Replacing the Grill on a 4 Series is Expensive!

Smiller155 · 03-10-2021, 09:35 PM

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?

VipinLJ · 03-10-2021, 09:47 PM

Looks like it is just clips like the G20 grill, save for the huge size and (probable) more number of clips? The clips on the top should be easy to remove but the ones on the side might be a pain (like in the G20). Maybe more so.
Let's see if anybody has done the swap and wait for their input.

RedKloud · 03-10-2021, 09:57 PM

Quote:

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?

Why is the grill broken?

TiMSport · 03-10-2021, 09:57 PM

I don't have anything to add to this conversation but had a question regarding the grill. Is there a replacement grill where the "nuggets" are all black instead of Cerium? THAT would make it so much better looking and aggressive IMHO.

VipinLJ · 03-10-2021, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Why is the grill broken?

I thought that was the cutout for the ACC sensor up front.

Smiller155 · 03-10-2021, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Why is the grill broken?

It's not broken! That's the cut-out for the radar-based driver assistance system sensor. It's attached to the car, not the grill.

Smiller155 · 03-10-2021, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I don't have anything to add to this conversation but had a question regarding the grill. Is there a replacement grill where the "nuggets" are all black instead of Cerium? THAT would make it so much better looking and aggressive IMHO.

There is--its part of the BMW Performance Parts but its back-ordered for months and the dealers don't know when it will be available. Same with a lot of the performance accessories for the G22. There's a slow drip of products coming out each week it seems. My grill was even back-ordered but it shipped from the factory almost right away.

franky818 · 03-11-2021, 02:43 AM

damn they really fuck this grille up. No thank you to that assist thing .. I'm so happy mine doesn't have it holy fuck

Installing a grille.. if u were in Cali 100$ ..

Rux · 03-11-2021, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiller155

There is--its part of the BMW Performance Parts but its back-ordered for months and the dealers don't know when it will be available. Same with a lot of the performance accessories for the G22. There's a slow drip of products coming out each week it seems. My grill was even back-ordered but it shipped from the factory almost right away.

Did you order the grille and it came with gloss black "nuggets" ? the only grilles I see are these:
https://ind-distribution.com/collect...le-gloss-black

also, I am glad I didn't get Active Driving because it allowed me to put my required front plate low and in the middle following the grille line. Once I paint the nuggets you wont even know there is a grille there.

TiMSport · 03-11-2021, 02:15 PM

I guess that's one thing that is nice about Georgia, at least we don't have to put on front plates. I never put them on anyway, even in states that require them. Completely destroys the look of a car.

VetteGuy · 03-11-2021, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I don't have anything to add to this conversation but had a question regarding the grill. Is there a replacement grill where the "nuggets" are all black instead of Cerium? THAT would make it so much better looking and aggressive IMHO.

The M Performance grille that is full gloss mesh with no cerium nuggets is the one with a carbon fiber surround. It was announced way back when along with all the M parts, but apparently BMW isn’t in any hurry to gouge us on the price. I’d be interested depending on price.

TiMSport · 03-11-2021, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetteGuy

The M Performance grille that is full gloss mesh with no cerium nuggets is the one with a carbon fiber surround. It was announced way back when along with all the M parts, but apparently BMW isn’t in any hurry to gouge us on the price. I’d be interested depending on price.

Oh I see. Yeah that sounds like it would look real nice. Well if you LIKE that face anyway

Smiller155 · 03-18-2021, 05:20 AM

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.

TiMSport · 03-18-2021, 11:39 AM

Trust me, it is still the focal point of the car.

VipinLJ · 03-18-2021, 01:29 PM

Quote:

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.

It looks real nice!

I saw a 4 series on the road a few days back and I liked it. A lot of people hate the grill and I did too in the beginning. But after seeing a few cars in real, I realize that it isn't a photogenic car. Definitely looks nice in person.

Obviously there are many who don't like it. But I'm sure they'll all come around. I remember when the G20 was launched. Everyone bitched about it being huge and ugly and the rear end looking like a Lexus. And now almost everyone likes it. It'll be the same with the G22.

Smiller155 · 03-18-2021, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

It looks real nice!

I saw a 4 series on the road a few days back and I liked it. A lot of people hate the grill and I did too in the beginning. But after seeing a few cars in real, I realize that it isn't a photogenic car. Definitely looks nice in person.

Obviously there are many who don't like it. But I'm sure they'll all come around. I remember when the G20 was launched. Everyone bitched about it being huge and ugly and the rear end looking like a Lexus. And now almost everyone likes it. It'll be the same with the G22.

Thanks for your comments. The G20 is a great looking car and i almost got one until I saw the new design of the G22 and especially a new color option.

I was one of the first to get an F32 back in 2015/15 (the first 4 series) and there was so much drama about the 4 series ruining the BMW brand, etc. It's all so stupid because its all so subjective and diehard enthusiasts think their opinion is the only ones that matter.

Just this week, a teenager in a parking lot (who knew all about the 4 series for some reason) said he loved my car. And just yesterday, when the kid bringing my take-out pizza came to my car, he said it was the coolest car he's ever seen. I know it means nothing, but its fun to get comments like that.

Smiller155 · 03-18-2021, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Trust me, it is still the focal point of the car.

Thanks for trolling.

TiMSport · 03-18-2021, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiller155

Thanks for trolling.

Nah, I'm just playing

It's too bad Cali requires front plates though.

wrickem · 03-18-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiller155

Thanks for trolling.

Nah, I'm just playing

It's too bad Cali requires front plates though.

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

TiMSport · 03-18-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

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

Don't do it!!

Rux · 03-18-2021, 09:04 PM

Quote:

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

If you do not have active cruise then this is a pretty nice option.

https://www.slybrackets.com/

wrickem · 03-19-2021, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rux

Quote:

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

If you do not have active cruise then this is a pretty nice option.

https://www.slybrackets.com/

That one actually doesn't look like a worse contraption than an oem mount. If I ever put one on (after I get pulled over three times, I'm at 0 now) , this is how I'll do it. Thanks for the link

03-10-2021, 09:35 PM	#1
Smiller155 Private First Class 178 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2021 430i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW 430i [0.00]	Replacing the Grill on a 4 Series is Expensive! 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 $5-700! Seems expensive--maybe I'm getting ripped off? Anyone have any experience so far with replacing their grills on a 2021 4 series? Attached Images
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03-10-2021, 09:47 PM	#2
VipinLJ Petrolhead 1942 Rep 3,521 Posts Drives: ‘20 330i,‘16 X3,‘18 SQ5,‘17 A7 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Illinois iTrader: (2)	Looks like it is just clips like the G20 grill, save for the huge size and (probable) more number of clips? The clips on the top should be easy to remove but the ones on the side might be a pain (like in the G20). Maybe more so. Let's see if anybody has done the swap and wait for their input. __________________ Current: 2020 BMW 330i xDrive 2018 Audi SQ5 Prestige 2017 Audi A7 Prestige
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03-10-2021, 09:57 PM	#4
TiMSport Banned 12793 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	I don't have anything to add to this conversation but had a question regarding the grill. Is there a replacement grill where the "nuggets" are all black instead of Cerium? THAT would make it so much better looking and aggressive IMHO.
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03-11-2021, 02:43 AM	#8
franky818 Private First Class 223 Rep 174 Posts Drives: e90 2010 , g20 2020 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: SFV iTrader: (0)	damn they really fuck this grille up. No thank you to that assist thing .. I'm so happy mine doesn't have it holy fuck Installing a grille.. if u were in Cali 100$ ..
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03-11-2021, 02:15 PM	#10
TiMSport Banned 12793 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	I guess that's one thing that is nice about Georgia, at least we don't have to put on front plates. I never put them on anyway, even in states that require them. Completely destroys the look of a car.
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03-18-2021, 05:20 AM	#13
Smiller155 Private First Class 178 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2021 430i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW 430i [0.00]	I did it! 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. Attached Images
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03-18-2021, 11:39 AM	#14
TiMSport Banned 12793 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Trust me, it is still the focal point of the car.
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