[Team Tonka]

This video is short and sweet, basically followed this to the 'T' to remove the bumper:

I thought/felt the bumper removal was easy, about an hour to get off taking my time. I had the help of my wife/kids to remove it off which helped, I'd say having a second set of hands to get it off and back on is helpful.

Worst part was getting the air ducts in - that took longer than the bumper removal. I think there is a spot where the black plastic is glued to the actual body panel - so you don't want to harm that, so a lot of bending gently to get the air ducts in place.

I had the ebay air ducts PPF'd prior to install, and I feel the quality and fitment is spot on.

[JDS680]

Looks great! Good you had some help! Yeah, as you described, definitely some challenging spots, that’s why patience is needed, along with a cold one🍻

[Team Tonka]

One thing is there is a gap under this area, it will end up collecting a lot of dirt/debris from the road! Not sure if the OEM Carbon Fiber versions are the same….

[LGT39]

Thanks for the pics! Does the gloss black finish match the OEM grill?

[Team Tonka]

Originally Posted by LGT39

Thanks for the pics! Does the gloss black finish match the OEM grill?

Yes, matches great!

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Sweet! Mine are on the way, so stoked to hear this. Will be getting the, installed when I get my springs and turner skid plate installed.

Finally got them installed! No springs yet though…

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Finally got them installed! No springs yet though…

Looks very good!!’ Aliexpress ?

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Looks very good!!’ Aliexpress ?

Yes. Great fitment. Very happy.

[Shinkaze]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

It's kind of a waste though. You're paying for a carbon fiber part that's painted black. ...

Is it a Waste?
Plastic is Plastic
Carbon Fiber is Carbon Fiber

The value isn't in showing off the weave, the value is in a composite material vs ABS plastic.

Seriously Unpopular Opinion: Showing off carbon fiber parts on a 4,000-pound car feels a bit poser-ish to me. It was different during the E46 days when M3s weighed less than 3,500 pounds, and you could reasonably cut 10% of the car's weight with lightweight carbon parts and other weight reductions. For me, the value of carbon fiber is more in its strength, rigidity, and quality.

That said, I did pay extra for the carbon interior and enjoy the look of the weave, so I guess I'm a hypocrite and a bit poser-ish by my own judgment.

Does it matter for a brake inlet? Probably not. Plastic is probably fine, though it might get beaten up more since it's softer. Maybe BMW chose carbon here to increase the fascia's rigidity—I'm not sure.

Economically, it's hard to ignore a $200 plastic part versus a $440 R44 carbon part or a $3,000+ OEM part.

I'll admit that carbon weave looks great on some cars (I saw a Dravit G80 with carbon, and it was gorgeous), but on my car with Frozen Blue, the gloss black looks better (in my opinion). So, I'm going in that direction, and painted carbon is my top choice for my car's upcoming "nose job" (ducts, CSL grill, side markers, etc.).

YMMV

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Shinkaze

Is it a Waste?
Plastic is Plastic
Carbon Fiber is Carbon Fiber

The value isn't in showing off the weave, the value is in a composite material vs ABS plastic.

Seriously Unpopular Opinion: Showing off carbon fiber parts on a 4,000-pound car feels a bit poser-ish to me. It was different during the E46 days when M3s weighed less than 3,500 pounds, and you could reasonably cut 10% of the car's weight with lightweight carbon parts and other weight reductions. For me, the value of carbon fiber is more in its strength, rigidity, and quality.

That said, I did pay extra for the carbon interior and enjoy the look of the weave, so I guess I'm a hypocrite and a bit poser-ish by my own judgment.

Does it matter for a brake inlet? Probably not. Plastic is probably fine, though it might get beaten up more since it's softer. Maybe BMW chose carbon here to increase the fascia's rigidity—I'm not sure.

Economically, it's hard to ignore a $200 plastic part versus a $440 R44 carbon part or a $3,000+ OEM part.

I'll admit that carbon weave looks great on some cars (I saw a Dravit G80 with carbon, and it was gorgeous), but on my car with Frozen Blue, the gloss black looks better (in my opinion). So, I'm going in that direction, and painted carbon is my top choice for my car's upcoming "nose job" (ducts, CSL grill, side markers, etc.).

YMMV

The car comes standard with no air guides. The carbon ducts are part of a carbon fiber appearance package. There is no structural benefit whatsoever.

You want to spend the money on painted carbon, go ahead. But you're getting zero benefit. Maybe it's somewhat harder to deal with rock impacts? Maybe. But I can replace and still be ahead. So.,,