Can't get the side grilles off.

twin turbo · 05-15-2011, 05:06 PM

I just replaced the front kidneys with IND's gloss black painted grilles. Thanks Nate and Ilia. Very straight forward install. They look awesome BTW.

I also purchased the painted side grilles. I tried prying the grilles from the end towards the rear of the car according to the video they emailed me. I can't get them out! I am also very nervous about marring the paint. Any helpful tips? Thanks in advance.

gthal · 05-15-2011, 05:25 PM

I found they were a pain in the ass to remove as well on my 2011. It took about 15 minutes but they did come... I grabbed them on the top and bottom and pinched... I then twisted up and down, over and over again. Eventually, I used vice grips with a cloth to protect the gill for extra pinching power

. They came out eventually... it is frustrating but don't give up.

twin turbo · 05-15-2011, 05:45 PM

Thanks for the info. I just finished reading all of the DIY tips over again. I guess I will give it another go.

twin turbo · 05-15-2011, 06:30 PM

Screwdriver method worked. Just had to apply more pressure than I thought was necessary. I made a very minor mark in the paint on the passenger side. You have to know it's there to see it. Doubled up on the electrical tape on the drivers side and no marks. The grilles look so much better in black. Definitely worth the cost and effort.

BimmerM · 05-15-2011, 07:58 PM

Give my DIY a try: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531297

geneatals · 05-15-2011, 09:04 PM

you could always go from inside the fender, just need to remove a few screws on the wheel liner....

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497779

twin turbo · 05-15-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerM

Give my DIY a try: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531297

Interesting approach. I wish I would have come across your DIY sooner. Definitely would have tried this first before screwdriver method.

edu09 · 05-16-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I just replaced the front kidneys with IND's gloss black painted grilles. Thanks Nate and Ilia. Very straight forward install. They look awesome BTW.

I also purchased the painted side grilles. I tried prying the grilles from the end towards the rear of the car according to the video they emailed me. I can't get them out! I am also very nervous about marring the paint. Any helpful tips? Thanks in advance.

Can I ask you where you bought the side grilles? I bought the front black grilles at BMW but couldnt find the black side grilles

geneatals · 05-16-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

Can I ask you where you bought the side grilles? I bought the front black grilles at BMW but couldnt find the black side grilles

getbmwparts.com

or IND

1cleanm6 · 05-17-2011, 02:52 AM

mine were a pain in the ass to do also, i was so afriad I got a vendor to do it for me. Fender is plastic so be very careful.

bsiciliano · 05-17-2011, 09:05 PM

Took me about 15 mins for the first one too. You definitely need more pressure than thought. I found that a thin plastic putty knife works best. Won't scratch the fender but hard enough to provide leverage.

Krozi · 05-17-2011, 09:10 PM

Sledgehammer works.

twin turbo · 05-18-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

Can I ask you where you bought the side grilles? I bought the front black grilles at BMW but couldnt find the black side grilles

Got them from Nate and Ilia at IND. The quality of the paint work is excellent. You won't believe how well everything was packaged. I would highly recommend IND.

http://parts.ind-distribution.com/pr...ory2=65&Opt=03

05-15-2011, 05:06 PM	#1
twin turbo Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Can't get the side grilles off. I just replaced the front kidneys with IND's gloss black painted grilles. Thanks Nate and Ilia. Very straight forward install. They look awesome BTW. I also purchased the painted side grilles. I tried prying the grilles from the end towards the rear of the car according to the video they emailed me. I can't get them out! I am also very nervous about marring the paint. Any helpful tips? Thanks in advance. __________________ 2020 BMW M340i xdrive 2016 BMW M4 (sold) 2015 BMW M4 (sold) 2014 Audi RS5 (sold) 2012 Audi TT RS (sold)
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05-15-2011, 05:25 PM	#2
gthal Major General 1901 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	I found they were a pain in the ass to remove as well on my 2011. It took about 15 minutes but they did come... I grabbed them on the top and bottom and pinched... I then twisted up and down, over and over again. Eventually, I used vice grips with a cloth to protect the gill for extra pinching power . They came out eventually... it is frustrating but don't give up. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3
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05-15-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
twin turbo Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info. I just finished reading all of the DIY tips over again. I guess I will give it another go. __________________ 2020 BMW M340i xdrive 2016 BMW M4 (sold) 2015 BMW M4 (sold) 2014 Audi RS5 (sold) 2012 Audi TT RS (sold)
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05-15-2011, 06:30 PM	#4
twin turbo Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Screwdriver method worked. Just had to apply more pressure than I thought was necessary. I made a very minor mark in the paint on the passenger side. You have to know it's there to see it. Doubled up on the electrical tape on the drivers side and no marks. The grilles look so much better in black. Definitely worth the cost and effort. __________________ 2020 BMW M340i xdrive 2016 BMW M4 (sold) 2015 BMW M4 (sold) 2014 Audi RS5 (sold) 2012 Audi TT RS (sold)
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05-15-2011, 07:58 PM	#5
BimmerM Lieutenant 98 Rep 525 Posts Drives: '21 F95 X5 M C, '11.5 E92 M3 C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5 M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Give my DIY a try: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531297 __________________ Drives: '11.5 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 Comp, '21 F95 X5 M Comp DIYs: Enable Rear Fog \| Easy Side Gill Replacement \| Front Grill Replacement
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05-15-2011, 09:04 PM	#6
geneatals Ninja 390 Rep 4,014 Posts Drives: 2019 530e Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) iTrader: (3)	you could always go from inside the fender, just need to remove a few screws on the wheel liner.... http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497779 __________________ 2019 AW G30 530e l ZPP l ZMP l ZDH Retired: 2016 F80 M3, 2012 E90 M3, 2008 535i
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05-17-2011, 02:52 AM	#10
1cleanm6 Brigadier General 441 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: M5 comp/Range/i3S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (7)	mine were a pain in the ass to do also, i was so afriad I got a vendor to do it for me. Fender is plastic so be very careful.
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05-17-2011, 09:05 PM	#11
bsiciliano Captain 51 Rep 698 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	Took me about 15 mins for the first one too. You definitely need more pressure than thought. I found that a thin plastic putty knife works best. Won't scratch the fender but hard enough to provide leverage. __________________ 2011 E93 - Space Gray - 6MT/Silver Novillo/ OE Tuning/Gruppe M Intake/ACS Springs/Vorsteiner CF Type I Rear Diffuser/Textured Matte Black Custom Powdercoated OEM 359s/Painted Reflectors/Matte Grille, Hood Vents and Side Markers/Arqray Race Exhaust/MS Pulley
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05-17-2011, 09:10 PM	#12
Krozi Colonel 167 Rep 2,736 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 ///M3 Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoFla - Bonita Springs iTrader: (24)	Sledgehammer works. __________________ 2008 E92 ///M3 Alpine White//Fox Red//6MT// Florida Bimmer - Join us on FaceBook!
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