[evilchargerfan]

I have a 2012 pre lci

I went on a mission to see if I could somehow fit the later kidney grille's onto the older cars. Here are my findings:

left side = pre lci
right side = for lci models, which I believe is 2014-2017


the LCI grille has a "bulge" that goes towards the headlights, making for an impossible flush fit


up close of the gap





interesting find.... if I remove the surround piece, it fits .... I guess there is hope?

[pungo]

Do the surrounds from the pre-lci fit on the lci slats? If not, I don't see how you can make them work.

Why not just get ones indented for pre-lci?

[evilchargerfan]

I tried to slap on the surrounds, sadly they dont line up


Amazon doesnt seem to stock the above. I really hate using ali express, after a bad experience where an expensive item showed up with damage and they did nothing to help me (the seller nor ali express cared)

And ebay seems to stock those as well, but , by principal .... I try not to use ebay (they like to screw sellers / cause sellers to lose money)

[pungo]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

Amazon doesnt seem to stock the above. I really hate using ali express, after a bad experience where an expensive item showed up with damage and they did nothing to help me (the seller nor ali express cared)

And ebay seems to stock those as well, but , by principal .... I try not to use ebay (they like to screw sellers / cause sellers to lose money)

I hear ya about ali*** anything, I've not had good experience with them. But I've done well with ebay If the item is not as described, or you don't received it, filing a dispute on ebay should get you money back, but if you've been burned, I can understand. I've had a few issues with ebay items, but the dispute system has always got my money back.

[dtox9]

Originally Posted by pungo

I hear ya about ali*** anything, I've not had good experience with them. But I've done well with ebay If the item is not as described, or you don't received it, filing a dispute on ebay should get you money back, but if you've been burned, I can understand. I've had a few issues with ebay items, but the dispute system has always got my money back.

ebay definitely a buyers market
i've got friends with horror stories about buyers making false disputes and nothing the seller can do about it.. other than lose the income and pay the fees.
shipping damage resulting in total loss for the seller without any recourse or resolution as the customer does not have to return the item to the seller, etc etc

selective shopping / selling there for sure

[evilchargerfan]

dtox9 hit the nail on the head

one buyer accused me of sending product (a collectible item) with a damaged box. not only did I have to refund the buyer, return shipping was my responsibility as well. I opted not to, because I already knew the buyer would send me back something that was not mine and worth virtually nothing. to add insult to injury, buyer used some international shipping service option that ebay provides, which makes for a super fun scenario if the seller has to do a refund (IE, I would have to ship back internationally and eat the fees. hard pass)

I have a friend who's really into those "funko pops". He GoPro films himself packaging up every item he sells from start to finish ... even then, disputes go the buyers way ... no matter how solid your proof is of item cond pre shipment, and providing a video to show you properly packaged, and even double boxed the item.


TL;DR = ebay is really bad news. and bonus ... they charge TAX nowadays

[ebinmoothedam]

Today I wanted to remove the grille and paint them black, however I was unable to reach the bottom plastic to remove it.

2011 BMW X3 F25

I could not figure out how to remove the black plastic part between the engine and bonnet.

Can someone please guide me how to remove the grill ?

Thank you.

[mwat]

Originally Posted by ebinmoothedam

Today I wanted to remove the grille and paint them black, however I was unable to reach the bottom plastic to remove it.

2011 BMW X3 F25

I could not figure out how to remove the black plastic part between the engine and bonnet.

Can someone please guide me how to remove the grill ?

Thank you.

So after attempting this myself (after doing way too much research) on my LCI (2016) here's what I learned:

If you can do a few of the tabs on the top or anywhere try to get those unhooked then literally just grab it with two hands and pull towards yourself.
I'm honestly not sure it's possible to actually get all of the tabs unclipped without taking the bumper off.

tl;dr Literally just yank it off. (pause?)