[ajchoi]

I searched quite a bit and couldn’t find much - has anybody actually DIY installed the M-Performance (or similar) front left and right CF air inlets that have additional oil coolers behind them? I saw the BMW tech instructions and it sounds like you have to cut the originals apart and that scared me a bit. Just looking to see if anybody did this themselves and how hard it was.

Sorry if there’s an obvious thread on this. Had oral surgery earlier today so may still be out of it lol

[DrBump471]

Yeah I just did this a few weeks ago.

I used the BMW Tech Instructions as a guide and did end up cutting the horizontal pieces, in front of the coolers, out to get them to fit in. The instructions called for a oscillating saw and I wasn't too keen on doing that. I did tape around the area, just in case of any mishaps, and used a keyhole saw instead. While this took longer to do, 7 minutes per side versus 10 seconds, I was able to take a bit more time and monitor my strokes with it.

I bought mine 2nd hand here in the forum so I didn't get the luxury of having BMW already applied the tape surround. This was actually my biggest challenge in finding tape that was thick enough to work. I ended up using 2 different 3M VHB tapes to get a nice solid bond but yet not too thick to cause it to look weird. 3M VHB #4991 and #5952 found on Amazon.

The instructions also suggest to use an adhesive liquid, I did not go this route as the VHB tape was far superior to what I took off from the original BMW supplied tape. This appeared more like foam tape than VHB. Also, NONE of the adhesive liquid from the previous installation appeared to have been ever in contact with the bumper.

One might ask, how would I know? So all of the adhesive liquid was still in a circle form. If any of it was to have touched the bumper, it would have been flat. Neither of the inlets had any of the adhesive liquid flattened by the bumper upon install from the port. That left me confident that the VHB tape will be sufficient in holding them in place.

I did take some pics of the process.

Tools


Cut Out


Test Fit One Side


Final Outcome

[ajchoi]

Originally Posted by DrBump471

Yeah I just did this a few weeks ago.

I used the BMW Tech Instructions as a guide and did end up cutting the horizontal pieces, in front of the coolers, out to get them to fit in. The instructions called for a oscillating saw and I wasn't too keen on doing that. I did tape around the area, just in case of any mishaps, and used a keyhole saw instead. While this took longer to do, 7 minutes per side versus 10 seconds, I was able to take a bit more time and monitor my strokes with it.

I bought mine 2nd hand here in the forum so I didn't get the luxury of having BMW already applied the tape surround. This was actually my biggest challenge in finding tape that was thick enough to work. I ended up using 2 different 3M VHB tapes to get a nice solid bond but yet not too thick to cause it to look weird. 3M VHB #4991 and #5952 found on Amazon.

The instructions also suggest to use an adhesive liquid, I did not go this route as the VHB tape was far superior to what I took off from the original BMW supplied tape. This appeared more like foam tape than VHB. Also, NONE of the adhesive liquid from the previous installation appeared to have been ever in contact with the bumper.

One might ask, how would I know? So all of the adhesive liquid was still in a circle form. If any of it was to have touched the bumper, it would have been flat. Neither of the inlets had any of the adhesive liquid flattened by the bumper upon install from the port. That left me confident that the VHB tape will be sufficient in holding them in place.

I did take some pics of the process.

Tools
Attachment 3645766

Cut Out
Attachment 3645767

Test Fit One Side
Attachment 3645768

Final Outcome
Attachment 3645769

Thank you so much for the reply!! This is exactly what I needed to determine if I’m gonna DIY it too. Yours looks amazing!

I’m also considering getting that IND center piece that adds the ZB painted section to the front middle lip area if I go with these inlets

[DrBump471]

Welcome and thanks.

The IND center piece will look awesome!

Good luck and don't hesitate to reach back out if you have questions.