[bimmerfile]

Hi everyone.
I have a 2019 X2 and want to replace the chrome frames on my grills with black frames.
How difficult is it to remove the grills without breaking tabs?
Has anyone done it themselves?
My BMW service dept will do it but they say they will need to "remove the bumper" and would charge me approx $400 CAD.

[//TMT]

$400 CAD sounds cheap for that job!

[johns_sp]

It is possible to do without removing the front bumper, I swapped my M35i grille last year from the cerium grey honeycombe version to the gloss black variant as the water marks were driving me nuts!

YouTube has a number of helpful videos - search for ‘F39 grille removal’ and familiarise yourself with the process first

Tool-wise I managed with a few trim removal tools, some masking tape (to protect the bumper when prying) and a very long flat head to reach some of the lower clips

Once the first grille is out, which takes most of your time, the second one is simple as you can reach through the hole to access the clips much more easily

Edit: I did break one of the lower clips removing the old grille

[Rich807]

Do a search on here, it's been talked about on here in more than 1 thread if memory serves me correct.

Do it yourself. You don't need to take the entire front bumper off. Pop the hood, undo all the upper fasteners to the front bumper cover, pull the top of the bumper cover forward, stick your hands down that gap & start working the clips to get the OEM grill out. I have meat hook hands so I actually sawzall'd out a slat in one of the original grills so I could get my hands in behind there easier.