[teaston]

Originally Posted by thekronoschef

Thanks! I'm still waiting for my G01 to arrive so I haven't seen closeups under the hood. Didn't realize it was only 3 tabs so easily accessible. I love how yours turned out.

There’s another 3 tabs at the bottom but they just release when you yank the grilles, may need to yank one side first to release them one at a time.

[thekronoschef]

Originally Posted by teaston

That looks really good! Definitely much better than the silver slats that look like the base model, and you keep some cerium to tie in with the wing mirrors etc!

Now, do I do this, or change the mirrors to black!? :

Did you guys get your black kidneys from IND?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by thekronoschef

Did you guys get your black kidneys from IND?

No, genuine BMW.

[thekronoschef]

Originally Posted by teaston

No, genuine BMW.

Even better. I don't see them in the online parts catalogue - will check at the dealership. Thanks again.

[TheMooseMan]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Looking good!

Thanks, buddy!

[BuddhaTB]

Originally Posted by thekronoschef

Even better. I don't see them in the online parts catalogue - will check at the dealership. Thanks again.

I purchased my BMW Black Grilles from BMWPartsPro. You can find them in the Vendor forum as well.

https://www.bmwpartspros.com/partloc...egoryID=244772

[thekronoschef]

Originally Posted by BuddhaTB

I purchased my BMW Black Grilles from BMWPartsPro. You can find them in the Vendor forum as well.

https://www.bmwpartspros.com/partloc...egoryID=244772

Thank you

[Jayf30]

Originally Posted by teaston

That looks really good! Definitely much better than the silver slats that look like the base model, and you keep some cerium to tie in with the wing mirrors etc!

Now, do I do this, or change the mirrors to black!? :

I say it's way too easy of installation to not try!

[Jayf30]

Originally Posted by thekronoschef

I'm going this route - looks great and I love how it still ties in with the others cerium, but looks much more aggressive. How hard was it to remove the main grills? I'm hearing mixed reviews and conflicting reports about special tools needed. Assuming the slats pop out pretty easily with what looks to be a simple clip in each end?

As teaston has said, very easy. 3 main tabs up top and just wiggle/yank them out.

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by teaston

Got a key fob case, really impressed with it, looks like chrome metal but it's flexible TPU! It adds little extra bulk but should hopefully help prevent inadvertent tailgate opening.

Just so you know; I've got a similar cover (made of silicone - possibly more flexible). My fob requires a long push to open the rear hatch with the fob button. To my complete surprise, I managed to do just that a while bending over near the front of our X3 to plug in a battery tender to a surge protector that was on the garage floor while my "protected" fob was in my front pocket along with a chap stick tube and a smallish key chain (4 regular metal keys & several plastic bar code cards). If the cover is flexible enough that you can operate the fob buttons with your finger tips through the cover, I think it's likely that you'll come across a circumstance that it happens in your pocket or your wife's purse.

In my case, I was wearing relaxed fit levi's. A photo of the items in my front pocket is attached.

[Jayf30]

Was in the middle of spraying mud off until the sun was right in the middle of the driveway and decided to not be lazy this time, blew the dust off my camera and took some photos.

Here are some more looks at the cerium/black grill combo.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by calintexas

Just so you know; I've got a similar cover (made of silicone - possibly more flexible). My fob requires a long push to open the rear hatch with the fob button. To my complete surprise, I managed to do just that a while bending over near the front of our X3 to plug in a battery tender to a surge protector that was on the garage floor while my "protected" fob was in my front pocket along with a chap stick tube and a smallish key chain (4 regular metal keys & several plastic bar code cards). If the cover is flexible enough that you can operate the fob buttons with your finger tips through the cover, I think it's likely that you'll come across a circumstance that it happens in your pocket or your wife's purse.

In my case, I was wearing relaxed fit levi's. A photo of the items in my front pocket is attached.

If you want max protection against accidental button pressing, you might need a key fob cover that is not designed to let you press any button through it. I use this one

Thor-Ind Carbon Fiber Pattern Leather Key Fob Cover Case Bag for BMW New 2 5 7 Series X1 X5 X6 2014-up 3/4 Buttons Keyless Entry Control Smart Key Protective Shell Holder (B Type) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZT9HCH..._WpQACbE2WGWZX

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

If you want max protection against accidental button pressing, you might need a key fob cover that is not designed to let you press any button through it. I use this one

Thor-Ind Carbon Fiber Pattern Leather Key Fob Cover Case Bag for BMW New 2 5 7 Series X1 X5 X6 2014-up 3/4 Buttons Keyless Entry Control Smart Key Protective Shell Holder (B Type) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZT9HCH..._WpQACbE2WGWZX

I have one almost identical to that. It does add a bit more bulk to the fob but accidental button presses definitely won't be happening.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

If you want max protection against accidental button pressing, you might need a key fob cover that is not designed to let you press any button through it. I use this one

Thor-Ind Carbon Fiber Pattern Leather Key Fob Cover Case Bag for BMW New 2 5 7 Series X1 X5 X6 2014-up 3/4 Buttons Keyless Entry Control Smart Key Protective Shell Holder (B Type) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZT9HCH..._WpQACbE2WGWZX

I do like to be able to press the buttons in my pocket through the trouser material though, and it also looks like it adds a lot of bulk, but thanks for the suggestion.

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

If you want max protection against accidental button pressing, you might need a key fob cover that is not designed to let you press any button through it. I use this one

Thor-Ind Carbon Fiber Pattern Leather Key Fob Cover Case Bag for BMW New 2 5 7 Series X1 X5 X6 2014-up 3/4 Buttons Keyless Entry Control Smart Key Protective Shell Holder (B Type) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZT9HCH..._WpQACbE2WGWZX

Thanks, I actually ordered one of those last night right after I posted here. Most of what is available on Amazon is designed to protect the fob from getting banged up rather than prevent inadvertent buttons presses.

[chicagofan00]

Spent the last 1.5hrs cleaning up the X3 even though it rained earlier today and is likely to rain again in a few more days.

[thekronoschef]

Originally Posted by Jayf30

Was in the middle of spraying mud off until the sun was right in the middle of the driveway and decided to not be lazy this time, blew the dust off my camera and took some photos.

Here are some more looks at the cerium/black grill combo.

Looks so good! I ordered my M performance grilles today, and going to fit the black slats on the cerium surround like you did here. I'm sold

[MOWells]

Originally Posted by Jayf30

Wasn't happy with how the black grills were looking with the other cerium parts so as per a suggestion from teaston, I swapped out the black rings and put the cerium back on, keeping the grills black. Really happy with the result.

Changing out the first one took about 10 minutes understanding the clips and how gentle I needed to be. After that the second one took 1 minute so very easy

The black grills do look better. I’m putting this modification on my list.

[gooddog]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Put on the Canvasback cover for the cargo area.

Great minds think alike,
Got a set for the dog. Like the fit.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by gooddog

Great minds think alike,
Got a set for the dog. Like the fit.

Yep, the fit is fantastic. After seeing the photos from another poster here I went ahead and ordered the side covers too.

[SROC3]

Applied Ultima Sealant to all black exterior moldings on doors and windows.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by SROC3

Applied Ultima Sealant to all black exterior moldings on doors and windows.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1

Reviews on Amazon have people doing their whole cars in this stuff. How'd it go on the black trim pieces for you? You used this on the interior piano black trim too, right?