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      09-09-2010, 04:14 PM   #45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMRLVR View Post
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.
That's probably what the BMW TIS would tell you to do, and what I would do. Not that this is worthwhile for anything other than changing bulbs, but that's another discussion.
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      10-20-2010, 02:02 PM   #46
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I found the use of a standard fire ax made the job much easier, one big wallop and done.......... The instructions were perfect thanks for posting them and if your having a tough time use a second small driver with tape to work the thing out slooooooowly. Once the first one came out the second takes 2 minutes max, good luck. By the way the salesman at Turner Motorsports sent me the link to the install htread and most importantly to this sight.
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      11-23-2010, 09:15 PM   #47
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I did mine with no issues. However, Uninstalling the side gill from the black plastic housing was a BIATCH. There are two tabs that attach to this housing and I snapped 1 of the 2 on both stock gills. Is there a method to use to make sure this doesn't happen to my aftermarket ones? Thanks.
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      01-04-2011, 03:43 PM   #48
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Great DIY, thanks.

I did have some trouble with the taped screwdriver method. The microfiber + screwdriver was not happening in the small gap. Ended up with two very minor bends.

I switched to a trim tool and had much better luck starting from the top. Tools can be found on bavauto under part number ST 9007.

HTH.
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      03-30-2011, 11:38 PM   #49
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Thank god for this thread -- I waited 2 weeks for my technician at the dealership to swap my grills and gills back to stock -- I finally got on here founds these threads and did it all myself....Took some time but did it and didnt chip any paint and didnt use any tools just my hands and a soft cloth. Also got my rear roundel swapped. Thanks guys!
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      04-23-2011, 02:11 AM   #50
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Screwdriver+tape method definitely wasn't working for me due to the limited space to get leverage. Didn't buy trim tools to try that way either. Ended up using zip ties (two of them) looped through the honeycomb as close to the front of the car and then pulling it out. The rest from there is self explanatory.
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      06-15-2011, 07:35 PM   #51
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I love working on cars but pulling out these things was the least fun thing I've ever done
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      06-15-2011, 08:12 PM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidZ View Post
I love working on cars but pulling out these things was the least fun thing I've ever done
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      08-26-2011, 08:46 PM   #53
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After putting a dent next to my side gill trying to pry it out, I went to the fishing line method and got each side out in 5 min total.

Took a loop of line and slid it around the corner of the gill, on one side it didn't pass so I used my free hand to push the gill in the opposite direction to open up the gap for the line to pass through. Wrapped the other end of the line around a flashlight handle a few times and applied moderate constant pressure. On one side the entire housing popped out, on the other only the corner did but there was enough of it out now to grab and wiggle out.

Was in my garage in 105 degree heat messing around with it for 30 min before I went to the fishing line, but totally worth it. The gloss black gills from IND are sweet.
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      09-08-2011, 06:39 PM   #54
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Thanks for the tips. Successfully removed my side grilles and installed the new black chrome "Edition" ones purchased from Tisher. Looks sweet!

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      11-24-2011, 10:30 AM   #55
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Used Gorilla tape!

Gorilla tape worked for me:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...5#post10863325
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      11-24-2011, 09:37 PM   #56
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Finally did this using the OP's method with the small screwdriver on my E90. Used electric tape which, although I did get small dents, worked well. A bit of touch up paint and it is good to go. Love the LED look.
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      11-25-2011, 08:21 AM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PKE90 View Post
Finally did this using the OP's method with the small screwdriver on my E90. Used electric tape which, although I did get small dents, worked well. A bit of touch up paint and it is good to go. Love the LED look.
I just posted this in another thread:

Another tip: Put double sided tape WITH THE PLASTIC COVER STILL IN PLACE at the edge of the gill housing where it is most likely to recieve the pressure from the screwdiver to prevent paint damage. I didn't on the first gill and scratched the paint a bit. Just my 2 cents.
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      12-14-2011, 05:01 PM   #58
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The removal on the E90 isn't as hard as everyone is making it out to be. You only need your two hands to remove the gill.

Just walk up to the fender, grab the largest part of the gill (towards the front of the car), thumbs on top fingers on the bottom, in one swift motion, pinch and pull. No broken tabs, not yanked wires, no damage.
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      12-28-2011, 02:08 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snig View Post
The removal on the E90 isn't as hard as everyone is making it out to be. You only need your two hands to remove the gill...
Yeah... sure...

OP's method + hairdryer FTW Tried one day, struggled with one side for half an hour, gave up, then again two days later with the hairdryer and got the job done on both sides in 20 mins. The hairdryer was absolutely essential given the chilly conditions I was working in, but I'm sure it'll make the job easier anywhere. Despite being extra careful, I still ended up with the same damage as the OP to the upper forward clip of the mounting bracket (invisible and inconsequential), in addition to tiny paint damage at the screwdriver insertion point (must know where it is and be within two feet to see it).
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      02-26-2012, 10:09 PM   #60
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I tried every method described here. Ultimately the whole grill assembly came out but I could not get the gill out of it. The two tabs at the deepest part (behind the ///M3 badge) cannot be pinched together to unhook them because there's a tab on the grill assembly preventing it.

Before I damage my paint or break the grill assembly, I'm giving up. I'll pay the dealership to do it.
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      02-27-2012, 10:27 AM   #61
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I tried everything suggested in this thread to no avail. My hands were killing me, I broke a screwdriver, and the gills barely even moved. Being scared to death of damaging the body or paint, I went a different route.

I jacked the front of the car up, and proceeded to spend hours removing the fender liners in order to gain access (very limited) to the inside of the gills so I could push on them from the back side to get them to come out.

All in all, I like the look of the car with the black gills but knowing the effort it took to make this minor modification, I simply would not go through this. I love working on my car but this was the least fun I have every had while modifying.
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      05-02-2012, 09:02 PM   #62
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As others have said this is an effing nightmare of a mod. I just did my kidneys, reflectors and a color matched badge in the back and left the garage with my AW side gills in my hand.

Seriously considering not even doing this...I already have 2 dents/scratches at the screwdriver point and I had to push with such force that i have a 2 in gouge in my right hand where the screwdriver went in! my hand is much easier to puncture than these damn gills!

I am agitated so this is for another day.
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      05-03-2012, 06:14 AM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robrwalker View Post
As others have said this is an effing nightmare of a mod. I just did my kidneys, reflectors and a color matched badge in the back and left the garage with my AW side gills in my hand.

Seriously considering not even doing this...I already have 2 dents/scratches at the screwdriver point and I had to push with such force that i have a 2 in gouge in my right hand where the screwdriver went in! my hand is much easier to puncture than these damn gills!

I am agitated so this is for another day.
Still haven't installed mine either. I tried twice but it's not easy on the sedan. I might break down and pay the dealership to do it.
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      05-04-2012, 01:45 AM   #64
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it wasn't too bad installing oem black chrome side gills using a plastic body trim tool, microfiber and really strong white plastic straps (the kind used to secure heavy shipping boxes, like wheels).

i gently inserted the trim tool with microfiber underneath and pried just enough to get the strap underneath. Once that's done, i simply pulled/rocked upwards on the strap while inserting the trim tool. took about 10 minutes each side and no damage.

one word of warning. i ordered both the e92 and e90 versions, but once i read how difficult it is to remove the honeycomb, i returned that one and stuck with the e92 ones. it looks identical and removing honeycomb is truly daunting.
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      05-04-2012, 06:26 AM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lhsa View Post
it wasn't too bad installing oem black chrome side gills using a plastic body trim tool, microfiber and really strong white plastic straps (the kind used to secure heavy shipping boxes, like wheels).

i gently inserted the trim tool with microfiber underneath and pried just enough to get the strap underneath. Once that's done, i simply pulled/rocked upwards on the strap while inserting the trim tool. took about 10 minutes each side and no damage.

one word of warning. i ordered both the e92 and e90 versions, but once i read how difficult it is to remove the honeycomb, i returned that one and stuck with the e92 ones. it looks identical and removing honeycomb is truly daunting.
You didn't happen to take pics during the process, did you?
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      05-05-2012, 02:02 AM   #66
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unfortunately no. if you have the tools, just lift up the back end and thread the strap and pull up. put pressure on the area around the next tab while you pull up and move the strap over each time a tab pops out. once you start and overcome fears of damage, it's pretty intuitive.
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