Best black front grille option for ZHP Sedan (oem?)

[kaboom]

Is there an OEM or better black front kidney option for my E46 sedan? I can only find the one on turner sells:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-206-bmw-black-grills-front-blackout-grills.aspx

Looking for perfect fit and finish!

Ian

[danewilson77]

Depends. You want matte or glossy? CF perhaps?

[kaboom]

Sorry to add to this, but what do you guys think of this? Anyone have any other pics?

http://www.jl-motoring.com/BMW_Style_Add_On_Trunk_Spoiler_46_3_Series_Sedan_p/bmts4608.htm

I love the CSL look but am not into the poor fitting carbon trunk, and cheap feel.

Ian

[danewilson77]

Sorry to add to this, but what do you guys think of this? Anyone have any other pics?

http://www.jl-motoring.com/BMW_Style_Add_On_Trunk_Spoiler_46_3_Series_Sedan_p/bmts4608.htm

I love the CSL look but am not into the poor fitting carbon trunk, and cheap feel.

Ian

I think we went through this a little bit ago. The result, I believe was, to just get the entire CSL boot lid.....or....at a minumum, get it professionally installed and paint matched.

[johnrando]

I got the Turner glossy black ones and they fit perfectly. EDIT: Oops, they were OEM ones from getbmwparts.com

[zj96sc]

There was a thread a few days ago on this topic if you'd like more information, but I'll offer up the same info here...Khoalty seems to be a pretty popular choice for black kidneys, they sell matte black for $34.99 and glossy for $41.99.

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46/exterior/e46-black-grill.html

CSL bootlid is tricky - even full carbon lids are sometimes a nightmare to get fitted properly. Guess it depends on anal you're going to be about final fit and finish.

[jreyes19]

Sorry to add to this, but what do you guys think of this? Anyone have any other pics?

http://www.jl-motoring.com/BMW_Style_Add_On_Trunk_Spoiler_46_3_Series_Sedan_p/bmts4608.htm

I love the CSL look but am not into the poor fitting carbon trunk, and cheap feel.

Ian

I had this on the car and yes it is an economical way to get the csl look
but i will tell you what everyone told me lol, it looks out of place due to there being no blending or transition to the CF
I sold mine, but if i were to have kept it i would transition it (bondo) then paint it
its really up to you

here are pics of it on my car, hope this helps

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc385/jreyes19/rims/SAM_0264.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc385/jreyes19/rims/SAM_0266.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc385/jreyes19/rims/SAM_0265.jpg

[kaboom]

I'm getting the black grilles from the dealer, very reasonable price.

I'm gonna hold off on the trunk. I don't feel like the lip blends the best.

Thanks for the input!

Ian

[Gheybe]

I think the trunk lip looks awful.

Just get the full CSL trunk.

[nike001]

I think the trunk lip looks awful.

Just get the full CSL trunk.

I agree. Unless you're going to mold it on to the trunk and make everything look like the CSL trunk.. Me no likey

[das boots]

Anybody got a photo of black grills on Mystique Blue Metallic? Would like to see the contrast. Thanks.

[Gheybe]

I agree. Unless you're going to mold it on to the trunk and make everything look like the CSL trunk.. Me no likey

By then, it will look gross, be more expensive, take more time, and ultimately, be a waste of money.

CSL trunk definitely.

[cakM3]

Ian,

Here is the link for a sedan CSL bootlid from Modbargains: http://www.modbargains.com/_e/E46_Exterior/product/CSL-Bootlid-E46-Sedan-MW/Carbon_Fiber_CSL_Style_Bootlid_E46_Sedan.htm (http://www.modbargains.com/_e/E46_Exterior/product/CSL-Bootlid-E46-Sedan-MW/Carbon_Fiber_CSL_Style_Bootlid_E46_Sedan.htm)

As for black kidney grills, I would get the BMW performance kidney grills. They are glossy black and I happen to like them better than matte black but my trim are all glossy so they match :biggrin

[2004_blue_zhp]

Anybody got a photo of black grills on Mystique Blue Metallic? Would like to see the contrast. Thanks.


DasBoots...how's this (http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid{48ADA1E5-513E-4BFC-A8AA-428795B9EB45}&albumid={D56B8CBE-5388-4F95-9004-49F9ED359D5C}&groupid={97342B17-562E-418C-8C81-A24D00887B54})?

[das boots]

DasBoots...how's this (http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/pictures?userid{48ADA1E5-513E-4BFC-A8AA-428795B9EB45}&albumid={D56B8CBE-5388-4F95-9004-49F9ED359D5C}&groupid={97342B17-562E-418C-8C81-A24D00887B54})?

No show. Will have to be member...please re-post. Thanks.

[2004_blue_zhp]

Here's a second try at it...hopefully these work better. (These are from the ad for the car I wound up buying earlier this year. At the time, it had the black grilles on it. I had a dealer switch them back to chrome for me, so I no longer have the black ones, otherwise would just give them to you.)

23302329233123322333

[echo46]

I think I'm going to got with the glossy black.

[johnrando]

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=873627&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc481/johnrando/IMG-20110828-00050.jpg

[das boots]

Here's a second try at it...hopefully these work better. (These are from the ad for the car I wound up buying earlier this year. At the time, it had the black grilles on it. I had a dealer switch them back to chrome for me, so I no longer have the black ones, otherwise would just give them to you.)

23302329233123322333

Wow! Makes the car look darker. Dreary. Won't make it standout. Me thinks I'll stay with chrome. The front corner clears look fantastic though. Are they Depo or stock? Thanks for re-posting.

[kaboom]

I ordered the OEM BMW ones, I hope they are glossy and not flat so it matches the shadowline.

I'm going to hold off on the CSL trunk, I'm way too afraid of aftermarket carbon fiber lack of fitment.

Ian

[Hermes]

I ordered the OEM BMW ones, I hope they are glossy and not flat so it matches the shadowline.

I'm going to hold off on the CSL trunk, I'm way too afraid of aftermarket carbon fiber lack of fitment.

Ian

They're the same look as the shadowline (mind are the OEM ones)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/471462ac.jpg

[johnrando]

BTW, the link I posted was not for a sedan. I'll put up a better pic if you need one, the one I posted was taken with a cheesy cell phone in the dark in my garage, so not a great representation.

[kaboom]

Yes that is sweet! They should be in tomorrow. How did you get your running lights yellow?

I also ordered a new lower grille. I think a fresh OEM lower grille makes the car look a lot newer.

Ian

[Hermes]

I painted them w/duplicolor metalcast. BP used Krylon stained glass on his. Basically it's a question of what shade of yellow you want

My lower grill is just painted with Krylon enamel gloss black, I redid the fog surrounds also

[danewilson77]

The install for the glossy's is the same correct? In that you do not take them apart, and they are just pushed in.

[Hermes]

Yeah, just undo clips on old and pop them in. It's the exact same part, just no silver paint

[Washburn]

How much are the OEM glossy ones? any online dealers who sell them?

[Hermes]

Msrp $120

for sedan... Part #s 51137030545 (left) and 51137030546 (right)

[johnrando]

For the VERT on the link I posted below, they were $53 each, if that gives you a general idea.

[kaboom]

This was the part number I got from my dealer: 51132-158542 (3)

Can anyone confirm which it is?

Ian

[Hermes]

There are definitely 2 different part numbers, one for the left an one for right

[Hermes]

This was the part number I got from my dealer: 51132-158542 (3)

Can anyone confirm which it is?

Ian

the one you mentioned looks right... (left side is 51132158543)
fits on these models
E46 320i Sedan
E46 323i Touring
E46 323i Sedan
E46 325i Touring
E46 325i Sedan
E46 325xi Touring
E46 325xi Sedan
E46 328i Sedan
E46 330i Sedan
E46 330xi Sedan

#2
http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/u/u/266.png


the ones I mentioned fit on these models
E46 320i Sedan
E46 325i Sedan
E46 325xi Sedan
E46 330i Sedan
E46 330xi Sedan
E46 325i Touring
E46 325xi Touring

#1 & 2
http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/d/g/203.png

I don't know what the difference is, sorry

[Washburn]

thanks for all the info....
I might just sell the un-installed matte black grills I bought used on E46F and just go with the OEM Gloss or equivalent gloss....

(If anyone needs those matte black grills, let me know...i will post and ad in a few days - They're for FL 330ci coupe)

[Burrogs]

I went with the matte finish ones. They match the black trim on the on the front bumper and side moldings, and seem to blend in better. Glossy just looks too "aftermarket" to me, even if they can be had OEM.

[Hermes]

thanks for all the info....
I might just sell the un-installed matte black grills I bought used on E46F and just go with the OEM Gloss or equivalent gloss....

(If anyone needs those matte black grills, let me know...i will post and ad in a few days - They're for FL 330ci coupe)

Wait, if you have a FL 2dr part numbers are different... BMW Performance Grills for facelift coupe/vert (51132158537 & 51132158538)

[Washburn]

Ah. Thanks a lot.

[Hermes]

The install for the glossy's is the same correct? In that you do not take them apart, and they are just pushed in.


Yeah, just undo clips on old and pop them in. It's the exact same part, just no silver paint

Just to show what I meant by this:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/P1000772.jpg


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/P1000773-1.jpg


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/P1000777-1.jpg


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/bumper/P1000780-1.jpg





doesn't this ^^^ remind you of THIS:















http://elizabethcdixon.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/img_4341.jpg

[danewilson77]

Lol. I really like the glossy.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[UdubBadger]

Hey...




Kool aid!

[Hermes]

I now have a new idea for a pic... Off to photoshop

[danewilson77]

I now have a new idea for a pic... Off to photoshop

Waiting......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2mqqCMu-LM

[Hermes]

Gotta head off to work now. I need a new pic of the front end of my car so I can frame it right, hopefully by tonight

[Go Horns!]

got the Khoatly ones in today, will see how they look

[kaboom]

I just got my car back with a new OEM BMW bumper and OEM gloss black grilles with fog light surrounds. I'm pretty happy :-)

Ian

[Go Horns!]

These are the Khoalty piano black grills.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6269483571_333d5985fe_z.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Those look good. What's the quality like, Graham?

[Go Horns!]

Polished finish is nice. Didn't see any real imperfections there. Install was easy and the fit was spot on. The plastic on the back looks like it was made from an injection mold of lesser quality; there were small plastic burrs on the back. They didn't effect install, and I was being real picky.

I don't know if it would be worth paying for a higher quality mold though. They OEM plastic disintegrated when I was taking out the original grill.

[webster]

i have the khoalty piano gloss as well, i like them lot. after a month and a half or so they still look perfect.

also, horns, i love your license plate. both the message and the plate design. thinking of springing for a vanity myself...

[UdubBadger]

These are the Khoalty piano black grills.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6269483571_333d5985fe_z.jpg

this makes me want imola red SO BAD!!!!

[Hermes]

makes me want some bbq...