E90 black chrome grills and gills DIY

[scottEdog1]

E90 OEM Chrome nose grills and gills proper install DIY

I simply loved this mod. I can only speak for my car but it really made a difference and I like the black chrome over the matte black, and the fact that this is an OEM option makes it really nice! Now on to the DIY:

1) You must buy the parts; since there are no e90 options for this set you must buy the package for e92, which is just fine with this install.

I bought them here
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

2) Now once you have received the parts you must unclip both black plastic parts for e92 here “squared off in red” does this with confidence that the other part left fits perfect into e90.

[scottEdog1]

3) You must now jack your car {AFTER cracking the lugs on both left and right sides of the front wheels} now simply take off both wheels after properly jacking the front of the car.

[scottEdog1]

4) Now proceed to start taking off the wheel well covers starting with the one on the bottom, both covers should produce 12 screws total well 11 and one plastic nut to be exact.

[scottEdog1]

5) On this step I did not take the cover off the rounded second cover . I simple left it hanging which was sufficient to reach inside the well and start to work the clips on the gill. Starting with the driver’s side first. {Note: do not take off the front facing wheel well cover- there is no need}

[scottEdog1]

6) Tape very thin and log flat head screw driver with electrical tape. Now once done insert and begin squeezing the outer most set of clips on the gill light harness which we are replacing working those out first from that outer end of the gill to the front of the car.

TIP: push the screw driver in slightly behind the front edge to grip the light harness and by NOT putting pressure against the outer car body and paint, help grip and pull the harness out by unclipping each set of clips down the line of the harness body from right to left- this on my car was slightly difficult and took 20 mins on the drivers side including breaking the last clip down the line. As you pinch together the harnesses top and bottom clip sets together work the screwdriver to pull hard out ward at the same time.

[scottEdog1]

7) When you get to this clip try and use another skinny flat head to work in between the “honey comb” and push down the clip to pop out the light harness with out breaking it off. We broke one of the clips on the first light by just working/“trying” to get the light harness out with out doing this step.

[scottEdog1]

8) Now with the old “gill” out of the car simply unclip the wire by taking the flat head screw driver and lift the edge of the plastic outward with the little notch on it to unplug it.
Now plug in your new black chrome gill in and turn on the cars turning signal to make sure all is working correctly before popping it back into place and sealing up the job.

Now that you confirmed the lighting, start by popping the new gill into place by starting with the left edge “nearest the M3 logo” and push it into place until you hear all the clips “pop” and everything is secure – you may now put the wheel covers back on including the wheel. And you’re done with that side.

[scottEdog1]

9) Next we have the passenger’s side start by removing the bottom wheel well panel, then the inner wheel well panel, here you will see once done a reservoir you will find. It’s simple as it’s only in place by 1 screw. Once you unscrew the mounting bolt simply move it out and to the side in the wheel well.

Proceed to work out the gill in the same fashion. Once done put everything back together and lower the car- the hardest part is done!

[scottEdog1]

10) Nose Grills
Now its time to replace the front grills- since there is a DIY for this I will now refer you here- then your done.
I used this http://www.raceprecision.com/forums/...c.php?f=7&t=13

[scottEdog1]

Hope you enjoyed the DIY
here is the final outcome:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...59#post9066759

[chris s]

wow...cool writeup but a lot of unnecessary steps no? i replaced my side grills from the outside...twice! No need to remove the fender liners to do so.

[Individual//M]

Great DIY, i cant wait to install my Edition Grills.

[IFX]

i really hope to god you did not jack up your car, take off the wheels, rip the liner out, moved the water bottle, just so you could remove those..

[rjd598]

yea like others have said no need for the excess steps...i had a local bmw mod shop do it for me and they did it all from the outside. did a perfect job too

[Race_Doc11]

Yeah Man it is much easier...

[u2b][/u2b]

Originally Posted by chris s

wow...cool writeup but a lot of unnecessary steps no? i replaced my side grills from the outside...twice! No need to remove the fender liners to do so.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by racedoc11

Yeah Man it is much easier...

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by racedoc11

Yeah Man it is much easier...

[u2b][/u2b]

unfortunately the e90 is not as easy, hence the title for the e90, versus what you posted RE: the e92. Also, not everyone can just pull off the side gills, myself included, after multiple tries. The screw driver method has also been known to possibly mar the side fender, so if you have the tools and time, why not go from behind the fender and almost guarantee no damage.

but thanx for playing...

[rye m3]

With all due respect, DO NOT DO THIS. Don't use a screwdriver on your paint. Don't pull out the fender liner. Use packing tape to wrap around it, hold the gill with a towel, and pull hard on the tape. Wriggle while you pull. Pops out easily without breaking anything, marring the paint or spending an hour taking the car apart. Check for the other DIY thread.

[bigjae1976]

I used this DIY and it is much less risky. If you have an air ratchet...it goes much quicker. About 45 minutes.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I used this DIY and it is much less risky. If you have an air ratchet...it goes much quicker. About 45 minutes.

i actually LOL'd when i read this. Not sure if serious.... But it can be done in 15 seconds.

[bigjae1976]

The side markers? I removed the inner fender lining which is why it took so long. Seemed to be well worth it to me.

[Oreokid24]

I used Gorilla tape on the side markers and with 2 people, one squeezing the top and bottom while the other pulls and wiggles the marker up and down it came right out. About 10 sec. No problems at all.
Replacing the front grills was harder! I didn't have the torx driver, so used a allen wrench and that did ok, but one of the screws was in there pretty good. Got all the tabs pushed out with finger pressure except the ones on the far R and L. Used a screwdriver for those.
Looks really nice now.