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★★★★★ 1
VERY poor materials and fit for E46, WILL FALL OUT
Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005, Size: For BMW E46 2002-2005
This part resembles the original, but not enough.
It is both too big AND too small, depending on the dimensions. It's too small from top to bottom, and too big from side to side. The locking tabs don't get close enough to lock (see pics) because there is too little clearance. Viewing from the front, the outer top corner is so far out (see pics) that the most important tab cannot properly lock in, causing the grill to drop out into my hand (or the ground, if I wasn't there to catch it). The grill also is missing some important curves to follow the shape it is supposed to fit into.
It also wasn't matte black as ordered. It looks like it was spray-painted, but I can't be sure. it is made of VERY brittle plastic, and the locking tabs are VERY small and flimsy. I wouldn't expect this part to survive a month or two before blowing away in a medium breeze.
One positive is that there is a relief cut to allow the hood safety catch handle to move fully upward without interfering with the plastic grille. That one positive has a lot of making up to do, and there's no way it can do it. Add to that that the seller included instructions for a car fifteen years newer than the model advertised on the item page, and we have a complete failure. But don't worry! I'm sure the seller will probably delete the listing and make a new one so they don't have to have this honest review attached to it.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
