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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > F30 DIYs and Coding Discussions > F30 328i 335i Front Kidney Grill / Grille removal and replacement DIY
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      09-04-2014, 11:05 AM   #133
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Thanks for this DIY, instructions are excellent.

Done in 10 minutes by following all steps described without breaking anything or hurting myself
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      10-13-2014, 08:14 PM   #134
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So easy. Thank you OP for the DIY. Did the bumper pulled forward method and the first grill was hard but then the second is much easier to access.

Its so weird how much of an improvement black kidneys make; so awesome now.
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      11-02-2014, 03:18 PM   #135
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Replaced originals with M4 Kidneys...Stupid easy! Removed screws, pulled bumper a little forward, used screw driver to press down tabs on top of kidneys to loosen top, then grabbed grill and forcefully pulled right off! Took about 10min from start to finish!
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      11-30-2014, 10:41 AM   #136
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I used this guide to fix a parking sensor issue I had.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1063961

Excellent - thanks for write-up
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      12-03-2014, 08:57 PM   #137
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After reading this thread I just did it directly from the front...no tools...no moving the bumper...and no damage to the original grill (or my hands).

Just put your hand in to depress the middle of each tab while wiggling the whole grill straight out away from the engine. Each tab out gives you more leverage on the next and the whole thing just slides right out.

For reference, here are all the slots where the grill tabs sit.
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      12-05-2014, 05:01 PM   #138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdizzle View Post
Just did this in about 7 mins taking my time. No need to take the bumper off or use any tools for that matter.

I just looked at the new grills to understand where the tabs where and started on the edge and top and put my hand between the slots and pushed down on the tabs while pulling on the grill. Don't be afraid to use a bit of force. I got around the top tabs starting from the outside and gave it a good tug and the whole top pulled out and left only the bottom. Those were slightly harder but once you got one loose the others were easy. The middle seemed the be the last one standing. Once you have the top loose you can see the bottom tabs and it makes it a bit easier.

Leave the grill out and work on the other one and that one takes about 1 min to pop out. To put back in takes about 30 seconds for both.

Super easy mod, no need to take the bumper off or have any tools. (the grill slots flex a bit so you can get your hand in there without worry - at least I was able to). I thought I may break something at first when I tugged so hard but nothing was remotely damaged and the old grills look in perfect condition.
thanks mate. After i realized I was missing one of the tools, I tried this. I also have big (not fat) hands and holy crap was this easy. Took 2 min tops and I did no damage. Also a note, I am by NO means a handy man. SUPER easy. Much appreciated!
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      12-07-2014, 04:23 PM   #139
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thanks to the OP for the original DIY. Finally did mine today. Went from this:



to:

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      12-14-2014, 12:12 AM   #140
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Super helpful DIY, thanks! Took me about 15 minutes.
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      12-19-2014, 10:59 AM   #141
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I just did this on my car without removing the bumper. I was able to squeeze my hands through the slats. Took about 10 minutes.
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      12-21-2014, 11:53 AM   #142
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For anyone wondering...... This DIY works great on the F36 as well. Just finished. 10 minutes and a little elbow grease.
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      12-21-2014, 12:48 PM   #143
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Has anyone done this on an Imperial Blue F30? Just looking for some pics before I paint my grills. Also anyone tried Plasti-dip on these?
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      12-25-2014, 03:41 AM   #144
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Exclamation Carbon Fiber Grills

Hey everyone,

I installed a fresh pair of Carbon Fiber grills on my F30 328i. Used the no tools method, didn't even open the hood! Fairly easy install about 30 mins, (I like to wipe everything around once the old grills are off so it looks clean as possible. ) was able to find all the top and side clips with my hand easily, pressing them down one at a time, gently pulling the grill loose as I went. Once those top clips are disconnected, I was able to get the bottom clips off in the same manner. Seems easy enough but it can be tricky! I choose the Carbon Fiber grills, they look awesome as I expected very clean and sporty. I didn't see many people posting pictures of the CF Grills so here it is!
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Last edited by jswiss310; 12-25-2014 at 10:33 PM..
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      12-25-2014, 03:22 PM   #145
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I like those carbon fiber blacked out ones, where did you get yours at?
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      01-11-2015, 08:27 PM   #146
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This DIY was super helpful, the one piece of advice I would suggest anyone doing this mod use is:

"When you are pushing on the tabs, pull out on the grille at the same time. Otherwise, those darn tabs will never get out of their locked position."

I know this was mentioned in the original post, but I glanced over that incredibly crucial piece of info.

Front





Side




Last edited by CntryClub007; 01-25-2015 at 11:15 AM..
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      01-21-2015, 09:26 AM   #147
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I've just purchased the F34 Gran Turismo and in the UK they don't do a black kidney grill surround. The slats themselves are black but the outside bit is chrome effect. My only options are to have them sprayed or find a guy that does Vinyl coverings but really want this done.

Update: Just found a set online so have ordered them in high gloss black. Should be with me Tuesday/Wednesay next week, can't wait!

Last edited by richardhurst; 01-22-2015 at 08:10 AM..
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      02-16-2015, 11:04 AM   #148
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Is this the same way for an F32?
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      02-16-2015, 12:27 PM   #149
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TriniJots View Post
Is this the same way for an F32?
I think its easier to just reach through the slats and press the tabs.
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      02-16-2015, 12:41 PM   #150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tboooe View Post
I think its easier to just reach through the slats and press the tabs.
How small are your hands? I can't get past my knuckles trying to go through. No matter, removing the top screws is easy enough, and the F34 has rubber in the way anyway.
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      02-16-2015, 12:58 PM   #151
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I had to break my old ones off due to extreme cold lol.

It was so cold in NY when I got my grills that the bumper would not flex enough for me to fit my hand in there after removing the 6 top screws or so.

Only other option was from the front but I couldn't get my hands in there good enough to actually release the clips, so I went ahead and cut two of the slats out LOL! I figure I can leave the black grill on on return in 3 years or I can just buy one right side grill, it won't kill me.

I will recommend people just don't even bother to do this when its freezing cold out. I came close to breaking a tab on the bumper itself due to lack of flex and one of the plastic pieces from the grill getting bent and then stuck in one of the clips. If I didn't break it then I came damn near close LOL but I'm pretty sure I did not because my grills sit perfectly flush.
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      02-16-2015, 09:00 PM   #152
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Thanks for the DIY

Just finished my install.
Took a little longer than expected because I didn't line up the bumper correctly when screwing it back on, the hood looked way too close to the bumper, so I had to open up and readjust.

Other than that it was pretty straight forward. Just remember to pull the grill as you are unclipping the tabs. Second grill was much quicker than the first.
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      02-16-2015, 09:10 PM   #153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smithf32 View Post
I had to break my old ones off due to extreme cold lol.

It was so cold in NY when I got my grills that the bumper would not flex enough for me to fit my hand in there after removing the 6 top screws or so.

Only other option was from the front but I couldn't get my hands in there good enough to actually release the clips, so I went ahead and cut two of the slats out LOL! I figure I can leave the black grill on on return in 3 years or I can just buy one right side grill, it won't kill me.

I will recommend people just don't even bother to do this when its freezing cold out. I came close to breaking a tab on the bumper itself due to lack of flex and one of the plastic pieces from the grill getting bent and then stuck in one of the clips. If I didn't break it then I came damn near close LOL but I'm pretty sure I did not because my grills sit perfectly flush.
Thats why my flat black ones are still on the car. I'll put on the gloss ones when I get to Florida. They don't take up that much space that I can't take them.
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      02-22-2015, 04:35 PM   #154
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thanks for the guide 1.fresh.f30.335! Just installed the M Grills on my 320i...your instructions were DYNO-MITE!
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