Where can I get gloss black grilles?

[melonz]

My chrome grilles are falling apart and I'd like to order a set of gloss black grilles.

I had a pair bookmarked on ECS but looks like they no longer produce them. Searched Khoalty and Bimmian but no luck.

I see that the left side BMW performance grilles are still available for purchase from ECS but no right sides available anywhere.

Does anyone have a lead on a pair?

[Vas]

Pretty sure they are discontinued now. Might be difficult to find them unless a dealer has a pair in stock.

[melonz]

Darn, I'd be ok with aftermarket as well so long as they fit properly and don't look hideous.

Maybe I'll pick up some chrome ones when I get to the dealer today to get my car.

[Vas]

Darn, I'd be ok with aftermarket as well so long as they fit properly and don't look hideous.

Maybe I'll pick up some chrome ones when I get to the dealer today to get my car.

Yeah it sucks. Any BMW Performance parts for the e46 chassis is becoming harder and harder to find.

[VAB5]

Edit: Deleted--I see you're a sedan. I had posted links for coupe/conv.

[Vas]

I reached out to Tischer BMW and got this response:

Thank you for your interest - unfortunately, these have been discontinued by BMW and are no longer available to order. We do not have any in-stock inventory available of these either.

Our apologies for the inconvenience.

[melonz]

That sucks but thanks for checking.

I got into the ZHP too late. When I had my 01 330i the parts were plentiful but many parts weren't for my year.

[dlucas589]

Subscribed. Also interested in quality aftermarket gloss black grilles if anyone has a reputable eBay seller or vendor..

[melonz]

OK, the solution I decided to go with.

Get the ECS Gloss black kidneys with the motor sport blue, purple, red on the left grille. Order the left side BMW performance kidney to replace the kidney with the motor sport colors from above kit.

My hope is that the gloss quality matches between the two or if anything I'll just run the ECS set and leave the blue purple red or figure out how to remove it plus I saved $40 vs getting chrome BMW grilles.

[melonz]

I was browsing Bimmerworld and saw they had gloss black grilles still listed on their site.

However they are out of stock - hopefully not discontinued like many of the other retailers.

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Gloss-Black-Front-Grille-E46-Sedan-Wagon-Pre-Facelift_2.html

[BMWCurves]

I'd contact them directly rather than waiting for them to restock. It seems BMW has stopped making them so supplies should be tight.

[johnrando]

Good luck!

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[Gmas]

I just ordered a 'set' of the gloss black BMW Performance Grilles last month, but had to order each side from a different place. BMW Canada had 2 Lefts left in stock, but no Rights. ECS could get the Right, but no Left. Just happened to work out, but they've definitely dried up in most spots.

[dlucas589]

I just ordered a 'set' of the gloss black BMW Performance Grilles last month, but had to order each side from a different place. BMW Canada had 2 Lefts left in stock, but no Rights. ECS could get the Right, but no Left. Just happened to work out, but they've definitely dried up in most spots.

BMW Canada...can you elaborate or provide a link? Interested!


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[melonz]

I just ordered a 'set' of the gloss black BMW Performance Grilles last month, but had to order each side from a different place. BMW Canada had 2 Lefts left in stock, but no Rights. ECS could get the Right, but no Left. Just happened to work out, but they've definitely dried up in most spots.

I picked up the genuine BMW performance right side from ECS and got the ECS brand gloss set which has their gloss black left + tri color for the right. Hoping they match! I'll take photos when I get them in.

[Gmas]

BMW Canada...can you elaborate or provide a link? Interested!
I went through the dealership most local to me (Endras BMW in Ajax, Ontario, Canada) and the Parts guy said hey had two in their inventory out west - he ordered it in for me and it was in a day or two later. The two was before I ordered mine. I called and did it over the phone, I don't think there's a link. You could try calling - if there are any issues with them not shipping to the US, I could try and help as an intermediary.


I picked up the genuine BMW performance right side from ECS and got the ECS brand gloss set which has their gloss black left + tri color for the right. Hoping they match! I'll take photos when I get them in.
Nice. I'm guessing as long as you're not crazy OCD, no one will be able to tell they're not a set when looking at the car casually.

[Reasoned1]

I just received and installed some Chinese knock-offs from Ebay for $23. They are GREAT--as or more robust than OE, look sweet (matte black), and fit PERFECT! Since they're only $23, I'd get a pair and paint them glossy.

30529

[Rookiez]

I just received and installed some Chinese knock-offs from Ebay for $23. They are GREAT--as or more robust than OE, look sweet (matte black), and fit PERFECT! Since they're only $23, I'd get a pair and paint them glossy.


Post the link here or PM me please :)

Oh yeah, mind to take closer pictures on the fittings etc?

Thanks!!

[zhpnsnv]

Saw a good review of the grilles available on amazon over on fanatics. I ordered and will report back. https://www.amazon.com/Kidney-Grilles-2002-2006-Bumper-Grille/dp/B01EV0VG84/ref=pd_ybh_a_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3TBAFW686Z0ABKYR3D4C

Ignore the F30 in the picture.

[Reasoned1]

Link: http://m.ebay.com/itm/311431169118?_mwBanner=1

[Reasoned1]

So happy with it, I ordered two more for a 5% discount and to have for my other cars. As for fitment, they snapped securely into place--no wiggling or anything.

[Reasoned1]

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Washed the car, unlatched the hood to clean the engine bay, and noticed that the hood latch was camming against an inner edge of the grille when lifted--flexing the right side of the affected grille out 1/8" or so. That, of course, is totally unacceptable, so I dremmeled said edge down and almost totally eliminated the issue. The fault for the interference may rest with my car, because the locking mechanism on my car looks pretty worn (perhaps requiring a larger range of motion than is standard). At any rate, I wanted to let people know... On an aside, I--of course--somehow knicked the surface finish of the grille during my labors. Then, I made it worse trying to use my Dremel tool polishing attachments to repair. I quit while I wasn't too far behind and dug out various grades of emery paper which fixed it up just dandy. The grille is solid, black plastic--no paint or other coatings--and is easy to repair. I like that.

[zhpnsnv]

Good to know. Dremel is ready to rock just in case.


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[melonz]

So I got my ECS gloss black and BMW performance grilles today. There's definitely a difference between the quality of the two w/ BMW performance being much better despite being made out of ABS vs the ECS ones that appear to have glass in the mixture. However the gloss is a match or close enough between the two.

There are some things with the ECS grille that annoy me. Dimensions and fitment are slightly different and the slats themselves are not that great and two piece instead of a single piece like the BMW ones. I have a video I'll post on YT and update the thread with later.

When on the car you can't tell but it irks me lol.

[melonz]

Saw a good review of the grilles available on amazon over on fanatics. I ordered and will report back. https://www.amazon.com/Kidney-Grilles-2002-2006-Bumper-Grille/dp/B01EV0VG84/ref=pd_ybh_a_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3TBAFW686Z0ABKYR3D4C

Ignore the F30 in the picture.

Can't wait to hear what you think of them as well as get some photos. From the photo at least they look 1:1 to the BMW grille.

If they're good I'm probably going to order those, and store the BMW performance kidney I have for a later time.

[melonz]

BMW performance

http://i.imgur.com/0Xj5Ohx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/z8NLhxl.jpg

[melonz]

ECS (Notice the fitment differences near the edge)

Also sorry for the multiposts. I keep deleting my reply.

http://i.imgur.com/WtQ18PW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aU62RBU.jpg

[dlucas589]

I just ordered a 'set' of the gloss black BMW Performance Grilles last month, but had to order each side from a different place. BMW Canada had 2 Lefts left in stock, but no Rights. ECS could get the Right, but no Left. Just happened to work out, but they've definitely dried up in most spots.

Got ahold of BMW Laval in Canada and ordered a set of right and left. Not sure how many they have left. They were the only dealership who had stock left. Cost with shipping to US was pricey at $160 but it was worth it to me to have proper fit/finish.

[slater]

Got ahold of BMW Laval in Canada and ordered a set of right and left. Not sure how many they have left. They were the only dealership who had stock left. Cost with shipping to US was pricey at $160 but it was worth it to me to have proper fit/finish.

CANADA FTW! :fistpump

[anandoc]

Got ahold of BMW Laval in Canada and ordered a set of right and left. Not sure how many they have left. They were the only dealership who had stock left. Cost with shipping to US was pricey at $160 but it was worth it to me to have proper fit/finish.

Hey, if it is cheaper for you stateside folks to order to one of us locals and then ship to you, let me know.

[dlucas589]

Hey, if it is cheaper for you stateside folks to order to one of us locals and then ship to you, let me know.

Thanks for the offer I should have maybe thought of that but just wanted to get things in motion before they sold out!! Shipping was 40 cad so like 32 usd. Not great but not awful.


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[melonz]

Saved

[Vas]

Thanks for the vid.

I had the same concerns in regards to the clips of the BMW grill set.

[Alpha Motoring]

I was able to order the BMW Performance grill through my local dealer two weeks ago, not sure if they've become NLA since then?