Another Kidney DIY ala Front Bumper R&R

[Rat Fink]

Because we live in a litigious society, I’m forced to provide the following:

DISCLAIMER

This DIY contains descriptions of replacing the stock BMW™ E8x kidney grilles.

There are no guarantees to your personal satisfaction. DO NOT ATTEMPT if you are NOT CONFIDENT with your own abilities. The original author or any other party cannot be held responsible for any damages to you and/or your vehicle, others, or equipment while attempting this project listed within these pages. Please use common sense, protective clothing and eye wear when obviously needed.

All photographs and images that appear within this document belong to the original author except where specified. Photographs and images that are contained within are only ever used for the purposes of comment and discussion, not for commercial reasons unless specified otherwise.

The following pages are simply my way of documenting what I’ve done and to share my ideas with other people. If you choose to implement this project or texts herein, then you should understand that doing so might jeopardize your cars warranty, functionality and your own safety. I take no responsibility for any of the text here.


Stuff needed:

One E8x series BMW

One pair kidney grilles

Tools:

Assorted 8mm sockets and ratchets

T30 Torx bit

Small flat head screw driver

Small plastic squeegee (a credit card or plastic kitchen spatula will do – make sure your SO is not looking when you liberate their kitchen utensil to the garage.)

Step 1: Reach into the wheel well and remove (3 – see A) 8mm screws. Repeat on the opposite side.

NOTE: These sheet metal screws are longer than the other along the bottom of the bumper cover. The top will be silver in color while the remaining are black.

Step 2: Remove the remaining (7 – See B) 8 mm screws along the bottom of the bumper.




Step 3: Remove the (4 – T30 Torx screw along the top of the bumper, along with disconnecting the weather stripping along the tops of the head lights.



Step 4: Using the plastic wedge of your choice, press between the bumper cover and the front fender by the head light to disengage the two retaining tabs, while simultaneously pulling the bumper towards you.

NOTE: It’s best if you had someone to hold the side of the bumper you just freed while you repeat the procedure for the opposite side.

Step 5: Pull the bumper away from the bottom while lifting the top up and over the little plastic torx looking tab near the fan shroud.

NOTE: Use caution to not pull the bumper completely away until you have disconnected any harnesses/head light washer bits, etc.

Step 6: Using a small flat headed screw driver, depress each of the retaining tabs while applying outward pressure on the grilles.





Step 7: Install the replacement grilles.

Repeat Steps 5 through 1 in reverse order to reinstall the bumper cover.

[Rat Fink]

[mattssi]

Cool! Have you tried doing it w/out removing the bumper first?

[jibaholic101]

nice to know there is another way, but isnt this kind of more work than necessary?

[Fireflyer239]

Hmm, replaced mine the other day in 10 minutes but sure didn't take off the bumper cover. Went with the CF grilles, they're sweeeeeeet! I'll put up some pics soon.

[escobar929]

guess this could be useful if the bumper is already off but i changed mine out in less than 5min w/ out removing the bumper

[mynew135]

Nice write up and pics, but I sure hope you were doing some other mods, requiring the removal of the bumper and you weren't just replacing the grills.
Please tell me you were doing other mods....please.

[ramair311]

I am actually about to install a meth system with the pump behind the front bumper - so this helps me out alot on the that process as i didn't know how to get the bumper off.

[_dopehead_]

My BMW guy just pulled the old kidneys hard straight out of the grille, seemed to work fine, so the whole install took about 2 minutes. He did say if i wanted to have them changed the proper way, i would have to book an appointment with the garage.