[Wadadli Cooler]

I've just replaced my Chrome grill for an all black version. Bought a genuine part from Park Lane BMW on eBay, which has an extra 20% off for the next few days.

Here are the links:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/194195268413

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/124488841168

It was quite a tricky job to get to the clips. I had to make a tool to get to them. Not as easy as the YouTube video I watched first!

Here's a before and after:

[Homersbud]

Originally Posted by Wadadli Cooler

I've just replaced my Chrome grill for an all black version. Bought a genuine part from Park Lane BMW on eBay, which has an extra 20% off for the next few days.

Here are the links:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/194195268413

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/124488841168

It was quite a tricky job to get to the clips. I had to make a tool to get to them. Not as easy as the YouTube video I watched first!

Here's a before and after:

looks good! i was able to get a couple clips out myself with my hand and then i just yanked (broke a cpl clips) to get rest out.

black kidney grill is the way to go!

[Fredro]

Originally I was going this route, ended up just painting, along with trim and rims as well.

[pinco000]

Im not sure how this would look on a silver car with the xline trim. Im a bit worried it wont look that good as on a msport trim

[jrveron]

Originally Posted by pinco000

Im not sure how this would look on a silver car with the xline trim. Im a bit worried it wont look that good as on a msport trim

I agree with you. Since the M-sport trim is black all around, the grills look perfect in black, like a continuation of the line, you know. IMO it should come black from the factory.

Mine is an M-sport mineral grey, and the black trim makes a perfect contrast. Unfortunately, while installing the new grills, I left some marks on the bumper, you know, It's really hard to remove them.

I also painted my wheels with black plastidip, and again the contrast looks great .

[Peter_R]

It's a great shame the above part numbers are not compatible with the later facelifted vehicle. In my case, it is a UK 2020 LCI F48 2.0i xDrive M Sport where the grill is slightly larger than the one shown in this thread.

Does anyone have a link to the black grill for the LCI model F48?

[pinco000]

Originally Posted by jrveron

I agree with you. Since the M-sport trim is black all around, the grills look perfect in black, like a continuation of the line, you know. IMO it should come black from the factory.

Mine is an M-sport mineral grey, and the black trim makes a perfect contrast. Unfortunately, while installing the new grills, I left some marks on the bumper, you know, It's really hard to remove them.

I also painted my wheels with black plastidip, and again the contrast looks great .

it looks sweet mate

[jrveron]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

It's a great shame the above part numbers are not compatible with the later facelifted vehicle. In my case, it is a UK 2020 LCI F48 2.0i xDrive M Sport where the grill is slightly larger than the one shown in this thread.

Does anyone have a link to the black grill for the LCI model F48?

The funny thing is that neither realoem list them for the LCI model: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_0181.

It says that the grills are not available. Weird.

[Wadadli Cooler]

Here's a eBay UK listing for the LCI grill. Not sure if it helps?

States part number as 51138080619

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/254984795354

[Fredro]

[///Makis]

Originally Posted by Wadadli Cooler

I've just replaced my Chrome grill for an all black version. Bought a genuine part from Park Lane BMW on eBay, which has an extra 20% off for the next few days.

Here are the links:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/194195268413

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/124488841168

It was quite a tricky job to get to the clips. I had to make a tool to get to them. Not as easy as the YouTube video I watched first!

Here's a before and after:

Congrats on the swap, it looks great.

Having bought black grills, I can safely say it is one of the biggest PITA trying to get all the clips undone, and then having one you unclipped, clip back on you. Granted my pick tools are not long and have a cheap short handle along with my chubby hands made this a nightmare. I gave up after an hour.

Can you send a pic of the tool you made and used?

I have a feeling with better picks I'll be able to do it but it's a serious nightmare. I would almost prefer taking the bumper off than having to delicately try and remove the clips.

[Wadadli Cooler]

Here it is. It's just an old kitchen fork wrapped in tape, with the end cut down. Just something to reach around to compress the lugs. Not easy though. Takes a lot of trial and error pressing and tugging. Top ones are the easiest as you can access directly as shown in the video. I inserted bits of card as I went to prevent the lugs popping back in.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Wadadli Cooler

Here's a eBay UK listing for the LCI grill. Not sure if it helps?

States part number as 51138080619

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genui...-/254984795354

Thanks. As many will know, the LCI grill is different in many ways. Specifically it is just one complete grill instead of 2 separate parts (LH and RH).

Does anyone know if the clips/fitting are different as well?

[mr7868]

2021 X1.

[mr7868]

I got my grill directly from a BMW dealer in Maryland, $183.00 + $15.00 shipping. OEM, clips are the same as original silver grill, Install literally took 15 min, did not have to remove front bumper.

[Idelgado782]

Originally Posted by mr7868

I got my grill directly from a BMW dealer in Maryland, $183.00 + $15.00 shipping. OEM, clips are the same as original silver grill, Install literally took 15 min, did not have to remove front bumper.

What year do you have? I'd like to do this and would love more info on the steps and link to buy if possible.

[Homersbud]

Originally Posted by Idelgado782

What year do you have? I'd like to do this and would love more info on the steps and link to buy if possible.

check out https://www.mybimmerparts.com for oem grille - bit cheaper than dealer.

[///Makis]

Originally Posted by Wadadli Cooler

Here it is. It's just an old kitchen fork wrapped in tape, with the end cut down. Just something to reach around to compress the lugs. Not easy though. Takes a lot of trial and error pressing and tugging. Top ones are the easiest as you can access directly as shown in the video. I inserted bits of card as I went to prevent the lugs popping back in.

That is genius. I'm going to have to cannibalize an old mismatched fork when I do this.

I take it you were using the backend to engage the clips and not the business end of the miniature trident, I mean fork.

[mr7868]

Originally Posted by Idelgado782

What year do you have? I'd like to do this and would love more info on the steps and link to buy if possible.

2021 and it cost $187 with shipping (OEM).

[Idelgado782]

Ended up buying a blacked out double bar grille from
eBay for $40. With the use of panel remover tools I was able to pry them out in about 15 min.

[735chris]

Nice upgrade

[ozzie8888]

Originally Posted by mr7868

I got my grill directly from a BMW dealer in Maryland, $183.00 + $15.00 shipping. OEM, clips are the same as original silver grill, Install literally took 15 min, did not have to remove front bumper.

It's beautiful!! I would appreciate if you could provide the steps to remove the grill. I read everywhere that you had to remove the bumper... :-(