IND Front Grill DIY

allinon72 · 07-25-2017, 12:08 PM

Strongly suggest that anyone doing this DIY, go thru the grill. No reason to mess with the bumper. The top and side clips are easy. I used a mini pry bar (available at home improvement store for a few dollars) for the bottom 3 clips on each side. Took me 10 minutes for both sides.

mdrobc13 · 07-25-2017, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domino_z

need to remove the grilles to install eventuri ducts

tried to do this tonight, pulling the bumper back just seemed excessive - it was bending right at the bottom of the centre grille area and didn't feel right

so then tried a pry tool and fingers through the grille opening, and just couldn't get enough leverage

i'm now thinking of either a) buying a set of oe grilles, not too expensive, and dremeling the slats out so i can get my hand inside the grille to remove the tabs

or b) removing the whole bumper

I may have a used set of OEM grilles from my former lease I can let you have for cheap if you want a set. LMK...send me a PM.

domino_z · 07-26-2017, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

I may have a used set of OEM grilles from my former lease I can let you have for cheap if you want a set. LMK...send me a PM.

my car is a comp pack with gloss black grilles

plus i'd just buy local as they are cheap enough here

going to try again tonight with a 21 piece plastic trim tool kit i picked up - surely there's something in there that will work

Pharaoh2716 · 01-13-2019, 06:48 PM

I just did this DYI. Definitely not, under any stretch of the imagination, as easy as the description or IND's video makes it look. It's clear in IND's video that a lot of the work has been done prior, so that the grill simply pops out in the video.

smithf80 · 01-14-2019, 06:13 PM

How BMW does it:

Squat to be level with the grill, use two hands to grab two sets of slats, yank out directly straight so as to not scratch the bumper. Repeat for other grill. Done.

If you're worried about scratching the bumper, put some painters tape.

codys21 · 02-01-2021, 11:41 AM

Posts #51 and #64 are very helpful here. Unfortunately, I didn't see them until after finishing, which probably took about an hour with some help from my wife. The second one took about two minutes though after having the hole open from the first. Also, BMW screwed up big time when putting mine in at the factory. See pics. The bottom three clips all were not done properly. The left most slot where the clip goes was broke, the right was sort of smashed, and the middle clip wasn't even in the little slot. It was on top of it and pushed the plastic down. Both sides were similar. The clips on the surrounds are fine, though. The new ones from IND have been put in properly by me now haha.

Reprosal · 05-16-2021, 05:24 AM

I am still struggling with this DIY.

Did painted reflectors, front lip, side skirts and spoiler but for some reason I am just unsure what I am supposed to be unclipping etc..

Silverlining_m2 · 05-16-2021, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reprosal

I am still struggling with this DIY.

Did painted reflectors, front lip, side skirts and spoiler but for some reason I am just unsure what I am supposed to be unclipping etc..

Reach in through the grille slats and feel a clip. You need you curl your finger around and under the clip, using your finger to wedge the clip away from the auto body. Use your other hand to pull the grille outward at the same time and go one clip at a time. Worst part is getting a couple unclipped just to have them snap back in accidentally while moving to the next clip. A tiny pry bar works well for the bottom clips.

Reprosal · 05-16-2021, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82spaceship

Reach in through the grille slats and feel a clip. You need you curl your finger around and under the clip, using your finger to wedge the clip away from the auto body. Use your other hand to pull the grille outward at the same time and go one clip at a time. Worst part is getting a couple unclipped just to have them snap back in accidentally while moving to the next clip. A tiny pry bar works well for the bottom clips.

So there is 8 clips total? 3 top 3 bottom and 2 on the sides?

Silverlining_m2 · 05-16-2021, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reprosal

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82spaceship

Reach in through the grille slats and feel a clip. You need you curl your finger around and under the clip, using your finger to wedge the clip away from the auto body. Use your other hand to pull the grille outward at the same time and go one clip at a time. Worst part is getting a couple unclipped just to have them snap back in accidentally while moving to the next clip. A tiny pry bar works well for the bottom clips.

So there is 8 clips total? 3 top 3 bottom and 2 on the sides?

I don't recall exactly. but there are at least 2 top, 2 bottom, and 2 side clips. I found it easiest to start on the outer side clip, work along the top, get the inner side clip, stuff a rag in the top so it doesn't click back in, and use some kind of pry tool to get under the bottom ones. They are harder for me to get a finger under.

Reprosal · 05-17-2021, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82spaceship

I don't recall exactly. but there are at least 2 top, 2 bottom, and 2 side clips. I found it easiest to start on the outer side clip, work along the top, get the inner side clip, stuff a rag in the top so it doesn't click back in, and use some kind of pry tool to get under the bottom ones. They are harder for me to get a finger under.

Just wanted to say thanks! I finally got them swapped!!

Silverlining_m2 · 05-17-2021, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reprosal

Quote:

Originally Posted by F82spaceship

I don't recall exactly. but there are at least 2 top, 2 bottom, and 2 side clips. I found it easiest to start on the outer side clip, work along the top, get the inner side clip, stuff a rag in the top so it doesn't click back in, and use some kind of pry tool to get under the bottom ones. They are harder for me to get a finger under.

Just wanted to say thanks! I finally got them swapped!!

Once you get that first clip to pop, and you know what the move is, it's all downhill from there! Congrats! Glad I could help

Reprosal · 05-17-2021, 11:14 PM

So much nicer now

horsepower_and_hounds · 05-18-2021, 03:45 AM

A lot of people make the mistake of pushing on the whole tab instead of just the center clip inside the tab.....

07-25-2017, 12:08 PM	#89
allinon72 Brigadier General 4921 Rep 3,804 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	Strongly suggest that anyone doing this DIY, go thru the grill. No reason to mess with the bumper. The top and side clips are easy. I used a mini pry bar (available at home improvement store for a few dollars) for the bottom 3 clips on each side. Took me 10 minutes for both sides.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2019, 06:48 PM	#92
Pharaoh2716 Private First Class 91 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	I just did this DYI. Definitely not, under any stretch of the imagination, as easy as the description or IND's video makes it look. It's clear in IND's video that a lot of the work has been done prior, so that the grill simply pops out in the video.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-14-2019, 06:13 PM	#93
smithf80 Major General 2808 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	How BMW does it: Squat to be level with the grill, use two hands to grab two sets of slats, yank out directly straight so as to not scratch the bumper. Repeat for other grill. Done. If you're worried about scratching the bumper, put some painters tape. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2021, 11:41 AM	#94
codys21 Private First Class 60 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 2015 F83 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	Posts #51 and #64 are very helpful here. Unfortunately, I didn't see them until after finishing, which probably took about an hour with some help from my wife. The second one took about two minutes though after having the hole open from the first. Also, BMW screwed up big time when putting mine in at the factory. See pics. The bottom three clips all were not done properly. The left most slot where the clip goes was broke, the right was sort of smashed, and the middle clip wasn't even in the little slot. It was on top of it and pushed the plastic down. Both sides were similar. The clips on the surrounds are fine, though. The new ones from IND have been put in properly by me now haha. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2021, 05:24 AM	#95
Reprosal First Lieutenant 214 Rep 353 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M3XC Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	I am still struggling with this DIY. Did painted reflectors, front lip, side skirts and spoiler but for some reason I am just unsure what I am supposed to be unclipping etc..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-17-2021, 11:14 PM	#101
Reprosal First Lieutenant 214 Rep 353 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M3XC Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	So much nicer now Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 Silverlining_m21731.50 TopJimmy5458.50 Quote

05-18-2021, 03:45 AM	#102
horsepower_and_hounds Brigadier General 1836 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	A lot of people make the mistake of pushing on the whole tab instead of just the center clip inside the tab.....
	Appreciate 1 Silverlining_m21731.50 Quote