[Raptor0710]

For anyone that has ordered from Alixpress, i just had mine delivered. Appears to be good build quality. All i need now is for the car to arrive. Expected delivery though is October 22. Will try and video and share link

[JM1883]

Originally Posted by GDEvans

The gap should be exactly the same. A 21" wheel should have a lower profile tyre, to give the same overall diameter. Otherwise the speedometer and milometer will read incorrectly.

I guess the black of the tyre contributes to the gap looking bigger though. It's part of the reason I always try and go for at least an element of Silver in the wheels. With completely black wheels, its almost irrelevant how big the wheel is.

[Maurice_S]

Originally Posted by Raptor0710

For anyone that has ordered from Alixpress, i just had mine delivered.

Which AliExpress shipping method did you choose?

[Raptor0710]

Originally Posted by Maurice_S

Which AliExpress shipping method did you choose?

Can't say i remember, tried to look on the order but no information. Shipping costs were around $25 or so, if that is any help

[Gnillab]

I don't remember having any options to choose from.

[Maurice_S]

Originally Posted by Raptor0710

Can't say i remember, tried to look on the order but no information. Shipping costs were around $25 or so, if that is any help

Ok, thanks, but do you know the courier and how long did it take to arrive?

[Raptor0710]

Originally Posted by Maurice_S

Ok, thanks, but do you know the courier and how long did it take to arrive?

Ordered 28th July, received 9th August. No further information on courier sorry

[JAV64]

Originally Posted by JM1883

I guess the black of the tyre contributes to the gap looking bigger though. It's part of the reason I always try and go for at least an element of Silver in the wheels. With completely black wheels, its almost irrelevant how big the wheel is.

Thats is so right about black alloys. Your alloys are superb. I also like the LCI because of the body kit. Its stands out better. I can't complain though I got mine at 2.9APR. Seen the quotes now and they are £800 ish. So cannot complain.

[liljestig]

Here are some pictures from our adventure last Friday, starting with unwrapping the new grille.








Then checking out how to remove the existing one.








Returning to the crime-scene-to-be later at night, taping painted areas around the grille to avoid scratches while removing it.
Then simply pull for king and country outwards-and-up until it comes off.






Inspecting the new grille more carefully, deciding to remove some surplus casting materials from it, to avoid making scratches when attaching.










The camera seems heavy-duty, almost as if made out of a single piece of metal; snapping it in place onto the new grille.








Finally squeezing the new grille in place, enjoying the new looks.

[JAV64]

That looks very nice. Just one question the grill gaps seem quite wide and you could have a lot of debris entering through. Maybe you could place a black plastic behind the grill and just enough gap as the IX3 grill below for airflow.. This leads me onto the next point, when you removed the original grill did that have any vents which open and close to allow flow of air to cool the parts?

[Gnillab]

The opening and closing mechanism is what can be seen in the pics without the grille, I believe.

And I agree, those parts do look quite a bit more exposed to debris and bugs.

I wonder if there's a risk associated with this or if it might just be a bitch to keep clean.

[JAV64]

I think you will need to keep it clean more often but if there is way of placing a plastic back plate, that would solve the issue and just leave a gap at the bottom fo ventilation.

[roblab]

Hello friends, I'm a future owner of an iX3 M Sport (expected delivery next October), and like many others here, I would like to change that unattractive front grille.

After looking at many videos and photos, I've come to the conclusion that grill with part number 51135A36BD0, which is an OEM part with better finishes and at a cheaper price than the AliExpress grill, could fit the iX3 LCI.

Apparently the biggest problem is the bumps and clefts that I mark in red in the photos (thanks liljestig for borrowing two of yours). But maybe with a bit of skill and a cutter...

What do you think?

[mobworld]

I'm looking forward to hear the result!

I would like to do the same swap (with oem parts), but according to my dealer, IX3 can only have the 'ugly grill'

[Imspartacus123]

The original sure is ugly, in fact it's fugly!!!!!!

[GDEvans]

Originally Posted by Imspartacus123

The original sure is ugly, in fact it's fugly!!!!!!

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer the original to the replacement shown above.

[ix3_Europa]

Originally Posted by liljestig

Here are some pictures from our adventure last Friday, starting with unwrapping the new grille.








Then checking out how to remove the existing one.








Returning to the crime-scene-to-be later at night, taping painted areas around the grille to avoid scratches while removing it.
Then simply pull for king and country outwards-and-up until it comes off.






Inspecting the new grille more carefully, deciding to remove some surplus casting materials from it, to avoid making scratches when attaching.










The camera seems heavy-duty, almost as if made out of a single piece of metal; snapping it in place onto the new grille.








Finally squeezing the new grille in place, enjoying the new looks.

I mounted the same China grill and it looks great!

[GaSelle]

51135A36BC9 should be the OEM part number for the black X3 M grille for models W/O the front camera. It´s listed for around $145, so it puzzles me why people are ordering a Chinesium-grille from Alibaba that costs more.

As stated by @roblab above, the part number should be 51135A36BD0 for models WITH the front camera.

(Check for yourself before ordering )

[Gnillab]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

it puzzles me why people are ordering a Chinesium-grille from Alibaba that costs more.

I would be happy to see that the X3M grille fits the iX3. So far there's only speculation that it does.

[mobworld]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

51135A36BC9 should be the OEM part number for the black X3 M grille for models W/O the front camera. It´s listed for around $145, so it puzzles me why people are ordering a Chinesium-grille from Alibaba that costs more.

As stated by @roblab above, the part number should be 51135A36BD0 for models WITH the front camera.

(Check for yourself before ordering )

According to my local dealer (BAG Aarhus), it doesn't fit the IX3.

If you have any other knowledge regarding this, please let us know

[liljestig]

Perhaps this is only me, but I actually found the China-made grille feeling of higher quality, more solid and sturdier than the rather flimsy OEM iX3 factory-mounted grille.. :

[Gnillab]

The OEM grille is also China made, so... :shrug: