DIY: Kidney Grille Removal and Custom Silver Painted 23d Kidney Grilles :)

CommaD · 01-14-2014, 05:07 PM

Thanks for this post, was able to install my new silver grilles today following your instructions. Other than some sore fingers, it was pretty easy.

STE92VE · 05-07-2014, 03:43 PM

When I get my Performance Grilles, I just bought these to try without pulling away the bumper cover. http://www.ebay.com/itm/271290981789...S:3160&vxp=mtr

Looks like it worked here, so I'm thinking the same:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=662717

Bamsterman68 · 05-07-2014, 08:05 PM

I changed out my grilles the week I bought the car. Just grabbed a firm hold them and yanked straight out. Pushed the new ones in place. No bumper removal, or screws to take out.

Black Flagged · 05-07-2014, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamsterman68

I changed out my grilles the week I bought the car. Just grabbed a firm hold them and yanked straight out. Pushed the new ones in place. No bumper removal, or screws to take out.

That sounds just like what my grand dad would tell me! " brut strength and a ball pin hammer can fix anything"

Mr Kleen · 05-08-2014, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STE92VE

When I get my Performance Grilles, I just bought these to try without pulling away the bumper cover. http://www.ebay.com/itm/271290981789...S:3160&vxp=mtr

Looks like it worked here, so I'm thinking the same:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=662717

That's how my buddy changed his F30 grills. Going to give it a try on the X1 when the black grills arrive.

STE92VE · 05-09-2014, 08:45 AM

Grilles are being delivered today via FedEx and those pick tools won't arrive until Monday. Found the following from the 5Series forum and was wondering if anyone has tried the grab and pull method?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houseofpang

I just put on some gloves, grabbed the middle fins and pulled out the top tabs then the bottoms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houseofpang

Yea that's the word I was looking for too, it's ok to pull with force, just make sure it is slow and constant pressure, don't yank fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWPos

Gloves, or a thin towel stuffed in between the fins when you reach in to pull are a great way to protect your knuckles from losing a lot of skin. It really only takes a minute per side, and a few pounds of pressure. No tools, no unscrewing the bumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighungry618

Steps follow below:

1. Grab vertical slats (fins) near the top with your hands evenly spaced apart on the grille....
2. Wiggle and pull slightly down (towards the ground) and towards you firmly but gently.
3. Drink adult beverage.
4. Repeat step 3

Boom...F10 grille removal complete.
:thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWPos

I just came home from a drive-by on my Encinitas San Diego BMW dealership. I asked for their expert opinion on how to do the grill removal. The parts and body shop guys met me at my car and they showed me how they do it. They just yank those bad-boys right out. The body shop guy took mine out and put them back in less than a minute just to make his point that it is very easy to do.
I did notice that his technique was to pull outwards and downwards with his hands holding the fins a few spaces in from the edges.

Bamsterman68 · 05-09-2014, 04:17 PM

Seriously? Read like 3 comments up.

hazmat · 06-15-2014, 11:30 PM

Wife's out of town so got some time for my little projects

Before:

After:

Installed:

Also did my rear spacers looks to be 18mm is a little more aggressive than I expected

BeEmVe · 06-16-2014, 08:21 AM

Funny, the wife caught me taking her car apart over the weekend doing the same, except I went all black on the grills. She liked it when I put them back in this morning.

themishmosh · 06-16-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeEmDoubleV

Funny, the wife caught me taking her car apart over the weekend doing the same, except I went all black on the grills. She liked it when I put them back in this morning.

Why are people getting "performance grills" instead of spray painting them all black?

BeEmVe · 06-16-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themishmosh

Why are people getting "performance grills" instead of spray painting them all black?

I painted mine. It takes some time to do it right. As much as I tried I still got a few runs. But they are hard to see. Ce la vie.

solan67 · 07-03-2014, 12:43 PM

good day everybody!
revered previous posts. came the question - why not just put a net there? what would fly cared about the heat sink?
Yes grid auto looks much better
photo you can see in my profile in albums
sorry for bad English - use online translator

themishmosh · 08-10-2014, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeEmDoubleV

I painted mine. It takes some time to do it right. As much as I tried I still got a few runs. But they are hard to see. Ce la vie.

I tried... I failed. It was looking good until I made the mistake of using an old spray can of clear coat. It developed spider cracks when it dried. Ended up buying the Performance Grilles which for $125 shipped isn't terrible.

Black Flagged · 08-11-2014, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamsterman68

Seriously? Read like 3 comments up.

Seriously, that's how dumb you sound like! This a BMW not a dam Chevy

Bamsterman68 · 09-16-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangsta D

Seriously, that's how dumb you sound like! This a BMW not a dam Chevy

OK "Gansta D"....

Black Flagged · 09-16-2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamsterman68

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangsta D

Seriously, that's how dumb you sound like! This a BMW not a dam Chevy

OK "Gansta D"....

That's right it's all good

BarryBM · 10-13-2014, 12:37 PM

Hi
I have a 2011 X1 m sport and need to remove the original grills to then be able to fit new black upgrades... Looked inside the bonnet after removing some plastics to get to the back of the front bumper ... It still looks impossible !
Any help would be great...

Twix · 10-13-2014, 12:39 PM

fw_fw · 10-13-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryBM

Hi
I have a 2011 X1 m sport and need to remove the original grills to then be able to fit new black upgrades... Looked inside the bonnet after removing some plastics to get to the back of the front bumper ... It still looks impossible !
Any help would be great...

Look at your replacements, see how the clips are located? If your hands aren't too big, you can start popping out the existing grilles in the inside middle first by reaching your fingers into the grill and releasing the clips. Work you way around the top and bottom, and then the outside. Do one side, then before replacing do the other side where having the first one removed makes it easier to get to some of other grille's clips.

You'll scrape your fingers a little, but they will come out without having to remove the bumper or any other parts. Did this myself 2 months ago, 20 minutes later I was done!

BeemerX1 · 10-14-2014, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danintas

I have a 23d with silver grills ... but I would like to change them to black!!!

Same here.

Same for the crome strips.

BarryBM · 10-17-2014, 12:36 PM

Will give it a go over the weekends- thanks

PrematureApex · 10-20-2014, 11:21 AM

Tried to get them unclipped by hand with no success. Local Pep-Boys (chain auto parts store) had the radiator tool for $9.

5 minutes later they were out.

01-14-2014, 05:07 PM	#23
CommaD iDrive therefore iAm 5 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 xDrive28i Alpine White Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Syracuse, NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks for this post, was able to install my new silver grilles today following your instructions. Other than some sore fingers, it was pretty easy.
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05-07-2014, 03:43 PM	#24
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 225 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	When I get my Performance Grilles, I just bought these to try without pulling away the bumper cover. http://www.ebay.com/itm/271290981789...S:3160&vxp=mtr Looks like it worked here, so I'm thinking the same: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=662717 __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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05-07-2014, 08:05 PM	#25
Bamsterman68 Lieutenant 74 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 sDrive28i ///M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (1)	I changed out my grilles the week I bought the car. Just grabbed a firm hold them and yanked straight out. Pushed the new ones in place. No bumper removal, or screws to take out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2014, 04:17 PM	#29
Bamsterman68 Lieutenant 74 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 sDrive28i ///M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (1)	Seriously? Read like 3 comments up.
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06-15-2014, 11:30 PM	#30
hazmat New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: Scobby Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilbert AZ iTrader: (0)	Update my grill today Wife's out of town so got some time for my little projects Before: After: Installed: Also did my rear spacers looks to be 18mm is a little more aggressive than I expected
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2014, 08:21 AM	#31
BeEmVe Lieutenant 279 Rep 586 Posts Drives: '14 X1 x28i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: on the road to perdition iTrader: (1)	Funny, the wife caught me taking her car apart over the weekend doing the same, except I went all black on the grills. She liked it when I put them back in this morning.
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07-03-2014, 12:43 PM	#34
solan67 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2.0 D x-drive Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Vologda iTrader: (0)	good day everybody! revered previous posts. came the question - why not just put a net there? what would fly cared about the heat sink? Yes grid auto looks much better photo you can see in my profile in albums sorry for bad English - use online translator Last edited by solan67; 07-04-2014 at 06:48 AM..
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10-13-2014, 12:37 PM	#39
BarryBM Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 x1 Sdrive M sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Wolverhampton England iTrader: (0)	How to remove original grill Hi I have a 2011 X1 m sport and need to remove the original grills to then be able to fit new black upgrades... Looked inside the bonnet after removing some plastics to get to the back of the front bumper ... It still looks impossible ! Any help would be great...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2014, 12:39 PM	#40
Twix Lieutenant Colonel 659 Rep 1,922 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDriv ... [0.00] 2002 Land Rover Dis ... [0.00]	__________________ 2011 E91 2016 M2 - Sold 2014 X1 - Sold 2002 Land Rover Discovery II - 3" lift & 33s
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10-17-2014, 12:36 PM	#43
BarryBM Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 x1 Sdrive M sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Wolverhampton England iTrader: (0)	Will give it a go over the weekends- thanks
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10-20-2014, 11:21 AM	#44
PrematureApex Colonel 848 Rep 2,411 Posts Drives: N55 X1, N54 135, s54 m3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Tried to get them unclipped by hand with no success. Local Pep-Boys (chain auto parts store) had the radiator tool for $9. 5 minutes later they were out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote