A new take on the Grill

f10mmmmm · 10-30-2008, 10:53 PM

Since most of us don't like the look of the OEM chrome look and most of us opt to buy either the CF Grill or the Matte Black Grill, I was going to buy the Matte Black Grill for my AW M3.

Then tonight, I was thinking and looking at my iPhone and saw the chrome trim on the iPhone. I was planning on ordering the MB Grill anyway, so I decided to experiment. I decided to "brush" the chrome trim on the grill like I did with my iPhone's chrome trim. Here are the pics. Enjoy!

Before, Just OEM:

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No Grill on the front bumper:

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Grill out:

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Close up of OEM Grill:

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Close up of Brushed Grill:

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Side by side comparison:

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Close up of Side by Side:

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Finished Pics:

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What I used....:

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Overall, I'm very happy with the results.

The entire process took about an hour, just because I was anal about the way the sandpaper was positioned..etc. I think I'll keep it like this for a bit. I might still get the matte black grill but this intrigues me because it now matches my interior brushed aluminum trim.

If you have any questions, let me know!

Mike

itofigari · 10-30-2008, 11:04 PM

very original idea man ( at least I have not seen this before) ...I think I will try it! I can't see the last image , can you specify in detail the materials you used? Specially the type of sand paper.
Thanks

f10mmmmm · 10-30-2008, 11:15 PM

Well, I had 4 things.

1. A MF towel to wipe off dirt and the residue after the sanding
2. Detailing spray to use with the MF towel
3. I used a 120 Grit sandpaper for this application, but when I did my iPhone, I used a Scotch Bright Sponge. I've seen people use a finer grit sandpaper and the Scotch Bright Sponge.
4. Scotch Bright No Scratch sponge. I used this for the middle chrome section. The "chrome" on the middle of the grill is VERY thin so using a sandpaper or even the Scotch Bright Sponge will just strip it. So I gently scrubbed with the No Scratch sponge and that did the trick.

GL!

endofanera7 · 10-31-2008, 01:21 AM

original but no! Matte Black or CF is the only way to go! maybe Gloss Black?

jumpingjz · 10-31-2008, 07:58 AM

that looks sick, if i give you an OEM set of grill would you do that for me? lol

JZ

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpingjz

that looks sick, if i give you an OEM set of grill would you do that for me? lol

JZ

Thanks.

It's not that hard to do. Just a free hour or so, and a bit of patience.

Blip Bavarian · 10-31-2008, 11:25 AM

that looks pretty damn good. Great idea. people could do the side gills too.

!Xoible · 10-31-2008, 11:28 AM

very genuine. awesome man. looks great!

TLud · 10-31-2008, 11:41 AM

I really like it. I'm not a big fan of the bling bling chrome, but black or carbon fiber grills isn't really an option for me with an Interlagos E92. I may do this.

Could you post a shot of the front of your car with the brushed grill from a little further back?

SV Concepts III · 10-31-2008, 11:58 AM

That looks good, I remember a few folks did these on the E46 and it looked great. Now imagine this with brushed window trim and brushed wheels!

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

that looks pretty damn good. Great idea. people could do the side gills too.

Thanks! I might do the side gills too, since I was thinking about, again, the MB gills.

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

very genuine. awesome man. looks great!

Thanks!

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLud

I really like it. I'm not a big fan of the bling bling chrome, but black or carbon fiber grills isn't really an option for me with an Interlagos E92. I may do this.

Could you post a shot of the front of your car with the brushed grill from a little further back?

Sure, I'll take a pic in a few and post it.

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

That looks good, I remember a few folks did these on the E46 and it looked great. Now imagine this with brushed window trim and brushed wheels!

Always the salesman. That would be great.

MJC///M3 · 10-31-2008, 12:51 PM

looks tight man. nice work!

f10mmmmm · 10-31-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLud

I really like it. I'm not a big fan of the bling bling chrome, but black or carbon fiber grills isn't really an option for me with an Interlagos E92. I may do this.

Could you post a shot of the front of your car with the brushed grill from a little further back?

Here you go!

TLud · 10-31-2008, 03:57 PM

Thanks, that looks really good!

f10mmmmm · 11-01-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks again. I just got my painted reflectors so I just put them on too. Pics coming!

DoNDoN · 11-01-2008, 09:56 AM

How are the RPi scoops and the AFE filter? I am local so if you get a chance I definitely want to see how they are.

BTW I think the grills look good. I have the matte black grills and sides if you want to see them in person.

MVEED3 · 11-01-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

...imagine this with brushed window trim and brushed wheels!

It would clean up the whole exterior to finish off the sides, stock 19s (at least the machined look will tie in better with the metal brush), and hit the M3 emblem and exhaust tips while you're at it. I do like how the brushed grills turned out and it's fitting on the car.

Allen

f10mmmmm · 11-01-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoNDoN

How are the RPi scoops and the AFE filter? I am local so if you get a chance I definitely want to see how they are.

BTW I think the grills look good. I have the matte black grills and sides if you want to see them in person.

How are they in terms of looks or performance wise? The RPi scoops contrast nicely with the AW since they are red. It's not too over the top and you can't really see it unless you're eye level with the grill. Performance wise, the higher RPM runs does sound more "snappier", but then again, it's subjective on my part. The filter and the grills were an easy DIY install. And I got the scoops for $75 when RPi was trying to get rid of them real quick. (And it went real quick too.

)

Thanks. I would love to see the grills and gills in person.

f10mmmmm · 11-01-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVEED3

It would clean up the whole exterior to finish off the sides, stock 19s (at least the machined look will tie in better with the metal brush), and hit the M3 emblem and exhaust tips while you're at it. I do like how the brushed grills turned out and it's fitting on the car.

Allen

I agree. I am seriously considering doing this to the rear M3 emblem, the exhaust tips and the side gills. Will keep everyone updated!

10-30-2008, 10:53 PM	#1
f10mmmmm Lieutenant 89 Rep 441 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Overland Park, KS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	A new take on the Grill Since most of us don't like the look of the OEM chrome look and most of us opt to buy either the CF Grill or the Matte Black Grill, I was going to buy the Matte Black Grill for my AW M3. Then tonight, I was thinking and looking at my iPhone and saw the chrome trim on the iPhone. I was planning on ordering the MB Grill anyway, so I decided to experiment. I decided to "brush" the chrome trim on the grill like I did with my iPhone's chrome trim. Here are the pics. Enjoy! Before, Just OEM: No Grill on the front bumper: Grill out: Close up of OEM Grill: Close up of Brushed Grill: Side by side comparison: Close up of Side by Side: Finished Pics: What I used....: Overall, I'm very happy with the results. The entire process took about an hour, just because I was anal about the way the sandpaper was positioned..etc. I think I'll keep it like this for a bit. I might still get the matte black grill but this intrigues me because it now matches my interior brushed aluminum trim. If you have any questions, let me know! Mike __________________ 2014 BMW M5 Competition 2011 VW GTI (Sold) 2008 BMW M3 Sedan (Sold) 2002 BMW M3 Vert (Sold) 2003 Honda S2K (Sold)
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10-30-2008, 11:04 PM	#2
itofigari Second Lieutenant 175 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 CP\| MW / SO Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	very original idea man ( at least I have not seen this before) ...I think I will try it! I can't see the last image , can you specify in detail the materials you used? Specially the type of sand paper. Thanks
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10-30-2008, 11:15 PM	#3
f10mmmmm Lieutenant 89 Rep 441 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Overland Park, KS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	Well, I had 4 things. 1. A MF towel to wipe off dirt and the residue after the sanding 2. Detailing spray to use with the MF towel 3. I used a 120 Grit sandpaper for this application, but when I did my iPhone, I used a Scotch Bright Sponge. I've seen people use a finer grit sandpaper and the Scotch Bright Sponge. 4. Scotch Bright No Scratch sponge. I used this for the middle chrome section. The "chrome" on the middle of the grill is VERY thin so using a sandpaper or even the Scotch Bright Sponge will just strip it. So I gently scrubbed with the No Scratch sponge and that did the trick. GL! __________________ 2014 BMW M5 Competition 2011 VW GTI (Sold) 2008 BMW M3 Sedan (Sold) 2002 BMW M3 Vert (Sold) 2003 Honda S2K (Sold)
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10-31-2008, 01:21 AM	#4
endofanera7 Major General 514 Rep 5,392 Posts Drives: 08 JB E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (16) Garage List 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.50]	original but no! Matte Black or CF is the only way to go! maybe Gloss Black?
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10-31-2008, 07:58 AM	#5
jumpingjz Major General 71 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Monterey Park, CA iTrader: (4)	that looks sick, if i give you an OEM set of grill would you do that for me? lol JZ __________________ Some say........that his shoes were made from ps2's and bbs's.....and that he has an ///M badge birthmark. All we know is he's called long tran Some say........that he has a wrench for an arm and a ecu for a brain.....and that he eats his cereal with synthetic oil. All we know is he's called long tran.
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10-31-2008, 11:25 AM	#7
Blip Bavarian salivator 38 Rep 539 Posts Drives: 16 GT4, 14 X5 V8 & 91 E30 LS1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas iTrader: (0)	that looks pretty damn good. Great idea. people could do the side gills too.
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10-31-2008, 11:28 AM	#8
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	very genuine. awesome man. looks great!
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10-31-2008, 11:41 AM	#9
TLud Colonel 108 Rep 2,279 Posts Drives: '12 Golf R Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (3)	I really like it. I'm not a big fan of the bling bling chrome, but black or carbon fiber grills isn't really an option for me with an Interlagos E92. I may do this. Could you post a shot of the front of your car with the brushed grill from a little further back? __________________ '09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
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10-31-2008, 11:58 AM	#10
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	That looks good, I remember a few folks did these on the E46 and it looked great. Now imagine this with brushed window trim and brushed wheels!
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10-31-2008, 12:51 PM	#15
MJC///M3 Colonel 87 Rep 2,324 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bronx, NYC iTrader: (0)	looks tight man. nice work! __________________ "You will get there, but it is up to you and you alone. It is what you are willing to do, and how you are willing to get there. You must be relentless, you must be tireless, you must pursue at all costs, so that you are ready, when the time is right." -Dad
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10-31-2008, 03:57 PM	#17
TLud Colonel 108 Rep 2,279 Posts Drives: '12 Golf R Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (3)	Thanks, that looks really good! __________________ '09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (sold to a good home)
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11-01-2008, 09:46 AM	#18
f10mmmmm Lieutenant 89 Rep 441 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Overland Park, KS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	Thanks again. I just got my painted reflectors so I just put them on too. Pics coming! __________________ 2014 BMW M5 Competition 2011 VW GTI (Sold) 2008 BMW M3 Sedan (Sold) 2002 BMW M3 Vert (Sold) 2003 Honda S2K (Sold)
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11-01-2008, 09:56 AM	#19
DoNDoN Colonel 102 Rep 2,037 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	How are the RPi scoops and the AFE filter? I am local so if you get a chance I definitely want to see how they are. BTW I think the grills look good. I have the matte black grills and sides if you want to see them in person.
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