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      01-11-2011, 06:07 PM   #1
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Installing grills-can i do it myself?

hi guys, i'm about to order blacked out grills for my 2009 e92 m3... and i was just wondering if it's simple enough for anyone to do? i'm no mechanic by any means... or should i ask a professional to do it? thanks~
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      01-11-2011, 06:13 PM   #2
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It's very easy! Just search on here and follow the steps.



http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191198

There are other links on that page as well.
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      01-11-2011, 06:20 PM   #3
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thank you very MUCH!
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      01-12-2011, 08:11 AM   #4
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It's really easy to do. I suggest using a body panel tool to pop out the grill if you have one. If not then hopefully you have strong skinny fingers.

I create a DIY on this if you are interested in my method. There's plenty of other DIY's out there if mine doesn't suit you. Good luck.

My DIY: http://www.fastm.com/e92m3/editionfrontgrills.html
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      01-12-2011, 09:18 AM   #5
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DIY is very helpful, also very easy. GL
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      01-12-2011, 10:20 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drews M3 View Post
DIY is very helpful, also very easy. GL
+1
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      01-12-2011, 10:37 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drews M3 View Post
DIY is very helpful, also very easy. GL
THANK YOU! This was very helpful...
Last question, does it really matter what type of black grills I buy and install? I see some for around $40 on eBay, som for $50, and some for $60?
Thanks AGAIN!
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      01-12-2011, 11:31 AM   #8
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Anyone who says it's easy is lying. You have to be careful. There's a bend by both headlights. You can easily crack that!
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      01-12-2011, 11:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 48Laws View Post
Anyone who says it's easy is lying. You have to be careful. There's a bend by both headlights. You can easily crack that!
Not if you use the right tools.

It should definitely not be forced out.
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      01-12-2011, 11:48 AM   #10
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thanks for the heads up... i guess i'll take it to friend who will probably do it better than i could.. he's a mechanic and he never charges for small things
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      01-12-2011, 11:49 AM   #11
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Not if you use the right tools.

It should definitely not be forced out.
What, BMW certified tools or a flathead? Lol
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      01-12-2011, 11:56 AM   #12
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Ok! I'm eating crow. Yummy. It is easy. Thought my hands were too big to squeeze behind grill. See, I can humble myself.
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      01-12-2011, 12:10 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 48Laws View Post
What, BMW certified tools or a flathead? Lol
LOL. A small flathead will do. I used a body panel tool where one end is straight for the top latches and the other end is angled for the outer latch closest to the headlights.

The latch will pop right out with little force if you press in the little tab on the latch with the tool. If you use your fingers, you will not have enough pressure to press the little tab in.
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      01-12-2011, 12:13 PM   #14
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I found using a long flat head screwdriver to poke each the tab one by one while lightly pulling on the grill did the trick. Once you have say the top 2 tabs released it gets easier, the bottom tabs can be done last.
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      01-12-2011, 12:22 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonasaurus View Post
I found using a long flat head screwdriver to poke each the tab one by one while lightly pulling on the grill did the trick. Once you have say the top 2 tabs released it gets easier, the bottom tabs can be done last.
Exactly.
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      01-12-2011, 12:24 PM   #16
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Frightening at first, but as everyone has said, very easy. Cracking the bumper on a $70K car is not cool.
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      01-12-2011, 12:35 PM   #17
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Quote:
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Frightening at first, but as everyone has said, very easy. Cracking the bumper on a $70K car is not cool.
Woah, lets hope no one does that.
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      01-12-2011, 02:36 PM   #18
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Getting one of those precision 90 degree tool helped me with the clips near the headlights
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      01-12-2011, 02:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 6MT View Post
Getting one of those precision 90 degree tool helped me with the clips near the headlights
I have the 11 pc SIR TOOLS set (got it from Amazon). Has helped me with various installs.
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      01-12-2011, 03:05 PM   #20
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Tape a penny to your index finder. That might help with that difficult clip.
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      03-05-2011, 12:03 PM   #21
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I just swapped out the grilles on my M3 and have a slightly different take on the previously posted DIY info.

Taking the advice I had read here I tried unclipping the clip closest to the headlight first, but it wouldn't budge. After 10 minutes the only thing I had to show for my efforts was pretty sore fingers.

What worked for me was unclipping the bottom clips first, on my car they were definitely the ones that offered the least resistance, then the side clip closest to the center. Once I had every clip unseated except the one closest to the headlight I was able to push that clip in while giving the grille insert a good, steady pressure pull and out she popped.

Also helpful is to use a chair to sit in so that you can use your knee to push the bumper cover back towards the car so it doesn't flex while you pull on the grille thus negating some/most of your force. Once you've removed those 4 Hex screws the bumper cover will work against your efforts as it flexes outward along with the grille piece that you're pulling on. ;-)
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      03-07-2011, 03:15 AM   #22
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Taking apart the vents, in particular the rounded end piece with the two tabs, is the hardest part for me. I've nearly destroyed mine trying to get that thing apart.
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