iX3 grill replacement

Zerouali · 09-02-2022, 02:38 AM

The oem car is made in China…..

GaSelle · 09-02-2022, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnillab

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

Yes, but one would assume that BMW has higher demands for their quality control than Alibaba etc.

GDEvans · 09-02-2022, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaSelle

Yes, but one would assume that BMW has higher demands for their quality control than Alibaba etc.

Clearly they are not making such high demands on the in-house paint finishers...

GaSelle · 09-02-2022, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDEvans

Clearly they are not making such high demands on the in-house paint finishers...

I think that issues lies more with the port or the preparation center (central or at the dealer), but agreed, the paint looks horrible on multiple cars on here.

MythosBMW3 · 09-02-2022, 03:23 PM

Hi from Germany. I like the M Performance Grill very much. But the china/alibaba one is not available for shipping to germany. So i ordered the original one from BMW and it will arrive on Monday, i will post pictures to compare the BMW i "Grill" with the M Performance Grill.

MythosBMW3 · 09-03-2022, 08:49 AM

Hi Guys. I was lucky with the shipping and the grill arrived today. So i started the modification immediately. Unfortunately, it doesnt fit. And thats not because the brackets are different or longer, its because the whole unit incl struts is much deeper and so it has contact to the ventilation flaps before it is really installed. There is absolutely no chance to install the oem M grill.

Now i have to check for other sources to get my aftermarket Sport grille. Because it looks so much better then the original ix3 one...

Gnillab · 09-03-2022, 10:01 AM

That sucks.

In case you don't know, there are several sellers of what looks to be the exact same grille on AliExpress. I'm sure you can find one that'll ship to Germany.

If not, I'll happily sell you mine when it arrives and order a new one. My car is two months away still, so lots of time to order another.

MythosBMW3 · 09-03-2022, 03:26 PM

Thanks, i ordered one on ebay, but only for 50 Euros. Seems like the identical part as the one from aliexpress
https://www.ebay.de/itm/284953744568

Edit: The ebay part arrived today and it seems that it is exactly the same part as the one from aliexpress. Just way cheaper. The only imperfection i found, is a sharp edge around the camera-hole. I will try to smooth that before i install it tomorrow. There was also a cover incase if someone has no front camera installed.

GaSelle · 09-07-2022, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythosBMW3

Thanks, i ordered one on ebay, but only for 50 Euros. Seems like the identical part as the one from aliexpress
https://www.ebay.de/itm/284953744568

Edit: The ebay part arrived today and it seems that it is exactly the same part as the one from aliexpress. Just way cheaper. The only imperfection i found, is a sharp edge around the camera-hole. I will try to smooth that before i install it tomorrow. There was also a cover incase if someone has no front camera installed.

Thanks - that´s a nice price. Just ordered one

Raptor0710 · 09-07-2022, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythosBMW3

Hi Guys. I was lucky with the shipping and the grill arrived today. So i started the modification immediately. Unfortunately, it doesnt fit. And thats not because the brackets are different or longer, its because the whole unit incl struts is much deeper and so it has contact to the ventilation flaps before it is really installed. There is absolutely no chance to install the oem M grill.

Now i have to check for other sources to get my aftermarket Sport grille. Because it looks so much better then the original ix3 one...

Hi Mythos, thanks for sharing info. I have my aftermarket grill so just waiting for my car. How did it go for you taking the original grill out?

roblab · 09-07-2022, 06:41 AM

Many thanks MythosBMW3 for all the information. I've also ordered another one from that same seller, but...

Has anyone seen this other grill before?

Does anyone know where to get it?

MythosBMW3 · 09-07-2022, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor0710

Hi Mythos, thanks for sharing info. I have my aftermarket grill so just waiting for my car. How did it go for you taking the original grill out?

I found it very hard, the upper clips were really easy. But the lower ones were very very difficult. I managed to unclip the lower inner ones with a Tool, after that the grill was more flexible and so i could unclip the middle ones too. I was not able to unclip the outer ones so i finally just pulled the whole grill and luckily nothing was damaged. Maybe it is indeed the best advice to just pull the whole thing and pray that nothing breaks, but i tried to do it more "elegant".
Just for info: I made a consumption test befor and after i replaced the grill and there is really no difference at 115km/h.
So for me there is no point in putting that ugly, closed grill to the ix3 for BMW. Maybe in winter it gets different, but i don't think so.

EndoViper · 09-07-2022, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roblab

Many thanks MythosBMW3 for all the information. I've also ordered another one from that same seller, but...

Has anyone seen this other grill before?

Does anyone know where to get it?

I would be interested in knowing where that front splitter is from as well if anyone has any info.

roblab · 09-08-2022, 03:16 AM

I think I've found the answer. Apparently, these are two pieces that are added to OEM grill. You can find them here in a kit and at a crazy price. I suppose that soon more sellers will have these parts, so the price will fall inevitably.

DomiGijzen · 09-08-2022, 03:25 AM

Was just about to post a link. It may be the same piece but apart.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...498736917.html

Gnillab · 09-08-2022, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndoViper

I would be interested in knowing where that front splitter is from as well if anyone has any info.

There's this one:
https://aliexpress.com/item/1005003483188186.html

Really brings out the Chinese heritage of the iX3...

Raptor0710 · 09-08-2022, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnillab

There's this one:
https://aliexpress.com/item/1005003483188186.html

Really brings out the Chinese heritage of the iX3...

ngl those look sickkkk.... anything to replace the rear gray bottom strip...

Zerouali · 09-14-2022, 06:56 AM

Ordered the eBay grill from Germany, very happy with it.

Gnillab · 09-14-2022, 07:22 AM

Looks superb!

In the meantime I'm still waiting for the twice as expensive one I ordered from AliExpress on August 8th.

BimmerStanMan · 09-14-2022, 08:24 AM

[QUOTE=Zerouali;29329857]Ordered the eBay grill from Germany, very happy with it.

How did you arrange delivery? The seller states no delivery to UK.

Thanks.

Zerouali · 09-14-2022, 01:16 PM

[QUOTE=BimmerStanMan;29330114]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerouali

Ordered the eBay grill from Germany, very happy with it.

How did you arrange delivery? The seller states no delivery to UK.

Thanks.

Order from eBay.co.uk, the same seller is on there. Price is all inclusive, about £64 I think

Edit : here is the uk page https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284953745...mis&media=COPY

DomiGijzen · 09-14-2022, 01:22 PM

Did order the same today. Another dutch iX3 driver ordered before and checked the quality. Appears to be good.

09-02-2022, 02:38 AM	#89
Zerouali Private First Class 66 Rep 191 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 5 series t ... [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 comp pack [0.00] 2022 BMW IX3 [0.00]	The oem car is made in China…..
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09-02-2022, 03:23 PM	#93
MythosBMW3 Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW ix3 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Hi from Germany. I like the M Performance Grill very much. But the china/alibaba one is not available for shipping to germany. So i ordered the original one from BMW and it will arrive on Monday, i will post pictures to compare the BMW i "Grill" with the M Performance Grill.
	Appreciate 1 Esteves33.00 Quote

09-03-2022, 08:49 AM	#94
MythosBMW3 Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW ix3 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Hi Guys. I was lucky with the shipping and the grill arrived today. So i started the modification immediately. Unfortunately, it doesnt fit. And thats not because the brackets are different or longer, its because the whole unit incl struts is much deeper and so it has contact to the ventilation flaps before it is really installed. There is absolutely no chance to install the oem M grill. Now i have to check for other sources to get my aftermarket Sport grille. Because it looks so much better then the original ix3 one...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2022, 10:01 AM	#95
Gnillab Second Lieutenant 105 Rep 218 Posts Drives: G08 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: DK iTrader: (0)	That sucks. In case you don't know, there are several sellers of what looks to be the exact same grille on AliExpress. I'm sure you can find one that'll ship to Germany. If not, I'll happily sell you mine when it arrives and order a new one. My car is two months away still, so lots of time to order another.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-03-2022, 03:26 PM	#96
MythosBMW3 Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW ix3 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Thanks, i ordered one on ebay, but only for 50 Euros. Seems like the identical part as the one from aliexpress https://www.ebay.de/itm/284953744568 Edit: The ebay part arrived today and it seems that it is exactly the same part as the one from aliexpress. Just way cheaper. The only imperfection i found, is a sharp edge around the camera-hole. I will try to smooth that before i install it tomorrow. There was also a cover incase if someone has no front camera installed. Last edited by MythosBMW3; 09-06-2022 at 04:50 PM..
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09-07-2022, 06:41 AM	#99
roblab Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW iX3 M Sport Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Spain iTrader: (0)	Many thanks MythosBMW3 for all the information. I've also ordered another one from that same seller, but... Has anyone seen this other grill before? Does anyone know where to get it?
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09-08-2022, 03:16 AM	#102
roblab Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW iX3 M Sport Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Spain iTrader: (0)	I think I've found the answer. Apparently, these are two pieces that are added to OEM grill. You can find them here in a kit and at a crazy price. I suppose that soon more sellers will have these parts, so the price will fall inevitably.
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09-08-2022, 03:25 AM	#103
DomiGijzen Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 223 Posts Drives: BMW iX3 MSport High Exec (G08) Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Was just about to post a link. It may be the same piece but apart. https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...498736917.html __________________ Grz D.!
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09-14-2022, 06:56 AM	#106
Zerouali Private First Class 66 Rep 191 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 5 series t ... [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 comp pack [0.00] 2022 BMW IX3 [0.00]	Ordered the eBay grill from Germany, very happy with it.
	Appreciate 2 Esteves33.00 Mogwai88863.50 Quote

09-14-2022, 07:22 AM	#107
Gnillab Second Lieutenant 105 Rep 218 Posts Drives: G08 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: DK iTrader: (0)	Looks superb! In the meantime I'm still waiting for the twice as expensive one I ordered from AliExpress on August 8th.
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09-14-2022, 08:24 AM	#108
BimmerStanMan Private 34 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Audi A5; iX3 MSport Pro soon. Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=Zerouali;29329857]Ordered the eBay grill from Germany, very happy with it. How did you arrange delivery? The seller states no delivery to UK. Thanks.
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09-14-2022, 01:22 PM	#110
DomiGijzen Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 223 Posts Drives: BMW iX3 MSport High Exec (G08) Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Did order the same today. Another dutch iX3 driver ordered before and checked the quality. Appears to be good. __________________ Grz D.!
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