Front CAI Grill

[mystic sport]

I wouldn't mind one of those CAI grills, the ones with the aluminium collars set into them.

Thing is, I don't want to pay top dollar. I can get a new M3 bumper grill from BMW for around £35 - £40 and if someone could suggest where to buy some collars from then I could rig it up and then run the tubing I want from them.

Tried looking everywhere for ally collars, even plumbing websites but I keep drawing a blank. Of course I would prefer to buy one already done but not when they are over £100 for what amounts to a standard grill with some metal rings in it.

[mikem]

try this mate.

http://www.mtorque.co.uk/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=645039&gonew=1#UNREAD

I`ve seen new grilles go on Ebay for £10-20.

[mystic sport]

Superb, found some ally funnels so I now need to know how to remove the grill itself.

So, I guess this isn't a piece of cake and it is probably 'well' clipped in - so - can anybody tell me how to remove the bumper grill from an M3?

I assume refitting is the reverse of removal :p .

[BigFas]

Two ways of removing the grill.

1. Proper way. Remove front bumper

2. Fas way. Look closely at the grill, around the edge you'll see that the grill is actually "hooked" on. Remove the grill from the hooks, then with houdini like skills (or brute force), pull out the grill.

2a. As before but get the front of the car on jacks. remove the undertray. Unhook grill. Grill falls out from below.

[mikem]

Removing is easy but not if you want to re-use it. :D

Think its a bumper off job mate.

*edit* Fas`s 2a seems the best bet

[mystic sport]

I like the Fas 2a option the best. Will get another grill then tear into the car :D .

I guess having another grill in your hand helps to understand the fixing points.

[zarnd]

the way we did mine at work, was to put it up on the ramp and cut the holes with (i don;t know the technical term) but it was like a heated knife that cut through the plastic, undertray off and i cut the holes into the wheel arches to cool the brakes and i was done.

cheers

[zarnd]

the other thing worth noting is that mine are very similar to sub woofer ports, about £8 each from eBay delivered in black or silver. I have a grill with two holes in it under my desk at work, if i can get hold of some ports myself, then i will be able to create another grill to pass on to someone

cheers

[mystic sport]

I need to be able to swap out the grill when I sell the car though so I will take out this grill and mod another one ;) .

[tbmeech]

You don't need to take the bumper off to get them out, it's a bit fiddly but you can access the back of the grille if you just jack the car up and slide underneath, you can get your hands in there to unhook / clip it.

I did it when I had one of those grilles on my car that way, didn't damage the new one or the original (which I have since put back on there), as Fas has said in 2A that is the way forward and a LOT less hassle than taking the bumper off.

It took me about 20 mins max to swap them over.

With regards to tubing, you doubt you would be able to fit any behind the grille, there isn't that much room behind it all.

Personally, i'd remove the fog lights and then run tubing from in there, but then you have the dilemma with what to do with the washer bottle as it is then exposed if the fogs come out.

[tbmeech]

You can get air duct stuff from demon tweeks etc:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/search.asp?keyword=air+duct&classCode=MSPORT&brandCode=all

[330ciSport]

If it's the cold air feed you're looking for rather than the aesthetics, using the duct underneath the CAI with some tubing into the passenger side brake duct works quite well.

[mystic sport]

If it's the cold air feed you're looking for rather than the aesthetics, using the duct underneath the CAI with some tubing into the passenger side brake duct works quite well.

Want a bit of both, looks but also function. I have hamann fog surrounds and have filled in the fog side so no fogs fitted so there is an option to use those but it seems easier to get the flexible aluminium ducting to the brakes from behind the grill.

[330ciSport]

Want a bit of both, looks but also function. I have hamann fog surrounds and have filled in the fog side so no fogs fitted so there is an option to use those but it seems easier to get the flexible aluminium ducting to the brakes from behind the grill.

??? Thought you'd want the ducting to go to the CAI?

[mystic sport]

Don't have a CAI and have no plans to fit one but want to be able to keep the brakes cooler at the ring ;) .

[mystic sport]

Got the grill and ducting funnels in the week and have got them bonded into the grill. Thought I would have a look at removing the old grill and it is a piece of piss to unclip it with disturbing the bumper. So I get the grill unclipped but there is no room to move it around to allow me to pull it out through the bumper opening. There is a big metal bar that runs behind the grill horizontally which prevents me fully removing it.

Looks like the easiest method will be to undo the undertray and pull it out from underneath. Ah well, a job for next weekend. Then I have to get the ducting routed but that will have to wait. Shame really as I want the ducting sorted for the ring trip :(

[330ciSport]

Sorry, assumed as it was called a CAI grille you were going for a CAI feed.

Bugger about the undertray, but guess if you cant get the OEm one out, you waon't be able to get the new one in.

What ducting you gonna use? I'd imagine the time consuming bit will be getting the undertray off so wouldn't have thought it would take you that much longer to get the ducting in, if you've got it to hand.

[mystic sport]

Not got the ducting yet and I have to work out how to run it to the brakes. The front wheel arch liners come in two pieces and the front sections can be removed so that means I can cut out two holes to run the ducting through and hence to the brake calipers and then come trade in can fit replacement pieces and then sell on a complete brake ducting kit :p .

[zarnd]

go for it mate. Axle stands and slide underneath and the undertray will come off easily! I'm interested to see if it makes any sort of difference to my brakes this trip out. I very much doubt it will but they look cool :D

cheers and good luck

[gie0320]

Not got the ducting yet and I have to work out how to run it to the brakes. The front wheel arch liners come in two pieces and the front sections can be removed so that means I can cut out two holes to run the ducting through and hence to the brake calipers and then come trade in can fit replacement pieces and then sell on a complete brake ducting kit :p .
Hi Paul, I think by far this would be the easier way. I had to replace my washer bottle this weekend as it had a crack and found that by removing the wheel arch liner and the headlight I had alot of room to work with. You dont have to take the whole liner out as you say it is in two parts and the front section comes out quite easy. Infact you can just push down as it is hinge on a soft aluminum type bracket. It took about 20 min once I had the front wheel out and you're more of a mechanic than I am! The liners on mine had the holes that go through towards the brakes but where coverd up by a clipped on cover so do you really need to cut?
Good luck:)

George

[mystic sport]

Thanks for the info George, that is very useful mate :) .