[IND-Distribution]

GENERAL NOTE: This method was created for a true garage DIY with minimal intrusion to OE equipment. The proper method would require a much more comprehensive set of instructions and additional tools (rivet gun, etc).

Step 1: Start the vehicle and turn the wheel to the opposite side of which you intend to work. This will grant you easier access to the fender liner.

Step 2: Remove the two 8mm fender liner bolts aft of the reflector and pull the liner loose.



Step 3: Carefully pop the painted fender arch from its housing. There is no need to remove this piece completely; where the front bumper meets the fender is good enough.





Step 4. Use a heat gun to apply uniform heat the OE reflector. This will soften the adhesive that holds the reflector in place. Please take note to keep the heat gun moving during this process to ensure no paint damage (burning) occurs.



Step 5: With the reflector area properly "warmed up", use your thumbs to depress the OE unit while using your other fingers to simultaneously pull on the surrounding bumper from the inside of the fender liner. We've found it easiest to work from the bottom first.






Step 6: Once the bottom of the reflector is freed from the bumper, you may slide a bondo spreader between the fender liner or "outside in" and pull it upwards to help release the adhesive.







Step 7: With the reflector now completely free, you will need to slide it out from the bumper. Pull the bottom of the reflector down and towards you. This will pivot the top of reflector toward the front of the car. From here, you are able to work the reflector out through the fender liner.

NOTE: If you attempt to pull straight down instead of pivoting, it's likely that the + shaped retaining tab on the back of the reflector will get stuck on the plastic ducting element.







Step 8: Occasionally, all of the OE adhesive doesn't come out with the reflector. If some adhesive still remains, take some time to remove it completely from the inside of the bumper. This will ensure a uniformly flat contact area for the IND reflector replacement.



Step 9: Expose the adhesive on the IND painted reflector replacement.



Step 10: Going from the "outside in", insert the IND reflector and position it properly. With uniform pressure behind the fender liner, adhere the IND reflector with the bumper. Similar to Step 5, you may also use your other hand to press the bumper edge forward creating a "sandwich effect" to ensure full adhesion.






Step 11 (optional): Use a hand-held polisher to finish the front reflector.



Step 12: Re-insert the OE fender arch trim, ensuring proper tab alignment prior to pushing it into place.






Step 13: Re-fasten the fender liner and install the 8mm bolts removed from Step 2.




Step 14: Repeat this procedure for the other side.

[r33_RGSport]

Great work!!!
Much easier than F15/F16 F85/F86.

[M3 Chris]

Perfect. Once you guys get the blacked out kidneys ready for sale I'll purchase everything all at once.

[avengerboater]

Awesome! Thanks for the installation guide and pics! I'm receiving mine in the mail tomorrow, about 3 weeks before the actual car arrives.

[bizfiend]

[Jrunr]

Awesome. I already have mine sitting here and I don't eve have the X5 yet! LOL

When will you have the blacked out grille ready for sale? Please let me know ASAP!!!

Thank you!

[denniss]

What about rear reflectors ?

[bizfiend]

Originally Posted by denniss

What about rear reflectors ?

They're available now.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1560249

[vicfalc09]

Just completed my install and it is much harder then it looks in this write up. The + tab on the reflector makes it very difficult to maneuver into position. I do not see how they could have gotten the reflector in place going outside in. There is just not enough room to wedge the reflector through the outside.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by vicfalc09

Just completed my install and it is much harder then it looks in this write up. The + tab on the reflector makes it very difficult to maneuver into position. I do not see how they could have gotten the reflector in place going outside in. There is just not enough room to wedge the reflector through the outside.

Yeah ... I did the install 2 months ago... thought it would take me 30min... took hours. The first one took about 2 hours to install. Like you said, getting the new painted reflector installed from the outside-in was near impossible. I finally figured it out, but most frustrating install I've ever had to do. You would think they would show a more detailed instruction/visual on this step given how difficult it is. Once I figured out how to get it in, the other side only took me 20min or so.

[vicfalc09]

Originally Posted by martinf79

Yeah ... I did the install 2 months ago... thought it would take me 30min... took hours. The first one took about 2 hours to install. Like you said, getting the new painted reflector installed from the outside-in was near impossible. I finally figured it out, but most frustrating install I've ever had to do. You would think they would show a more detailed instruction/visual on this step given how difficult it is. Once I figured out how to get it in, the other side only took me 20min or so.

I actually never figured it out and cut the + tag off. How did you get it in?

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by vicfalc09

I actually never figured it out and cut the + tag off. How did you get it in?

The reflector has to be positioned downward first and inserted and then you have to pull the shit out of the top of the wheel well (the part that's been separated from the car) to create enough clearance behind it to insert the top part of the reflector and the tab to pivot. You have to pull on the wheel well piece almost like you're trying to rip it off of the car.

[KDDI]

Just wonder is this legal in the USA to remove yellow reflectors?

[polychromatic]

Originally Posted by KDDI

Just wonder is this legal in the USA to remove yellow reflectors?

Dunno, I changed out the orange to clear/white on my Carrera and M3, and no one noticed after multiple state inspections. Note these were relatively small reflectors compared to the X5’s and I think the orange stands out more on white body color.

[seanyo]

I took a stab at this install today. I must say that I thought it was easier to do on my F15 given that there was more room to work with behind the fender. It took me over an hour for the first side and less than 30 minutes for the second. 2 time saving tips that I learned while working on the first side is to buy 2 rivets and remove the ones that hold an internal plastic liner tight against the fender. I have marked up the IND pic to show the rivet location. The second is when removing the fender flare, the bottom vertical tab actually points straight down on the inside so its best to bend it up from inside the fender liner and push it out from there. The other fender tabs after that are accessible by hand and are easy to get out once the bottom tab of free.

I have include pics of the before and after too (sorry they are sideways...). Overall I love the look these reflectors, much more than the small cuts on my hands so I'd say the time and effort was worth it.

[Milangel]

Originally Posted by seanyo

I took a stab at this install today. I must say that I thought it was easier to do on my F15 given that there was more room to work with behind the fender. It took me over an hour for the first side and less than 30 minutes for the second. 2 time saving tips that I learned while working on the first side is to buy 2 rivets and remove the ones that hold an internal plastic liner tight against the fender. I have marked up the IND pic to show the rivet location. The second is when removing the fender flare, the bottom vertical tab actually points straight down on the inside so its best to bend it up from inside the fender liner and push it out from there. The other fender tabs after that are accessible by hand and are easy to get out once the bottom tab of free.

I have include pics of the before and after too (sorry they are sideways...). Overall I love the look these reflectors, much more than the small cuts on my hands so I'd say the time and effort was worth it.

Tried to do this on my own yesterday but got blocked at the very beginning. When removing the fender flare, the tabs that lock the flare to the liner are so stubborn to disengaged. Couldn't get any one of them out of position.

So when you are talking about the "bottom vertical tab", which one do you refer to in the following pic (marked up from the IND pic)? A or B? As I did not see A in your pic.

Also how did you get that done (bending tab A up from inside the fender liner and push it out from there)? Did you use any tools or fingers only?
For tab B it seems that I have to either push it from the front bumper ventilation hole (2nd pic), or pull it from the gap behind the flare (3rd pic)?

[seanyo]

I was referring to the tab you marked as A. It is pointing down, if you bend it up (make it more horizontal) you can push it out of the slot. From there the tabs you have marked B can be be pushed out from behind. You should be able to see them . I trim tool would help but not required.

Originally Posted by Milangel

Tried to do this on my own yesterday but got blocked at the very beginning. When removing the fender flare, the tabs that lock the flare to the liner are so stubborn to disengaged. Couldn't get any one of them out of position.

So when you are talking about the "bottom vertical tab", which one do you refer to in the following pic (marked up from the IND pic)? A or B? As I did not see A in your pic.

Also how did you get that done (bending tab A up from inside the fender liner and push it out from there)? Did you use any tools or fingers only?
For tab B it seems that I have to either push it from the front bumper ventilation hole (2nd pic), or pull it from the gap behind the flare (3rd pic)?

[Milangel]

Originally Posted by seanyo

I was referring to the tab you marked as A. It is pointing down, if you bend it up (make it more horizontal) you can push it out of the slot. From there the tabs you have marked B can be be pushed out from behind. You should be able to see them . I trim tool would help but not required.

Appreciate the info!

I notice that tab A has a hole. Does that mean it is secured with a screw or something similar? Or it is flexible to bend with fingers?

Right, I can see tab B from either front bumper or from behind. Did not notice tab A yesterday and had a hard time fighting to push tab B out from the very beginning

[seanyo]

I don't remember there being anything securing the A tab. Once that is free the other tabs should be easier to get out. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Milangel

Appreciate the info!

I notice that tab A has a hole. Does that mean it is secured with a screw or something similar? Or it is flexible to bend with fingers?

Right, I can see tab B from either front bumper or from behind. Did not notice tab A yesterday and had a hard time fighting to push tab B out from the very beginning

[mspete75]

Love em!

[Ftpohyeah]

How do i remove the rivets? Do i need to push it in first or just yank n break it?

[iconoclast]

The most difficult portion of this install is the removal of any adhesive left behind from the previous set of reflectors. Outside of that it is fairly straightforward and much easier if you remove the plastic rivet.