[FamilyGuyM3]

Where are people getting their grills installed in the SF Bay Area and how much?

I was just quoted $800 and $700 from two collision shops. They even said I’d have to take the car to the dealer to have them reset the camera given it will need to be unplugged. That was estimated to be about a grand!! Any truth to that?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

[Game]

Originally Posted by FamilyGuyM3

Where are people getting their grills installed in the SF Bay Area and how much?

I was just quoted $800 and $700 from two collision shops. They even said I’d have to take the car to the dealer to have them reset the camera given it will need to be unplugged. That was estimated to be about a grand!! Any truth to that?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Better off watching a few Youtube videos and taking it on yourself.

[FamilyGuyM3]

Originally Posted by Game

Better off watching a few Youtube videos and taking it on yourself.

I would but I'd rather leave it to the professionals. My luck I'll break some clips or crack something smh

[aktif8]

Originally Posted by FamilyGuyM3

Where are people getting their grills installed in the SF Bay Area and how much?

I was just quoted $800 and $700 from two collision shops. They even said I’d have to take the car to the dealer to have them reset the camera given it will need to be unplugged. That was estimated to be about a grand!! Any truth to that?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Zero truth. No resetting or calibration needed.

With the exception of two screws, where a few extensions are helpful, this bumper is extremely straightforward to take off - it's just a relatively lengthy process. 100% worthwhile to diy, it's the work of a half day to uninstall, put the grill in, and reinstall (the first time you do it when you're unfamiliar.) take that $800, spend $50 of it to buy any missing tools, potentially a torx set and a power driver, and be guided by YouTube.

[Jax327]

Calling BS on the camera being reset. I took my bumper off this past summer to install the carbon fiber vents. Its not very hard at all, if you take your time. Having two people makes it much easier when pulling and installing back. I would save your money and just do it yourself.

[forcefed]

Takes 2 hours to install a grill, 3 if it's your first time. 4 if you're left handed...

[M4rchael]

Save your money and spend an afternoon on a weekend to DIY. Just watch some YouTube videos and take your time if this is your first time doing this.

There’s no camera calibration… those shops are BSing you and if they’re suggesting that, sounds like they haven’t worked on these cars before…

[peterfromsd]

Originally Posted by FamilyGuyM3

Where are people getting their grills installed in the SF Bay Area and how much?

I was just quoted $800 and $700 from two collision shops. They even said I’d have to take the car to the dealer to have them reset the camera given it will need to be unplugged. That was estimated to be about a grand!! Any truth to that?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Replacing the grill isn't that difficult when you have the right tools. No need to recalibrate the front camera either as I've unplugged it a couple times. Just make sure you cover the lens with blue painters tape so you don't accidentally scratch it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Find a reputable mechanic in your area, show them the YouTube video, and they should be able to do it in a couple of hours.

my area's rate is ~$150 an hour

[lightvol2]

My OCD will kill me if I take off the bumper and it doesn’t line up like it did from the factory.

Has anyone experienced lining or flush issues after take off the bumper and reinstalling?

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by lightvol2

My OCD will kill me if I take off the bumper and it doesn’t line up like it did from the factory.

Has anyone experienced lining or flush issues after take off the bumper and reinstalling?

The bumper/hood gap is adjustable, nothing to worry aboot.

[Th3DarkSide]

San Fran prices. I just got quoted $300 in the NYC area which Included a front lip and air duct install. I’m also having a Midpipe installed. $770 for everything. Yes I could do it myself but it’s so much easier with a lift wtc etc…..

[McLaren720s]

I had mine done for $300 in Seattle area. Anything much more above that is just robbery

[vrships]

Ask a shop that does these appearance mods, rather than generic collison shops that mostly survive on insurance scams.

There are a bunch in the area. I would say $400 is acceptable if you really hate doing it yourself.

[FamilyGuyM3]

Thanks everyone. Local shop did it for a few hundred (…as I paced around waiting for the call to come pick it up).

Went on with zero issues and no camera calibration as mentioned by a few gentlemen here.

[Greggoryy]

Originally Posted by FamilyGuyM3

Thanks everyone. Local shop did it for a few hundred (…as I paced around waiting for the call to come pick it up).

Went on with zero issues and no camera calibration as mentioned by a few gentlemen here.

What’s the name of the shop you used and how much did they charge?

[m3rxn]

Pics? 👍

[TJay74]

Originally Posted by aktif8

Zero truth. No resetting or calibration needed.

With the exception of two screws, where a few extensions are helpful, this bumper is extremely straightforward to take off - it's just a relatively lengthy process. 100% worthwhile to diy, it's the work of a half day to uninstall, put the grill in, and reinstall (the first time you do it when you're unfamiliar.) take that $800, spend $50 of it to buy any missing tools, potentially a torx set and a power driver, and be guided by YouTube.

Half Day??? what did you do for the other 10.5 hours of this half day install?

I installed the grill and brake ducts on my 24 M4xC. I watched a video once and jumped in. I did the grill 1st and then a month later had to go back in and do the brake ducts.

I had the bumper off the car and the grill installed and bumper back on the car from start to finish in 1.5hrs the very 1st time. The next time I repeated the process for the brake ducts I was start to finish in 50 minutes.

As said this bumper is very easy to remove and nothing needs to be done in regards to calibrations or anything else afterwards.

[aktif8]

Originally Posted by TJay74

Half Day??? what did you do for the other 10.5 hours of this half day install?

I installed the grill and brake ducts on my 24 M4xC. I watched a video once and jumped in. I did the grill 1st and then a month later had to go back in and do the brake ducts.

I had the bumper off the car and the grill installed and bumper back on the car from start to finish in 1.5hrs the very 1st time. The next time I repeated the process for the brake ducts I was start to finish in 50 minutes.

As said this bumper is very easy to remove and nothing needs to be done in regards to calibrations or anything else afterwards.

Half day as in 3 or 4 hours for someone going slow and not completely comfortable, doing it for the first time. Some of us have every possible tool, and experience - that reduces the time dramatically. Yes, this is relatively easy, but if you've never done anything of the like, it's going to take much longer.

I'm with you - I mean, this isn't a contest, but for those of us that disassemble every car they own (I had this car up on stands the first day I brought it home to do the catback) this is about 90 minutes - but for someone that clearly hasn't done anything of the like before, we can allow them a few hours, heh. Admittedly, removal of the stock grills and vents can be a little fussy.