What kidney grills do u have on your sedan?

[STREETFIGHTER50]

I know it's probably been discussed a million times so forgive me lol! If I had a coupe it would be a no brainer since the trim is body color. But how about our sedans? Glossy black to match our Shadow Line window trim or matte black to match our body trim?
Also, how would u rate the overall quality & fitment of your grill?

[JupiterBMW]

I can input on this... My first sedan had flat black grills. I thought it looked awesome. Then I started seeing the gloss black, and now, my second ZHP sedan has gloss black grills. I love the gloss look way more.

I say gloss black. Then get out a polisher and get the trim work all shined up. It'll still be a 'matte' finish, but you can get it to shine a bit, making it look awesome...

[QC_ZHP]

I have Khoalty Matte black on mine. I love the look, but I agree with gloss being the better choice. I'm looking to swap mine out.

[midlandtech]

I have cf grills they look glossy black until you walk up on the car and look... fairly subtle but different I really like that about them.

taptalk + Note 3

[Avetiso]

I will be going gloss. Matte looks SICK... when they aren't dirty. Their finish begins to degrade pretty quick.

I'll see if I can source some BMW Performance grills. If not, I'll get my grills painted, or go with a set from Khoalty.

[Hornung418]

Performance grilles.

Sent from my GS3.

[Stu]

I have the BMW Performance Grilles on my 2-door, and I must say they match the rest of the car excellently. I love them. Best graduation gift :) Chrome goes with chrome, gloss black goes with gloss black.

[STREETFIGHTER50]

I have cf grills they look glossy black until you walk up on the car and look... fairly subtle but different I really like that about them.

taptalk + Note 3
Those must've been pricy! Any close pics?

[STREETFIGHTER50]

I was gonna put matte grills on my previous 330i, but I think I will match the ZHP's Shadowline window trim this time. I just went thru a bunch of pics. The gloss does look hella sick.

[Vas]

I had matte grills and now bmw performance grills. Much better fitment and finish.

[danewilson77]

Performance grilles.

Sent from my GS3.


I have the BMW Performance Grilles on my 2-door, and I must say they match the rest of the car excellently. I love them. Best graduation gift :) Chrome goes with chrome, gloss black goes with gloss black.

I have these.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

OEM chrome. I like the contrast w/ OB. I had black on the silver 330Ci.

[STREETFIGHTER50]

Wow looks like a good deal here they got going at Khoalty! $45.95 for Piano Black. I'm ordering! :)
http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-black-grill.html

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I've put BMW Performance grills on many of my cars. The quality is second to none.

I have them on my X5 right now. I had them on my ZHP as well.

They are expensive but that's a relative point. You drive a BMW.

[johnrando]

Love my perf grills but then mine is a coupe vs your sedan question.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[kayger12]

Wow looks like a good deal here they got going at Khoalty! $45.95 for Piano Black. I'm ordering! :)
http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46-black-grill.html

That's what I went with. For $45 they're holding up way better than the $200 CF ones I had from Bimmian.

Good fitment and finish. Khoalty can be hit or miss, but these are definitely a hit.

[NorCal-Dimitri]

I also bought the gloss from khoalty. They fit well for me and look fantastic.

[bimmergofast]

Khoalty glossy. Thumbs up

[NorCalZman]

I am not convinced they would improve my silver grey sedan. I have seen pics of both so far. I dunno. Hoping to see them in person at some point. Until then chrome works fine for me. Compared to American cars it's very restrained. Hah


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[gmurphy]

I am not convinced they would improve my silver grey sedan. I have seen pics of both so far. I dunno. Hoping to see them in person at some point. Until then chrome works fine for me. Compared to American cars it's very restrained. Hah


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'm in the same boat. Chrome will do for now. I like the contrast.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[midlandtech]

Those must've been pricy! Any close pics?

1179311794 I honestly don't remember what I paid. I bought them used off someone here for a pretty decent price. I wanna say 100 or so.

taptalk + Note 3

[NorCal-Dimitri]

That CF looks awesome up close.

[stephenkirsh]

I bought the grilles that go into a 325 because I don't like chrome but didn't want the blacked out look.

The ones I have a chrome with black slats. I think it looks better than chrome on chrome or black on black.

[cakM3]

Several have already mentioned they are running with Performance grills. For me, it's the only way to go with our ZHP's :thumbsup I wouldn't go any other way...:)

[STREETFIGHTER50]

1179311794 I honestly don't remember what I paid. I bought them used off someone here for a pretty decent price. I wanna say 100 or so.

taptalk + Note 3

Those are dope!

[midlandtech]

Those are dope!

thanks I need another cf accent on the car as those are now my only one (sold the Hamann rep splitter) thinking rear diffuser

taptalk + Note 3

[gammagoblin]

Matte black. PO installed, not sure what brand. They fit well, but require a slight pop back in place after opening the hood. I want to keep my ZHP stock in spirit but that's one of 3 cosmetic changes I think are worth it. Matte grille, clear corners/markers/tails (all euro/OEMish), and removed 330i badge. IMO with the black ZHP door trims, the chrome looks out of place and black works better.

[derbo]

BMW performance grills to match the shadowline. It was the only trim that was chrome. The only things with chrome now are the BMW roundels.

https://img.skitch.com/20120720-k1tnrdms8dhmedtc8tn7q1ga7u.png

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5384&d=1344583016

[ELCID86]

Fudge. All this talk about grilles and I found out today the PO had glues one of mine in--fell out while washing her. :-/
Decision, decisions...

[Avetiso]

Fudge. All this talk about grilles and I found out today the PO had glues one of mine in--fell out while washing her. :-/
Decision, decisions...
:rofl Gotta love PO surprises.

[ELCID86]

I hate that and the cheapo plastic on these cars, (but I guess that is another thread).

[Burrogs]

I think it depends on the color of the car. I have the matte grills and like that they match the rest of the moulding around the bumper and sides. If I had any other color I may say go with the gloss to make it pop more. On white, I think the gloss brings a bit too much attention to the nose.

[ELCID86]

I'm leaning towards shadowline as replacements for my broken chrome OEM. Kholty s/h is ~$15 though.

[derbo]

OEM always has great fitment :)

[jiggz]

OEM chrome for me.

[llll1l1ll]

I have matte black grills which look great on my black sedan. They fit like a glove!

[kayger12]

OEM chrome for me.

One of the few colors I like the OEM chrome on. :thumbsup

[3ZHPGUY]

One of the few colors I like the OEM chrome on. :thumbsup
+1 More

One of only 4 chrome components making a great contrast.

[Daddyoh]

My black sapphire had matte black when I got it. The fitment wasn't great and I don't know where they came from. I never really liked the contrast of the matte with the gloss paint.
So when my son Kaylor bought his steel blue 330xi, we decided that the matte would look good on his car, and I ordered a set of gloss. I think I bought them from getbmwparts.com. They are a great fit, the gloss is very complimentary with the Saphirschwarz Metallic and the matte looks great on the Stahlblau Metallic.
Everybody's HAPPY.........

[RITmusic2k]

The ones I have a chrome with black slats. I think it looks better than chrome on chrome or black on black.

I have this exact same setup on my car (jet black). The kidney outline is there in all its glory, but dark everywhere else. I love it.

[ELCID86]

I have this exact same setup on my car (jet black). The kidney outline is there in all its glory, but dark everywhere else. I love it.
Pics? your sig looks chrome/chrome.

[PirateZHP]

Pics? your sig looks chrome/chrome.

+1:begging

[Smolck]

Another guy with matte black. Soon I will be adding some CF to my exterior starting with the kidneys.

[ELCID86]

Are the OEM black ones glass or matte finish?

[Hermes]

Are the OEM black ones glass or matte finish?

Gloss finish (they looks the same as the window trim)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/18085f3c.jpg

[RITmusic2k]

Pics? your sig looks chrome/chrome.
+1:begging

Yeah, the sig pic is old. It's dark out but this shot turned out kinda cool with other cars' headlights backlighting through the haze...

http://i.imgur.com/VH9Pfwjl.jpg

[ELCID86]

Yeah, the sig pic is old. It's dark out but this shot turned out kinda cool with other cars' headlights backlighting through the haze...


Thanks. A bit hard to see, but I get the idea and I think I like it. So did you buy a second set of black grilles and then disassemble to make this setup?

[PirateZHP]

Looks good, Kevin. I think I want to go all black though... glossy black

[RITmusic2k]

So did you buy a second set of black grilles and then disassemble to make this setup?

No, I actually replaced my hood because of some nasty damage, and the new one came with those inserts. I liked them better :)

[Yass_ZHP]

Matte shadowline from Khoalty, love em :)

[iya_e46]

OEM Performance Grill I bought from another member at E46fanatics for $85 shipped

[NickZHP]

Im looking at buying some gloss black grilles for my sedan, are these (http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=872512&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462) the OEM Performance Grilles many of you have? Is this the place with the best price?

http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=872512&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462

[Vas]

I bought mine from tischer bmw

[ELCID86]

Just installed the Khoalty piano black ones. Plastics bits are very brittle. Be careful.

12161


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[danewilson77]

Perfection achieved!!!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[derbo]

Oh wow. The piano blacks look pretty like the BMW perf ones


Sent from my iPad