[leeadam]

Yes another one, but if your like me, i like to read how other people do DIY jobs and tips etc. Reason i posted mine, is ive read others saying how they struggled pushing the clips of new diffuser back in place and had to use huge force to do it. This is not the case at all you can push with one finger if doing it right. ANYWAY..heres some pics.

I did this in 20 mins with no ramp and no i didnt loosen exhaust either, i just crawled under the car, wasnt too bad.
1. Start by doing the very simple job of removing the standard diffuser. I dont need to explain this, its just a few screws then pull from bottom and side to release the side clips then a little force the top clips pop out too.

2. next unscrew the heat shield, there is 3 small metal screws holding it in place..you can see in this pic.

[leeadam]

3. you notice the diffuser comes with two long support brackets its just to add rigidity to the heat shield, these go between the bodywork and shield so basically if you look under car after you cannot see them, the original metal heat shield screws on left and right hold these in place you then need to slide the end of support under the original crocodile clip. your final supports should look as they do in the second pic below.

[leeadam]

another angle

[leeadam]

4. now your basically ready to clip in the new diffuser. Line up top clips first and push into position, the top ones are the harder ones to clip in, but many people seem to say you have to use massive force to make them pop in..You dont i used one finger, but the mistake others make is as they push the diffuser you whole back bumper panel moves inward as well...hence making it hard to get the clips to pop in. I put a cork sanding block up under bumper with other hand which just about fitted between back of bumper skin and the solid support frame, this way when you apply pressure on diffuser the skin cannot move back, and it simply pops in with hardly any effort.

[leeadam]

5. The above pic shows fitted diffuser, now of course you need to loosen the tips to slide them out to desired position, I like to just see the M logo. You notice the one on the left as you look at pic has not yet been moved out.

[leeadam]

6. Now your done...stand back and admire your handy work

[leeadam]

Im really pleased with the look, I wanted the nice black and white contrast, I really dont like the painted diffuser they just wrong in body colour ...but...each to their own. I like this side shot the rear difuser now pokes out more..looks aggressive.

[leeadam]

...

[leeadam]

and to make my thread look even more english, i took an shot by some lovely local cottages that date back to 1893

[leeadam]

oh by the way, the best black trim polish i have found is Autoglym Bumper & Trim Gel.makes them have a deep black but not greasy looking or feeling.

[m235iMike]

What is the plastic hose or wire for? mine came with the brackets and this long hose looking thing

[Drpoomanchu]

Originally Posted by m235iMike

What is the plastic hose or wire for? mine came with the brackets and this long hose looking thing

It is too mask off particular areas for painting.. it fits into the valley that separates the different panels.

[m235iMike]

Originally Posted by Drpoomanchu

It is too mask off particular areas for painting.. it fits into the valley that separates the different panels.

ok cool thanks

[Xiaoxi]

I just used this thread to install the MP diffuser without a hitch. Really appreciate your tips leeadam !!

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

I just used this thread to install the MP diffuser without a hitch. Really appreciate your tips leeadam !!

oh thats great, i always do the same search other threads when fitting something, learn from others mistakes. did u have any prob like popping the diffuser clips in like others mentioned, they say use huge amount of force, but totally unnecessary, u can gently pop on with one finger if supporting the bumper skin from behind, thats my key tip.

[Anthony235]

Diffuser arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the thread!!

[Xiaoxi]

Originally Posted by leeadam

oh thats great, i always do the same search other threads when fitting something, learn from others mistakes. did u have any prob like popping the diffuser clips in like others mentioned, they say use huge amount of force, but totally unnecessary, u can gently pop on with one finger if supporting the bumper skin from behind, thats my key tip.

Yep, that was key.

I wedged a few towels behind the bumper so it didn't flex and allowed for easy snap-in for the diffuser.

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

Yep, that was key.

I wedged a few towels behind the bumper so it didn't flex and allowed for easy snap-in for the diffuser.

yeah thats good idea too. I admit i tied popping them in like other guys in threads had mentioned and thought wow this is hard to clip them in, until i sat back and thought, well the whole skin is moving back as you push, so you basically stop that happening and bang the diffuser pops straight in no effort at all.

[Beartato]

I never installed the heat shield support things, thanks for the write up. I didn't realize what they were for until after the fact, and there wasn't a DIY showing the support brackets themselves. I'm gonna fix it this afternoon--thanks!

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by Beartato

I never installed the heat shield support things, thanks for the write up. I didn't realize what they were for until after the fact, and there wasn't a DIY showing the support brackets themselves. I'm gonna fix it this afternoon--thanks!

i think they add a bit of extra support/rigidity to the shield, you may find they it rattle a little without the support, the instructions from bmw are useless to be honest. the brackets go up behind the shield and fit perfectly onto the original top and bottom mounting holes using original screws

[reala]

Great write up

[Anthony235]

Thanks for the write up. I installed mine a few weeks ago.