Rear Diffuser cutout

[Satalite]

Originally Posted by BimmerE82

Not sure why BMW decided to close this piece up with a black piece of plastic? In my opinion they should have left it open and installed mesh from the factory. It just looks better!

So there is no point of this plastic piece other than snapping in that spot and black instead of off gray? (I assume its not open to begin with).

I plan on doing this as soon as I get mine. A trip to Home Depot and 1-2 hours should suffice! Any tips on cutting out that portion?

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by Satalite

So there is no point of this plastic piece other than snapping in that spot and black instead of off gray? (I assume its not open to begin with).

I plan on doing this as soon as I get mine. A trip to Home Depot and 1-2 hours should suffice! Any tips on cutting out that portion?

The little insert was a bitch to get out! you can't just pop it out from the back side. It is secured in the little space with double sided tape so you have to pry up an end section and grab on to it with some needle nose pliers and just pull it off, at least that is how I did it. Once it's removed I just scored the inner section a couple of times with my exacto-knife and cut it out. I took my time cutting it to make sure it was as perfect as possible. As long as you have a good razor style knife it is pretty easy. Just take your time and don't rush it.

[Satalite]

Originally Posted by BimmerE82

The little insert was a bitch to get out! you can't just pop it out from the back side. It is secured in the little space with double sided tape so you have to pry up an end section and grab on to it with some needle nose pliers and just pull it off, at least that is how I did it. Once it's removed I just scored the inner section a couple of times with my exacto-knife and cut it out. I took my time cutting it to make sure it was as perfect as possible. As long as you have a good razor style knife it is pretty easy. Just take your time and don't rush it.

Great! I am assuming Home Depot will have some of the material on hand... can't wait to do this project!

[Papethova]

Home Depot will not have the mesh. The gutter stuff they have isnt flat. You can use it but it doesnt scream quality aesthetically.

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Home Depot will not have the mesh. The gutter stuff they have isnt flat. You can use it but it doesnt scream quality aesthetically.

I didn't have much of a choice I stopped by the local Ace hardware, they didn't even stock any type of aluminum expanded metal. Anyway the space is so small that even this lower quality stuff came out great!

[Satalite]

Originally Posted by BimmerE82

I didn't have much of a choice I stopped by the local Ace hardware, they didn't even stock any type of aluminum expanded metal. Anyway the space is so small that even this lower quality stuff came out great!

So you got the mesh from HomeDepot? What type of glue did you use?

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by Satalite

So you got the mesh from HomeDepot? What type of glue did you use?

I actually bought the gutter mesh at ACE Hardware, If you do go to Home Depot you might actualy find some aluminum mesh that most everybody else is using for this mod. I think the plastic gutter mesh that I used looks fine though, It's up to you what to use. Because the mesh I used was made of plastic I used some 3M double sided foam tape and placed it about every four or so inches around the entire outside portion of the insert then folded the excess over the tape and secured it that way I then used some epoxy (Goop for automobile applications) that I had lying around to further secure the portions in between the tape. Good luck!

[Satalite]

Thanks! I see your ordering another diffuser? Professional paint?

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by Satalite

Thanks! I see your ordering another diffuser? Professional paint?

I just want to get the price and shipping from Dan@United BMW. I would like to get a professionaly painted gloss black diffuser, but there isn't a big rush for it now, I am very pleased with how mine turned out.

[1Pirate]

I am waiting on my diffuser from Dan. The price was $73.86 shipped. I ordered mine without the insert since I'm going to trim mine and install mesh. I also picked up some black plastic gutter mesh from Lowes at lunch today. I'm going to use it to cover the back of the cut out.

[andnkuhn]

Papethova..can you post some pictures of how you attached the mesh to the diffuser?..or anyone else who has done it..

[ktkilroy]

Looks amazing man. You should get it sprayed gloss black would go really well with your white 135! ;-)

[1Pirate]

I received my diffuser from Dan on Friday and cut out the center section. Man that was a pain. Finally had a chance last night to finish sanding and cut the mesh and test fit it. I'm going try to get it painted tonight or tomorrow. Waiting for it to warm up a little.

[GuamX1]

removing the diffuser link brings me to some anti-theft thread

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by andnkuhn

Papethova..can you post some pictures of how you attached the mesh to the diffuser?..or anyone else who has done it..

Sorry guys I rarely check these forums....

You can use any type of adhesive really. Liquid nails works great. Here is a pic but this was not one with liquid nails.

[Papethova]

I have an extra diffuser cut out with the mesh installed for sale if anyone is interested.

I am going to post it in the for sale section.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...1#post11236451

[BimmerE82]

Originally Posted by 1Pirate

I am waiting on my diffuser from Dan. The price was $73.86 shipped. I ordered mine without the insert since I'm going to trim mine and install mesh. I also picked up some black plastic gutter mesh from Lowes at lunch today. I'm going to use it to cover the back of the cut out.

Post pics of your diffuser project.

[BimmerE82]

Kudos to the OP! This was a great mod and the results speak for themselves!

[andnkuhn]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Sorry guys I rarely check these forums....

You can use any type of adhesive really. Liquid nails works great. Here is a pic but this was not one with liquid nails.

great idea, thanks

[1Pirate]

I installed my new diffuser on Friday and finally got around to taking some pictures today. It turned out pretty good. I used gloss black plastic paint from a rattle can and black plastic gutter mesh to cover the opening.

[GuamX1]

looking good

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by Guam135i

looking good

Thanks! Here is another angle.