What type of kidney grills are the ones shown online in the bmw website?

Seven7 · 04-12-2012, 05:15 PM

The bmw website offers M performance kidney grilles labeled "Front grille, Black". What kind of grilles are these? Are they gloss black? or chrome black? What's the difference between gloss and chrome? Can someone post some pictures? I've been searching the whole forum but it seems there is another type of oem kidney grills just for the gts? are they the same type of M performance grills?

PhillyNate · 04-12-2012, 06:08 PM

I just added gloss black kidney grilles to my AW M3. I swore I would never mod anything. This is the one mod that seems to be UNIVERSALLY accepted on this board with the only disagreement being gloss black or matte black. I'm extremely glad I did it and the car looks as if it should've come that way.
Foodle's answer below sounds spot on and my original answer was misinformed. I apparently have BMW Performance grilles though they weren't promoted/marketed as such as I remember.
Good luck.

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 06:20 PM

The BMW Performance grilles are gloss black.

The BMW Edition grilles are black chrome.

There are various 3rd party matte black grilles.

Lots of threads and even a few side-by-side comparison pictures (on e90post I think).

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

To your original question, I don't believe there is any difference in gloss/piano black or black chrome or M performance grilles except terminology.

Gloss black and black chrome are definitely different.

I'll look for the side-by-side pic and post it if I find it ...

PhillyNate · 04-12-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foodle

Gloss black and black chrome are definitely different.

I'll look for the side-by-side pic and post it if I find it ...

Please do find that pic. I corrected my original answer and am curious to see the differences. Thanks

M3PO · 04-12-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

Please do find that pic. I corrected my original answer and am curious to see the differences. Thanks

It's hard to see the difference in pics IMO. I have the "Edition" parts and they are down right beautiful. Black chrome has more "depth" I would say.

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 07:16 PM

Here are the best side-by-side Performance (gloss) versus Edition (black/satin chrome) pics:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=320007&page=7

As others have said, the Edition grilles are great looking. I think they have more visual interest than the gloss black ones.

SchnellM3 · 04-12-2012, 07:20 PM

Edition Grills with tinted lens FTW

Seven7 · 04-12-2012, 07:22 PM

ohh so the performance M grills offered online are gloss black?

PhillyNate · 04-12-2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foodle

Here are the best side-by-side Performance (gloss) versus Edition (black chrome) pics:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=320007&page=7

As others have said, the Edition grilles are great looking. I think they have more visual interest than the gloss black ones.

Thank you. For me, not worth swapping again.

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k7-seven

ohh so the performance M grills offered online are gloss black?

Yes.

Performance = gloss black
Edition = black/satin chrome

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

Thank you. For me, not worth swapping again.

Yeah, either gloss or black chrome look great. I don't think a swap is worth the money or hand contortions if you already have one or the other.

PhillyNate · 04-12-2012, 07:29 PM

Apparently this is a worthwhile thread. I doubt if many knew the difference.

mdosu · 04-12-2012, 07:33 PM

gloss

gongju · 04-12-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

gloss

Satin chrome

dafunguy · 04-12-2012, 10:44 PM

Did you read this thread, it has some useful info:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=660327

Quote:

Originally Posted by k7-seven

The bmw website offers M performance kidney grilles labeled "Front grille, Black". What kind of grilles are these? Are they gloss black? or chrome black? What's the difference between gloss and chrome? Can someone post some pictures? I've been searching the whole forum but it seems there is another type of oem kidney grills just for the gts? are they the same type of M performance grills?

tibra1 · 04-12-2012, 10:46 PM

Gloss

Mike van D · 04-12-2012, 11:21 PM

Edition.

crabman · 04-12-2012, 11:27 PM

Just remember if you get the M performance ones they do not offer matching gills so you will need to go edition for a match between the two should you want the gills. You can also get the IND painted grills/gills and they offer a match to the window trim, exterior colors, or if your feeling frisky and are willing to wait, something custom. I got their matching gloss black.

Foodle · 04-12-2012, 11:28 PM

Bah, you're all wusses. Match the car to the factory grille instead:

BLACK OPS · 04-13-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foodle

Bah, you're all wusses. Match the car to the factory grille instead:

Terminator edition

Foodle · 04-13-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK OPS

Terminator edition

Terminator 2 edition.

04-12-2012, 05:15 PM	#1
Seven7 First Lieutenant 54 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (1)	What type of kidney grills are the ones shown online in the bmw website? The bmw website offers M performance kidney grilles labeled "Front grille, Black". What kind of grilles are these? Are they gloss black? or chrome black? What's the difference between gloss and chrome? Can someone post some pictures? I've been searching the whole forum but it seems there is another type of oem kidney grills just for the gts? are they the same type of M performance grills?
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04-12-2012, 06:08 PM	#2
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	I just added gloss black kidney grilles to my AW M3. I swore I would never mod anything. This is the one mod that seems to be UNIVERSALLY accepted on this board with the only disagreement being gloss black or matte black. I'm extremely glad I did it and the car looks as if it should've come that way. Foodle's answer below sounds spot on and my original answer was misinformed. I apparently have BMW Performance grilles though they weren't promoted/marketed as such as I remember. Good luck. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11) Last edited by PhillyNate; 04-12-2012 at 06:24 PM..
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04-12-2012, 06:20 PM	#3
Foodle Captain 26 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	The BMW Performance grilles are gloss black. The BMW Edition grilles are black chrome. There are various 3rd party matte black grilles. Lots of threads and even a few side-by-side comparison pictures (on e90post I think).
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04-12-2012, 07:16 PM	#7
Foodle Captain 26 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Here are the best side-by-side Performance (gloss) versus Edition (black/satin chrome) pics: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=320007&page=7 As others have said, the Edition grilles are great looking. I think they have more visual interest than the gloss black ones. Last edited by Foodle; 04-12-2012 at 07:24 PM..
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04-12-2012, 07:20 PM	#8
SchnellM3 Digger 205 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	Edition Grills with tinted lens FTW __________________ 2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
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04-12-2012, 07:22 PM	#9
Seven7 First Lieutenant 54 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (1)	ohh so the performance M grills offered online are gloss black?
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04-12-2012, 07:29 PM	#13
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	Apparently this is a worthwhile thread. I doubt if many knew the difference. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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04-12-2012, 07:33 PM	#14
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	gloss
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04-12-2012, 10:46 PM	#17
tibra1 Banned 127 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Gloss
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04-12-2012, 11:21 PM	#18
Mike van D Major 18 Rep 1,112 Posts Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Edition. __________________ ...just enjoying life.
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04-12-2012, 11:27 PM	#19
crabman Captain 182 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 2024 X5M Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Just remember if you get the M performance ones they do not offer matching gills so you will need to go edition for a match between the two should you want the gills. You can also get the IND painted grills/gills and they offer a match to the window trim, exterior colors, or if your feeling frisky and are willing to wait, something custom. I got their matching gloss black.
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04-12-2012, 11:28 PM	#20
Foodle Captain 26 Rep 770 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Bah, you're all wusses. Match the car to the factory grille instead:
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