[Presario]

Much better with! Great start to the modding addiction!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by drob23

Looks really clean, you ever thought about doing the valence black? Either painting, dipping or going with a CF diffuser? My Gray S4 came with a similar gray colored plastic diffuser and I plasti-dipped it black and am really impressed with the increased contrast. I love black on gray other than the wheels, gotta keep them shiny

I have given some thought to having the rear valance/diffuser done in gloss black, as I think that would look much better. CF diffusers are just too expensive, although maybe wrapping it might be the way to go.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by M-SP0RT

I don't want to hijack the thread but where did you get your license plate frame from? Do you know if they have it in AW?

Good question...I think I got it at an AutoZone. Not sure if they had it in other colors, but it'd be really easy to paint a non-chrome one in AW to match. I've found that these frames fade pretty easily, so a coat of something like Rust-Oleum in either gloss or satin black (or white, in your case) makes them last a lot longer.

[cjack]

Originally Posted by Explorer3253

Where did you get them and how much were they?

Sent you a PM.

CJ

[cjack]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Looks great with black grilles and painted reflectors - I did the same on my Mineral Gray 335i. One more mod you need - get the "435i" logo in gloss black (ECS Tuning, Bimmian, etc. has these) for the trunklid. I've been doing this on my BMWs since 2007.

You are right! It does look better with the black logo. I did not do this because my "back end" also says x-drive in silver on the left-hand side and I wanted them to match (I did not see a black x-drive logo).

Regards,
CJ

[cjack]

Originally Posted by simongym

Even on Sport line all black would make more sense, since there is no chrome anywhere else (thankfully). Has anyone found a good way to turn their chrome ring black without replacing the grills? I'd rather not spend the $100, but I do prefer the all black look.

Maybe you can just chip the chrome off.

Maybe try the Plasticote product?

Regards,
CJ

[cjack]

Originally Posted by Sp82

+100000000 that license plate has got to go.

And replace it with what? I'm open to suggestions, but I need to have a front place where we live (Beautiful British Columbia)...

Regards,
CJ

[drob23]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I have given some thought to having the rear valance/diffuser done in gloss black, as I think that would look much better. CF diffusers are just too expensive, although maybe wrapping it might be the way to go.

As long as you put the plastidip on thick enough, it's pretty easy to peel off. Certainly not a "permanent" thing (for better and worse), but can give you a good visual idea how it will look. Only costs $6 for a single can and takes about 1.5 hr of total work time (obviously more time while it dries between coats).

Wrapping seems really hard if the surface is curved and has any details, plus you don't want seams. I don't have much skills, but it took me forever to do some minor trim pieces and then I'd be worried about it peeling off.

[MikeJ87]

Originally Posted by cjack

Sent you a PM.

CJ

cjack can you PM me where you got the black grill and the price, if you dont mind. I finally got my car. I will post pics when I can wash it and go outside, its -25 with wind chill right now.

[Sp82]

can you not go with the electric thingy that a few members have here?...they live in the NE ...it just tucks in and out when needed?..

[Sp82]

did you install grill on your own? how long did it take if so?

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by cjack

You are right! It does look better with the black logo. I did not do this because my "back end" also says x-drive in silver on the left-hand side and I wanted them to match (I did not see a black x-drive logo).

Regards,
CJ

So this is new...previously the x-drive cars would have "335xi", and I'm pretty sure they have the "x", but maybe not the "drive". You could always get black "335xi" and use that. They're pretty easy to remove and replace. I use blue tape across top and bottom and mark the character locations, then remove the old, clean off the foam adhesive, and apply the new ones.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by drob23

As long as you put the plastidip on thick enough, it's pretty easy to peel off. Certainly not a "permanent" thing (for better and worse), but can give you a good visual idea how it will look. Only costs $6 for a single can and takes about 1.5 hr of total work time (obviously more time while it dries between coats).

Wrapping seems really hard if the surface is curved and has any details, plus you don't want seams. I don't have much skills, but it took me forever to do some minor trim pieces and then I'd be worried about it peeling off.

I could always have a professional do it. There's no shortage of "wrappers" these days.

[Ace_1]

Car looks great and I really like the black grills!

[cjack]

Originally Posted by Sp82

did you install grill on your own? how long did it take if so?

Yes, installed on my own (in the dark yesterday evening!).

Took about 1 hour...

[cjack]

Originally Posted by Ace_1

Car looks great and I really like the black grills!

Thank you!

[cjack]

Originally Posted by roundel335

So this is new...previously the x-drive cars would have "335xi", and I'm pretty sure they have the "x", but maybe not the "drive". You could always get black "335xi" and use that. They're pretty easy to remove and replace. I use blue tape across top and bottom and mark the character locations, then remove the old, clean off the foam adhesive, and apply the new ones.

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure we will see a few more options come out soon...I also prefer the darker letters.

Mine definitely says 435i on the right and xdrive on the left...

[dec0y_s]

looks way better in black grills.

[34.50]

Looks great!

[cjack]

Originally Posted by 34.50

Looks great!

Thanks you guys.

[Glassy]

Looks awesome.

Did you paint the front reflectors or did you get pre-painted replacements? If so, where @?

[cjack]

Originally Posted by Glassy

Looks awesome.

Did you paint the front reflectors or did you get pre-painted replacements? If so, where @?

Sent you a PM