Metal Mesh Front Grill Installation

January, 1999
By: Russ Caslis

Step 1 - Removing the existing grill

  1. The existing grill assembly should remain on the car while you begin the dissasembly. Thump the grill gently with your fist to separate the black fins from the surrounding chrome. I generally use my right hand to thump the grill while using my left hand (under the hood, behind the grill) to make sure I don't push too hard. You may find it easier to use your hand to hit the bottom portion of the black fins, then hit the top fins one or two times to unlatch the top clips. Then simply pull the black fins towards the engine to remove them.
  2. The chrome surround should now be completely loose, and can be removed from the front of the hood.
  3. Now would be a good time to clean all the pieces - the black fins, the chrome plastic, and the hood under the chrome pieces. You will never get a better opportunity to clean them then now.

Step 2 - Putting the mesh into the grill

  1. Place the mesh into the chrome surround from the back. Make sure all the little teeth of the mesh are inside the lip of the chrome, or at least not very many are outside of that lip. It is important to note that the two grills are NOT identical - thus, there is a front side and a back side. You can spot which one is which by looking at the mesh. The face towards the outside of the car should form a diamond pattern, with the slope of the metal going down, towards the bumper. Physically, the pieces could go in backwards, but with them installed properly more light is reflected and the effect is much better. I have measured and test-fit each grill myself, but it is possible that for some people it may not fit quite right due to differences between cars. If that is the case, you can take any pair of scissors and trim the mesh to the right size. Be careful, because it will be easy to bend or otherwise damage the mesh - it's quite flexible.
  2. Now gently place the black fins back into the chrome surround. Be gentle, and only just barely get it in. Take note that all the chrome guides are in the respective slots on the black plastic - it's easy to miss some.
  3. Once you are sure everything is lined up, gently continue pushing the black fins into place. You probably want to be looking at the front of the assembly (thus pointing it towards yourself), and push evenly with your fingers. You can make minor adjustments to where the chrome will go with your fingers. Make sure, once everything is lined up, that you push the pieces firmly together. Don't push too hard, however. If you do, the metal teeth will cut into the flimsy chrome plastic BMW uses. The pressure will easily keep the mesh in place.

Step 3 - Reassembly

  1. Gently place the completed pieces back into the hole in the front of the hood. Start with the upper left-hand corner (for the passenger side) or the right-hand corner (for the driver's side). Put that corner into place and push the rest into the hole, it should fit pretty well.
  2. On my car, the driver's side fit perfectly, but the passenger side had a small gap. I used some double-sided tape on the black, rubber backing on the chrome surround to firmly hold it against the car. I've included some double-sided tape, and some double-sided foam tape with the kit, should you need it. You won't need to use much, a little goes a long way. Of course, be careful not to touch any visible parts of the paint with the tape.

Summary

  • With my car, the grill has held up extremely well through some 500+ miles so far, several rain-storms, and 2 car-washes (hand-wash at a car wash). I hope it works as well for you!
before.jpg
Before removal
insidehood.jpg
Inside the hood
mesh+chrome.jpg
Mesh installed in the chrome surround
chrometabs.jpg
A couple of the tabs holding the fins
placement.jpg
Putting it back in the car

It's done!
done-pic1
done-pic2