Front removal/install?

[davidof]

Was watching the wheeler dealer episode where they restore a bmw 840. They do a repair on the nosecone but it seems like they only remove the outer plastic shell? Is it possible to remove only the "skin" and leave the airboxes and the rest on the car?

[rogbmw]

Yes. Just did it a few weeks ago. Pretty straight forward.

[davidof]

Ok. Would you say that it's easier to do it that way, rather than taking the whole thing of?

[rogbmw]

It depends. It is heavier with the bumper crossmember in place, but you don't have to get to several expanding plastic rivets by doing it together. If you do it all together, it is easier with a second person. If you leave the crossmember on, don't forget to release all the expanding rivets along the top of the crossmember that hold on the air ducts.