Is there an easier/proper way to remove the remaining post of these broken clips? I ended up forcing them back with a small screwdriver but that piece is stuck up inside the bumper. The ones on the bottom just fall out but I don't see any easy way to remove the ones up top.

 

They should just pop out with a small screwdriver. I replaced mine without issue.

 

Pop out how? You just pulled them out I assume but I can't get a grip on any part of the broken ones. The hook section that the grill slides into is broken off and there's just a small flat area of the base exposed. It's also so brittle that as soon as I put a pliers or screwdriver trying to lift it, it would just snap off. I guess I'll try prying them out if there's a next time. Thanks

 

Hmm..I assume you have ramps or a jack/stands.
Drive the car car up on the ramps and remove the front under tray, that will give you access to the bottom of the broken tabs. Then you can just push them up with some needle nose pliers and pull them out.

 

Yes, and good suggestions but the top ones I can't access without removing a bunch of stuff I assume. I don't want to pull the bumper just for that. The bottom ones did just fall out after I punched the remaining piece through. Thanks for your input.

 

You should be able to access the top clips with the under tray removed as well.

 

I'll take a look. Thanks

 

Did anyone ever come up with a good/workable solution to this? I just picked up an E55 and need to replace this lower grill, but getting to those upper clips (a portion of which stays in the hole) offer no easy way to remove without removing the front bumper cover. There is just too much in the way to get to them from the backside, and the area behind the cover is so full that even moving the remaining clip portion out of the way with a screwdriver, or other tool, just doesn't seem workable from underneath or in front of the car.

Thank you!

 

It is not difficult to remove the bumper cover. You can have it off in 20-30 minutes tops. See attached tech document for instructions. FWIW, I watched one video where a factory technician had the bumper cover off in 10 minutes or so.
Note: first picture in the attachment is viewed as you laying on your back under the front of the car looking up at the front bumper. The two bolts attaching the cover to the actual crash bumper will require a 10"-12" extension to reach from underneath (10mm head bolts).
The second attachment contains photos from when I changed out the heat exchanger. The photos will give you an idea of where some of the bolts are located.

 

Thank you! Yeah, I figured cover removal was the only real route for doing this properly, and I tend to like to do things properly lest something else gets screwed up along the way.

While I have you here, is there some sort of master parts diagram that can be accessed for these cars based on VIN#? BMW offers RealOEMonline, which breaks every car down by the VIN, but I'm struggling to find any such source for M-B. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Sam

 

You want nemigaparts.com and charm.li.

 

I get this reply with each try on my VIN: "Information on VIN: WDBUF76J16A870835 absent in the database. Check the entered data"

Does charm.li. have access to a IPB (illustrated parts breakdown) or a parts list? I don't see one... Thank you!

 

charm.li can provide you the WIS (Workshop Information System) used by the MB technicians.
nemigaparts.com does have issues with the VIN feature. It will, however, list all of the part numbers used in that model and which are superseded by upgraded parts. Once you have potential parts numbers, the dealership can narrow it down for you to the individual part you need. Just make sure you use your car's designation; 211.076. The old MBUSA parts site (now defunct) worked with VIN but did not always show all of the part number iterations.

 

That helps a lot! Thank you again!