BMW X5 (F15) M Performance Grill installation instructions

[jaybot311]

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to install the performance grills and I'm having trouble with removal of the stock grills. Does anybody have any tips on taking off the existing grills? Thanks!!

[wdimagineer]

Like most BMW's, they are an absolute pain in the arse. Nonetheless, they are removable with a little bit of work.

Attached is the official removal procedure. Good luck.

[jaybot311]

So I'm on the second part. I should just push the tabs inward towed the cent rod the grill? My knuckles are raw. Lol

[jaybot311]

Toward the Center of *

[ictx5]

My knuckles and wrists took a beating as well. Finally just ran it over to body shop. Best $70 I ever spent. I was concerned that I would damage the bumper cover where the clips inserted. Much Much harder than replacing on my F10. That took 12 minutes and that included about 12+ screws to loosen bumper cover and put back into place.

[kimi_fan]

I was able to get the chrome trim ring off and angled as mentioned in the PDF link above. I was also able to get the 4 latches released. BUT - once you pull the housing out to angle and pull upward, as is mentioned in the PDF, the latches on the bottom of the grille are still attached and pulling upward and on an angle does not release them and they start to snap off.

At this point I'm considering using a Dremel to cut the tabs off and just throw the stock grilles away...unless anyone else is having luck getting the stock grilles out?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by kimi_fan

I was able to get the chrome trim ring off and angled as mentioned in the PDF link above. I was also able to get the 4 latches released. BUT - once you pull the housing out to angle and pull upward, as is mentioned in the PDF, the latches on the bottom of the grille are still attached and pulling upward and on an angle does not release them and they start to snap off.

At this point I'm considering using a Dremel to cut the tabs off and just throw the stock grilles away...unless anyone else is having luck getting the stock grilles out?

Kimi,
I tried that method on the PDF, but creeps me out after a few forceful try and the chrome part didn't even come off.
So, I did the supposedly a hard way, but seems to me the easy way.
I took off the top 5 screws on the bumper and pull out the top part of the bumper a lil to get access to the clips from the back.
I did manage to do that and played with plasti-dip for the first time.
Unfortunately, I was not satisfied with the finish. So, I put it back again.
Anyway, when you yank out the bumper, just enough so you can slide your hand to the bottom 3 clips.

[kimi_fan]

Thanks for the tip, going to have to try that later tonight or tomorrow since my wife just took the car for the day...

I assume you're talking about the 5 large black screws (3 of which are covered by the rubber seal) in the front of the engine compartment? I also assume this procedure is for the MSport version as well? It wouldn't seem to me that the upper half of the front (grilles) would be any different between the models (base, x-line, msport, etc.), just want to make sure we are talking about the same screws.

If this works I'll post some pics and instructions on how to swap the grilles out.

[ljxrayman]

There are 5 Torx Screws holding the upper bumper & 7 clips on each side of the kidney grille, 2 top, 2 side, 3 bottom.

Tools you will need:
1. Long skinny flat head screw driver
2. Size 30 - Torx Screw Driver
3. You girlfriend's skinny finger (to pop out the bottom 3 clips)

Step 1: Pop the hood

Step 2: Peel off the Rubber Strip to uncover the 5 Torx Screws

Step 3: Unscrew the 5 Torx screws

Step 4: Lift up the 3 white bumper holders and pull the bumper outward about 1 inch

Step 5: Take off the round-rectangular black air intake cover on the left side to access the back of the kidney grilles.

Note: It is MUCH EASIER to start with the left side grille.

Step 6: Use the flat head screw driver to stick out the two clips at the top of the grille, make sure you use one hand to hold the screw driver while the other hand holding the chrome part and trying to pull it outward.

Note: Make use of the rectangular hole at the middle of the two grilles to get access to the 2 inner side clips.

Step 7: Stick the flat head screw driver into the "rectangular" hole to stick out the inner side clip,

Caution: Use another hand to pull out the grille while you doing this step, otherwise the grille might pop back in.

Step 8: Unclip the outer side clip using the screw driver.

Step 9: (HARD) Use you finger to feel the bottom 3 clips and pop them out, use another hand to pull the grill out at the same time.

Step 10: Do the same steps for the other side.

[kimi_fan]

Great post, thanks!

[kimi_fan]

Just a few more pics...and it is a T-20 Torx

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by kimi_fan

Just a few more pics...and it is a T-20 Torx

Hi, interested to sell titanium grills? Please let me know. I have space gray and want them

[BXdriver]

Hi folks,

My new Titanium grilles are soon going into the bin. Meaning, I am frustrated to say it mildly.

I believe I have a touch of technical knowledge, and after searching this forum and found various great threads
on exchanging the F15 grille incl this one, and i.e this one too

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ghlight=grille

- I had good hope. But no way.



Maybe my car (25D) got a little different front bumper construction than the bigger models, but that would be strange too.

Top of chrome-ring, bent out. That's quite easy and no problem. That equals the 2 top and 2 side clips.


Hand-access to the back of grille is actually quite good via the air intake hole:


Main problem is the 3 clips at the bottom. Cannot find a way to access them.


My image is bad, but in the image taken from behind the grille (via the air intake hole) - you can see a plastic bar covering
the complete space behind the grille. The clips must be under this area, near the green arrows ???

I might give it ONE more try, and if no success, I have some free Titanium grilles to give away. Don't want to see them in my garage.

Any advise highly appreciated,

Thanks
Bent

[r33_RGSport]

@BXDriver, you may want to try removing the screws holding the top piece of the bumper. From there you can pull the bumper away to reach in for the bottom clips.

[Baunton]

Any advise highly appreciated,

Thanks
Bent[/QUOTE]

Out of interest, why DIY when its quick and cheap for the dealer to do?

[BXdriver]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Any advise highly appreciated,

Thanks
Bent

Out of interest, why DIY when its quick and cheap for the dealer to do?[/QUOTE]

Thanks r33! Great, but I think I leave it there.

Baunton,
It's just me and you know, if visiting the dealer, appointment must be done, (working) time going there etc.
I just felt that, by principle - "something so simple - shouldn't be that hard". But seems it is.
Funny thing is, historically, it looks like that the F15 is the hardest ever model from BMW to exchange the grilles on.

So OK, I can live with the originals, it's not end of the world.
Or, order a new car...with the "right" ones.

Thanks
Bent

[originalgoods13]

You can also remove the air intake cover, I believe it is only held on my 2 bolts on each side. I used a pair of chopsticks to detach those two bottom ones

[hyde]

Where are you guys buying the grills and can we mix and match outer ring and inner grill in different materials?

[Wobbles]

In this age of plug and play, BMW grills on the F15 is anything but

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by hyde

Where are you guys buying the grills and can we mix and match outer ring and inner grill in different materials?

@Hyde, I have them in stock.
If you'd like, yes, you can change the outer and inner based on your liking.

[hyde]

Does anyone have pictures of Black X5 with black grill? I am thinking it won't look so good with xLine's chromed out front end and it looks much better with luxury or msport or even stock no-line models.

Originally Posted by BXdriver

My new Titanium grilles are soon going into the bin. Meaning, I am frustrated to say it mildly.


Thanks
Bent

Do you have any update for us? Did you ever get it installed or did you send the black grills back?

[opasha]

Originally Posted by hyde

Does anyone have pictures of Black X5 with black grill? I am thinking it won't look so good with xLine's chromed out front end and it looks much better with luxury or msport or even stock no-line models.



Do you have any update for us? Did you ever get it installed or did you send the black grills back?

I threw this together in 5 minutes...def not my best work, but it should give you an idea of how it looks: