DIY: Painted/Replace Side Vents - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

rldzhao · 08-12-2008, 01:51 AM

Video now available by bmstyle71: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170882

TOOLS

i) Dupli-color paint, Dupli-color adhesive promoter, sandpaper, and MASK: I used bumper paint from Autozone as it creates a matte look; sandpaper (I chose 220 and 800); please buy a mask (I was blowing black paint out of my nose at the end of the day)
*or*
Aftermarket indicator covers

ii) Hex screwdriver
iii) Flathead screwdriver
iv) E9x M3

STEPS

1. Remove the side vents by pinching and pulling the side vents out. Be careful not to pull out all the way as the side indicator cable is still connected.

2. Using a flathead, unhook the side indicator cable.

3. The side vent assembly has 4 parts: a) top cover, b) middle cover, c) chrome side indicator cover, and d) side indicator . Unattach (a) and (b) by pulling it *gently* but firmly away from (c) & (d).

4. Unscrew the side indicator (c) from it's chrome cover (d) using a hex driver.

OPTION 1: If you want to paint your own side vent
5. Either tape the ///M3 sticker or remove it by using a flathead screw driver.

6. Sand the turn signal cover. I used 220 and 800. But you can choose whatever you feel appropriate.

7. Paint the chrome cover (and the sticker). If you mess up, let dry, sand, and repaint.

8. Reassemble the components.

OPTION 2: If you are replacing it with an aftermarket part
5. Reassemble the components with your aftermarket cover.

Big Windy · 08-12-2008, 01:59 AM

damn...looks cool. can we get a shot of it installed to see the final product? i think i'd be too scared to try that on my M

rldzhao · 08-12-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Windy

damn...looks cool. can we get a shot of it installed to see the final product? i think i'd be too scared to try that on my M

haha that will be tomorrow... i just finished painting... you see how much i love this forum

Big Windy · 08-12-2008, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

haha that will be tomorrow... i just finished painting... you see how much i love this forum

sounds good. i think it will look awesome on your MR m3. I wonder how that autozone paint will hold up.

Davinhci · 08-12-2008, 03:20 AM

can't wait to see it, looks great so far

MDCTFTW · 08-12-2008, 05:17 AM

You should have tried painting them MR. Ooooo ... idea!

ferrari6891 · 08-12-2008, 12:29 PM

thanks man
this is EXACTLY what i was looking for...EXACTLY
love ya man

composed · 08-14-2008, 12:09 AM

Looks cool - can't wait to see the pics on the car!!

Laszlo · 08-14-2008, 12:12 AM

What is item A? Are these vents fake? Is that a stopper?

I think my e90 M3 vents have passage to the engine compartment. It would be disappointing if these are all fake.

rldzhao · 08-14-2008, 12:29 AM

it's a cover that blocks the passage. the side vents are nonfunctional, at least on E92/3

nlpamg · 08-14-2008, 09:37 PM

wow, that looks great! thanks for posting the info!

JMD0977 · 08-14-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

it's a cover that blocks the passage. the side vents are nonfunctional, at least on E92/3

Damn, I didnt know that. Can it be fitted back without part A?
If so, for example, when you removed the parts to paint, does it have a passage to the engine bay or is it still blocked by something else? Could it be made fuctional? I havent looked yet

rldzhao · 08-15-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMD0977

Damn, I didnt know that. Can it be fitted back without part A?
If so, for example, when you removed the parts to paint, does it have a passage to the engine bay or is it still blocked by something else? Could it be made fuctional? I havent looked yet

yes. it can be fitted w/o A, but wouldn't recommend it because water might just stay in the compartment.

i stuck my arm in there and seems like it's sealed. not 100% sure though.

Laszlo · 08-15-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

it's a cover that blocks the passage. the side vents are nonfunctional, at least on E92/3

That's really lame... is it that way on the e90 M3? When I look at mine they look, at least, just like my old e46 M3... they have a passage.

Can anyone confirm this?

FifthStreetz · 08-15-2008, 11:00 PM

Great job with the DIY, ill def. be either doing this or waiting for CF!!

aus · 10-17-2008, 03:45 AM

How did you re-attach the "M3" logo?

Nice job. THanks.

rldzhao · 10-18-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

How did you re-attach the "M3" logo?

Nice job. THanks.

you need to buy some double-sided tape

ebohon · 10-18-2008, 08:44 PM

Great job... I'm def going to do this and give my son a few bucks to prep the kidneys as well... I was contemplating that anyway... they might chip or buble ... but will be much easier to repaint down the road if prepped correctly. If I screw them up, at least I know I can buy a pair for about $100. THANKS for the great DYI video.

doba_s · 11-02-2008, 01:45 AM

good job man ... I was trying to take them off and couldn't figure out how ... now I know ... I'll try to wrap them in black vinyl ... will post some pics when it will be done !

doba_s · 11-02-2008, 11:56 AM

I can't take them off ... how did you do that ?

SECRET M · 11-08-2008, 05:34 AM

just yank UP.

SS32 · 11-08-2008, 01:41 PM

They're kind of a bitch to remove. You have to squeeze and pull up at the same time. It's hard to get the right leverage, but I feel like it would take a lot of force to break one, so don't worry.

08-12-2008, 01:51 AM	#1
rldzhao Moderator Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 3,024 iTrader: (9)	DIY: Painted/Replace Side Vents Video now available by bmstyle71: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170882 TOOLS i) Dupli-color paint, Dupli-color adhesive promoter, sandpaper, and MASK: I used bumper paint from Autozone as it creates a matte look; sandpaper (I chose 220 and 800); please buy a mask (I was blowing black paint out of my nose at the end of the day) or Aftermarket indicator covers ii) Hex screwdriver iii) Flathead screwdriver iv) E9x M3 STEPS 1. Remove the side vents by pinching and pulling the side vents out. Be careful not to pull out all the way as the side indicator cable is still connected. 2. Using a flathead, unhook the side indicator cable. 3. The side vent assembly has 4 parts: a) top cover, b) middle cover, c) chrome side indicator cover, and d) side indicator . Unattach (a) and (b) by pulling it gently but firmly away from (c) & (d). 4. Unscrew the side indicator (c) from it's chrome cover (d) using a hex driver. OPTION 1: If you want to paint your own side vent 5. Either tape the ///M3 sticker or remove it by using a flathead screw driver. 6. Sand the turn signal cover. I used 220 and 800. But you can choose whatever you feel appropriate. 7. Paint the chrome cover (and the sticker). If you mess up, let dry, sand, and repaint. 8. Reassemble the components. OPTION 2: If you are replacing it with an aftermarket part 5. Reassemble the components with your aftermarket cover. Attached Images __________________ '08 Jerez Black M3 Coupé DCT - Advan RS-D/Bridgestone RE-11/Moton Coilover/StopTech BBK/DIY Side Gills Retired: '08 Melbourne Red M3 Coupé 6MT / '08 Barbera Red 335xi Coupé / '07 Salsa Red VW Sagitar / '04 Milano Red Acura TSX Last edited by rldzhao; 11-25-2008 at 12:00 AM.

08-12-2008, 03:20 AM	#5
Davinhci Colonel Drives: 2008 AW M3 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,373 iTrader: (0) View Davinhci's Garage	can't wait to see it, looks great so far __________________ 08 E92 AW M3 \| Breyton GTS Race 19's \| APE Air Filter \| Premium \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Premium Sound \| F1 Pinnacle Tint \| V1 Hardwire \| Dinan Performance Software \| Gintani Exhaust \| H&R Sports Springs \| H&R Spacers \| RPI Scoops

08-12-2008, 05:17 AM	#6
MDCTFTW Lieutenant Colonel Drives: E92 DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 1,789 iTrader: (0)	You should have tried painting them MR. Ooooo ... idea! __________________ MDCT ... so you can drive and eat a hamburger at the same time.

08-12-2008, 12:29 PM	#7
ferrari6891 ferrari6891 Drives: e92 m3 interlagos blue, 19" Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: tenafly, nj Posts: 329 iTrader: (0) View ferrari6891's Garage	thanks man this is EXACTLY what i was looking for...EXACTLY love ya man __________________ 2008 E92 ///M3 IB,Black Novillo Leather,Carbon Leather, 19"rims, 20% tints all around, Tech Package, Premium Package, M-DCT,Moonroof,Heated Seats,Ipod,PDC,EDC, Calibre K40 radar/jammer

08-14-2008, 12:09 AM	#8
composed Enlisted Member Drives: E92 M3 Coupe, Alpine White Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	Looks cool - can't wait to see the pics on the car!! __________________ E92 M3 : Alpine White - Black Speed Cloth - Tech Package - H&R Sport Springs - Evosport 19" RG8 3-piece wheels - painted reflectors - Powerchip software - mObridge iPod integration kit - (scheduled for Evosport pulley install)

08-12-2008, 01:59 AM	#2
Big Windy Major General Drives: nothing at the moment Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: seatac, wa Posts: 5,171 iTrader: (0) View Big Windy's Garage	damn...looks cool. can we get a shot of it installed to see the final product? i think i'd be too scared to try that on my M

08-14-2008, 12:12 AM	#9
Laszlo Colonel Drives: '08 e90 M3, '05 325i, '76 2002 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 2,165 iTrader: (0)	What is item A? Are these vents fake? Is that a stopper? I think my e90 M3 vents have passage to the engine compartment. It would be disappointing if these are all fake. __________________

08-14-2008, 12:29 AM	#10
rldzhao Moderator Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 3,024 iTrader: (9)	it's a cover that blocks the passage. the side vents are nonfunctional, at least on E92/3 __________________ '08 Jerez Black M3 Coupé DCT - Advan RS-D/Bridgestone RE-11/Moton Coilover/StopTech BBK/DIY Side Gills Retired: '08 Melbourne Red M3 Coupé 6MT / '08 Barbera Red 335xi Coupé / '07 Salsa Red VW Sagitar / '04 Milano Red Acura TSX

08-14-2008, 09:37 PM	#11
nlpamg MBWorld Spy Drives: 2008 M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 336 iTrader: (0)	wow, that looks great! thanks for posting the info!

08-15-2008, 11:00 PM	#15
FifthStreetz O! So Sour!! Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NYC Posts: 14,458 iTrader: (9) View FifthStreetz's Garage	Great job with the DIY, ill def. be either doing this or waiting for CF!! __________________

10-17-2008, 03:45 AM	#16
aus Colonel Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 2,853 iTrader: (2)	How did you re-attach the "M3" logo? Nice job. THanks. __________________ Austin 2007 335i (E90):Titanium Silver/Black/Aluminum trim, Sport, Premium, Heated seats (for the wife), MORR VS7 E92 M3: Space Gray, Premium, DCT, CSL Type trunk, JIC/Cross coils, RAC RG63 in Anthracite

10-18-2008, 08:44 PM	#18
ebohon Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: (1)	Great job... I'm def going to do this and give my son a few bucks to prep the kidneys as well... I was contemplating that anyway... they might chip or buble ... but will be much easier to repaint down the road if prepped correctly. If I screw them up, at least I know I can buy a pair for about $100. THANKS for the great DYI video. __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : 18" MODS: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Remus Race : TVinMotion

11-02-2008, 01:45 AM	#19
doba_s BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Ramon Posts: 6,049 iTrader: (24)	good job man ... I was trying to take them off and couldn't figure out how ... now I know ... I'll try to wrap them in black vinyl ... will post some pics when it will be done ! __________________

11-02-2008, 11:56 AM	#20
doba_s BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Ramon Posts: 6,049 iTrader: (24)	I can't take them off ... how did you do that ? __________________

11-08-2008, 05:34 AM	#21
SECRET M Engineer Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 76 iTrader: (0)	just yank UP.

11-08-2008, 01:41 PM	#22
SS32 Major Drives: 08 M3, 87 325 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleighwood, NC Posts: 1,320 iTrader: (0)	They're kind of a bitch to remove. You have to squeeze and pull up at the same time. It's hard to get the right leverage, but I feel like it would take a lot of force to break one, so don't worry. __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns