[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

What is that little camera for in this picture. Is it for night vision, never seen that...

I got the multi media system from Alekshop for front and rear camera with in dash dvd and video system.

[ibimmer346]

Originally Posted by Sylon

The directions from BMW on our grill installation also include removing the screws and rubber seal, but as more and more people have done the install on our 1ers, we've figured out that those steps are pointless. Some brave souls just take a firm grip on the grills and just yank them out without damaging the bumper at all.

That was basically my install method. A combination of pulling and using a thin, plastic "taping knife" I found at Home Depot. Slowly pry out the grills with the plastic knife while pulling on the grills. It's a little scary though. Didn't damage the bumper. The bumper material is very resilient.

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

I got the multi media system from Alekshop for front and rear camera with in dash dvd and video system.

So it's an aftermarket piece, ok, that makes sense. Hell of a DIY.

[1013mm]

nice write up here Kev!

[ibimmer346]

Here are pictures of the Shadowline grills with fins wrapped in shiny vinyl. I don't think there's a big difference between matte black and shiny black on the fins unless you really look closely and hit the sun at just the right angle. Looks like you can see a little reflection on them if you look carefully.

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by ibimmer346

Here are pictures of the Shadowline grills with fins wrapped in shiny vinyl. I don't think there's a big difference between matte black and shiny black on the fins unless you really look closely and hit the sun at just the right angle. Looks like you can see a little reflection on them if you look carefully.

That looks good too! Remove your front plates man

[SCPACKAGING]

Thanks for all the pictures (both Lacster and ibimmer)...now I'm torn between going gloss or flat! They both look good for different reasons!

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by SCPACKAGING

Thanks for all the pictures (both Lacster and ibimmer)...now I'm torn between going gloss or flat! They both look good for different reasons!

I went with matte cause I knew it was a temporary thing. If I wore you I'd go with the gloss so you can get the black effect but still have the defined trim someone showing so it doesn't look like a big mouth if you know what I mean.

[Raptor001]

I like the contrast on the white car with black grilles, but I don't know if I like the same mod on dark cars because you lose the contrast. Almost think the dark cars look better stock because of the contract between silver and the dark color. The lighter cars can get away with it because it's still a nice contrast between black and light color.

Thanks for the DIY though. I was wondering how to get the lower grilles out so that I can paint the reflectors.

Anyone paint these yourself? Can you reuse the reflectors after you remove them since they have adhesive on them or do you have to replace them once taken out?

[Lukeswarm]

Thats it, decided... i have the dealer fitting me those black grills on my white m-sport so they match the wheels (which are black)... now no idea if to go for the whitelines - Go on Lacster get them so i can see what they look like on a white car :-)

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by Raptor001

I like the contrast on the white car with black grilles, but I don't know if I like the same mod on dark cars because you lose the contrast. Almost think the dark cars look better stock because of the contract between silver and the dark color. The lighter cars can get away with it because it's still a nice contrast between black and light color.

Thanks for the DIY though. I was wondering how to get the lower grilles out so that I can paint the reflectors.

Anyone paint these yourself? Can you reuse the reflectors after you remove them since they have adhesive on them or do you have to replace them once taken out?

Yes you can reuse the reflectors. All you need to do is reapply 3m double sided tape on it. Make sure it's the automotive 3m tape.

Originally Posted by Lukeswarm

Thats it, decided... i have the dealer fitting me those black grills on my white m-sport so they match the wheels (which are black)... now no idea if to go for the whitelines - Go on Lacster get them so i can see what they look like on a white car :-)

I really don't know about those lights. I like what what frankie90 did with them but it's should be better then stock right out the box and not require any modification if it's going to be a upgrade.

[Lukeswarm]

i am 50/50... would have to see them in the flesh, ideally on a white car

[rsyed]

Awesome DIY. thank you.

I am getting a white m-sport. I am considering doing this mod BUT i do have doubts. what disturbs me: the mesh at the bottom is matt finish while the grilles have a glossy finish

maybe there is some after-market non-oem black grilles with a matt finish??

[78mao]

looks much meaner with out the chrome and silver trim!!

[10M3MAN]

Very nice

[srajjoub]

just received my 550xi with M sports and can't wait to get the performance grill on, but am getting stuck on this part:

"Once all screws are removed you'll need to pull the center of the front bumper forward to remove chrome grilles. There's nine clips holding it to the bumper. With one hand just pull the grill out on the portion of the grill where you are pushing the clip down with your other hand."

Is this somehow different for the non-M and M-sports? there's just no way for me to get my hand behind the grill enough to push the clip down. I'm barely able to squeeze a flat had screw driver in enough to release the top clips, which i finally did, but have no way of reaching the bottom ones. any help would be much appreciated. thanks!

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by srajjoub

just received my 550xi with M sports and can't wait to get the performance grill on, but am getting stuck on this part:

"Once all screws are removed you'll need to pull the center of the front bumper forward to remove chrome grilles. There's nine clips holding it to the bumper. With one hand just pull the grill out on the portion of the grill where you are pushing the clip down with your other hand."

Is this somehow different for the non-M and M-sports? there's just no way for me to get my hand behind the grill enough to push the clip down. I'm barely able to squeeze a flat had screw driver in enough to release the top clips, which i finally did, but have no way of reaching the bottom ones. any help would be much appreciated. thanks!

It's the same for M sport and non M sports. Make sure you remove all the torx screws under that strip and you should be able to fit your hands back there with no problem.

Kevin

[srajjoub]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

It's the same for M sport and non M sports. Make sure you remove all the torx screws under that strip and you should be able to fit your hands back there with no problem.

Kevin

hmm...i removed the 6 torx screws in the pictures (all the ones below the strip). i'm on-call tonight, but will try again tomorrow. thanks for the reply!

[kyheang12]

Originally Posted by Sylon

Now I know I come from the 1 series community, but we have the same directions for the kidney grill install, and I still dont understand the purpose of removing the rubber seal at the top of the bumper. Its not necessary. Just push down on the grill clips and pull the grill out. Thats how it was on my car, never had to remove any screws or seals.

Just take a flathead screwdriver, press down on the plastic tabs in the clips, pull the grills out. The new ones just snap right in.

I followed Sylon's instruction and it works perfectly on my 535i. You don't have to remove the rubber seal on the bumper, just have to use a flathead screwdriver to push on the plastic clips and pull the grill out.

[78mao]

i followed lacsters directions! its a bit limited on space, but i managed to get it out,
i first got the top portion of the grill out then i just used some force and wiggled it and it came right out!
should be no problemo!

[kyheang12]

can someone recommend to me a good shiny spray for the silver trim and where i can get it from.

[Bimmerbum14]

Thoughts on doing this on a jet black 550 with the m sport package? i have considered it but am concerned it will be too monotone???