E39 1996-2000 Custom Grill DIY info
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
- For those who have asked about the custom grill on my 2000 5er, the following are the details for you DIY's out there.
Custom Wire Mesh Cloth Grill -
I searched the web and found a local company that makes the Wire Mesh Cloth, after describing what I was after, I had them send me a few samples and I selected the one I preferred and they said they could cut it to rough size for me. Once it was delivered I just used a bench grinder to shape / size to fit the opening, of course allowing for the Gasket thickness. The gasket material I purchased from Buck Diamond http://groups.msn.com/buckdiamond for $1.00 per foot (12 feet total). I had originally asked Buck Diamond what it would take for him to make one for my BMW ($$$), then, I figured I could make it myself for less money.
Wire Mesh Material size was rough cut to 45” x 3.5” by the company I purchased from (if you should opt to cut it yourself, it takes some pretty hefty cutters from the local hardware store - $expensive$) – the opening is slightly narrower at the ends than in the center, so I had to slightly taper it with the bench grinder. It took me about 2 hours total, to shape / size the mesh, install the gasket, attach with three small zip ties and paint the ties (silver touch-up paint) where it was visible. I drilled three small holes in the original plastic grill where I could thread the zip ties through and fasten, one in the center and one each on the ends. Quite simple really.
Using Yahoo search engine, type Wire Mesh Cloth and you will get many companies that manufacture this material. I selected a 2 Mesh / .080 Wire gauge, 304 Stainless.
I selected Howard Wire company as they were local to where I live, however, they certainly can ship anywhere. http://www.howardwire.com/
Link to index of many wire mesh cloth manufacturers - http://www.wire-cloth.net/
Well, that's it. The time invested in doing all the research and getting samples was well worth the effort. Once you have the materials in hand, the process is not that difficult, and should require only a couple of hours to complete.
Total investment - $122
Regards,
mrmpl
![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
PS - Now I think the center grills could use the same application, just have to figure out how to accommodate the hood release lever that pops out between the vertical spokes? Wish me luck!![[^]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_approve.gif "Approved [^]")
- For those who have asked about the custom grill on my 2000 5er, the following are the details for you DIY's out there.Custom Wire Mesh Cloth Grill -
I searched the web and found a local company that makes the Wire Mesh Cloth, after describing what I was after, I had them send me a few samples and I selected the one I preferred and they said they could cut it to rough size for me. Once it was delivered I just used a bench grinder to shape / size to fit the opening, of course allowing for the Gasket thickness. The gasket material I purchased from Buck Diamond http://groups.msn.com/buckdiamond for $1.00 per foot (12 feet total). I had originally asked Buck Diamond what it would take for him to make one for my BMW ($$$), then, I figured I could make it myself for less money.
Wire Mesh Material size was rough cut to 45” x 3.5” by the company I purchased from (if you should opt to cut it yourself, it takes some pretty hefty cutters from the local hardware store - $expensive$) – the opening is slightly narrower at the ends than in the center, so I had to slightly taper it with the bench grinder. It took me about 2 hours total, to shape / size the mesh, install the gasket, attach with three small zip ties and paint the ties (silver touch-up paint) where it was visible. I drilled three small holes in the original plastic grill where I could thread the zip ties through and fasten, one in the center and one each on the ends. Quite simple really.
Using Yahoo search engine, type Wire Mesh Cloth and you will get many companies that manufacture this material. I selected a 2 Mesh / .080 Wire gauge, 304 Stainless.
I selected Howard Wire company as they were local to where I live, however, they certainly can ship anywhere. http://www.howardwire.com/
Link to index of many wire mesh cloth manufacturers - http://www.wire-cloth.net/
Well, that's it. The time invested in doing all the research and getting samples was well worth the effort. Once you have the materials in hand, the process is not that difficult, and should require only a couple of hours to complete.
Total investment - $122
Regards,
mrmpl
PS - Now I think the center grills could use the same application, just have to figure out how to accommodate the hood release lever that pops out between the vertical spokes? Wish me luck!
Attachments
Last edited: