Accent bar removal

FrankoQ · 08-26-2006, 04:17 PM

These are the bars that go across the front grill.
There are 3 pieces. Others have mentioned just pulling on them to
remove them. If you do that, chances are you will break a tab or two
from them.

This is a safer way to remove them...

1) this picture shows the tools used and one of the removed pieces.
Notice the tabs circled in red.
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2) You need to locate where the tabs go into the grill.
To remove the pieces, use the "L" shape screw driver
(or any tool in an "L" shape) to go behind
the grill and push down on the tabs as indicated on the down arrow.
At the same time, pull out the piece by hand or use the paint can opener to pull out the
piece.
3 tabs on the left and right pieces.
5 tabs on the center piece.
NOTE: 2 tabs on the the side pieces have solid grill behind them.
I just pulled those by hand. I did break one tab in that process.
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3) Repeat for the 3 pieces.
This is how the grill looks like after you remove a piece.
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Why remove these pieces?
1) if you have the black ones and want to install the gray ones that come
with the 330.
2) if you are installing a spoiler. (that is my case)

KL2DC · 08-26-2006, 05:04 PM

hahaha there was something wrong with good ol' fashion pulling?

Thanks for the discovery...hope all goes well with your lip installation...

Chesmu · 08-26-2006, 07:05 PM

me thinks this is better than just yankin' on it. i'm debating pulling mine off and painting them black....

Chesmu · 08-26-2006, 07:15 PM

is the bottle opener for opening bottles? You don't use it in the DIY at all!

Chesmu · 08-26-2006, 07:22 PM

hey.... I just went out and tried to remove my accent pieces. The center piece has 5 clips and I cant get the clips on the side pieces because the grill is not perforated near the foglights. Is your car different FrankQ?

bavarian19 · 08-26-2006, 08:16 PM

Thats what I should have done, but I didnt care about breaking the tabs on my old ones... How did you get the tabs that were behind the solid pieces on the sides?

Is the lip installed? I look forward to seeing it if it is...

FrankoQ · 08-27-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

is the bottle opener for opening bottles? You don't use it in the DIY at all!

That's for opening beer while on the job!

Ok seriously, that's a paint can opener.
I used it to pull out the side pieces.
If you just use your hands, the pieces kind of slip off then while you pull.

FrankoQ · 08-27-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

hey.... I just went out and tried to remove my accent pieces. The center piece has 5 clips and I cant get the clips on the side pieces because the grill is not perforated near the foglights. Is your car different FrankQ?

My bad. we do have the same grill. look at picture #3 above.
I just updated the instructions to mention that.
That's where the can opener comes handy.
You could also try to use a very skinny flat head screw driver
to try to push down on the tabs while pulling on them.

FrankoQ · 08-27-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Thats what I should have done, but I didnt care about breaking the tabs on my old ones... How did you get the tabs that were behind the solid pieces on the sides?

Is the lip installed? I look forward to seeing it if it is...

Yep. if you are just replacing them, I guess no need to try to save the old ones.
Then again, you could save them and sell them on ebay.
Or pass them to a fellow DC metro friend.

You never know when you might need that piece. hehe.

Spoiler is not installed. I already spent a few hours on it.
Much more work to do on it. I'll do a separate post about.
It's not a: "open box, snap on, done" kind of installation.
But it looks GOOD on the car.

achal · 08-27-2006, 07:46 PM

hey Frank...hope u will do it sooner and give me some advice..as I am waiting for u r response......let me know when u r done....

GOOD LUCK

FrankoQ · 08-27-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achal

hey Frank...hope u will do it sooner and give me some advice..as I am waiting for u r response......let me know when u r done....

GOOD LUCK

The job is done.

see instructions here:
http://e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28226

Andy M · 11-15-2010, 12:50 AM

Thought I'd just add my comments on this. It's a fairly old thread but I found a new way to remove these accent bars (or "finisher rods").

I used the L-shaped tool as the same as above but also an old credit card that I shredded up into strips. (I actually used one of those fake cards that they send in the mail with those forms asking you to sign up - these cards are thinner but just as strong).

When I pushed down with the L-shaped tool, I pushed a plastic strip (from my shredded credit card) in between the hole in the grate and above the plastic clip. This way even though I release the pressure with the L-shaped tool, I have a piece of plastic in between the clip and the grate. Repeat for each clip (I found I only needed two) and then when I pulled on it, it came out much easier with all plastic clips intact!

08-26-2006, 04:17 PM	#1
FrankoQ Deny everything 217 Rep 11,378 Posts Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW X6 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Accent bar removal These are the bars that go across the front grill. There are 3 pieces. Others have mentioned just pulling on them to remove them. If you do that, chances are you will break a tab or two from them. This is a safer way to remove them... 1) this picture shows the tools used and one of the removed pieces. Notice the tabs circled in red. 2) You need to locate where the tabs go into the grill. To remove the pieces, use the "L" shape screw driver (or any tool in an "L" shape) to go behind the grill and push down on the tabs as indicated on the down arrow. At the same time, pull out the piece by hand or use the paint can opener to pull out the piece. 3 tabs on the left and right pieces. 5 tabs on the center piece. NOTE: 2 tabs on the the side pieces have solid grill behind them. I just pulled those by hand. I did break one tab in that process. 3) Repeat for the 3 pieces. This is how the grill looks like after you remove a piece. Why remove these pieces? 1) if you have the black ones and want to install the gray ones that come with the 330. 2) if you are installing a spoiler. (that is my case) __________________ I need a drink Last edited by FrankoQ; 09-15-2006 at 09:12 PM..
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08-26-2006, 05:04 PM	#2
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	hahaha there was something wrong with good ol' fashion pulling? Thanks for the discovery...hope all goes well with your lip installation... __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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08-26-2006, 07:05 PM	#3
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	me thinks this is better than just yankin' on it. i'm debating pulling mine off and painting them black.... __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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08-26-2006, 07:15 PM	#4
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	is the bottle opener for opening bottles? You don't use it in the DIY at all! __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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08-26-2006, 07:22 PM	#5
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	hey.... I just went out and tried to remove my accent pieces. The center piece has 5 clips and I cant get the clips on the side pieces because the grill is not perforated near the foglights. Is your car different FrankQ? __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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08-26-2006, 08:16 PM	#6
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	Thats what I should have done, but I didnt care about breaking the tabs on my old ones... How did you get the tabs that were behind the solid pieces on the sides? Is the lip installed? I look forward to seeing it if it is...
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08-27-2006, 07:46 PM	#10
achal Lieutenant 53 Rep 464 Posts Drives: X5 E70 Prem, Tech, Cold packg Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MD iTrader: (2)	hey Frank...hope u will do it sooner and give me some advice..as I am waiting for u r response......let me know when u r done.... GOOD LUCK
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11-15-2010, 12:50 AM	#12
Andy M 77 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 09 BMW 335i xdrive Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	Thought I'd just add my comments on this. It's a fairly old thread but I found a new way to remove these accent bars (or "finisher rods"). I used the L-shaped tool as the same as above but also an old credit card that I shredded up into strips. (I actually used one of those fake cards that they send in the mail with those forms asking you to sign up - these cards are thinner but just as strong). When I pushed down with the L-shaped tool, I pushed a plastic strip (from my shredded credit card) in between the hole in the grate and above the plastic clip. This way even though I release the pressure with the L-shaped tool, I have a piece of plastic in between the clip and the grate. Repeat for each clip (I found I only needed two) and then when I pulled on it, it came out much easier with all plastic clips intact!
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