Changing the kidney Grilles and Mirror caps from Cerium Grey to Gloss Black.

[True-Blue]

So I’ve had the G29 a while now….

I’m thinking of changing the Kidney Grilles and Mirror caps from Cerium Grey to Gloss Black (Basically the Shadowline plus style).

I won’t change the roll hoops or front lower grille triangles as it all starts to get a bit silly price wise.

Has anyone done this, and how difficult was it? I’ve seen a video where guy took ages with a trim tool, might just have been his lack of dexterity or might be a PITA job

Also, has anyone seen any aftermarket versions of these parts that look good quality and look very close to O.E.? I don’t want fake carbon, restyled stuff.

Also, is there any kind of market for Cerium Grey parts for non-M40i owners? As I’ll probably sell mine if I go down this route.

 

[Zed Baron]

I've done it (even though I've got the shadowline plus package). Was at Zedfest North back in 24 and I saw a car identical to mine with the M style mirror caps (I know not everyones taste) and I though they looked good, I ordered them from Ali express (in gloss black) and they arrived in a week with a fitting tool for the grand sum of 99p! Took about 5 minutes to fit and in my option they look excellent. The grille... I really like the later style of G29 grille and managed (from my friends in China again in gloss black) to buy one for about £50. The quality is excellent, fitting was slightly easier than when I did it on the E89. Yes, plastic trim tool and I wore gloves this time. The bonnet/boot badges and self levelling wheel centres are genuine BMW ones, I've also got a black gloss boot spoiler to fit and then that's me I think, don't let the prices put you off, I'm picky and if I didn't think they looked good I wouldn't fit them.. (photo courtesy of Mefi Ecosse)

 

[True-Blue]

Don’t suppose you have a link?

Only thing is mines a 73 plate LCI, I think the grille mounting points and bumper is slightly different.

Nice photo by the way, l like the flowers in colour against the monochrome

 

[Zed Baron]

Don’t suppose you have a link? Nice photo by the way

Photo courtesy of Richard Prow (Mefi Ecosse)
here's a link to some mirror caps on Amazon (if you don't want to wait for china delivery, but probably the same mirror caps):
https://amzn.eu/d/04orXhBn

or here are some on Aliexpress:

2 stücke Glänzend Schwarz Seite Flügel geändert Rückspiegel Abdeckung kappen Für BMW X1 F48 X2 F39 Z4 G29 2GT F45 f46 F52 F40 Toyota Supra - AliExpress 34

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

the grille, there are a few suppliers like the mirror caps: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...|x_object_id:1005009131871058|_p_origin_prod:

 

[True-Blue]

That’s great, thanks

 

[Phillies8008]

I'm kind of considering changing my shadowline grills (latest ones) to these, but I haven't convinced myself yet. I did the same thing on my Z4 M and really like that contrast of the bezel to kind of break up all the black. The only thing that concerns me is that the G29 version seems a little more pronounced since the bezels are wider. Opinions?

 

[True-Blue]

@Zed Baron did you get clobbered for any additional import tax on the grilles? Thinking about ordering the set you linked to as they are shown fitted to an LCI car in one of the photo’s, and it does say all versions. I suspect the UK part numbers are different for the pre/post LCI grilles as the designs are different (I suspect the mounting points probably are all the same though).

EDIT; I’ve ordered the grilles and some gloss black mirror caps. The grilles are the same as you ordered (I think) but the mirror caps I’ve gone as close to O.E. As I could find. I doubt anyone but a G29 anorak would be able to spot the difference.

Just the Black ‘Z4’ and ‘M40i’ badges now to replace the silver ones

 

[Zed Baron]

No, I didn't pay anymore taxes, but then the world has changed since I bought mine. Just check they fit your car if you think its different LCI, I've kept my originals incase i get bored and want to change it back or when I sell it. I fitted my rear spoiler today, looks great.

 

[True-Blue]

Thanks for your link on these @Zed Baron, arrived half an hour ago and I have to say, they look amazing quality. Can’t quite believe the whole lot was £60.38 delivered. BMW wanted over £185 inc. delivery just for the front grilles (with forum discount).

The mirror caps are very slightly different, but the grilles look identical

 

[Zed Baron]

Thanks for your link on these @Zed Baron, arrived half an hour ago and I have to say, they look amazing quality. Can’t quite believe the whole lot was £60.38 delivered. BMW wanted over £185 inc. delivery just for the front grilles (with forum discount).View attachment 290310View attachment 290311

The mirror caps are very slightly different, but the grilles look identical

Fantastic, yes, I was shocked by how good the quality is. Same with the rear spoiler ive just fitted, great fit at an unbelievable price. Just remember to wear gloves fitting the grilles some sharp edges

 

[True-Blue]

Fantastic, yes, I was shocked by how good the quality. Same with the rear spoiler ive just fitted, great fit at an unbelievable price. Just remember to wear gloves fitting the grilles some sharp edges

Have you posted a photo of the rear spoiler fitted yet? I’d be keen to see it

 

[CliveN]

It’s not directly related but I have Cerium Grey grills on my 2021 F22 M240i. I like them and very few have these instead of the black. Anyway I asked about getting a second pair from BMW to have as spares. Normally grills are around £100. You will all be astonished to know that the two parts (checked for correctness on RealOEM) are currently retailed at £1700 the pair. No idea if there is a read across to G29 but don’t throw them away.

 

[Zed Baron]

Have you posted a photo of the rear spoiler fitted yet? I’d be keen to see it

Just popped out and took these, the spoiler came from a supplier in Yorkshire, looks identical to the Maxton Design one. It did come with tape to position it and I bought heavy duty 3M tape to fit it to the boot, didn't want to use Tiger glue because if you decided to take it off you would have to repaint the boot, with the tape heat it up and a piece of fishing line and off it comes. As you can see I've changed the bonnet and boot badges to genuine celebration BMW ones and I've fitted a dash cam (again from my friends in China):

 

[True-Blue]

It’s not directly related but I have Cerium Grey grills on my 2021 F22 M240i. I like them and very few have these instead of the black. Anyway I asked about getting a second pair from BMW to have as spares. Normally grills are around £100. You will all be astonished to know that the two parts (checked for correctness on RealOEM) are currently retailed at £1700 the pair. No idea if there is a read across to G29 but don’t throw them away.

That’s insane.

They’re not complete with the active vent mechanism on that vehicle are they? The active vents on the G29 are separate units that sit a bit further back.

 

[Phillies8008]

Kind of a random question, but does anyone know what part number these grills are? I've been trying to determine it on RealOEM, but the descriptions are less than helpful, lol.

 

[True-Blue]

Kind of a random question, but does anyone know what part number these grills are? I've been trying to determine it on RealOEM, but the descriptions are less than helpful, lol.

View attachment 290336

Find all the part number options listed on Real.oem and do a search on them and hopefully the results will show a photo of the part relating to that part number.

Alternatively, send an email with this photo to your local BMW franchise’s parts department ask them for a price and the part numbers.

 

[True-Blue]

Mirror caps on, perfect colour match, looks better to me than the black with grey/silver caps against the purple - all for £10.83

Grilles next on the list.

 

[B21]

Good to see some G29 modding…seems very absent..given some G29s are now 7 years old?

 

[True-Blue]

Out of interest, I did a bit of research and found several videos on how to remove the mirror caps.

Broadly, option one, remove the mirror glass to give access to the mounting pins.

Option two, leave the mirrors alone and pry the cover off, hoping you don’t break the pins or anything else.

I faffed around with the mirror, altering its position and found that with it adjusted facing as far as possible towards the ground, and the outside edge pointing as far as possible towards the car, you could access one of the mounting pins (with care) without removing the mirror.

Removing the first cover took me about 7/8 minutes, removing the second was about 45 seconds once the mirror was as adjusted correctly. I used a pair of straight long nose pliers to squeeze the barbs on the mounting pins together and pushed it backwards and it popped the cover partially off, then very easy to gently pry the other mounting points out .

No breakages, all good

 

[True-Blue]

Grille and Mirror caps fitted, not a great photo and the car is filthy, but I much prefer it to the Cerium Grey and purple look.

The front passenger side kidney lip (they’re in two parts like the original grilles) needed a little bit of manipulation to fit perfectly, possibly slightly warped in transit, but all good now.