Help with side gills

Hey guys,

I am extremely confused. What is the difference from below...

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/categories/exterior/e90-92-93-m3-painted-side-markers

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/categories/exterior/e9x-m3-edition-side-markers

aren't they basically the same?

xnfsx wrote

Hey guys,

I am extremely confused. What is the difference from below...

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/categories/exterior/e90-92-93-m3-painted-side-markers

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/categories/exterior/e9x-m3-edition-side-markers

aren't they basically the same?

Second ones include the leds and are black chrome.
The first ones do not include the leds and are not black chrome...you have to use your OEM LEDS.
The leds are what costs more and the black chrome.....

The less expensive ones use your existing hardware (lights, cup thing) and replace the OEM chrome piece with theirs. The more expensive one is a performance part from BMW. I went with the less expensive option and was very happy.

more expensive one are official OEM Performance Edition parts, which is a complete swap of the parts. They also have matching Performance Edition black kidneys as well. The color is a glossy black.

The cheaper ones are simply painted brackets which replaces your chrome ones. You reuse your lighting parts.

Is it gills or grills?..lol

Painted = aftermarket paint
Edition = OEM BMW black chrome paint from the factory


I have the OEM edition gills but you really can't go wrong with either.
Both are quality pieces.

Law wrote

Painted = aftermarket paint
Edition = OEM BMW black chrome paint from the factory


I have the OEM edition gills but you really can't go wrong with either.
Both are quality pieces.

personally, I love the edition grills and gills. The gloss finish makes it pop

I just bought IND gloss black front grills off a forum member. So I guess I'm going with the side gills in gloss black. I'm assuming the edition version is a different gloss black? its black chrome instead, correct? also it was mentioned that its LED, isn't it the same as the OEM one (just that OEM is not tinted)?

xnfsx wrote

I just bought IND gloss black front grills off a forum member. So I guess I'm going with the side gills in gloss black. I'm assuming the edition version is a different gloss black? its black chrome instead, correct? also it was mentioned that its LED, isn't it the same as the OEM one (just that OEM is not tinted)?

both are gloss black, and will look similar. Just whether you want an OEM part or and IND part...achieves the same look.

Flying Ace wrote  

xnfsx wrote

I just bought IND gloss black front grills off a forum member. So I guess I'm going with the side gills in gloss black. I'm assuming the edition version is a different gloss black? its black chrome instead, correct? also it was mentioned that its LED, isn't it the same as the OEM one (just that OEM is not tinted)?

both are gloss black, and will look similar. Just whether you want an OEM part or and IND part...achieves the same look.

I see I see THANKS ALL!

xnfsx wrote

I just bought IND gloss black front grills off a forum member. So I guess I'm going with the side gills in gloss black. I'm assuming the edition version is a different gloss black? its black chrome instead, correct? also it was mentioned that its LED, isn't it the same as the OEM one (just that OEM is not tinted)?

Correct. The black chrome finish is not quite gloss black. If you were to place the Edition side grill next to your shadowline window trim, it would not match. Both look great, but depends on the look and finish you are trying to achieve. The black chrome finish is not a paint, but some other type of chemical finish. If you have the gloss black front grill set, then I would go with the gloss black side grill.

Correct again on the LED. We use the OEM LED, but apply a DuPont spray tint. Essentially a mixture of clear coat and gloss black paint.

Feel free to pm or contact us with any further questions.

I had bought the generic gloss blk gills from ind and u can't tell the difference. It's a quality piece. Paint is perfect!!!!

Installsplus wrote  

I had bought the generic gloss blk gills from ind and u can't tell the difference. It's a quality piece. Paint is perfect!!!!

Yup yup. my gf bought me gloss black emblems for my birthday but I just returned it to IND. Just told Jesal at IND support that I would like the gloss black side markers!

During the DIY, it's just an additional step to remove the LED from the original gill. I was kinda confused when IND just sent me the side gills! I didn't know that it was an option to get both (i.e. new LEDs as well as painted gills)

Andrew@IND wrote

Correct. The black chrome finish is not quite gloss black. If you were to place the Edition side grill next to your shadowline window trim, it would not match. Both look great, but depends on the look and finish you are trying to achieve. The black chrome finish is not a paint, but some other type of chemical finish. If you have the gloss black front grill set, then I would go with the gloss black side grill.

This. My car came with the OEM gloss black kidney grills, so I opted for the iND gloss black side gills to match. FWIW, the iND gloss black gills matched perfectly, you will not be disappointed!

BimmerRookie wrote

During the DIY, it's just an additional step to remove the LED from the original gill. I was kinda confused when IND just sent me the side gills! I didn't know that it was an option to get both (i.e. new LEDs as well as painted gills)

These were the DIY guides I used, both worked great:

Method to remove the side gills - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531297

To remove the LED - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163097