[zazzau]

Title says it all. From all indications it appears bumper has to come off. I once had detailer installed ceramic coat/PPF on my front bumper but the shop took off the front lip in order to wrap the entire bumper (even when I had clearly asked not to take off the lip.) I brought it to the dealership/CRCC and I was quoted 6 hours for labor just to remove and reinstall the bumper. Of course the detailer ended up paying.

This time I’ll be the one paying if the bumper has to go off. Is there no way to install these? I have seen videos of the two side grilles (at the edge of the bumper on both sides) removed without taking down the bumper but I need to replace the grille circled in the screenshot.

[Ballzilla]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Title says it all. From all indications it appears bumper has to come off. I once had detailer installed ceramic coat/PPF on my front bumper but the shop took off the front lip in order to wrap the entire bumper (even when I had clearly asked not to take off the lip.) I brought it to the dealership/CRCC and I was quoted 6 hours for labor just to remove and reinstall the bumper. Of course the detailer ended up paying.

This time I’ll be the one paying if the bumper has to go off. Is there no way to install these? I have seen videos of the two side grilles (at the edge of the bumper on both sides) removed without taking down the bumper but I need to replace the grille circled in the screenshot.

Good Question.

I am looking to remove just the end piece of the lower grille. Circled below in pic.

After some research i found lower grille is 3 separate parts 2 outer and large one in the middle.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by Ballzilla

Good Question.

I am looking to remove just the end piece of the lower grille. Circled below in pic.

After some research i found lower grille is 3 separate parts 2 outer and large one in the middle.

Yes you have to replace the entire middle grille. It’s a single piece. It appears to be attached directly into the bumper which is why I’m suspecting bumper might need to come off.

[Ballzilla]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Yes you have to replace the entire middle grille. It’s a single piece. It appears to be attached directly into the bumper which is why I’m suspecting bumper might need to come off.

This is what I found as a replacement. My left lower grille is cracked

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by Ballzilla

This is what I found as a replacement. My left lower grille is cracked

It probably depends on whether you have stop-and-go sensor for ACC. There are multiple part numbers for the grille itself depending on model and specs. But I could be wrong. Doesn’t matter in my case because the damage on mine is on the center part. But if you look closely at my screenshot you’ll notice that even the right/left parts you’re referring to aren’t standalone on mine. But I’ll check it again.

[a.summers86]

I can confirm the bumper needs to come off the car. I replaced the lower far right grill after a rock cracked one of the hexagon shaped grills.

I'll be honest, its a nightmare of a job considering how easy it could be in the grills were installed from the front. The bumper removal itself is easy but you need to remove two large plastic trims that keep the shape of the bumper and these are not easy to click back in once removed.

I'm fairly technical minded and lend myself to most forms of DIY but this was a full day to remove swap over and re install. I was been ultra careful and wanted to make sure every clip was correctly seated but evn so it took far longer than I first thought.

My worry with letting someone else do it is that if not all the clips are correctly seated the plastic trim doesn't sit correctly and shows uneven panel gaps.

[zazzau]

ballagans you’re right. The actual part number in my case is: 51118069368

Just got word from CRCC: they are quoting close to $900 for parts and labor (part is around $80 plus tax) So sounds like they are taking off bumper. Good grief.

https://www.genuinebmwminiparts.com/...le-51118069368

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by a.summers86

I can confirm the bumper needs to come off the car. I replaced the lower far right grill after a rock cracked one of the hexagon shaped grills.

I'll be honest, its a nightmare of a job considering how easy it could be in the grills were installed from the front. The bumper removal itself is easy but you need to remove two large plastic trims that keep the shape of the bumper and these are not easy to click back in once removed.

I'm fairly technical minded and lend myself to most forms of DIY but this was a full day to remove swap over and re install. I was been ultra careful and wanted to make sure every clip was correctly seated but evn so it took far longer than I first thought.

My worry with letting someone else do it is that if not all the clips are correctly seated the plastic trim doesn't sit correctly and shows uneven panel gaps.

Thanks for the feedback! I’m all about DIY like oil changes and what not but this one is beyond what I’m willing to DIY considering all the sensors I have on that bumper. Kudos to you. Might just have to live with it a little longer until I can swallow the bitter pill and bring it in. I agree that this is a little unecessary - they could have certainly had this be plug-and-play.

As an aside maybe this video might have helped you:

https://youtu.be/L8mQ2fVIHhY

[Ballzilla]

Originally Posted by a.summers86

I can confirm the bumper needs to come off the car. I replaced the lower far right grill after a rock cracked one of the hexagon shaped grills.

I'll be honest, its a nightmare of a job considering how easy it could be in the grills were installed from the front. The bumper removal itself is easy but you need to remove two large plastic trims that keep the shape of the bumper and these are not easy to click back in once removed.

I'm fairly technical minded and lend myself to most forms of DIY but this was a full day to remove swap over and re install. I was been ultra careful and wanted to make sure every clip was correctly seated but evn so it took far longer than I first thought.

My worry with letting someone else do it is that if not all the clips are correctly seated the plastic trim doesn't sit correctly and shows uneven panel gaps.

The bumper would have to be removed even for the small far right or left grille piece? Seems like it can pop out and snap in a new one. 🤔

[///Medge]

I have similar damage on 2023 m340i. Took 1.5 hrs labor, no bumper removal. Different design I guess.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by ///Medge

I have similar damage on 2023 m340i. Took 1.5 hrs labor, no bumper removal. Different design I guess.

Care to share a pic of your front bumper? Are you referring to the center grille or the ones on the far edge/corner of the bumper?

[JABCAT]

I just received an estimate from BMW CCRC to repair damage to my front grille, headlight & fog light assembly/surround trim.

You can their quotes for the various parts & labor.

[upstate650]

Take it to a trusted local body shop. They will do it for a quarter of what BMW will charge.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by upstate650

Take it to a trusted local body shop. They will do it for a quarter of what BMW will charge.

I thought about it too but given all the sensors I have in front — including ACC — just don’t want to take that risk with Indy.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I just received an estimate from BMW CCRC to repair damage to my front grille, headlight & fog light assembly/surround trim.

You can their quotes for the various parts & labor.

Another option is have your insurer involved. That quote will drop down considerably after the adjuster steps in. If you opt to pay after that point you certainly can — assuming you don’t want to file a claim that goes on record.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Another option is have your insurer involved. That quote will drop down considerably after the adjuster steps in. If you opt to pay after that point you certainly can — assuming you don’t want to file a claim that goes on record.

I'm not paying for this out of pocket, insurance is handling it.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I'm not paying for this out of pocket, insurance is handling it.

Then why do you care what it costs? Have the dealer handle it and don’t worry about it.

Edit: sorry, you aren’t the OP. Carry on.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I'm not paying for this out of pocket, insurance is handling it.

Ah okay. Even better.

[///Medge]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Care to share a pic of your front bumper? Are you referring to the center grille or the ones on the far edge/corner of the bumper?

The lower center honeycomb grill.

The lci only has one big honeycomb piece in the middle

[zazzau]

Closing the loop here for those who might come across this post in the future: I had this done at the dealership for $700 under instance claim. It was regarded as a no-fault accident by insurance.

I should add that they were charging me over $900 initially but when insurance stepped in the bill dropped to $700. SMH

[arfengslw]

Originally Posted by ///Medge

I have similar damage on 2023 m340i. Took 1.5 hrs labor, no bumper removal. Different design I guess.

I have the same car as you and had damage to the lower grille. May I ask how you removed the lower grille? I can't find any video on Youtube or anything.... Thank you so much in advance.