Welcome to the forum.


1) Bumper off, not as scary as it sounds.

• Open bonnet, there's 5 torx bolts on the top and 1 bolt (8mm?) in the centre. Note underneath the cover in the centre there's probably a spacer that will fall down, don't panic
• Ideally using a plastic trim tool, price the wheel arches away at the front, giving access to another 1 torx bolt
• Underneath there are around 6 bolts, (8mm)?
• Slide it forward now, unplug the foglights and slide out the temperature sender

2) Unclip the grill, there's about 15 tabs


I have pics if that helps, I had mine off last weekend to replace the grill surround.

 

I have pics if that helps, I had mine off last weekend to replace the grill surround.

Mikeswagon,

I'd be interested to see the pics you have as will be removing my Grill Surround next week for wrapping, so any info is appreciated

 

Here's a few pics from that fun morning.... I should have had my son on photo duties, but hopefully they're self explanatory and help,
none of the screws underneath, but they're very obvious.














In the case of the grill surround and the lower grill, the clips are pretty much all around the grills.

 

Nice one, thanks Mike

Always good to have an idea of how it comes apart, so the Front Arch to the Bumper, you just need a trim tool to pry them apart?

 

Nice one, thanks Mike

Always good to have an idea of how it comes apart, so the Front Arch to the Bumper, you just need a trim tool to pry them apart?

There's a screw inside the arch too, forgot to mention that, turn the wheels to get easier access then yes, a trim tool and they pop out far enough to gain access. You'll see I had a selection ready for removing the grill surround.

 

De-chrome on the grill

Thanks for the awesome tips on removing the grill/bumper. Now that I know this, can I ask how you de-chromed the grill trim Mikeswagon?

 

Thanks for the awesome tips on removing the grill/bumper. Now that I know this, can I ask how you de-chromed the grill trim Mikeswagon?

No worries. I simply sanded the trim, the 'chrome' is pretty hard stuff, then sprayed it, in my case satin black as it matched the S grill better. On the grill I popped out the chrome bar and painted it too.


The paint stone chipped very easily, so if I did it again I'd either try different paint, or wrap it.

 

Handy post Mike

 

guessing you managed just fine without it though