Goodbye chrome

sim3 · 07-04-2010, 09:18 AM

Before we start, no i am not wishing i had bought an edition, besides which mine is Red and even i know the edition does not come in this colour. I chose the E93 spec as its quicker than my 335i and the wife gets to go topless - either way i win?.

However i do confess to loving the black Kindey grill/side gill combination, as i just feel the chrome on mine lets a superb car down.

So onto my problem:

1 - Matt black, Gloss black or 'black chrome' (not keen on CF)

2 - Where from - ie quality/OEM. (Local dealer can only supply Grilles - not Gills. I have seen some 3rd party photos and not convinced on quality of moulding/fitting.

Any advice is greatly appreciated along with pics if possible. I guess my 3rd question would be 'are they easy to fit - be honest now!

Thanks

Coach · 07-04-2010, 10:00 AM

Only two days ago I installed gloss grills, gills, and a rear M3 emblem from IND. There is no difference from OEM and everything is a perfect fit. I also have the color matched reflector inserts and gloss black OEM 19" on my Alpine White E90. Perfect!

SS32 · 07-04-2010, 10:15 AM

Sand, prime, paint. It'll take all of 2 hours if you take your time and it costs next to nothing. Start out with a rougher grit sandpaper (~200) and work your way down to something ~600. Prime it, and paint with Rustoleum Bumper coating. It's a perfect matte black. Click my sig to see some pictures of my grilles.

ersin · 07-04-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim3

... and the wife gets to go topless - either way i win?.

Cheers.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Coach · 07-04-2010, 10:50 AM

IND has a $279 package with gills, grills, and reflector covers. Throw in the M3 emblem to make it an even $300 and your done.

ersin · 07-04-2010, 10:55 AM

With the red I think that matte black is best. If I were you though I'd also get the chrome trim around the windows made matte black too. You could wrap it in vinyl.

Grills are easy to replace. Side gills are a bit tougher, so they say. Some have had it easier than others. It seems that the coupe/cab are easier than the sedan.

I'm getting the M3 edition grills/gills so I'll be able to report on ease of install later. (Hopefully, that is. I have them on backorder from Tischer so we'll see.)

Cheers.

CarForHire · 07-04-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

With the red I think that matte black is best. If I were you though I'd also get the chrome trim around the windows made matte black too. You could wrap it in vinyl.

Grills are easy to replace. Side gills are a bit tougher, so they say. Some have had it easier than others. It seems that the coupe/cab are easier than the sedan.

I'm getting the M3 edition grills/gills so I'll be able to report on ease of install later. (Hopefully, that is. I have them on backorder from Tischer so we'll see.)

Cheers.

+1

formgen99 · 07-04-2010, 11:11 AM

Matte Black!! and you need to wrap the chrome for sure. It only took me a few hours to do mine.

sim3 · 07-05-2010, 02:54 PM

Sounds nice - come one share the pics

sim3 · 07-05-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS32

Sand, prime, paint. It'll take all of 2 hours if you take your time and it costs next to nothing. Start out with a rougher grit sandpaper (~200) and work your way down to something ~600. Prime it, and paint with Rustoleum Bumper coating. It's a perfect matte black. Click my sig to see some pictures of my grilles.

DIY Painting on an M3 - No way!

sim3 · 07-05-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

Cheers.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I am trying to make friends, not put them off LOL (Joking - like my car she's a beauty)

sim3 · 07-05-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

With the red I think that matte black is best. If I were you though I'd also get the chrome trim around the windows made matte black too. You could wrap it in vinyl.

Grills are easy to replace. Side gills are a bit tougher, so they say. Some have had it easier than others. It seems that the coupe/cab are easier than the sedan.

I'm getting the M3 edition grills/gills so I'll be able to report on ease of install later. (Hopefully, that is. I have them on backorder from Tischer so we'll see.)

Cheers.

Hmm! - I am/was also thinking matte, but i keep hearing to go for gloss to match the window trim (by the way mine is gloss not chrome).

Keep me informed and please share - thanks.

sim3 · 07-05-2010, 03:03 PM

Sorry friend and at the risk of sounding 'dumb', what do you mean by 'wrapping the chrome'

!!?!?!?!?!

formgen99 · 07-05-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sim3

Sorry friend and at the risk of sounding 'dumb', what do you mean by 'wrapping the chrome'

!!?!?!?!?!

my second pic, the chrome around the windows is wrapped in matte black vinyl

07-04-2010, 09:18 AM	#1
sim3 Happy Days 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: in the middle iTrader: (0)	Goodbye chrome - but where next? Before we start, no i am not wishing i had bought an edition, besides which mine is Red and even i know the edition does not come in this colour. I chose the E93 spec as its quicker than my 335i and the wife gets to go topless - either way i win?. However i do confess to loving the black Kindey grill/side gill combination, as i just feel the chrome on mine lets a superb car down. So onto my problem: 1 - Matt black, Gloss black or 'black chrome' (not keen on CF) 2 - Where from - ie quality/OEM. (Local dealer can only supply Grilles - not Gills. I have seen some 3rd party photos and not convinced on quality of moulding/fitting. Any advice is greatly appreciated along with pics if possible. I guess my 3rd question would be 'are they easy to fit - be honest now! Thanks
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07-04-2010, 10:00 AM	#2
Coach Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 204 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: NASCAR Heaven iTrader: (0)	Only two days ago I installed gloss grills, gills, and a rear M3 emblem from IND. There is no difference from OEM and everything is a perfect fit. I also have the color matched reflector inserts and gloss black OEM 19" on my Alpine White E90. Perfect!
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07-04-2010, 10:15 AM	#3
SS32 Major 156 Rep 1,430 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Sand, prime, paint. It'll take all of 2 hours if you take your time and it costs next to nothing. Start out with a rougher grit sandpaper (~200) and work your way down to something ~600. Prime it, and paint with Rustoleum Bumper coating. It's a perfect matte black. Click my sig to see some pictures of my grilles. __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns
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07-04-2010, 10:50 AM	#5
Coach Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 204 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: NASCAR Heaven iTrader: (0)	IND has a $279 package with gills, grills, and reflector covers. Throw in the M3 emblem to make it an even $300 and your done.
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07-04-2010, 10:55 AM	#6
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	With the red I think that matte black is best. If I were you though I'd also get the chrome trim around the windows made matte black too. You could wrap it in vinyl. Grills are easy to replace. Side gills are a bit tougher, so they say. Some have had it easier than others. It seems that the coupe/cab are easier than the sedan. I'm getting the M3 edition grills/gills so I'll be able to report on ease of install later. (Hopefully, that is. I have them on backorder from Tischer so we'll see.) Cheers. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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07-04-2010, 11:11 AM	#8
formgen99 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 2014 535i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM iTrader: (2)	Matte Black!! and you need to wrap the chrome for sure. It only took me a few hours to do mine. Attached Images __________________ 2014 535i Past Vehicles 2011.5 E92 M3, 2009 E93 M3, 2008 335xi, 2004 Mustang GT,....
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07-05-2010, 02:54 PM	#9
sim3 Happy Days 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: in the middle iTrader: (0)	Sounds nice - come one share the pics
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07-05-2010, 03:03 PM	#13
sim3 Happy Days 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: in the middle iTrader: (0)	Sorry friend and at the risk of sounding 'dumb', what do you mean by 'wrapping the chrome' !!?!?!?!?!
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