BMW X5 (F15) M Performance Grill installation instructions

[LeopardM3]

I just did this on my M3, sounds like it's a much bigger PITA on the F15 X5. oooof.

[Kokiiiz]

Bought a set from Ben...can anyone share the best Step by Step Video (maybe a YouTube link?) for how to install ? Thx

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by LeopardM3

I just did this on my M3, sounds like it's a much bigger PITA on the F15 X5. oooof.

Originally Posted by Kokiiiz

Bought a set from Ben...can anyone share the best Step by Step Video (maybe a YouTube link?) for how to install ? Thx

This install is about as easy as it gets. Just read through this post and take your time. People made it out to be complicated or a PITA but it is not at all.... Wait until you go to change the front amber reflectors. Talk about PITA!

[KillFox91]

Anyone actually do this with night vision?

Seems scary!

[KillFox91]

Well I worked up the nerve to do this today. Worked perfect.

Install is the same except for three screws holding on the camera, and one screw and one clip holding on the washer nozzle.

Some pics for the next guy who goes to do this. It's always nice to have a set of eyes on a project before doing it yourself!

Thank you IND for selling this product for those of us with night vision!

[LeopardM3]

Originally Posted by 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.

Just wanted to chime in and say these instructions were perfect. I just did this today, and it took me less than 15 min.

For those who've read through this thread, you do not need to undo the torx screws and mess with dissasembling that entire piece. Just follow these instructions carefully.

Here is all you'll need: a small plastic pry tool so you don't scratch the car when prying off the outer part, and a thin, relatively long flathead screwdriver, which will allow you to reach through the grill and unhook the clips:


Here's a closeup of my particular plastic pry tool, though any similar, sturdy plastic pry tool will do:



Now, you start by sliding in the pry tool in and slowly prying out the outer part of the grill piece:


You ONLY need to pry it open on top, do NOT pry it open on the bottom towards the ground.

Here are a few more shots of me having pried it open, and then pulling it gently away with my fingers (though not too hard):




This is as far/much as you need to pry open:



Then, you take your flathead screw driver, go in between the grills, and unhook the inner part of the grill from the car trim piece.

HERE IS WHAT'S CRITICAL TO KNOW:
There are a total of 6 clips holding the grill in. 2 on top, 2 on bottom, and one on each side. DO NOT attempt to unhook the bottom clips with the screwdriver, since you can't access/see them. They will remain hidden by the bottom part of the grill's outer piece.

You ONLY need to unclip the 2 top clips and the 2 side clips (1 on each side), and as you do so with the screwdriver, gently pull on the grill so that the clips you've unhooked stay out.

In the below photo I've circled the approximate location where each clip will be located on each of the 2 grills, which you'll need to unhook using the long thin flathead:


Here's a work in progress:





Once you're done unhooking the 4 clips for each grill, the entire grill (outer trim piece and inner grill part) is still attached to the bumper with the bottom 2 clips. What you need to do now is to grab the grill piece and slowly, gently, tilt the top of it towards you and pull the whole thing out AND up while tilting more. You're essentially pulling at a 45-degree or maybe 60-degree angle while prying it out, which will eventually cause the bottom clips to release, and voila, the whole kidney grill will just come right out.

The installation of the replacement grills is a no-brainer and takes less than 5 seconds each. Once you've aligned the correct one in the correct place, you just push them in, and you should feel all 6 clips engage on each one. Give them a gentle but firm tap on the edges with your palm if you want to be sure they're in.

Here's the finished product, which I just completed myself about 10 min ago:


Yes, I'm aware these aren't the M performance grills, I just thought the look of the bigger black grills looks cooler myself, so those are the ones I went with. BTW thanks to Ben r33_RGSport for the grills.

Here's a shot of the whole car with the new black grills:

[bravnug]

LeopardM3, looks good !

Those are the BMW OEM gloss black grills correct ?

Thanks.

[Racerx11]

i just did this. It took about 1 hour.. Thanks to everyone who contributed in this post

[mshoblaq]

They look great!!

[NYC_X5]

Did my grill install yesterday. After messing with it in 90 degree heat with special pry tools and flat head screwdriver, I switched to the removal of torx screw method and got it done in 2 minutes with zero clips broken.


For those that purchased aftermarket dual slat grill from eBay/amazon. How did you find the fitment? On mine 1-2 bottom clips on each side do not seem to click in.

[hlrzr]

I got the dual slat from an ebay seller and it did click in well. It felt a little more rigid/straight than the chrome one but isn't pulling too much on the tabs. It's in there solidly. Left off the M badge the seller included cuz... ya. Too much!