Black grills and gills fair installed price?

[Ade_7]

Hi everyone

I note that a lot of people here have the black grills and wondered if you had them fitted at the dealers or afterwards?

I've got a price from the dealer for the front grills and side gills fitted of £531.60.

The price for the parts was £95 each for the front grills and £47 each for the side gills. Those prices seemed pretty good to me but then I simply wasn't sure if the remaining cost for installation was reasonable.

Thinking about it I'm not sure if those parts prices included vat (I was distracted by the daughter trying to talk to me at the same time as taking this call).

I'd prefer them done for collection so that I don't start getting earache from the wife for spending more on it after it arrives (it will already be tricky to hope she doesn't notice the springs and spacers being fitted..... )

If anyone has thoughts or suggests about those prices I would be grateful.

Ade

[sos]

£200 fitting is not a good deal!! It's a 30minute job!

[MB London]

not that I have done it, but I think they can be done yourself. I had mine fitted by the dealer, but to avoid labour charges the sales guy fitted them for me.

[Ade_7]

Hmm started to do some more research and have found some videos which make me think you are very correct!

Two IND videos on youtube make it seem like it's a simple DIY job for sure.

It also makes me suspect that the std f30 grill surrounds should fit? Just remove the M3 ones, pop out the double vertical slats and clip them into the black f30 surrounds? They're about half the price so would be great if that is possible? Has anyone else done that?

Thanks again.

[dunny247]

Same as Mike. Had the install done for free on collection. Only had the front ones done. Does seem steep for labour.

[billyali86]

Tip for you..

black surrounds for the 4 series are the same, you will need to unclip the slats and swap over m badge from existing grill which will be easy to do. The 4 series ones cost under £100 whereas M4/3 ones are double that

I actually had my surround wrapped gloss back along with the side gills. Whole thing inc fitting was £120


....Just read what you said about 3 series grills . Remeber the m3 has the 4/m4 front end

[Ade_7]

Originally Posted by billyali86

Tip for you..

black surrounds for the 4 series are the same, you will need to unclip the slats and swap over m badge from existing grill which will be easy to do. The 4 series ones cost under £100 whereas M4/3 ones are double that

I actually had my surround wrapped gloss back along with the side gills. Whole thing inc fitting was £120


....Just read what you said about 3 series grills . Remeber the m3 has the 4/m4 front end

Ah thanks very much Billy, I assumed it would be the same as the 3 series. Good spot. So as you mention if I order the black grills for a 4 series, pop the vertical slats as per the video, do the same when removing the original chrome grills and put the M3 vertical slats into the 4 series black surrounds and reinstall. I'll have done it for a bit under half price!

Edit, ok so watched the video again and hilariously noticed that it does mention f32 surrounds in the text!! I was so intently watching what was being done I didn't notice that at all.....

[TooFan328i]

For the grilles, the fair labor is about 20-25 mins. I paid like $47 to my dealership to install the black grilles.

[MB London]

Originally Posted by billyali86

Tip for you..

black surrounds for the 4 series are the same, you will need to unclip the slats and swap over m badge from existing grill which will be easy to do. The 4 series ones cost under £100 whereas M4/3 ones are double that

I actually had my surround wrapped gloss back along with the side gills. Whole thing inc fitting was £120


....Just read what you said about 3 series grills . Remeber the m3 has the 4/m4 front end

the M badge is fixed to the grill, you cant remove it, its a fixed piece

[billyali86]

Originally Posted by MB London

the M badge is fixed to the grill, you cant remove it, its a fixed piece

All you really need is the black surround from the 4 series grill, as far im aware the slats can fit into this so badge does not need removed.

Am I making sense? I think I might have confused myself over thinking this!

[JacksoB]

Am picking mine up on Friday. My dealer initially tried to charge £50 + VAT for fitting front and side grills but agreed to waive it without question when I asked. £200 to fit is taking the proverbial........

[Singh211]

Get an indy to do it. Its so easy and quick they will get it done in 15 mins.

I paid £100 for the front F32 grills and swapped the slats and got the side gills wrapped gloss black for £20.

Fitted the grills myself

[Ronniewales]

I have a new M4 F83 does the M4 badge on the original grill come off easy as dealer said if I buy black grill then I cant have the m4 badge on the new grill?

Is that right?

[JustChris]

That's a rip off!

Changed my F30 grills myself, was a bit fiddly but about 30 mins.

[Turboextreme]

They are not called the stealers for nothing you know. When I had my front splitter and corners fitted they also fitted my footrest, it was £115 to fit the splitter and £25 to fit the footrest. The cheek, honestly as it is a two minute job to fit the footrest.

[Ade_7]

Yep totally agree, after I found the two videos I've ordered the f32 black grilles and M3 black side grilles from a friend who is a bodyshop parts manager needless to say it is a lot cheaper than the original price!!

[JacksoB]

Originally Posted by Ronniewales

I have a new M4 F83 does the M4 badge on the original grill come off easy as dealer said if I buy black grill then I cant have the m4 badge on the new grill?

Is that right?

That isn't true. I have an F83 (not that model should make any difference) and had the m perf black grills with the M4 badge fitted at my dealers.

[zooberoo]

My M4 black grilles were £150 from my dealer including VAT and delivery. I removed the chrome grilles and fitted them myself yesterday. It took 10 minutes and can be done without removing the bumper.

I don't know anything about the gills though!

Edit: I used Rick Hunter's method (here) to remove the first grille then was able to reach the second easily. I didn't have a ratchet so used a hex key and pair of mole grips.

If you can get your dealer to do the work for free then happy days. If not, I personally don't see the point of paying someone else to do a job that is so easy to do yourself.

Hope this helps.