BMW Performance Grill Installation Tips? ? ?

rfx45 · 02-09-2012, 02:10 PM

Anybody have any tips on doing this? I tried installing this myself w/o luck. I tried the hard way too by removing the air duct but I am still unable to reach the grill tabs since there is a protruding metal part on top where the air duct screws too. I tried taking the tabs off the bottoms one first because I could reach that w/o separating my shoulders but it turns out it blocked by some horizontal bar that covers it.

I tried having my nearest BMW center install it but they quoted me $210 for the labor alone, which will probably take them 10 minutes to do.

So that is out of the equation.

Any tips or recommendation to make the installation easier or doable?

z4z4z4 · 02-09-2012, 02:32 PM

I hope these help you to see where you need to focus releasing tabs/clips. I found it didn't require access from above, but it may have helped me more than I remember. Good Luck. It's a bit tedious.

rfx45 · 02-09-2012, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the pics and making them really big helps too. Appreciate it.

How did you execute the removal though? I see that you have a swiss army knife, did you push the tabs using it through the gap from the front? I didn't think that was possible or might be too risky to scratch the paint so I am curious if that was your method? Most seems to push the tab from the inside.

Thanks again, those pics will really help when I try again tonight.

az34 · 02-09-2012, 03:20 PM

i had remove both grills last summer to clean the rads, it was very easy as long as i remember i'd not used any tools just my fingers.

rfx45 · 02-09-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az34

i had remove both grills last summer to clean the rads, it was very easy as long as i remember i'd not used any tools just my fingers.

Which method do you use? Seems like others do it w/o removing the air ducts and just release the tabs from the front through the slats. I tried this method and my fingers just aren't long enough.

jparnes1 · 02-09-2012, 03:38 PM

Check out this DIY
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=278834

az34 · 02-09-2012, 03:39 PM

i would like to help you now but my car is hibernating for winter, but i am sure i did'nt used any tools Good luck.

rfx45 · 02-09-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az34

i would like to help you now but my car is hibernating for winter, but i am sure i did'nt used any tools Good luck.

No problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Check out this DIY
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=278834

Thanks for the link. I found that before but it isn't quite the same as the E89 grill set-up. It just seems harder to get access to the E89.

fre2bpowerless · 02-09-2012, 04:43 PM

I suggest removing the cover above the grill and pry/push-pull your way from there.

rfx45 · 02-09-2012, 05:26 PM

Tried again w/o removing the air duct (no tools with me right now) and tried to remove it from the front. I managed to remove the top upper outer corner w/o much problem but once I got to the top part towards the middle, my finger just wasn't long enough and I couldn't put enough pressure on the tab to release it. It's also more stiff than the other tabs, I also checked on the performance grill in hand and that part does seem a bit more stiff. Probably going to need a tool to get it off. Hmmm...

GaryRudolph · 02-09-2012, 08:40 PM

It is a pain to get off. I did take off the air intake over the radiator to give room for my arm to "fit" (albeit with some skin loss). I mostly used my hands, but on a few I used a screw driver from behind.

bjarne · 02-09-2012, 09:42 PM

Haven't done this myself, but I wonder if this post might help you any:

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showpost...0&postcount=41

silverstone_ttlz4 · 02-10-2012, 07:06 AM

Does anyone have pictures of a silver Z4 with this black grill? I had intended to get it, but I actually think I like the silver color grill that the car comes with. I'd like to know what the alternative might look like

GaryRudolph · 02-10-2012, 11:48 AM

Another option is I believe the 28i grill is chrome on the outside but black satin on the slots. Instead of the black satin everywhere. I painted my inside black satin, and didn't notice I could have just ordered the 28i grill afterwards.

rfx45 · 02-10-2012, 12:38 PM

Finally able to contort my arm cirque-du-soleil style from the top after removing the air duct again. Key is just finding a way to get your arm comfortably to through the top, for me, I used my left arm bent to the passenger side to take out the driver side and vice versa. That was the easiest way. All the tabs were easy to take off until you get to the two bottom ones closest to the middle. Pics circled below (hope you don't mind me borrowing your pic z4z4z4). You can also see how different it is from the others.

To me, w/o a tool, it is almost impossible to remove these because there was no way I was going to be able to fit my finger below to push the tabs up, not to mention it is blocked for some reason, doesn't show on that pic but there is a horizontal bar making it more difficult. So I just gently but forcefully wiggled it out and I managed to remove it w/o damaging anything. I kind of scratched the part where the tabs where hitting/locked but it is hidden and it didn't hurt anything. So if you want to take the safe route, look for s hook tool that might be able to help.

I'm just happy to get mine on, finally! Thanks everyone for the help!

Will post pics later.

z4z4z4 · 02-10-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverstone_ttlz4

Does anyone have pictures of a silver Z4 with this black grill? I had intended to get it, but I actually think I like the silver color grill that the car comes with. I'd like to know what the alternative might look like

The silver stock grill is nice. I wanted to add some attitude and the mod is so inexpensive I can always revert back to original. Below is a picture of the mod and two additional pics of concept that increases the opening. Not sure about that idea yet.
Go For It!

Vintage · 02-10-2012, 05:00 PM

it looks great

stickshifter69 · 02-11-2012, 11:06 AM

I like the stock silver grills over the black ones.

rfx45 · 02-13-2012, 11:09 PM

Pics as promised, also painted the silver horizontal bar on the lower grill black and put overlays on the reflector (will probably get the painted ones to replace the overlays).

jparnes1 · 02-14-2012, 06:07 AM

The Stealth Bomber

kcsly · 03-09-2012, 07:30 PM

It's much easier than you think, did it to my car last nite. Removing the cold air duct isn't necessary but it doesn't take too long and may help on a few of the clips. For me, it was best to work on the outside portions of the grill first by applying gentle pressure outward until the first clip "popped". From there it was just a measure of working around the bottom of the grill until the rest of the clips came free. If you can reach the clips from where the air duct was the grill definitely comes off with less resistance. I however did not have to resort to any special tool to get the job done. By all means don't go see your dealer to do this unless you have time and money to spare.
The whole process took me probably 15 minutes to remove and then just a minute to pop the new gloss black ones in.

I equate this process very similar to removing the door panels-- the clips will give much resistance but very unlikely you'll do any damage. The key is to increase your pressure very gradually until the clip gives way.

Quick n easy upgrade.

02-09-2012, 02:10 PM	#1
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	BMW Performance Grill Installation Tips? ? ? Anybody have any tips on doing this? I tried installing this myself w/o luck. I tried the hard way too by removing the air duct but I am still unable to reach the grill tabs since there is a protruding metal part on top where the air duct screws too. I tried taking the tabs off the bottoms one first because I could reach that w/o separating my shoulders but it turns out it blocked by some horizontal bar that covers it. I tried having my nearest BMW center install it but they quoted me $210 for the labor alone, which will probably take them 10 minutes to do. So that is out of the equation. Any tips or recommendation to make the installation easier or doable?
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02-09-2012, 02:32 PM	#2
z4z4z4 Lieutenant 45 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes iTrader: (1)	I hope these help you to see where you need to focus releasing tabs/clips. I found it didn't require access from above, but it may have helped me more than I remember. Good Luck. It's a bit tedious. __________________ Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3 PM for various e89 parts 4sale. Last edited by z4z4z4; 02-04-2015 at 01:39 AM..
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02-09-2012, 03:10 PM	#3
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	Thanks for the pics and making them really big helps too. Appreciate it. How did you execute the removal though? I see that you have a swiss army knife, did you push the tabs using it through the gap from the front? I didn't think that was possible or might be too risky to scratch the paint so I am curious if that was your method? Most seems to push the tab from the inside. Thanks again, those pics will really help when I try again tonight.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 03:20 PM	#4
az34 Major 54 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	i had remove both grills last summer to clean the rads, it was very easy as long as i remember i'd not used any tools just my fingers.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 03:38 PM	#6
jparnes1 Colonel 242 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Check out this DIY http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=278834 __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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02-09-2012, 03:39 PM	#7
az34 Major 54 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	i would like to help you now but my car is hibernating for winter, but i am sure i did'nt used any tools Good luck.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 04:43 PM	#9
fre2bpowerless Private First Class 5 Rep 129 Posts Drives: Yes. :D Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: India iTrader: (0)	I suggest removing the cover above the grill and pry/push-pull your way from there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 05:26 PM	#10
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	Tried again w/o removing the air duct (no tools with me right now) and tried to remove it from the front. I managed to remove the top upper outer corner w/o much problem but once I got to the top part towards the middle, my finger just wasn't long enough and I couldn't put enough pressure on the tab to release it. It's also more stiff than the other tabs, I also checked on the performance grill in hand and that part does seem a bit more stiff. Probably going to need a tool to get it off. Hmmm...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 08:40 PM	#11
GaryRudolph Private 10 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35is Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	It is a pain to get off. I did take off the air intake over the radiator to give room for my arm to "fit" (albeit with some skin loss). I mostly used my hands, but on a few I used a screw driver from behind.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2012, 09:42 PM	#12
bjarne Private First Class 3 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (1)	Haven't done this myself, but I wonder if this post might help you any: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showpost...0&postcount=41
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 07:06 AM	#13
silverstone_ttlz4 Private First Class 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have pictures of a silver Z4 with this black grill? I had intended to get it, but I actually think I like the silver color grill that the car comes with. I'd like to know what the alternative might look like
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 11:48 AM	#14
GaryRudolph Private 10 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35is Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Another option is I believe the 28i grill is chrome on the outside but black satin on the slots. Instead of the black satin everywhere. I painted my inside black satin, and didn't notice I could have just ordered the 28i grill afterwards.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 12:38 PM	#15
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	Finally able to contort my arm cirque-du-soleil style from the top after removing the air duct again. Key is just finding a way to get your arm comfortably to through the top, for me, I used my left arm bent to the passenger side to take out the driver side and vice versa. That was the easiest way. All the tabs were easy to take off until you get to the two bottom ones closest to the middle. Pics circled below (hope you don't mind me borrowing your pic z4z4z4). You can also see how different it is from the others. To me, w/o a tool, it is almost impossible to remove these because there was no way I was going to be able to fit my finger below to push the tabs up, not to mention it is blocked for some reason, doesn't show on that pic but there is a horizontal bar making it more difficult. So I just gently but forcefully wiggled it out and I managed to remove it w/o damaging anything. I kind of scratched the part where the tabs where hitting/locked but it is hidden and it didn't hurt anything. So if you want to take the safe route, look for s hook tool that might be able to help. I'm just happy to get mine on, finally! Thanks everyone for the help! Will post pics later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 05:00 PM	#17
Vintage Colonel 378 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	it looks great
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02-11-2012, 11:06 AM	#18
stickshifter69 Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 220 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I like the stock silver grills over the black ones.
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02-13-2012, 11:09 PM	#19
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	Pics as promised, also painted the silver horizontal bar on the lower grill black and put overlays on the reflector (will probably get the painted ones to replace the overlays). __________________ *2012 Z4*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2012, 06:07 AM	#20
jparnes1 Colonel 242 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	The Stealth Bomber __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-09-2012, 07:30 PM	#21
kcsly Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 09 sdrive 35 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: davenport ia iTrader: (0)	It's much easier than you think, did it to my car last nite. Removing the cold air duct isn't necessary but it doesn't take too long and may help on a few of the clips. For me, it was best to work on the outside portions of the grill first by applying gentle pressure outward until the first clip "popped". From there it was just a measure of working around the bottom of the grill until the rest of the clips came free. If you can reach the clips from where the air duct was the grill definitely comes off with less resistance. I however did not have to resort to any special tool to get the job done. By all means don't go see your dealer to do this unless you have time and money to spare. The whole process took me probably 15 minutes to remove and then just a minute to pop the new gloss black ones in. I equate this process very similar to removing the door panels-- the clips will give much resistance but very unlikely you'll do any damage. The key is to increase your pressure very gradually until the clip gives way. Quick n easy upgrade.
	Appreciate 0 Quote