My apologies if I sound like a noob, but I did a search, and nothing turned up for me.

I am set on changing the front grill appearance of my S40 2006.

1) Is it possible to just remove the Volvo badge from the front grill, with out dmaging the grill itself? (I really like this clean sporty look that I see everyone here has, and I would really like to achieve that look).

2) If number 1 is not possible, what options do I have with grill choices? I have seen the Evolve grill, and as it is nice looking, it is very pricey. I have seen other grills from other companies on ebay and other Volvo after market companies that look the same but are cheaper, but they do not say how they install..... how do the majority of these grills install (stock grill snaps out?, remove bumper for rear access?, etc.).


Thank you in advanced for any help.
Happy Holidays!
-S40Goalie

If you want to check out my Garage (when it starts working again) you will see many pictures on S80 grille mod.
I believe it is possible to remove the badge without damage to the grille

Ok, so I have been able to unsnap the slashes of the badge, but can not remove the emblem yet. How does the emblem remove? I've tried pulling it right out, but the hole front end starts moving and such. I am guessing there is some type of clip system involved, any one know where the clips are located and how to remove it?

IMO, the stock grille would not look good without the Volvo badge/slash. The reason is because the grille is formed to fit the badge/slash, and without it, you will still have the slash and box in the middle of the grille; it will just be black. Your best bet would be to get an aftermarket one.

IIRC, in order to remove the Badge, you need to remove the grille and release the clips from the inside. Removing the grille is actually pretty easy. All that you need is something wide and thin (like a spatula or something). I used a plastic butter knife. Just stick what ever you decide to use in between the top of the grille and the car and very gently press up. You will see four or five clips that hold the grille in place. Next just slip whatever tool you are using in where the clips are and gently work them free. Once you get the top done, just do the same for the bottom. As for installing the new grille (or replacing the stock one) just line it up and slide it in. The clips will automatically secure the grille in place. Removing/replacing took me less than 5 minutes.

The EVOLVE grille is ridiculously overpriced! A friend of mine bought a Black mesh grille with a black border off of eBay and it looks great! I think that he paid around $60. Dubstop has grilles for our cars for $99. http://www.dubstopimports.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=40 I ordered the black mesh grille with the chrome frame from them about a year and a half ago, but it went on back order. I didn't want to wait, so I cancelled my order. I ended up buying the same type of grille from EuroSport Tuning for $160. Now they want $260 for the same grille.

Sorry for the long post.

check out jks2 he painted the grille on his sons 850 and it looks real nice. poopbunnies method is just as cool looking.

Thank you very much for the information! I will try removing the grille and badge in the morning. I really like the look of the egg crate grill, and not the mesh. From all the searching I have done, I do not recall seeing an "egg crate" grill for sale anywhere, only the mesh. I'll see how the grill looks in the morning, and go from there. Thanks!

The attached photo is the grill I am trying to achieve....

P.S. Your S40 looks incredible!!!


** Also, since you are very knowledgeable on these subjects, does any other company offer the tail light covers similar to the Evolve's?

Attached thumbnail(s)

Thanks!

That grille does look good! It looks different than mine did though (other than the black border). Mine had the slash go all the way across the front of the grille.

EVOLVE is the only company that I know of that has the tail light trim.

Thanks again for your help. So far from just removing the slashes of the badge, there is no slash underneath going across.

I think that I know why mine was different. About a month after I got my car, while I was still living in Europe, I was in an accident. The dealer had to replace my front bumper cover, driver-side headlight assembly, and grille. Since I was in Europe, they used Euro spec parts, which probably explains why my grille is different. It looks the same as a normal S40 grille, but when I took the slash/badge off, it looked nothing like the pic that you posted.

I know that this may sound weird, but to give you an example: the headlight assembly that they installed is completely different. From the front it looks normal, but when I took it out and looked inside of it, it looked nothing like the passenger side (American spec). Also, it now uses an H7 low beam bulb instead of the normal H11.

Anyways, back on topic—good luck! Post a pic when you are done; I'm definitely interested to see how it turns out!

Well, I gave it a shot, with out success. I followed your instructions on removing the grill, but I could just not see or find any clips.

I took a small spatula, and placed it in between the car and grille (the car and the chrome surrounding of grille), and would lift upwards gently at first, to no prevail, and then with a little force, and still nothing. Do you know where the clips are located? Anything more detailed to help?

There are four or five clips, evenly spaced out, along both the top and bottom. If you insert the spatula at the top corner, and stick it in far enough to be sure that it is sticking out behind the grille, and slide it to the opposite side. The spatula should stop when it hits one of the clips. Now pull the spatula out and gently insert it directly in front of the clip that you just found and wiggle the spatula. With your free hand, grab onto the corner of the grille and wiggle/pull on it. That clip should come free. Then just repeat that for the rest.

EDIT*

I just got it removed. They were more like snaps than clips, but ultimately, it was easy with your instructions! Photos to come.

Thanks again for the help. Here are the photos of the grille now.

I am also looking into some type of a trunk spoiler; preferably one that sits flush with the trunk, but since my car is a lease (more than likely I will buy it out at the end), I really do not want to drill into my trunk to mount it. Plus, I am an architecture student, so I am on a budget ( I must say, all my architecture buddies love my car, as the S40 has the most interesting interior in its class). Any suggestions?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/buff..._WITH_BADGE.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/buff...ONT_REMOVED.jpg

(IMG:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/buffay34/FRONT_AFTER_CORNER.jpg)

(IMG:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/buffay34/FRONT_AFTER_LOW.jpg)

Looks good!

Here are some options for lip spoilers. As far as I know, they won't require drilling (I could be wrong though).

http://www.eurosporttuning.ca/Merchant2/me...e=VL-S40-V50-ex
http://www.evolvecars.com/site/index.php?id=218,238,0,0,1,0 BTW, Supreme Power Parts in CA sells this spoiler for $224. It isn't on their website though; you have to call them 714 632- 1951.