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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

The only thing more iconic than the BMW roundel is the signature kidney grills on the front of every BMW. Whether it's the 507, M1, or new M4, we've come to expect every BMW to have those grills in some form. The BMW F30 generation 3-series is no different, as BMW offers a few different styles of the iconic grill. Standard cars have the classic chrome ring with black slats, while the standard upgrade M-Performance grill ditches the chrome for a gloss black finish.

Changing the grill on your BMW is an easy way to personalize the vehicle to your taste. Search around the internet, and you're able to choose from many different aftermarket styles. Even BMW themselves offer other optional grills that you can purchase. However, BMW states that you have to remove the front bumper on the F30 chassis to replace the grills. We disagree with that! Read on below as we show you how to replace those grills while keeping the bumper on the car.

 

BMW models and years applicable:

  • 2012-2016 BMW 328i
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2013-2018 BMW 320i
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2012-2015 BMW 335i
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2014-2018 BMW 328d
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2013-2015 BMW ActiveHybrid 3
  • 2016-2018 BMW 340i
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2017-2018 BMW 330i
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models
  • 2016-2018 BMW 330e
    • Incl. xDrive and GT models

 

How much will it cost to replace the kidney grills on my BMW F30?

The all-black M-Performance grills we installed in this video will cost you right around $150. A single grill, left or right, comes in right around $75. Either way, this is a relatively small price to pay to upgrade the look of your BMW.

 

How long will it take to replace the kidney grills on my BMW F30?

Tight spaces and plastic parts make for fiddly jobs. Even so, this won't take you long at all. Set aside half an hour, at most, to replace the grills. Have some patience and perseverance, and you'll get the job done sooner.

 

Parts required to replace the kidney grills on your F30 BMW:

 

Tools required to replace the kidney grills on your F30 BMW:

 

How to replace the kidney grills on your F30 BMW:

Open the hood and peel off the hood seal from the top of the bumper.

DIY BMW F30 Kidney Grill Replacement removing the hood seal from the top of the bumper

Next, use the T20 and T25 to remove the six fasteners securing the top of the bumper to the radiator support.

[DIY BMW F30 Kidney Grill Replacement removing the bumper fasteners

DIY BMW F30 Kidney Grill Replacement pulling the top of the bumper back

After that, use a pick to unclip the grill from the bumper. The grill's clips expand outward from the center of the grill when installed in the bumper. Use the pick while pulling out on the grill slightly to disengage the clips. 

04-DIY-BMW-F30-Kidney-Grill-Replacement

DIY BMW F30 Kidney Grill Replacement disengaging the lower clips

There are three clips on the top edge, three on the bottom edge, and one on each side. Clean the area behind the grills before installing the new ones. Then, line up the new grills and press them in. You'll know they're in when you hear all of the clips click into place. 

DIY BMW F30 Kidney Grill Replacement pressing the new grill into the bumper

Reinstall the fasteners atop the bumper and tighten them down with the T30 and T25 drivers. Then refit the hood seal.

So there you have it. A few minutes of your time to change the look of your 3-series. If you're interested in more DIYs for your BMW, you can visit bmw.fcpeuro.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Written by :
Christian Schaefer

Car and motorsports-obsessed writer/editor for FCP Euro's DIY Blog. Constantly dreaming of competing behind the wheel or searching for another project. Owner of a turbo Subaru Forester and a ratty Porsche 914, neither of which are running.


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