This was a great help, thank you for putting it up and keeping the pictures going. I replaced my xenons this afternoon. Much easier to get to everything with the bumper removed.

My biggest problem was getting the damn thing back on. I spent over an hour trying to get the front bumper back on and lined up straight and even then I'm still not happy with it. I feel like bumpers never line up perfect once they are removed for the first time. :rolleyes:

TwinsPoppa great write up, how feasible is it you think for a medium competency diyer to remove the front bumper and be able to put it back on sucessfully?

And if possible can I remove the lower front mesh grill and replace without having to detach the bumper totally? I wanna go get some wire mesh and cut it to size and replace that cheapo brittle joke of mesh that breaks so easily! Obviously to cut to size with have to get the old mesh off , does this slot into place or is secured by clips or tabs on bumper...thanks in advance, also in realoem item4 and how to remove dont see this in your diy
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/x/q/216.png


was a bit lazy found an image of the lower mesh looks like a slide in fit, so not sure how i will secure metal mesh in there
http://bmwcentrum.pl/img/products/26/38/2.jpg

guys, want to replace the 2 outta front parking sensors, and have managed to get most of the bolts & torque screws out. but the ones found in step D (behind the tow eye covers) and step E which are not bolts, but torque screws simply turn, but do not un-screw out or unscrew out to a certain point and then lock up.
Any suggestions on how i can get these free?

I'm guessing someone has been in there before, and didn't replace the correct hardware. For the ones that just turn, maybe you can get some pliers or needlenose on them and turn and pull gently. For the torx, you may have to force them - but wait and see if someone posts a better idea.

no telling what damage was done to the threads behind the bolts - you may need an assortment of screws/bolts to reassemble with any strength (in some cases a strong zip tie might do). I had some of this on mine.

I tried pliers & long nose pliers, but either can get a grip or access and unable to get rear access to the bolts. Might have to put on the garage, but don't really want to pay someone to get 6 screws out.

thats crazy that you have to remove the bumper to change a light bulb...

I know this post is old and is against rules to hijack old post but I wanted to say THANK YOU very much for your post as it was quite helpful when replacing my 2004 flickering driver side headlamp

Excellent write up, that color blue is one of my all time favorites!

I just posted a video of the facelift bumper removal, in case it provides extra help to anyone here:

Hey, thanks for the write up and video, very helpful! I was able to slide the Aux fan without loosening or removing the metal bumper support, it was fairly easy slide requiring just a little force. I removed the protecting grill when I did it and it slid without loosening a single bolt. Any of you have had a similar experience removing it or is it just me? Any idea why? Everything seemed tightened, no loose parts. This is on a 2004 X5 3.0i

Bumping this because I have to replace a xenon bulb soon. Very good write-up and pictures are still working!