[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Can you post a close up picture please? Did you attach it with zip ties?

Link to Pictures of Full Install: LINK TO FULL INSTALL

Sure, here's a closeup of it finished. It is attached with nine 18-pound zip ties (the really small ones). Zip ties are not visible at all, even if you know they are there and go looking for them - completely behind everything, and I seriously dislike zip ties on cars, so the fact they are entirely hidden makes it sort of OK . I just like the look of the mesh behind the center posts. I drilled five 1/8" holes and this required removal of the black center piece (I was installing the IND painted center anyway). The gloss powder coat finish of the wire mesh makes the black look grey in this picture but it is just light reflection off the gloss, not seeing it like this in person, looks more like the picture I posted above in my prior posts.



Zip tied top and bottom to the struts under the black center piece. The "body" of the zip ties sticks out on these but gets covered by the black center piece which doesn't make contact with them:



I also put a zip tie on the passenger side strut by drilling a 1/8" hole () and the body of the zip tie is inside that post as that side has a 1 inch indent presumably for the cruise control module which I don't have):



Passenger and Driver side attached at all 4 corners. Drilled 1/8" holes and ran the zip ties from the brake duct side of things so the body of the zip tie is behind everything. So overall the insert is 6.5" tall, and 22-3/4 long, although 23" would have been fine. It is held in place by 9 zip ties.





No zip ties are visible (but at least 9 were harmed for this ).

[Ronin76]

For those who have PPF and ceramic costing, did you guys put these mesh protectors on before you PPFd your cars or after?

I plan on purchasing my aftermarket parts once I submit my specs (after getting an allocation) and planned on installing as much as I can while waiting for an appointment with my detailer.

Should I wait to install the mesh until after getting the PPF?

[Zirenz2006]

Thanks for the close up pics and details. I prefer the mesh behind the center posts which is why I don't want to go with the Zunsport option.

Smart idea to zip tie and then put the gloss black back over it so you don't see the zip ties wrapped around.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Should I wait to install the mesh until after getting the PPF?

I thought this as well but just went ahead and installed my mesh since received the car late last week. The detailers can't get to my car until later this week. I did it this weekend simply because I had a day off and the next few weeks are crazy for me. Having had PPF installed on several cars, they are very good at making precise cuts so I don't think it will be an issue but ...I will let you know how it goes.

I did remove the Sto-N-Sho license plate bracket so they can PPF over the area it mounts.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Thanks for the close up pics and details. I prefer the mesh behind the center posts which is why I don't want to go with the Zunsport option.

Smart idea to zip tie and then put the gloss balck back over it so you don't see the zip ties wrapped around.

Yes, it turned out great, I'm very happy with it. That single zip tie in the middle of the right central post (passenger side) helps with the rigidity of the mesh in the central section quite a bit. It was sitting flush but would push in the center with a little pressure, this eliminated that "slack."

[sclui56]

The aluminum grill is the most well-done DIY I have seen, great job! I have been looking for alternatives and didn't feel the Stradale is that much better, surely they fab mounting brackets that are attached to the same plastic sheets, I prefer a more forward mounting since I have 6MT. Then the Zunsport one I was looking at, but they only come in a set including the ducts.

In the end, none of the ones readily available looked "finished" enough so I decided not to pay for "incomplete" fixes.

My temporary solution is to fit a mesh with zip ties, which I will circle back and tug them between the structures of the bumper and the black piece. So far I find the 18# ones you used are the better choice than the next size up, but since I will end up using 4 pieces, not sure how I feel about the 18# ones.

Will decide when I have time to relieve the black plastic piece from the bumper. Still have plenty of material left, sheet I bought for ~$30 can do 4x. Thanks for sharing!

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by sclui56

the Zunsport one I was looking at, but they only come in a set including the ducts.

In the end, none of the ones readily available looked "finished" enough so I decided not to pay for "incomplete" fixes.

I'm just curious why you think this looks "unfinished"?

[sclui56]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

I'm just curious why you think this looks "unfinished"?

While I believe the Zunsport version offers the most protection, this was purely a personal opinion - I can't get past the exposed metal frame not flowing with the rest of the bits.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by sclui56

While I believe the Zunsport version offers the most protection, this was purely a personal opinion - I can't get past the exposed metal frame not flowing with the rest of the bits.

Gotcha. From more than a couple feet away they're not even noticeable.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Gotcha. From more than a couple feet away they're not even noticeable.

+1 the Zunsports are not easily seen and most people I meet who discuss the car with me very rarely notice. They blend nicely and no alteration is needed for them , Zip ties etc on a new car. Perfect solution.
Pic attached taken less than a meter away.

[CarsRFun!]

Originally Posted by DSTR

+1 the Zunsports are not easily seen and most people I meet who discuss the car with me very rarely notice. They blend nicely and no alteration is needed for them , Zip ties etc on a new car. Perfect solution.
Pic attached taken less than a meter away.

For me in gets down to protection, piece of mind, and ease of install and removing. Yes, they are expensive. I have the entire 6 piece set.
Yes, I just received the eng. oil cooler screen, separate order directly from Zunsport in England. Fast service and delivery by Fed Ex. One week total. The 5 piece set I got from Mach V Motorsports here in states. Great service from them too.

It's just too bad the M2 is so exposed. Now, many vehicles made in states and Europe have similar issues. That's why Zunsport makes screens for all of them that need protection. This is all that they make and sell....screens for coolers and radiator protection.

Sure does keep them in business and must be making $$. I know, they charge a lot. The cars are a lot. If you bought a BMW to be economical and not expect to pay more for "things" for it...you shouldn't buy one. I know there are other "hacks" to do some protection. Fine...each to their own. I don't regret my purchase....just regret that it was necessary.

It sure wouldn't have been a huge deal for BMW to incorporate some kind of screen protection as part of the design and build process.
But, they probably would have charged 5 times what my screens cost! LOL!!

[motorknut]

Originally Posted by CarsRFun!

For me in gets down to protection, piece of mind, and ease of install and removing. Yes, they are expensive. I have the entire 6 piece set.
Yes, I just received the eng. oil cooler screen, separate order directly from Zunsport in England. Fast service and delivery by Fed Ex. One week total. The 5 piece set I got from Mach V Motorsports here in states. Great service from them too.

are the zunsport grilles easy to remove? i went with the Radiator grille store zip tie product just cos its easy to remove if i ever have to clean behind it. i skipped zunsport cos it doesnt sound easy to remove without taking off the bumper first.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by motorknut

are the zunsport grilles easy to remove? i went with the Radiator grille store zip tie product just cos its easy to remove if i ever have to clean behind it. i skipped zunsport cos it doesnt sound easy to remove without taking off the bumper first.

Yes, they're easy to remove. No removal of the bumper is necessary for installation or removal.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by motorknut

are the zunsport grilles easy to remove? i went with the Radiator grille store zip tie product just cos its easy to remove if i ever have to clean behind it. i skipped zunsport cos it doesnt sound easy to remove without taking off the bumper first.

The mesh is such on the Zunsport that not much build up of debris occurs behind them to begin with. They do the job well, and as noted by JABCAT they are simply easy to remove and re-install if needed.

[motorknut]

Originally Posted by DSTR

The mesh is such on the Zunsport that not much build up of debris occurs behind them to begin with. They do the job well, and as noted by JABCAT they are simply easy to remove and re-install if needed.

I wonder who has actually tried to remove it. the mesh is such a tight weave, can't imagine it's easy to undo the secured points from the bumper.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by CarsRFun!

For me in gets down to protection, piece of mind, and ease of install and removing. Yes, they are expensive. I have the entire 6 piece set.
Yes, I just received the eng. oil cooler screen, separate order directly from Zunsport in England. Fast service and delivery by Fed Ex. One week total. The 5 piece set I got from Mach V Motorsports here in states. Great service from them too.

It's just too bad the M2 is so exposed. Now, many vehicles made in states and Europe have similar issues. That's why Zunsport makes screens for all of them that need protection. This is all that they make and sell....screens for coolers and radiator protection.

Sure does keep them in business and must be making $$. I know, they charge a lot. The cars are a lot. If you bought a BMW to be economical and not expect to pay more for "things" for it...you shouldn't buy one. I know there are other "hacks" to do some protection. Fine...each to their own. I don't regret my purchase....just regret that it was necessary.

It sure wouldn't have been a huge deal for BMW to incorporate some kind of screen protection as part of the design and build process.
But, they probably would have charged 5 times what my screens cost! LOL!!

Funny thing, this isn't just BMW Auto.
BMW Moto leaves the radiator and oil cooler for a S1000RR exposed and sells protectors after the fact. It's just stupid.

I had to buy and have installed screens on my bike and now when I get my M2.

SMFH..

[CarsRFun!]

I just put all 6 screens on my M2 today. Didn't take long. The metal
"arms" that "hook" around the edge of inner trim is not that hard to
get attached to. Just take your time, use a long skinny screwdriver
to reach in and make sure they are "latched."

After putting them on I now realize that they would not be hard to take
off. Just use painter's tape to protect the black plastic trim.

I did have to bend the arms a little after a "trial fitment" since I saw they were not going to be in the perfect position to "catch" the ledge
and latch on.

One cool thing is that you can hardly tell they are there. Got to get up fairly close to see them. They are black, the trim is black...so they blend right in. I have the ACC and the screen sits comfortably in front of it without laying against it. Zunsport confirmed in an email by me that they tested the ACC with the screen, and the do NOT interfere with the operation. If they would have, they wouldn't have designed that area to be totally in front of the ACC. And for me. I don't really use ACC anyway. LOL!

[peterjamesbrown]

Made my own protection. Super simple. Just bought some ridgid mesh from Bunnings. Cut out and placed across the radiator and then slid another cut out piece that sides under the tabs. No bolts or anything to remove.

[kev12]

Put my Zunsports on. I left the brake duct ones out because I can’t see the point in protecting that portion. I think it looks better without them on too.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by motorknut

I wonder who has actually tried to remove it. the mesh is such a tight weave, can't imagine it's easy to undo the secured points from the bumper.

I've removed mine several times on both the M2 & my wife's X3MC. Like I said previously, it's really easy to remove.

[CarsRFun!]

Originally Posted by kev12

Put my Zunsports on. I left the brake duct ones out because I can’t see the point in protecting that portion. I think it looks better without them on too.

Well, larger type debris...paper, piece of cardboard, plastic junk..????...
keeps that kind of stuff from being sucked in and blocking airflow.

Just a thought.

[kev12]

Originally Posted by CarsRFun!

Well, larger type debris...paper, piece of cardboard, plastic junk..????...
keeps that kind of stuff from being sucked in and blocking airflow.

Just a thought.

Well, I suppose the choice is yours.