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

[Leozap]

How can we get rid of that yellow light? Who sells them? Nice DIY.

[riyatch]

any other tips on getting these fawkers out?

still not having any luck and keep making indentations in the paint.

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by Leozap

How can we get rid of that yellow light? Who sells them? Nice DIY.

A few vendors sell the tinted ones. Here's a search under the sponsor section -
http://www.m3post.com/forums/search....rchid=11026513

Originally Posted by riyatch

any other tips on getting these fawkers out?

still not having any luck and keep making indentations in the paint.

You must have some seriously stubborn ones there. More padding between the screwdriver and the fender? Don't pry it back, as much as you are trying to just work it out. Maybe don't put the screwdriver in so far? Just try the tip? (thats what she said)

[krieg]

I also had a hard time getting mine removed because I was very worried about damaging the paint. However I found a nice trick to get the removal started that will save people from denting or chipping the fender paint.

I made a loop of fishing line and stuffed it in around the rear end of the gill using a toothpick. You may need to work the fishing line back and forth a little to get it behind the gill. Next attach the loop to a carabiner or something similar that you can pull on with some force. Then pull out the end of the gill to a point where you can fit a screw driver in behind and work the gill the rest of the way out.

I used 25 lb fishing line. If the line consistently breaks you may need to use additional loops or stronger line. For multiple loops make sure the loops are the same size so you're pulling evenly on them. Mine required one loop for the left side and two for the right.

I also found one of my M stickers was a little too long mostly because of the metal foil on the back side. I took care of that with a file. The only problem I had was when test fitting the long sticker I chipped off a small bit of paint along the inside edge of the sticker recess . Hopefully some touch-up paint will make it unnoticeable. So be careful when test fitting if you have painted gills!

[Dengel]

my side gills came of just by pinching them and pulling up in an upward motion

[riyatch]

thanks for the ideas. i will try these out soon.

[KadeSdad]

I had the same trouble, but for what it's worth I heated the area up with a hairdryer and it popped off first attempt (worked on both sides) might be worth giving it a go?

[Alby99]

can i please ask where you purchased the different blacked out stickers from for the side grill. Thanks

[Zed]

This youtube vid explains how to do it as well.

[Autotuned M3]

looks beautiful, i may start with this mod

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by E93 Bada Bing

can i please ask where you purchased the different blacked out stickers from for the side grill. Thanks

They came with the side gill - both sets/colors.

[riyatch]

Originally Posted by krieg

I also had a hard time getting mine removed because I was very worried about damaging the paint. However I found a nice trick to get the removal started that will save people from denting or chipping the fender paint.

I made a loop of fishing line and stuffed it in around the rear end of the gill using a toothpick. You may need to work the fishing line back and forth a little to get it behind the gill. Next attach the loop to a carabiner or something similar that you can pull on with some force. Then pull out the end of the gill to a point where you can fit a screw driver in behind and work the gill the rest of the way out.

I used 25 lb fishing line. If the line consistently breaks you may need to use additional loops or stronger line. For multiple loops make sure the loops are the same size so you're pulling evenly on them. Mine required one loop for the left side and two for the right.

I also found one of my M stickers was a little too long mostly because of the metal foil on the back side. I took care of that with a file. The only problem I had was when test fitting the long sticker I chipped off a small bit of paint along the inside edge of the sticker recess . Hopefully some touch-up paint will make it unnoticeable. So be careful when test fitting if you have painted gills!

finally got those bastards out. this tip did the trick, although it took me several tries because the fishing line keep breaking. thanks for all the tips.

[gthberg]

I also finally got mine replaced. The mesh inserts on the e90 make this a PITA, but the tip about the tiny screwdriver worked for me. Thanks to Nate at IND for getting these to me, too! Before and after shots below.

[AphiM3]

I tried multiple tiny screwdrivers with painters tape, electrical tape, micro fiber cloth etc. It seems like the end of the gill is too close to the fender to get any kind of leverage. I have already damaged the paint (not too noticable...but will bug me until i get it repainted)

I will try to do the fishing line method next. Is there any shop that could install these in SoCal/San Diego?

Thanks

[AMPowerJ]

I was in the exact same boat. No room at all. I ended up using the fishing line method with a pair of loops and pulled hard and it finally popped out enough for me to get my hands on it to rip it the rest of the way out.

I really think that people do not realize the force it takes to get these things out at first. You really try to baby it and that just doesn't work.

[AphiM3]

yeah thats what I did for about 45min and then saw on here you had the use some force. That is when i dented the paint.

The fishing line better work. ha!

[Moxie]

I gave up & took it to the dealer. They told me they had to take off the inner fender to ensure they didn't break the tabs off the old ones. It took them about 30-45 minutes & they charged me 21 Euro or about $30. What a deal -

[JimFish]

where can i buy the decals for the side grills? the set i ordered didnt come with the emblems

[REP1KRR]

Originally Posted by JimFish

where can i buy the decals for the side grills? the set i ordered didnt come with the emblems

I'd definitely contact the vendor that sold you the gills initially.

[BMRLVR]

I changed the side grills and gills on my E90 because IND painted the honeycomb/mesh in gloss black for me.

When I removed them I pulled the fender liners and unclipped them by reaching in and releasing the tabs and then pushing them out..... they came really easy. There is approximately 10-12 screws in each fenderliner so they are no big deal to pull out of the way. The only other thing is you have to remove one nut on the right side which holds the windshield washer bottle in place and then slide the bottle toward the front of the car a bit. Total time after the wheels are off is only 10 minutes per side. The great thing about doing it this way is there is no risk of damaging paint and the gills will unclip from the grills quite easy once they are removed.

[mikeyr0x]

used the fishing line approach, you have to pull hard, I ended up popping out the honeycomb mesh with each side but it went back in just fine.

after install i do not think the gills are quite as secure as the stock were ones but they have the look I was going for.

[Puneet///M3]

thanks a lot man. i have been looking everywhere for this