I've been trying for the past 2 hours to remove the bottom black trim off my 09 Clubman. It's the black plastic trim at the bottom of the stock non-aero front bumper. The screws and bolts are off but the tabs are being a PITA and not wanting to budge.

Would you guys recommend hot gunning the spot till the plastic is more pliable, then fidgeting it off? I'm tempted to just cut the tabs off and reattaching it later by melting the plastic. GAH!

 

What are you trying to do anyway?

 

Getting the trim painted. If I am reading the realoem website right, there's only 4 phillips head screws and 2 plastic tabs holding the front bumper on the Clubman correct? I think I'll just take the whole bumper off to get better access to the back to remove the trim.

 

That piece is a pain, but if you use more pressure than you think you should it will suddenly pop off (a little bit of glue might be holding it on). At least that was my experience. You may have already removed the bumper at this point but I'd avoid doing that if at all possible.

 

Well removed the bumper and still could not remove the trim. It's a big PITA. Unfortunately all is moot since my funds got dried up b/c of an emergency. :(

Oh and if anyone else tries this, TAKE THE BUMPER OFF. It is heck alot easier to attempt removal of trim with the bumper off. It takes only 4 bolts or so to release the bumper.