 · 04-09-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92MMM

anyone have the painted bimmmian reflectors. mine dont sit flush with the bumper anyone else having this issue

LOL serves you right for buying Bimmian products. That company produces nothing but garbage. I need to start a thread warning people of their stuff.

GregW / Oregon · 04-09-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymarc1979

LOL serves you right for buying Bimmian products. That company produces nothing but garbage. I need to start a thread warning people of their stuff.

Well, that's not entirely true. I got their billet aluminum hanbrake handle and it's a very nice piece.

Most of the painted reflectors are OEM ones that have been sanded and painted, so fit should not be an issue. It would surprise me if someone is molding custom pieces.

04-08-2009, 09:31 AM	#1
markymarc1979 Banned 268 Rep 2,534 Posts Drives: 16 G12 + 15 F06 + 17 F15 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 [0.00] 2012 BMW 750xi [0.00]	Need help with painted reflector install HELLLLLPPPP!!!! I tried to remove the stock painted reflector and it wouldn't budge. I don't want to keep jamming a screwdriver in between the reflector and the bumper. I checked the DIY for this and it's pretty lousy. Can anyone give any pointers on how to properly remove the painted reflector. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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04-08-2009, 09:55 AM	#2
tampabayboy Private 4 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	All Thumbs No screwdriver required. Use your thumb to push the fender along the outside of the reflector. You have to push pretty hard and it will pop right out. Make sure you don't let it drop inside the fender. TBB
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04-08-2009, 11:39 AM	#6
BMWDEMON Super modder 104 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: E90 M3 & E46 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (1)	seriously? PUSH HARD on the lower edge of the reflector in an UPWARD motion and then out towards your body...it will move up allowing clearance for the tabs that keep it locked in as there are small upside down u-shaped springs that compress...once you do this and feel the reflector move pull the reflector towards you and it will pop out...they go in the opposite way. You have to use a good amount of strength and may take several time to get it right. M __________________ SOLD - 2005 E46 M3 ZCP - I/B on black CURRENT - 2011 E90 M3 - meticulously modified 2015 X1 Xdrive 28i
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04-08-2009, 01:14 PM	#8
lebreeze Captain 162 Rep 621 Posts Drives: 18’c63s,15’macanturbo,14’ 991s Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: windsor iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 e92 m3 [0.00]	I used a old credit card and squeezed it under the reflector. Then I slowly worked the credit car around the reflector to loosen it up a bit. Hope this helps __________________
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04-08-2009, 01:22 PM	#9
markymarc1979 Banned 268 Rep 2,534 Posts Drives: 16 G12 + 15 F06 + 17 F15 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 [0.00] 2012 BMW 750xi [0.00]	Nevermind, I figured it out. The trick is to wedge the longer side of a credit card or a plastic card underneath the reflector. Once the card is wedged in there, then you have to wiggle and push the reflector upwards. After a few tries they poped right out. Thank God
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04-08-2009, 03:15 PM	#11
monsta Brigadier General 217 Rep 3,593 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ/Y.O, NY iTrader: (2)	glad you got it, just pushing it in like others had said was the easiest way most people are too afraid to give it a little more strength for fear of ruining the bumper... __________________ '08 E92 M3 6MT \| IB \| FR \| RAC RG63's \| VRS Ti Exhaust \| Fabspeed HFC & Xpipe '09 X5 35d SG/SB '11 X3 28i AW/CN/FW (wife's car
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04-08-2009, 06:35 PM	#13
GregW / Oregon Commander-In-Chief 2100 Rep 8,911 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 M2 Coupe [9.83] 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 [7.25]	Painted reflector DIY Did you ? No credit card required. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=178 __________________ Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA 2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
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04-08-2009, 10:47 PM	#14
Captain Slow Private First Class 12 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 09' M3 Convertible Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (0)	when i swapped by reflectors out, the factory had them installed upside down. __________________ AW/FR E93 M3 \| AA Pulley \| AA Signature Exhaust \| AA Software \| AC Schnitzer Springs \| H&R Spacers \| Custom Silver CF Front Lip \|
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04-08-2009, 11:02 PM	#15
pittsy Captain 60 Rep 860 Posts Drives: Jerez...E92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	just a little pressure under the reflectors does the tricks, mine come out without much effort __________________ 08 E92 M3 Jerez Black \| Bamboo \| 6MT \| 18s \| 5% tint \| No iDrive \| Heated Seats \| V1 hardwire \| ///M Alu Pedals \| Matte Black Grills \| Painted Reflectors \| CF Roundels \| GP Thunder 8500k \| Remus Race Exhaust \| VMR V701 18s Matte Black
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04-09-2009, 09:13 AM	#17
e92MMM Private First Class 36 Rep 166 Posts Drives: e92 m3 frozen Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	anyone have the painted bimmmian reflectors. mine dont sit flush with the bumper anyone else having this issue
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