bmwe21.net forums

I was talking to someone today who told me that BMW can supply new Kidney Grills for the e21, indeed they bought a new one from a dealer about a year ago.

I called my local dealer and they say they are available from Germany but with no delivery date, I assume they're waiting for a number of orders before manufacturing. So I ordered one, the cost was less than any I can find at the usual suppliers, let's see if/how long it takes to arrive?

These days you have to sell one of your own kidneys if you want a new OEM early kidney grill P/N 51 13 1 834 756 which is close to 300 Euros these days. The facelift (79-on) grill 51 13 1 872 047 may be listed a lot cheaper (81 Euros at BMWFans) but according to my local dealer they are not available and no production is currently planned. They do take orders and if they have a bunch they may want to order a new batch, but in previous cases that also means they will not be supplied for the old (latest known) price, usually there's a factor 3 or 4 so I'd count on around 300 Euros. But no production planned currently. My E21 now has a fake grill and my near mint original example is in storage.

Two years ago they had a new type 2 grille on the BMW display in Essen, Technoclassica. We tried to buy it, but they wouldn't sell and said a new batch was comming up soon. Two years later still not a damn thing...

I was told of one being delivered about 12 months ago, but I haven't seen in! Anyway I've paid for one and we'll see what happens?

I have a pre facelift grill brand new in the box, it's a pattern part, good quality but doesn't fit the face lifted car. I'd happily exchange it for the right one in good condition with someone.

I see on the Dutch forum that someone has received their new grill 51 13 1 872 047 from BMW after a 3 month wait.
Think I'm going to phone my local dealer tomorrow and see if mine is there, they used to call when parts were delivered but now I have to call them and see!

Might a group buy be a reason for them to force production times?

Just back from the dealer, I have a new grill in my hand now

e21Keith wrote: Sat May 18, 2019 12:47 am I see on the Dutch forum that someone has received their new grill 51 13 1 872 047 from BMW after a 3 month wait.

Yeah, but it is not a perfect fit, since the two small plastic hooks in de center at the bottom, that hook into the front, aren't long enough...

Haven't tried mine yet as I'm on a business trip but I think it will look better than the one that is fitted currently,

where to buy a fake grill?

@Mercedes Benz

I spoke to my local dealer today about the genuine repo grills and the pins being a bit short. At first they looked at me a bit blankly as they have very little experience with e21s. They checked with BMW tech in the UK and they have no reports of complaints about the repo grills (although I expect they haven't sold many). They have asked for photographs to look at so we will see what they say?

Did anyone else buy one of these and question the quality with BMW?

Hello Keith,

Same here. It just doesn´t fit wel.
I ´m going to put the new chrome in the old plastic part. If that fits.
And they are avaible when they have enough orders they produce them again. I paid 120euro last month.
I ordered them 5-6months before receival.

After everything I fitted the new grill from BMW to my car and I can't see a problem, it fits fine, seems secure and looks really good. OK the pins on the back are shorter but then on the 4 old grills I had they were all broken anyway. The part that is shorter doesn't seem critical to fitting, maybe this is a change to make sure they don't break when fitting/removing?

Oh, and my new interior arrived and I fitted it last weekend, photos to follow of the finished project.

ok, great