» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 05-28-2024 06:42 PM 1 Replies, 2,341 Views | | OMG!OMG! 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 05-28-2024 08:53 AM 0 Replies, 667 Views | | | | | | | 09-04-2012, 08:26 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | Removal of Kidney Grill I was wondering if anyone has a video or pictures on how to remove the front kidney grills. I have searched, finding nothing with images that show exactly how to remove them. People talk about credit cards, screw drivers and tabs but none of which show how this is done. Any light that can be shined on the subject is welcomed. I would like to spray mine black but think getting the plastic ones are a better choice since they don't chip. __________________ | | | 09-04-2012, 09:23 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ft Defiance, AZ Posts: 686 | accelerate rapidly, then stomp on the brakes. at least thats how mine came off during an autocross. for real though i believe there are a set of clips that hold them in place __________________ 1999 BMW 318ti 2005 MINI Cooper S | | | 09-04-2012, 09:27 PM | #3 | Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North London ENGLAND Posts: 57 | If I can find a spare 10 mins tomorow (England time lol) I will get someone to video me doing it and you dont need any tools but please give me time I 'll promise I will try Martin | | | 09-04-2012, 11:27 PM | #4 | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 | Park behind a Prius. | | | 09-05-2012, 10:31 AM | #5 | Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 36 | Really is very simple 1 open the bonnet 2 remove the 4/5 crosshead screws that hold the plastic cover at the front of the car and remove cover it has two small tabs that keep it in place,so slide it forward. 3 look down between the radiator and front and you will see the back of the grill,use your thumbs to gently pry the grill off i started with the top tabs and worked my way around. It really is very easy and shouldnt take more that 10 mins. Cheers Chris | | | 09-05-2012, 03:10 PM | #6 | Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North London ENGLAND Posts: 57 | Here you are as promised the video this is a cheat way how they do it quick in the BM workshops but be carefull doing it I'm use to doing it so I dont take any respone if you do any damage so good luck http://youtu.be/to7HS0RcmOk Last edited by olgit; 09-05-2012 at 03:22 PM. | | | 09-05-2012, 03:27 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | Thanks for the video and time. For some reason I don't think this is the proper way of doing it and see why you would warn me of damage. If I even try to do it that way I would surely either damage the grill or get sliced up. Hopefully I can figure this out. __________________ | | | 09-05-2012, 03:53 PM | #8 | Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North London ENGLAND Posts: 57 | If you dont feel confedent doining it that way dude I can understand LoL, try the way Chris (KillBilly) has exspailned it this might be safer for you, it dont matter how long it takes to do as long as it gets done without any damaged good luck Martin | | | 09-05-2012, 03:58 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | Thanks Martin, I am sure you have more experience doing that way. For me it seems pretty hard but nevertheless I am very thankful for your response. __________________ | | | 09-05-2012, 07:39 PM | #10 | Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North London ENGLAND Posts: 57 | I have PM'ed you a couple of times 3.2TI and dont know if they went through so sorry if I've sent them twice | | | 09-06-2012, 12:08 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | that's how I've always done it, if you do it enough times it can break enough clips that the grille won't stay in fully but mine didn't actually break until about the 5th or 6th time I did it, I had to keep touching up the paint | | | 09-06-2012, 10:09 AM | #12 | Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North London ENGLAND Posts: 57 | Yeah I found that out cos I busted one of the clips doing the vid so next time I'll have to be carefull Last edited by olgit; 09-06-2012 at 01:02 PM. | | | 09-07-2012, 12:54 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | Ok, so I was able to remove them finally using a little force and paitience. My solutions was to bend the metal tabs slightly upward. This allowed me to free the top easily and then I just pressed the side clips while pushing from the inside out. My next question is from experiences of other members, which way did you go with when you replaced your chrome grills with black? Did you purchase new ones already painted? -"Where did you buy them, are they good quality and do they chip?" Or Did you buy the black plastic ones, not painted? -"Where did you buy them, are they good quality and do they chip?" Or Did you paint them yourself? -"If so what paint did you use, what were the results, and do they chip easily" PAPAYA Shake, CUBAN STYLE LOL..... __________________ | | | 09-07-2012, 04:00 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | Really thankful for all the details and links. They sell amazing stuff on those sites, wow makes me wish I had one of those 100K cars. I agree with you on the not painting the grill part as I read that they usually chip fast. Cost for the grills locally might be cheaper for that part but I will still review all options. I believe ecstuning.com has them but not sure of quality. __________________ | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |