Replacing M5 Kidney Grilles with LCIs ... how did you do it?

[Rearview]

what process did you follow when replacing? The IND - yank them straight out version OR the loosen the top of the front bumper and reach in version? I am leaning toward the yank out method.

[CFisher]

I did the yank out the front method....but before I read what I should have read ...and damaged my paint. Warm up the plastic first for sure.

[Rearview]

That sucks, sorry to hear. Do you have a link to instructions? Use a blowdryer or wait until a hot summer day after a few launch control runs?

[BMWM5NYC]

I just got my LCI grills and I am gonna do the Yank method and probably after car has been running so area is warm and more pliable

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC

I just got my LCI grills and I am gonna do the Yank method and probably after car has been running so area is warm and more pliable

Don't just yank, you'll break your bumper clips.

Open the hood, remove the weather strip covering the screws, remove the Torx screws. Pull the bumper out enough to reach down to the back of the grill, use your fingers to release the top and side clips. You won't be able to remove the bottom clips, so now is the time to gently yank.

Wear long sleeves or your arm will be scratched up.

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Don't just yank, you'll break your bumper clips.

Open the hood, remove the weather strip covering the screws, remove the Torx screws. Pull the bumper out enough to reach down to the back of the grill, use your fingers to release the top and side clips. You won't be able to remove the bottom clips, so now is the time to gently yank.

Wear long sleeves or your arm will be scratched up.

Check the IND DIY thread. There are over 30 people who removed them without taking bumper cover loose. http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=946825

[HXS]

I did both the IND way and the bumper removal way, and obviously when you do the bumper removal way, the chances of you breaking the tabs are less.

I didn't break mine however, when I did the IND way. I just heard a really loud crack when it came off! I thought I broke some tabs, but I didn't.

[MCarsFan]

Follow this thread and you'll be 100s

[Grayblack]

You can use painters tape around the grille area to make sure you don't scratch the paint. Just pull straight out. It helps if the car has been sitting in the heat so the bumper has more flex.

[jahdish]

I was a bit worried about yanking them out but my impatience wouldn't allow me to wait and have someone else install or to loosen the bumper. Wore a pair of gloves and pulled straight out. Was surprised how easy they came out. Didn't break a single clip. Did both sides in a few minutes.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC

Check the IND DIY thread. There are over 30 people who removed them without taking bumper cover loose. http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=946825

The grille clips are hard to break, but the bumper tabs are soft urethane and might tear. I had over 9 BMWs, did grille mods on most of them. I'm just sharing the mistakes I've learned so you don't break anything like I did.

The yanking method works, but if you're unlucky the bumper slots that hold the grille tabs will tear. I tore the bumper tabs on my F10 535i with the yank method, so I started loosening the top of the bumper for my F80 M3, 750Li, X5M, and M5. It only takes 5min longer to loosen the screws, but it's the "correct" way to remove the grilles without damaging the plastic bumper tabs that house the grilles.

When I did body work in high school, my boss always told me to never "force" anything out of the car. There's always a better way to remove it.

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

The grille clips are hard to break, but the bumper tabs are soft urethane and might tear. I had over 9 BMWs, did grille mods on most of them. I'm just sharing the mistakes I've learned so you don't break anything like I did.

The yanking method works, but if you're unlucky the bumper slots that hold the grille tabs will tear. I tore the bumper tabs on my F10 535i with the yank method, so I started loosening the top of the bumper for my F80 M3, 750Li, X5M, and M5. It only takes 5min longer to loosen the screws, but it's the "correct" way to remove the grilles without damaging the plastic bumper tabs that house the grilles.

When I did body work in high school, my boss always told me to never "force" anything out of the car. There's always a better way to remove it.

[M5Beast_NYC]

I gave it a nice yank and once a section pops off you can, you can use a trim tool to unclip the rest

[TheHouseWon]

I went through the top of the bumper and reached down to push on the tabs. It was a bit of a struggle and I ended up with bruises and cuts on both forearms. They say love hurts, I guess they're right.

[Redrckt135]

Yank from the front? Lol. People are geniuses on here.

If you don't want to break anything, remove the weather stripping and take out the screws. It'll take longer and you'll probably lose a pint of blood, but at least you won't fuck anything up. What would you rather scratch up, your hands or your car? #priorities

[cassidysdad]

the yank and pull technique worked for me too
good luck

[lumberman]

used both method, pre LCI black paint grill, I just yank them out when the car is warm

but for the LCI grill with M5 badge, had to remove screws to gain access to the clips, I guess the double slut structure is stronger, prepare to get some cut

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by TheHouseWon

I went through the top of the bumper and reached down to push on the tabs. It was a bit of a struggle and I ended up with bruises and cuts on both forearms. They say love hurts, I guess they're right.

I learned after my first grill replacement to wear long sleeves. When the bumper is warm, you can pull the top out further.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by cassidysdad

the yank and pull technique worked for me too
good luck

sorry...that just sounded funny!

[Rearview]

Originally Posted by MCarsFan

Follow this thread and you'll be 100s

Huh?

[13M5F10]

Used gloves and slowly pulled on the top and then bottom of the grills. Have done. It several times. No damage to clips or bumper.

At the end of the day do what your comfortable doing.

[MCarsFan]

Originally Posted by Rearview

Huh?

The IND DIY THREAD..as I have navigation the yank and pull method isn't a hot idea for me to pursue.. So I would recommend the IND grill removal thread to do so. Hope that makes more sense.