Kidney grills...Suggestions

dnsource · #1 10-20-2010, 04:03 AM

I just brought home my 2011 x35i sports activity (first BMW btw)and I'm ready to make some small changes...

I ordered all the interior LED lights so far and I'm debating on the grill color. I have the black sapphire metallic color. I'm thinking the glossy black will look a little weird? I would think either matte or a color matched grill might work a little better..

What do you guys think? Also, if you have pics of the sapphire metallic with any aftermarket grills please post.

UPDATE: Just saw some titanium grills on the forum and they look good since the center mesh grills match...If I go black then I would prob have to remove the bumper to paint =/ I'm not that handy lol
What do you guys think of these? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...#ht_1984wt_962
Thanks

Sponsored Links

JDav · #2 10-20-2010, 08:11 AM

Black Sapphire painted kidney grill
I removed the lower mesh grills and painted them satin black

the 3rd pic is after I installed the black kidney grill, but before i painted the mesh grills

dnsource · #3 10-20-2010, 08:18 AM

Are yours gloss black or color matched?

JDav · #4 10-20-2010, 08:24 AM

The edge (what is chrome on the stock) is color matched to black sapphire.
The vertical slats are a matte black similar to what is on stock.

I ordered it from jLevi: Painted Kidney Grill Set for the E70 X5 and E71 X6 - JleviSW

dnsource · #5 10-20-2010, 08:33 AM

The only thing holding me back with the black is the painting of the mesh lower grills.I don't trust myself taking the bumper off

JDav · #6 10-20-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnsource

The only thing holding me back with the black is the painting of the mesh lower grills.I don't trust myself taking the bumper off

Its not terribly difficult, a couple of screws and plastic rivets and then some clips.
But if you aren't a DIY'er and aren't comfortable with it, ripping off the front bumper of a $60k car isn't really the way to start.

dnsource · #7 10-20-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDav

Its not terribly difficult, a couple of screws and plastic rivets and then some clips.
But if you aren't a DIY'er and aren't comfortable with it, ripping off the front bumper of a $60k car isn't really the way to start.

I think I might hold off on that and prob go with the Titanium grill. What do you think of the grill in ebay link I posted earlier?

two-five boy · #8 10-20-2010, 10:48 AM

How difficult is it to remove the front grille? I have a Sport Activity which has the black slats that I'm happy with, but want to get rid of the chrome trim on the edges by repainting to either gloss or flat black.

Aqua Bliss · #9 10-20-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-five boy

How difficult is it to remove the front grille? I have a Sport Activity which has the black slats that I'm happy with, but want to get rid of the chrome trim on the edges by repainting to either gloss or flat black.

Very Easy, just open the hood and pop out a few clips. No pieces actually remove from the grill but they are kind of "clipped" in. Might take a couple minutes of inspection to figure it out and us a flathead screwdriver to push down the clips so the grill pops out...

Aqua Bliss · #10 10-20-2010, 01:17 PM

I added Titanium Grill to my 2011 35i Sapphire Black Metallic.

I'd say get Titanium or Glossy Black, I'm not a fan of Matte Black unless you have matte black rims or something to match, but the Titanium Grill matched my x6m reps pretty well:

Sponsored Links