Front lower grille question

[Alan W]

I've decided that l now don't like the stainless steel Zunsport lower grill l had custom made (without the zunsport logo badge) so that will be up for grabs soon..

I now have another idea which will involve removing the inset lower grill in the front bumper (2.8 facelift) but although it looks like it should come out l can't see how or if l need to take off the front bumper first?

Looking down at the inside there appears to be several very small clips and l can also see a sensor with wiring on the right side (outside temperature sensor possibly?)

Hope that all makes sense..

Can anyone help?

 

[t-tony]

I think that will be the outside temp. sensor Alan, they're usually placed there or in the bottom of the n/s door mirror (rarely o/s mirror). You had the grille made, did you not fit it? There's a Z3 front bumper removal video on YouTube somewhere, I've watched it.

Tony.

 

[Alan W]

Hi Tony, yes l did fit it, but l felt that with the car having the factory chrome pack it was all a little bit too much bling. I could get it painted black but l wanna try something else, l want to put some fine black mesh on the inside so it's not obvious, just something that will protect the radiator from stone damage a bit more..

 

[t-tony]

See if you can find that video Alan, it will throw some light on it I'm sure. Maybe a PM to Andy, @spurs fan in a coupe would help, he pull a few Z3's to bits?

Tony.

 

[Bobafixit]

Hi Alan, are you going to post some before and after pics. I'm always keen to see tasteful mods.
On the subject of front grills, I got a call from my local BMW dealer today, to say that the 'sport' lower front grill, that I ordered in December has arrived. Big surprise as it was supposed to be on backorder until August.

 

[Synclare]

I've just done that job of removing the slatted grille, it is held in place by about 14 sprung washers (can't recall the proper name for them). These push over small plastic pegs, the washers / clips push down over the pegs easily but grip onto the pegs if you try and remove them. I used two small flat screwdrivers on either side of the washer/clip to lift it up slightly just enough to get a pair of pliers on, then you can effectively 'unscrew' them off the plastic peg. These pegs moulded onto the bumper cover are easily broken so do not try and lever the clips off completely but just enough to get a pair of pliers on to unscrew the clip off the peg. I removed all the fastening clips without breaking any of the pegs. The sensor you mention is the outside air temp sensor, on 6 cylinder cars it is on the offside of the grille (just pushes in/out ) and on 1.9's it is on the nearside foglamp plastic trim panel.

 

[Alan W]

Thanks @Synclare that's brilliant, l noticed those little washer clips and wondered if they held it in place.. was this done with the bumper in situ or is it a bumper off job?

@Bobafixit how much was your sports grill? I am still looking at my options and may consider one of those.. and l'm also considering mounting my zunport grill on the inside of the current grill so it's no so obvious and 'in your face'. I also saw some black aluminium mesh panels for sale on eBay and think that would work well mounted on inside..

 

[Bobafixit]

Thanks @Synclare that's brilliant, l noticed those little washer clips and wondered if they held it in place.. was this done with the bumper in situ or is it a bumper off job?

@Bobafixit how much was your sports grill? I am still looking at my options and may consider one of those.. and l'm also considering mounting my zunport grill on the inside of the current grill so it's no so obvious and 'in your face'. I also saw some black aluminium mesh panels for sale on eBay and think that would work well mounted on inside..

Hi Alan
I picked up my new sport grill today, £57.31 incl Vat (pn 51117016906)