[AMJAM]

The modifications have started.

Yesterday I applied a few coats of satin black to my e tag to make it almost invisible once installed on my windshield.

Today picked up some black grills at my dealer and tonight installed them. Now I read the DIY and decided that was just too much hard work. Looked at the black grills and worked out a way that had them done in I would say 2 minutes.
Put my finger through the grill and depressed the tabs one at a time starting with the top ones and pulled as I did it. Had the first grill out and then used the access to take out the second.

The tools I used was a knife to open the boxes and a microfibre towel to remove finger prints

If anyone in Sydney needs help happy to help with more detail or do it for you on the 23rd at the meet.

[ghettodefendant]

Haha that's the way. I'll give this a try tomorrow.

[SimonB]

Hang on, aren't the grills black anyway? Ahh, if they're like the 135, they're black but with silver front, right? Before and after pics?

[AMJAM]

The middle is black but the ring is chrome as with all BMW's standard I think

[adge7]

Would love some before and after pics as well. Considering getting the full black grills - mine have the chrome surrounds - I have the black mirror caps on my alpine white sportline so I think it'll suit it well.

[Spikey]

Originally Posted by SimonB

Hang on, aren't the grills black anyway? Ahh, if they're like the 135, they're black but with silver front, right? Before and after pics?

Originally Posted by adge7

Would love some before and after pics as well. Considering getting the full black grills - mine have the chrome surrounds - I have the black mirror caps on my alpine white sportline so I think it'll suit it well.

I had taken some shots b4 and after for the grills when I did mine:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=774104

stock = chrome outer/black slats
black grills = black outer/black slats

[ghettodefendant]

Did it your way AMJAM, fingers are killing me from getting those dang tabs out. But it worked with minimal fuss.

[AMJAM]

Thanks Spikey. Ghetto yeah I have long fingers so it was easy for me

[Sherweeeny]

Haahaha awesome!

What did you use on the etag?

[AMJAM]

I had previously used a sharpie and it was all just a little ghetto looking. So firstly I sanded it with some wet and dry sanding paper. Then applied a coat of Australian export satin black from super cheap. Then baked it for 3 minutes. Then wet sanded. Then another coat. Then wet sand and another coat and baked again it came out really well and now is virtually invisible

[Beemed]

I installed very easily this afternoon...had read a great DIY post on another thread that orientated to getting in under the hood and removing all manner of stuff to get to the grills, 30 min efforts....was a bit daunted by all that so great to see AMJAMs comments!

Followed his method....was actually very easy, started a wee bit timidly but then grasping a grill slat in one hand whilst using my index finger of the other hand to depress the tab, gave it a mild yank (carefully worded that bit!), started top left tab (above the second grill slat) and then worked clockwise across the top, left the bottom ones to last. Requires a bit of oomph, but the plastic flexes reasonably well.

Once you've got one side out, tremendously easy to get the other side out.....just keep using the new grills as a template to locate the incumbent grill clips and tabs.

Overall...took less than 5 minutes and very pleased with the result!

[AN03REW]

Followed this and saved so much time! Thanks for the post!

[J1n]

Do you like it black on black I'm abit undecided if I should swap them

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by J1n

Do you like it black on black I'm abit undecided if I should swap them

If you have the Individual Shadow-line option then it'd look good, otherwise I'd keep it stock.

[HFW003]

Hey Beemed, can you please show us a wider shot?

Thanks

H

[J1n]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

If you have the Individual Shadow-line option then it'd look good, otherwise I'd keep it stock.

Hmm I got no idea what that is lol.

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by J1n

Hmm I got no idea what that is lol.

Shadow line is the gloss black window frames and parts of the mirrors being gloss black.

Just like the B pillars on the cars without it.

[AMJAM]

The black grills clean up the front end no end well worth it. If you have chrome around your windows get it vinyl wrapped black so it looks the same as the shadow line trim

[Beemed]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Hey Beemed, can you please show us a wider shot?

Thanks

H

Hey HFW....2 wider shots....I'm still not 100% sure as yet, but haven't really seen the black on black in good daylight as yet with all the rain we've had here in Brisbane lately. The wife thinks I should go back to stock grills ....would hate to admit she might be right!

[HFW003]

Thanks mate, it wasn't actually for me but rather for others to get a better understanding of what they look like.

If you go back to stock grills Amjam and I will kick you out of the club, AND, you cannot let the wife win, ever.

[J1n]

My Mrs advised me to stick with stock... =/ i was overruled

[Spikey]

Originally Posted by J1n

My Mrs advised me to stick with stock... =/ i was overruled

Just do it she wont' even know