Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills

[kayger12]

So now that my CF splitters are installed I'm thinking about going back to CF grills.

I had a pair of autocarbons from Bimmian a couple of years back and they didn't hold up well. They leached water in from the seems and were bubbling within 18 months (but outside of the 1 year warranty, of course). Naturally, I'm not real excited about going that route again.

I see that Turner offers a pair of real CF ones for the same price as Bimmian. Does anyone have any experience with those?

Any other suppliers I don't know about? Suggestions?

[WOLFN8TR]

I have a set I bought of eBay for $60 but not sure what brand they are. They look like real Carbon fiber and are in great condition still. They look great with the CF splitters and the SGM.

[brettbimmer]

I've been looking at these over at Mod Bargains, but have no experience with them. Price seemed decent, but no idea as to the quality.

http://www.modbargains.com/Carbon-Fiber-Kidney-Grills-E46-3-Series.htm

Any chance you could wrap your existing grills in real CF?

[Avetiso]

This is how it starts, Keith. Next thing you know...

Plastidip. Slamming. And scraping. :biggrin

[kayger12]

This is how it starts, Keith. Next thing you know...

Plastidip. Slamming. And scraping. :biggrin

Lol-- I'm too old for that shit. I leave that to you youngens!!

[JKO_ZHP]

IMHO you should keep what you have right now. I had that phase where it was "CF EVERYTHING!!!!" but even then I didn't like how the grilles appeared (seemed a bit gaudy to me) so I stayed with the gloss black ones from Khoalty.
Fitment on mine was and still is 10/10.

[kayger12]

IMHO you should keep what you have right now. I had that phase where it was "CF EVERYTHING!!!!" but even then I didn't like how the grilles appeared (seemed a bit gaudy to me) so I stayed with the gloss black ones from Khoalty.
Fitment on mine was and still is 10/10.

Fair and appreciated comment. I've already done the heavy CF route in the past (grills, roundels, wheel caps). Definitely not interested in going back that far.
My wife voted to stick with the piano black as well, so you're in good company.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-25_16-52-20_258.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-06_07-47-01_834.jpg

[BCS_ZHP]

Brett is right on your tail Keith, CF center caps, trunk & hood roundels, CAI (GruppeM), OEM Performance Strut Brace, splitters, rear diffuser, and he's still shopping.... He too is undecided on the grilles but has been looking at CF mirror covers, etc....

[kayger12]

I was actually looking around to see if someone made CF mirror covers for the coupe mirrors, Bruce. Only ones I've seen are for M3 mirrors.

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[BCS_ZHP]

Yeah, he hasn't found a viable mirror cover yet either, but he's younger and more IT savvy than I so he'll keep searching

[kayger12]

Please keep me in the loop of he finds some!

I was going to look into having them wrapped but my experience with CF wrappers made me a little gun shy.

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[MrMaico]

Lol-- I'm too old for that shit. I leave that to you youngens!!

+1 :biggrin

Kinda how I feel too although I wouldn't mind having a CF rear diffuser. Anybody have one of the Ebay ones? How's the fit and finish? It would be nice to find an OEM one but I assume there aren't many out there for sale.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=m+tech+2+carbon+fiber+diffuser&_osacat=0&clk_rvr_id=575458284429&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xm+tech+2+e46 +carbon+fiber+diffuser&_nkw=m+tech+2+e46+carbon+fiber+diffuser&_sacat=0&_from=R40

It looks like it wouldn't be that hard to just get some 3M CF wrap and do it yourself. I'd probably try that before ordering one.

To get back on topic......it looks like Modbargains don't have the CF grilles for the facelift coupe.

Barry

[kayger12]

You know, I said I wasn't interested in going back to the CF roundels and center caps, but the more I look at those pics...

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[kayger12]

+1 :biggrin

Kinda how I feel too although I wouldn't mind having a CF rear diffuser. Anybody have one of the Ebay ones? How's the fit and finish? It would be nice to find an OEM one but I assume there aren't many out there for sale.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=m+tech+2+carbon+fiber+diffuser&_osacat=0&clk_rvr_id=575458284429&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xm+tech+2+e46 +carbon+fiber+diffuser&_nkw=m+tech+2+e46+carbon+fiber+diffuser&_sacat=0&_from=R40

It looks like it wouldn't be that hard to just get some 3M CF wrap and do it yourself. I'd probably try that before ordering one.

To get back on topic......it looks like Modbargains don't have the CF grilles for the facelift coupe.

Barry

I already have the CF rear diffuser and I love it. It came with the car so I'm not sure if it's an aftermarket or genuine.

Whatever it is it fits perfectly and looks damn good!

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[Hornung418]

I wouldn't bother with the grilles or mirror covers...

Front and rear are accented with CF in small doses. I like it.

I plan to finally install the performance splitters I organized getting here this week. It's been long overdue LOL.

[kayger12]

I wouldn't bother with the grilles or mirror covers...

Front and rear are accented with CF in small doses. I like it.

I plan to finally install the performance splitters I organized getting here this week. It's been long overdue LOL.

Almost word for word what the wife said.

Hate admitting she's right, lol.

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[johnrando]

You won't find an oem c/f diffuser unless by miracle. But, the 1 I had really matched the oem 1 I replaced it with. Charlie has it now, fit and finish are great.

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[Hornung418]

Yeah I want a CF diffuser with M3 exhaust cutouts. Think it just looks so bad ass on Stuart's wagon.

Sent from my GS3.

[Bird-Dog]

I was actually looking around to see if someone made CF mirror covers for the coupe mirrors, Bruce. Only ones I've seen are for M3 mirrors.
I can't speak for the quality, but I ran across these looking around on the 'net:

11915

Price seems okay @ $89.99 for coupe & vert... $69.99 for sedan & touring.

http://jpcarbon.com/Carbon-Fiber-Mirror-Covers-for-1999-2006-BMW-3-Series-E46-Coupe-P2966924.aspx

[kayger12]

I can't speak for the quality, but I ran across these looking around on the 'net:

11915

Price seems okay @ $89.99 for coupe & vert... $69.99 for sedan & touring.

http://jpcarbon.com/Carbon-Fiber-Mirror-Covers-for-1999-2006-BMW-3-Series-E46-Coupe-P2966924.aspx

Great find. So tempting...

Every time I decide to stick with what I've got, I see a pic that gets the wheels turning again...

[johnrando]

Let me know how you like 'em Keith. Hehe

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[kayger12]

Let me know how you like 'em Keith. Hehe

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Wife just officially kiboshed them, lol.

[johnrando]

Darn. :)

[Smolck]

Anyone ever thought of using Eurodyne CF wrap and wrapping the kidneys and diffuser?

I suppose you could wrap a set of matte black clubsport splitters too, though not sure if it would hold up to the bumper scrapes.

[bullfrogs_M3]

I threw some CF on my car, but I think that's as far as I'll take it. Too much CF and (my opinion) it starts too look too saturated and over played.

I would be curious to see how a good set of grills would look

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?8903-This-is-what-happens-when-you-throw-CF-at-a-Black-ZHP-to-see-what-sticks

[midlandtech]

Anyone ever thought of using Eurodyne CF wrap and wrapping the kidneys and diffuser?

I suppose you could wrap a set of matte black clubsport splitters too, though not sure if it would hold up to the bumper scrapes.

Thought that was mostly for interiors. Wonder how it would hold up on the exterior in moisture and temp extremes

taptalk + Note 3

[Smolck]

Thought that was mostly for interiors. Wonder how it would hold up on the exterior in moisture and temp extremes

taptalk + Note 3

Having used it on interior trim before, outside temp isn't a factor. I promise it gets hotter IN my car than outside it.

I may just try this. My kidneys are messed up anyways, no real loss.

[midlandtech]

That's true. I was worried about moisture too. You will have to let us know how it hold up. Could be a great alternative.

taptalk + Note 3

[quikryptonite]

Has anyone gone with this set from ECS:

ECS CF Kidney Grille Set (http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E46_3Series_ECSBlackoutGrilles_1999_2000_2001_ 2002_2003_2004_2005_2006/ES1892399/)

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/589444_x600.jpg

[Smilez]

For some reason, CF grills just doesn't do it for me. (says the person with CF hood and trunk :shifty)

[TeMercZHP]

Just tried my first set of these from Bimmian.

Driver side fit ok, but not perfect by any stretch.

Passenger side wouldn't even fit into the well at all.

Sent them some pix and awaiting their reply on what they're going to do, send me new ones right off or whatever.

[kayger12]

I'm still rocking the piano black from Khoalty. No issues and still looking good

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[quikryptonite]

A few more of the tabs on my kidney grill broke last weekend so I decided to replace the set. I was thinking about the glossy M Performance set but ended up trying out the ECS CF grills. I was really, really worried it would be a bit gaudy and brash; especially since I don't have any other CF parts on my car. But, I was very pleasantly surprised. From a distance, they simply look like matte black grills. Then upon further inspection up close the CF pattern becomes visible. I really like the more subtle, aggressive look they offer. The chrome just wasn't doing it for me anymore.

The fit was perfect, which was another thing I was worried about. Overall I am very pleased with the purchase and glad that I saved some moolah instead of buying the BMW OEM parts.

Before:
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/dcrider48/BMW%20330i%20ZHP/CF%20Grill/8e8cacf8-0970-40aa-8519-b9fa92a91366_zpsdttduu34.jpg

After:
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/dcrider48/BMW%20330i%20ZHP/CF%20Grill/1c133fe4-86bf-4599-906f-940996aa65b9_zpsuqwvm9kg.jpg

Closeup:
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/dcrider48/BMW%20330i%20ZHP/CF%20Grill/2015-05-22%2015.46.25_zpswuoaerju.jpg

[fredo]

Looks good, man ! Hey, that's a TX car ... where did you find her ?

[quikryptonite]

Thanks.

Yeah, I was looking and looking here at home and the only Mystic Blue car I could find had been backed into a telephone pole. So, I started venturing into out-of-state classifieds. I came across it on another forum and everything worked out. I flew down to the DFW area and met up with the seller and drove it home.

He was a very nice guy who had just upgraded to a new E90 M3. He had been living in Texas for a few years and I love Texas; so I decided to leave his registration stickers up in the windshield. I guess as sort of a tribute to the car and the state. ;)

[Snuffalufigus]

So I am resurrecting this thread! Has anyone tried the multi-colored kidney grilles? Does anyone like them? I currently have the Carbon Fiber ones but they are chipping and peeling like crazy. These are the ones I am talking about: 23666 Do you guys think it's too much?

[BMWCurves]

I'm pretty sure someone here has these, or at least the ones from ECS Tuning:
- Sedan: https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Body/Grille/ES2826973/
- Coupe: https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Body/Grille/ES2826972/

For a sedan, the colored slats are more in the middle of the grille compared to the coupe's version. I personally prefer it off to the side more like in the coupe's. I have the BMW Performance Gloss Black grilles and love them, and recently put on the Bimmian ///M-color vinyl stickers. They've held up well so far and I think they look good:

http://i.imgur.com/ABPtRJk.jpg

[Snuffalufigus]

Woooow! Looks amazing! Only thing that's making me hesitate is that I have Sparkling Graphite Metallic. I don't know how good it would look... But it sure looks good on yours

[BMWCurves]

Thanks! Sparkling Graphite Metallic is one of my favorite colors on E46s, and I think the grilles would look good on it. You must have a coupe? The ECS Tuning grilles were cheaper about a month or two ago, now they're about $20 more at $90. Anyways, if I didn't already have my BMW Performance grilles, the ECS ones are the ones I would probably get.

[johnrando]

Looks great William.

[BMWCurves]

Looks great William.

Thanks!