[JHole]

Thanks to Mr. Hankey’s M2 Build thread for the inspiration! https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2102109&page=2

I just completed a lower front grill mesh installation with the same look as Mr. Hankey’s, but without drilling or removing the grill. It took about 3 hours.

I used a 12”x48” Diamond XXL Aluminum Grill Mesh Sheet (black powder coated) from https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...od=Diamond_XXL It was easy to cut to size (22”x6.5”) with wire cutters.

I also used a 1/8” opening of neoprene rubber edge trim for the bottom and sides of the mesh from https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...d=Trim_Neo_XXL Takes around 3'. This made for a very tight fit and, along with painter’s tape, it helped to avoid scratches while sliding the mesh in behind the pillars starting from the driver’s side. I found no need for putting neoprene on the top edge.

Before sliding in the mesh, I loosely attached two 8” zip ties to it, about 4” in from each side and 2” from the top. These were helpful in pulling the mesh flush against the inside of the pillars to check the fitment.

Once I had a snug fit, I tilted the mesh back into the great void in order to make room for the frustrating task of looping four (two for each pillar) 8” black zip ties to secure the mesh against the pillars. The difficult part for me was to thread the zip tie between the black plastic covering the pillar and the inside metal pillar itself. The trick to threading the zip tie is to have one sturdy enough, but flexible enough, to make the 180º turn around the metal pillar and come out the other side. This took time and patience.

With the four zip ties in place around the metal pillars, I pulled the mesh back up flush against the pillars. I then looped each of the four zip ties around the mesh and snugged them up with needle nose pliers, while pushing the zip tie lock behind the pillar. Then it was simply a matter of cutting off the tails of the zip ties and removing the zip ties that were used to snug up the mesh.

Hope this works for you.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by JHole

Thanks to Mr. Hankey’s M2 Build thread for the inspiration! https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2102109&page=2

Hope this works for you.

Love it! Like the Neoprene addition, I'm finding I get a lot of debris (leaves, pine needles) caught at the bottom where it meets the plastic and that neoprene would really help down there. I now feel like I cheated as I removed the center black section to change it to the IND painted center section so it was easier to do the zip-tie-ing, but bravo, looks great!

[JHole]

[kissmyasthma]

Awesome job! Did you also do the side openings? Could you post some more pictures of the end result? I’m taking delivery of a BSM car in two weeks and I’m on the fence about installing a conspicuous grill. But both of you have done a great job and might have swayed me.

[JHole]

Originally Posted by kissmyasthma

Awesome job! Did you also do the side openings? Could you post some more pictures of the end result? I’m taking delivery of a BSM car in two weeks and I’m on the fence about installing a conspicuous grill. But both of you have done a great job and might have swayed me.

Didn't do the sides, as they already have a factory grill/screen. Here's a couple of shots.

[DrewNewM2]

Nice one! I need to do this. Bought materials a while back except the neoprene but now I’m getting that too!

[JHole]

If you cut the mesh to 6.25" instead of 6.5", you'll have an easier time.

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by JHole

Thanks to Mr. Hankey’s M2 Build thread for the inspiration! https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2102109&page=2

I just completed a lower front grill mesh installation with the same look as Mr. Hankey’s, but without drilling or removing the grill. It took about 3 hours.

I used a 12”x48” Diamond XXL Aluminum Grill Mesh Sheet (black powder coated) from https://www.customcargrills.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Diamond_XXL It was easy to cut to size (22”x6.5”) with wire cutters.

I also used a 1/8” opening of neoprene rubber edge trim for the bottom and sides of the mesh from https://www.customcargrills.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Trim_Neo_XXL Takes around 3'. This made for a very tight fit and, along with painter’s tape, it helped to avoid scratches while sliding the mesh in behind the pillars starting from the driver’s side. I found no need for putting neoprene on the top edge.

Before sliding in the mesh, I loosely attached two 8” zip ties to it, about 4” in from each side and 2” from the top. These were helpful in pulling the mesh flush against the inside of the pillars to check the fitment.

Once I had a snug fit, I tilted the mesh back into the great void in order to make room for the frustrating task of looping four (two for each pillar) 8” black zip ties to secure the mesh against the pillars. The difficult part for me was to thread the zip tie between the black plastic covering the pillar and the inside metal pillar itself. The trick to threading the zip tie is to have one sturdy enough, but flexible [...]

Love it!
Great job amd thanks for the links.
I would also do the sides for consistency aesthetically AND that the side protection doesn’t look that protective, given that the flimsy plastic is hard up against the radiator. There are numerous posts discussing how these radiators have been punctured.
If you decide to attempt the side radiators too feel free to teach us how here as I am sure there are a lot of us that would like to know how.

[Mvfjet]

Anything that can be made for the cooler that runs horizontal under the car? This custom protection looks great at a fraction of the cost

[JHole]

Originally Posted by T-Rexx

Love it!
Great job amd thanks for the links.
I would also do the sides for consistency aesthetically AND that the side protection doesn’t look that protective, given that the flimsy plastic is hard up against the radiator. There are numerous posts discussing how these radiators have been punctured.
If you decide to attempt the side radiators too feel free to teach us how here as I am sure there are a lot of us that would like to know how.

In line with the thoughts of T-Rexx, I did the side grill protectors. The mesh was attached with two zip ties around the horizontal fin, as there is nothing to attach to behind the fin. The recessed ducts are pretty dark inside so the zip ties are not very obvious. Again, this was done without drilling or removal of any parts from the car.

Here are some photos of the finished product, as well as the template I used to cut out the mesh.

[Mvfjet]

Were you able to use the same 12”X48” piece of screen for the center and side vents?

[JHole]

Originally Posted by Mvfjet

Were you able to use the same 12”X48” piece of screen for the center and side vents?

Yes, there is more than enough mesh to do the job.