[anselansel]

Originally Posted by Smiller155

So I purchased a black grill (nuggets still cerium) to replace my chrome one from BMWPartsPro.com for a great price: $177.97 ($349.95 other places) and it came about 3 weeks later, packaged nicely and was exactly what I ordered.

I went to my local body shop hoping they could just pry off my old one and slip this new one in given that it appears to only be mounted with clips. But they quoted me 2.6 hours for installation or $325. The BMW Dealership claims they probably have to take the bumper off to install the new grill and estimated $5-700! Seems expensive--maybe I'm getting ripped off?

Anyone have any experience so far with replacing their grills on a 2021 4 series?

my dealer quoted 135 and said its a 20 minute job

[punman]

Originally Posted by wrickem

And New Jersey too where I live, but for the first time ever I'm living like an outlaw and not putting the front one on until I get pulled over for it 3 times I just can't willingly do it yet and I refuse to put on a tow mount contraption

WI requires front plates too but I drove my GTI for 5 years without one and never got pulled over. I am not planning to ruin the front of my new car so I need to tell my dealer not to drill the holes for the front bracket when my M440i finally comes in (8 weeks to go, ugh)

[anselansel]

Originally Posted by punman

WI requires front plates too but I drove my GTI for 5 years without one and never got pulled over. I am not planning to ruin the front of my new car so I need to tell my dealer not to drill the holes for the front bracket when my M440i finally comes in (8 weeks to go, ugh)

amen brother me too, i will pay the fine.....

[VetteGuy]

Originally Posted by Smiller155

I bit the bullet and had the body shop do it for $300. What a difference it makes! Now I know a lot of posters here hate the 4 series and especially the grill, but I love my car and the grill, especially now. While the chrome grill looked ok, the black grill really blends better with the front end black pieces and is no longer the focal point to the car.

For those considering the 4 series, the $300 shadowline option is well worth it because it will cost you double that to replace your grill if you are unhappy with how it looks.

Your new grille looks great!

[Glen e]

I’m going to order this car in about six months, I think I’m gonna order it in black sapphire and either do this modification or at first , take it to a wrap shop and have them put on some satin 3M 1080 on the aluminum edge… I think they’ll do it for around 30 or 40 bucks, if that doesn’t look good, I’ll order the grill, But I think it might.

[GAPortimao]

Originally Posted by Glen e

I'm going to order this car in about six months, I think I'm gonna order it in black sapphire and either do this modification or at first , take it to a wrap shop and have them put on some satin 3M 1080 on the aluminum edge… I think they'll do it for around 30 or 40 bucks, if that doesn't look good, I'll order the grill, But I think it might.

If you get the shadowline package it comes with the grille in black (though you still have the gray nuggets)

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by GAPortimao

If you get the shadowline package it comes with the grille in black (though you still have the gray nuggets)

Is that specific to the 440i? If ordering the shadowline package for the M340i, it doesn't have gray nuggets. If that's true, that completely defeats the point of shadowline IMO. I realize it's a different grill design but you would think they would black out everything, not just the surrounding frame.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by GAPortimao

If you get the shadowline package it comes with the grille in black (though you still have the gray nuggets)

No shadow line on the 430...which is what I would order....

[Smiller155]

Originally Posted by Glen e

No shadow line on the 430...which is what I would order....

Yes, there is. It’s $300 under “options” in the configurator at BMWUSA.com.

[Smiller155]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Is that specific to the 440i? If ordering the shadowline package for the M340i, it doesn't have gray nuggets. If that's true, that completely defeats the point of shadowline IMO. I realize it's a different grill design but you would think they would black out everything, not just the surrounding frame.

I have to disagree. The black trim instead of chrome makes a huge difference, at least to me, in terms of the looks. It’s a $300 option that I should have selected when I ordered mine.

Given that if you want black nuggets, you need to order the over-priced performance part that has carbon fiber trim (which still isn’t available for purchase), it seems the best strategy is to get the Shadowline trim, and then just have a body shop spray paint the nuggets.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Smiller155

I have to disagree. The black trim instead of chrome makes a huge difference, at least to me, in terms of the looks. It’s a $300 option that I should have selected when I ordered mine.

Given that if you want black nuggets, you need to order the over-priced performance part that has carbon fiber trim (which still isn’t available for purchase), it seems the best strategy is to get the Shadowline trim, and then just have a body shop spray paint the nuggets.

Hmm I think we're actually agreeing that all black is ideal? Or you like having the chrome with black? I was reading the comment about having those gray nuggets which surprised me as I had thought ordering the shadowline option would have made those black as well. I don't know why they made it different for the M440/440i compared to the M340i.

I agree that it's a rip off to go for the performance parts, but I personally wouldn't want CF trim on the grill. It's all subjective though. Sounds like painting those nuggets black is the best way to go.

[GAPortimao]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Is that specific to the 440i? If ordering the shadowline package for the M340i, it doesn't have gray nuggets. If that's true, that completely defeats the point of shadowline IMO. I realize it's a different grill design but you would think they would black out everything, not just the surrounding frame.

I agree, black nuggets would look the best. But I would also have to paint the gray parts on the radar since I have DAP, which would surely cause problems.

But overall I love how the car looks.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by GAPortimao

But overall I love how the car looks.

That's all that matters!

[Daddy Canyon]

anyone know where theres a video on how to replace the grill - i just bought one and Id like to do it myself

[khearon23]

Originally Posted by GAPortimao

But overall I love how the car looks.

The G22 coupe is the 2nd best looking car in the current BMW lineup....behind the 8 series only!

[k4sh_90]

Originally Posted by khearon23

The G22 coupe is the 2nd best looking car in the current BMW lineup....

Sure, if you're into Audi's

[jlapicki]

Get the Shadow line package.....it really helps the front end but you also get many other black gloss trim pieces....I swapped out my cerium grill and mirror covers on my m340 for carbon fiber and installed a cf lip but didn't like the grill ......gloss black on the 440 is the way to go....

Swapping the 340 grill was relatively easy so long as you have the right pry tools and are careful with the clips....the 440 might be a bit tougher but I'm sure there are videos....

Update
Swapped the nuggets for blades....

[adamg13]

California. Where you take a shit on the street and steal $950 in stuff without repercussion, but lack of a front plate will not be tolerated.

[adamg13]

Originally Posted by v_ckash623

Sure, if you're into Audi's

Lurking on the 4 series posts without a 4 series? You must have that Big Grill envy my dude.

[k4sh_90]

Originally Posted by adamg13

Lurking on the 4 series posts without a 4 series? You must have that Big Grill envy my dude.

Haha, they're all merged. Lurking out of curiosity on how exactly does the grille come off.

[adamg13]

Back when the grills were normal sized like on the pre-LCI 7 series or the X5, we could just pull them directly outward and they'd come off. The tabs don't look any different on these, but the grill is just so long that may be hard for one person to exert the same pressure all around when pulling it off.

[pkancel]

Just got my wife the 2022 Gran Coupe with Shadowline trim but the grill had a chrome surround, very odd. So I ordered the grill but black surround, so the accents in the center are still silver. Needs a little contrast other than 100% black. Surprisingly this was the easiest grill replacement I have done yet and I have done this to every BMW we have had over the years, 10+ cars. Ordered the grill from Chris Heck at Sterling BMW at a great price. $200 with tax and I order everything from him and then drive to Newport Beach and pick them up. Cant beat Chris. He has gotten me parts and accessories that others have said they couldnt get, werent in stock or were on backorder. Chris has had to tell me back order a few times too but even then gets them pretty quick Grills, wheels, trim, spoilers, splitters, you name it. Sorry had to plug him because he always comes thru. I didnt take pictures but here are the details. First open the hood and pull up the rubber strip that goes from side to side over the cover/shroud. Remove the thin black cover/shroud that covers the radiator area. Several clip rivets. Just pulled the center rivet out and then remove completely from the shroud. Once thats off, then several hex bolts to remove from the top of the bumper cover. These steps pretty much the same as any other BMW grill removal but this car has a a few more hex bolts. Once all of those are out, then just like we always did with other BMWs, pull the top out enough to get your hand and a screw driver down behind the grill. Push on each tab and while pushing, pull also from the outside. I started in the top corner and once that one popped lose, the others did fairly easy also. I dont have the radar but I do have the parking distance so three of those are also behind snapped into the grill. Have not had to do this part before so I was a little nervous because i didnt want to break anything and then have to take to BMW to fix. Even though you cant reach down very far for the side and bottom tabs, once you get the top and top sides, the rest pop lose pretty easy without much pressure by simply pulling out. The center parking distance wire somewhat holds the grill from coming out so reach back then and gently pull the wire up so you get the slack it has that is tucked down behind. Once that becomes more free, the grill will pull away from the car far enough for you to get all of those parking distance tabs lose and popped out. Once they are free, remove the grill completely. Take your new grill, snap back in the parking distance control and then slide the grill back into place, start at the bottom and press and slap near each tab until you hear it snap into place and just do that from bottom up until its all secure. Then reinstall the hex bolts. You may have to realign your front bumper cover with the hood so the gap isnt too big but just push it forward and tighten hex bolts. Then replace the black cover and the rubber trim that slides back into place. Shut the hood and be happy you didnt have to pay BMW $300 or more to install it. Dont get me wrong, the site of parking distance made me wonder if I should be trying this and should just pay BMW. But once I started, was easier than other BMWs where the tabs are hard to pop lose and the bumper scratches the hell out of your hand. Not a single scratch on this one because a long screw driver did most of the work. Start to finish, was about 30 min max. Looks great.

Adding one more thing. Dont remove the wiring plug from the parking distance. Remove the whole thing that snaps into the grill with the wiring still attached. I say this because if you unplug it to make it easier to remove the grill, that may or may not trigger something for reprogramming. It limited the space to remove them but once out, was quick and easy to reinstall everything.