Friday Day off DIY

Dr.Mark · 09-25-2021, 11:01 AM

Black hexagon mesh from customcargrills.com.
Then our own 3D printed snorkels from commander Wiggins.
I'll throw up some after pics when the sun is better this afternoon.
Pics should be in reverse order

(K) · 09-25-2021, 01:48 PM

I'm liking this grill setup. How do they attach?

IcewaterPete · 09-25-2021, 02:28 PM

This is something I intend to do. I’d be interested to hear how much time it takes.

flybigjet · 09-25-2021, 03:23 PM

Wait. Hold on a sec.

I was juuuuuust about to hit the link for the mesh material that some peeps have used, and now I'm seeing this.

Looking at the website, I don't see any links for BMW, so I'm assuming you're using generic mesh and putting some edging around it?

If that's correct, which edging and mesh pattern did you use?

And? Pictures from the front of the grill?

TIA-- holding off on my Amazon purchase because of this!

R.

MeinZwei · 09-25-2021, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Wait. Hold on a sec.

I was juuuuuust about to hit the link for the mesh material that some peeps have used, and now I'm seeing this.

Looking at the website, I don't see any links for BMW, so I'm assuming you're using generic mesh and putting some edging around it?

R.

I'd say the OP bought the sheets and cut out the pattern for each opening.

Dr.Mark · 09-25-2021, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Wait. Hold on a sec.

I was juuuuuust about to hit the link for the mesh material that some peeps have used, and now I'm seeing this.

Looking at the website, I don't see any links for BMW, so I'm assuming you're using generic mesh and putting some edging around it?

If that's correct, which edging and mesh pattern did you use?

And? Pictures from the front of the grill?

TIA-- holding off on my Amazon purchase because of this!

R.

Yes. I took off the bumper. About 30min. Then used cardboard to make templates just slightly smaller than the openings. Then cut it out from the wire mesh with $15 tin snips. Cut super easily. Then used the rubber edging all around.
For the bottom 3 grills I mounted with zip ties from the inside to the OEM grills. 4 for each side grill. 6 for the middle. You can't see them unless you really stick your head up close.
For the kidney grills, I actually drilled 4 small holes each side in the back half of the grill in between the slats and in the appropriate places since the grill is not flat but has a bend/twist to it. Again almost invisible from the front.
Interestingly from a distance, you can't see any of my hard work. Annoying but really what I wanted. I'm headed to the track in 3 weeks so I think the screens are necessary.
The total for the screens was about 2 hours. I was meticulous with fitment.
You can PM me if you want any more specifics.
I've never done anything like this before but jumped in and am proud of how it turned out.
Very doable.

Dr.Mark · 09-25-2021, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Wait. Hold on a sec.

I was juuuuuust about to hit the link for the mesh material that some peeps have used, and now I'm seeing this.

Looking at the website, I don't see any links for BMW, so I'm assuming you're using generic mesh and putting some edging around it?

If that's correct, which edging and mesh pattern did you use?

And? Pictures from the front of the grill?

TIA-- holding off on my Amazon purchase because of this!

R.

I used the black small hexagon mesh since it had a 77% open area = more air passing thru.

MeinZwei · 09-26-2021, 05:37 AM

Great work and looks fantastic!

mjweimer · 09-26-2021, 06:25 AM

Well done Sir!

May I ask what edging material you used? That is a nice detail.

Dr.Mark · 09-26-2021, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjweimer

Well done Sir!

May I ask what edging material you used? That is a nice detail.

It's a rubber gasket that the company sells. It fits snugly on the edges. Then when installed it really holds everything tight so I'm not worried about it moving around.

MooMooM2 · 09-26-2021, 07:47 AM

This is so good. Looks so much better than the zunow mesh stuff

BigKutta · 09-26-2021, 08:08 AM

Nice. Best job I've seen so far!

goforwand · 09-26-2021, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (K)

I'm liking this grill setup. How do they attach?

Also interested in how you attached with the rubber on the edging (which looks great!)

Dr.Mark · 09-26-2021, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goforwand

Quote:

Originally Posted by (K)

I'm liking this grill setup. How do they attach?

Also interested in how you attached with the rubber on the edging (which looks great!)

If you check out the custom car grills website, you'll see the rubber edging is "C" shaped and fits snugly over the metal mesh.
I made the grill cutouts just slightly smaller then the opening. The rubber edging adds about 2mm. So then when I zip tied it down, there's no chance the edging could work it's way off. And secondly the metal grill can't rattle or scratch anything!

Dr.Mark · 09-26-2021, 08:34 PM

And then just to top it off, I put on my track pads and new Apex wheels for a track day in 2 weeks.

ROASTM · 09-28-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Mark

Yes. I took off the bumper. About 30min. Then used cardboard to make templates just slightly smaller than the openings. Then cut it out from the wire mesh with $15 tin snips. Cut super easily. Then used the rubber edging all around.
For the bottom 3 grills I mounted with zip ties from the inside to the OEM grills. 4 for each side grill. 6 for the middle. You can't see them unless you really stick your head up close.
For the kidney grills, I actually drilled 4 small holes each side in the back half of the grill in between the slats and in the appropriate places since the grill is not flat but has a bend/twist to it. Again almost invisible from the front.
Interestingly from a distance, you can't see any of my hard work. Annoying but really what I wanted. I'm headed to the track in 3 weeks so I think the screens are necessary.
The total for the screens was about 2 hours. I was meticulous with fitment.
You can PM me if you want any more specifics.
I've never done anything like this before but jumped in and am proud of how it turned out.
Very doable.

Man, you're in St. Louis too? Want to help me with mine???

Looks great!

Dr.Mark · 09-28-2021, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROASTM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Mark

Yes. I took off the bumper. About 30min. Then used cardboard to make templates just slightly smaller than the openings. Then cut it out from the wire mesh with $15 tin snips. Cut super easily. Then used the rubber edging all around.
For the bottom 3 grills I mounted with zip ties from the inside to the OEM grills. 4 for each side grill. 6 for the middle. You can't see them unless you really stick your head up close.
For the kidney grills, I actually drilled 4 small holes each side in the back half of the grill in between the slats and in the appropriate places since the grill is not flat but has a bend/twist to it. Again almost invisible from the front.
Interestingly from a distance, you can't see any of my hard work. Annoying but really what I wanted. I'm headed to the track in 3 weeks so I think the screens are necessary.
The total for the screens was about 2 hours. I was meticulous with fitment.
You can PM me if you want any more specifics.
I've never done anything like this before but jumped in and am proud of how it turned out.
Very doable.

Man, you're in St. Louis too? Want to help me with mine???

Looks great!

Sure. I live in Sunset Hills. Near Lindbergh and Watson

agent_orange · 09-29-2021, 05:48 AM

Very nice, looks better than any of the commercial options I've seen so far.

Commanderwiggin · 09-29-2021, 06:11 AM

Awesome!

Spider. · 10-04-2021, 06:14 PM

This is the ideal way to do it. Looks fantastic

Dr.Mark · 10-04-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spider.

This is the ideal way to do it. Looks fantastic

Thanks.

M2C89 · 10-05-2021, 01:31 PM

Looks great!

09-25-2021, 11:01 AM	#1
Dr.Mark Private First Class 84 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (2)	Black hexagon mesh from customcargrills.com. Then our own 3D printed snorkels from commander Wiggins. I'll throw up some after pics when the sun is better this afternoon. Pics should be in reverse order Attached Images
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09-25-2021, 01:48 PM	#2
(K) Captain 1278 Rep 837 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT (R.I.P.) Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (6)	I'm liking this grill setup. How do they attach?
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09-25-2021, 02:28 PM	#3
IcewaterPete Lieutenant Colonel 2142 Rep 1,528 Posts Drives: 2020 F33 M Sport, 2021 M2C 6MT Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	This is something I intend to do. I’d be interested to hear how much time it takes.
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09-25-2021, 03:23 PM	#4
flybigjet Remove Before Flight 6822 Rep 1,611 Posts Drives: M2C & Boeing's light twin Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Littleton (Denver), CO iTrader: (1)	Wait. Hold on a sec. I was juuuuuust about to hit the link for the mesh material that some peeps have used, and now I'm seeing this. Looking at the website, I don't see any links for BMW, so I'm assuming you're using generic mesh and putting some edging around it? If that's correct, which edging and mesh pattern did you use? And? Pictures from the front of the grill? TIA-- holding off on my Amazon purchase because of this! R. __________________ Current: M2C, Miata RF-GT, RDX & Element // R1200GS & VRSCF Previous: M3, Focus ZX3-S2, Superchaged Solara, Samurai, Integra, Pinto & RX-4 // VRSCR, R6S, FZ1 & FZ600
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09-26-2021, 05:37 AM	#8
MeinZwei Private 156 Rep 95 Posts Drives: BMW M2C Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Holly Springs, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2C [0.00]	Great work and looks fantastic!
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09-26-2021, 06:25 AM	#9
mjweimer Enlisted Member 48 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Well done Sir! May I ask what edging material you used? That is a nice detail.
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09-26-2021, 07:47 AM	#11
MooMooM2 Lieutenant Colonel 1818 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	This is so good. Looks so much better than the zunow mesh stuff
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09-26-2021, 08:08 AM	#12
BigKutta Brigadier General 3904 Rep 4,048 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Burbs iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 330xi [0.00] 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00]	Nice. Best job I've seen so far!
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09-26-2021, 08:34 PM	#15
Dr.Mark Private First Class 84 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (2)	And then just to top it off, I put on my track pads and new Apex wheels for a track day in 2 weeks.
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09-29-2021, 05:48 AM	#18
agent_orange Private First Class 152 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2014 F25 X3 30d, 2021 F87 M2C Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Very nice, looks better than any of the commercial options I've seen so far.
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09-29-2021, 06:11 AM	#19
Commanderwiggin Major 2050 Rep 1,200 Posts Drives: M2C - X3M - Turbo E46 M3 - 45E Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (2)	Awesome! __________________ 575RWHP F87 M2C - ECUTEK RACEROM with flex fuel tuning by Bend Calibration 1000+RWHP E46 M3, Lab22 Built Turbo S54, Bend Calibration Tuned - BMW Half Mile Record Holder
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10-04-2021, 06:14 PM	#20
Spider. Member 76 Rep 69 Posts Drives: BMW F87 Competition Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (2)	This is the ideal way to do it. Looks fantastic
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10-05-2021, 01:31 PM	#22
M2C89 First Lieutenant 408 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Competition Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Looks great!
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