[Racing Teatray]

Thoughts please...

After three years with the standard chrome front grille, I'm contemplating swapping it for the M Performance black version, just for a change.

The car is a Carbon Black 440i GC and otherwise standard externally apart from the MPPSK exhaust...and I'm not planning other exterior modifications.

I had the black grilles on my previous car - a Sapphire Black M135i - and was never quite sure about them. Made the front look a bit featureless, but I think the 4-series might wear it slightly better, plus since Carbon Black is less "black" than Sapphire Black, it shouldn't look quite as plain.

Would you?

[Dyl]

Well I think it looks better. Try it if you don't like sell them on...

[M33DLO]

Yeah do it.

I did on my Silver F31. Looked much better.!
And have currently on my Estoril F31. Looks much better!
But my Le Mans blue E87 130i is staying will full chrome (as only the 130i got full chrome grills)

Although if you want to do it to standout/be different, I do tend to notice more black grills than chrome nowadays.

[WaleeF30]

Blacked out grill looks way better in my opinion. Also, with the chrome grill you can easily see any scratches or dirt on the chrome from which makes it look ugly and you have to keep cleaning it.

[Racing Teatray]

Originally Posted by Dyl

Well I think it looks better. Try it if you don't like sell them on...

Thanks. That does look good. I think the fact there is no chrome anywhere else on the car barring the exhaust pipes makes the chrome grille look a bit out of place.

[Dyl]

Originally Posted by Racing Teatray

I think the fact there is no chrome anywhere else on the car barring the exhaust pipes...

Yeah, I bought the BMW black exhaust tips too!

I'm not really a fan of modified cars in general, but I think the BMW parts, and I have a boot lip too, just add a subtle difference without it looking like it was ram raided through Halfords. Most radical mod for me is the slight tint on the fog lights, just calms them down a bit and cost less than a quid!

[Bigboyrolo]

They give the car a more aggressive look which I like - did my 440i first week I had it then black exhaust tips a month later.

[ed123007]

It totally transforms the front end in my opinion. Just looks like aggressive and gives the car more character. It's so easy to do as well. A cheap and effective mod. Do it!!

[BradMacklin]

I like the look but it's personal preference obviously.

[JayFar]

I really love the blacked out kidney grills, especially if you have the extended shadow line to black out the rest of the chrome trim on the car

[samm134]

I love the black grills on my current car

I have also bought some for the 435d I will be picking up this weekend.

[Bianchi Dave]

Just for info, I had to buy a replacement grille last week and some of the Scottish dealers are doing the pair for £40, less than half the price they used to be. Grassicks (Perth) and Harry Fairbairn (Kirkcaldy). HF also do further discount through bmwforums so might be worth a call.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Really like them on my f31

[samm134]

Had the grills changed this afternoon, half an hour after picking the car up.

[sensible]

It seems a bit unfashionable to prefer the chrome grilles but I think it gives some contrast and gives the front end some features, matches the headlights and my wheels. On a black car, black grilles can make the front look a bit featureless.

[Ashm3_uk]

Here are mine on my 330e.

Side by side comparison

[RobUK]

I went for black double-slats as well. Not to everyone's taste I know, but I like them

[haagm58]

Originally Posted by sensible

It seems a bit unfashionable to prefer the chrome grilles but I think it gives some contrast and gives the front end some features, matches the headlights and my wheels. On a black car, black grilles can make the front look a bit featureless.

This is the first car I've seen where the stock grill looks great. It gives the front end some contrast from the black paint, as you said.

In most cases the black grills make the front end appear sleeker and sportier, IMO.

[teaston]

Once you've had black, you'll never go back!!

[SuperHamz]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I went for black double-slats as well. Not to everyone's taste I know, but I like them

I like the double slats and would have opted for those had the dealer not thrown in the M Performance ones. Definitely the black grills for me, although the chrome ones work okay on the non M sport models.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by haagm58

This is the first car I've seen where the stock grill looks great. It gives the front end some contrast from the black paint, as you said.

In most cases the black grills make the front end appear sleeker and sportier, IMO.

Cheers....I do like the black grille on some of these photos, it does add something to the car, just not keen on it on a black car, unless you are going for the full stealth look with black wheels, tail pipes etc.

[KRS_SN]

Originally Posted by sensible

It seems a bit unfashionable to prefer the chrome grilles but I think it gives some contrast and gives the front end some features, matches the headlights and my wheels. On a black car, black grilles can make the front look a bit featureless.

on a black car the chrome grille(with black slats) flows better with the headlights which are chromey and wheels which are chrome. Timeless beauty. Blackening would be a mistake ie tatty.