I have just finished fitting the Black High Gloss Grilles on my 23i M Sport before dark (picture will follow in the morning). After reading some instructions on Z89 ZPost, I followed the hard way (also the only way for me without special BMW tools - I think), which is not suitable/possible for person with the muscular/fat forearms (diameter >11 inch). Also, method of removing grill on E85/E89 does not work on E89. You will break the bumper and grill.
There are 8 chips in total, 3 on the top, 1 on each side, and 3 at the bottom. I opend the bonnet and removed the 4 bolts on the front air duct, and removed it from the air filter box. It was quite hard to detach the air duct from the air filter box. Then I could put my arm through the gap between the bumper and radiator to get access to the back of the grill (do not attempt if you have large forearms). It was then easy to press the clip with the finger tip and remove 6 clips (3 on top, 2 on sides, and 1 at the bottom near far side). The remaining 2 clips were difficult to remove with finger, as there was a horizontal bar right behind the grill. The gap was very small. I worked so hard to get my finger through to get the 2 clips released on the right grill, but not the left one. So I used this
to remove the remaing 2 clips on the left grill.
Then both OEM grilles were removed, I checked for any damage and simply put the new grilles in place, and put the air duct back on. Job done.
After I removed the grill from the bumper, I now know how the grill fits into the bumper. So if I have to remove them again in the future, I can probably do it without opening the bonnet. Or I just pay 10-minute labour and get dealer to do it for me.
There are 8 chips in total, 3 on the top, 1 on each side, and 3 at the bottom. I opend the bonnet and removed the 4 bolts on the front air duct, and removed it from the air filter box. It was quite hard to detach the air duct from the air filter box. Then I could put my arm through the gap between the bumper and radiator to get access to the back of the grill (do not attempt if you have large forearms). It was then easy to press the clip with the finger tip and remove 6 clips (3 on top, 2 on sides, and 1 at the bottom near far side). The remaining 2 clips were difficult to remove with finger, as there was a horizontal bar right behind the grill. The gap was very small. I worked so hard to get my finger through to get the 2 clips released on the right grill, but not the left one. So I used this
Then both OEM grilles were removed, I checked for any damage and simply put the new grilles in place, and put the air duct back on. Job done.
After I removed the grill from the bumper, I now know how the grill fits into the bumper. So if I have to remove them again in the future, I can probably do it without opening the bonnet. Or I just pay 10-minute labour and get dealer to do it for me.
