Black M-Performance Grills Installed

[DriveWFO]

After reading other threads on removing and installing grills on the X5, I figured I would have my work cut out for me. However, these turned out to be the easiest ones I've done

Note I do have the 50i, so it may be easier than the other X5 models

I removed the front hood seal, the 5 torx bolts on the top of the bumper cover as well as the front piece of the engine cover. From that point, it was just a matter of pushing in the tabs which I thought was a piece of cake with that part of the engine cover removed.

Took me a total of 10 mins per side to swap the grills. It was helpful to use a couple plastic squeegees to hold the grill outward as I released the remaining tabs.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by DriveWFO

After reading other threads on removing and installing grills on the X5, I figured I would have my work cut out for me. However, these turned out to be the easiest ones I've done

Note I do have the 50i, so it may be easier than the other X5 models

I removed the front hood seal, the 5 torx bolts on the top of the bumper cover as well as the front piece of the engine cover. From that point, it was just a matter of pushing in the tabs which I thought was a piece of cake with that part of the engine cover removed.

Took me a total of 10 mins per side to swap the grills. It was helpful to use a couple plastic squeegees to hold the grill outward as I released the remaining tabs.

Great job.

[Chem14]

Are you going to install the carbon fiber BMW Roundel?

[puckybadger]

I have black sapphire 50i with titanium kidneys that I think look awesome. But yours looks great too. Where did you get them? Thanx

[Kzang]

Nice work.. my knuckles and and finger tips were sore from trying to push out the tabs. It was pretty difficult for me and I used the same method. I don't think 50i or 35i would make a difference in difficulty since the grill fitment is the same.

[DriveWFO]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Nice work.. my knuckles and and finger tips were sore from trying to push out the tabs. It was pretty difficult for me and I used the same method. I don't think 50i or 35i would make a difference in difficulty since the grill fitment is the same.

I am referring to access behind the grills. I used a flat head screwdriver on all the tabs.

[DriveWFO]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

I have black sapphire 50i with titanium kidneys that I think look awesome. But yours looks great too. Where did you get them? Thanx

getbmwparts.com in Maryland.

[DriveWFO]

Originally Posted by Chem14

Are you going to install the carbon fiber BMW Roundel?

I've never done that on any of my BMWs as I do like the blue/white roundels.

[Taran.J]

Love the all black look

[DriveWFO]

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Love the all black look

Thanks! I have them on my alpine white 550 M-Sport too

[cenix]

black car with black grilles looks mean!

[wjbender]

I like it - thanks for the install tips as I plan to install on my m white

[42pilot]

Very nice. I really like the way that looks. Ordering my R & L Genuine BMW F15 X5 M Performance Gloss Black Grilles now...

[cy07]

DriveWFO It looks very aggressive, I love the black grill even on dark X5. It was among my very first batch of mods to put on!

[BTT 335i]

Bmw Morristown NJ on ebay have better price.

[r33_RGSport]

The installation on 35i is a little easier since there is an air duct dummy cover where you can remove and put your arm length to reach the tabs. I believe it was covered on the first thread regarding this M Performance kidney grill mod.
But in my experience, they all the same. Never had problem in either 35d, 35i, or 50i.

[Alan l.]

What i noticed on my F10 is that its a little easier to remove the old grills after driving the car where its fully warmed up. The heat from the engine softens the plastics holding the grills in place making it easier to pull out and also minimize the chance of them cracking/breaking.

Alan

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

What i noticed on my F10 is that its a little easier to remove the old grills after driving the car where its fully warmed up. The heat from the engine softens the plastics holding the grills in place making it easier to pull out and also minimize the chance of them cracking/breaking.

Alan

This may be the key with my troubles I had.. when I changed it was oh around 20F degree my fingers were frozen and everything was stiff... R33 changed his in southern CA where it is warm and the OP changed his in warmer weather

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

Very nice. I really like the way that looks. Ordering my R & L Genuine BMW F15 X5 M Performance Gloss Black Grilles now...

What color is your F15?

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by wjbender

What color is your F15?

Black metallic sapphire

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Kzang

This may be the key with my troubles I had.. when I changed it was oh around 20F degree my fingers were frozen and everything was stiff... R33 changed his in southern CA where it is warm and the OP changed his in warmer weather

No, I did work on the F10, it is different story. It is much harder than the F15/F16.
Also on the F10, the position of the grill is closer to the radiator, so the heat does soften up the clips.
While on the F15/F16, it won't matter since there is about a foot of gap in between the grill to the radiator.

[DriveWFO]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

No, I did work on the F10, it is different story. It is much harder than the F15/F16.
Also on the F10, the position of the grill is closer to the radiator, so the heat does soften up the clips.
While on the F15/F16, it won't matter since there is about a foot of gap in between the grill to the radiator.

Yeah, doing the grills on my F10 was a bear from what I remember.