Black Kidney Grills on a Black car - Matte vs Painted
#1
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I am curious as to what others have done. If you have the Mtech kit, I guess it's safe to assume that the mesh grill has been left unpainted and that the kidneys do not look out of place with a matte finish. But has anyone painted them? I am concerned that the contrast between the matte kidneys will look odd next to the clearcoated saphire black bumper.
Thanks in advance for the input, and feel free to post pics!
Thanks in advance for the input, and feel free to post pics!
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: St. Louis Burbs, USA
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Forum member DRANGED has color matched black painted grilles. I don't think the matte would look bad on your car, though. Just a matter of taste.
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MPLS, USA
Posts: 5,765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by KCooke82' post='849394' date='Apr 16 2009, 01:03 PM
I am curious as to what others have done. If you have the Mtech kit, I guess it's safe to assume that the mesh grill has been left unpainted and that the kidneys do not look out of place with a matte finish. But has anyone painted them? I am concerned that the contrast between the matte kidneys will look odd next to the clearcoated saphire black bumper.
Thanks in advance for the input, and feel free to post pics!
Thanks in advance for the input, and feel free to post pics!
The pics in my sig are are matte black before the surrounds were painted.
Trinity Autosport sells the grills you are looking for and also offers painting of the grills as well. http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showuser=16681
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have matte black grilles. I think it goes well with the shadowline trim. Either way you go, you can't go wrong. ![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
I think color matched grilles look great on E63's because their grilles are wider.
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
I think color matched grilles look great on E63's because their grilles are wider.
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 E60 530i
Color: Jet Black/Black Anthracite
STEP | Sport | Premium | NAV | Logic 7
EXTERIOR:
M-Tech Kit | M5 Mirrors, Trunk Finisher | Jet Black Kidney Surrounds | Madico Charcool Tint 54%, 35%
LIGHTING:
Euro-Headlights | Euro-LCI Tail Lights | AiB V3.0 | Solaris Invisi-bulbs | OEM LED Plate Lights
PERFORMANCE:
Porterfield R4-S Brake Pads | K&N Air Filter
WHEELS & SUSPENSION:
Work VS-XX 20x9, 20x10 | Toyo T1R 245/30/20, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 295/25/20 | KW V2 Coilovers | Rogue Engineering 15mm Spacers
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MPLS, USA
Posts: 5,765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='849430' date='Apr 16 2009, 01:40 PM
Surrounds painted Jet Black.
Attachment 77014
Attachment 77014
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
#7
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: So. Cal (SFV)
Posts: 17,508
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by DRANGED' post='849439' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:48 AM
Lovely! Well, there you go! You were the inspiration for me to paint my surrounds. ![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
#8
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='849430' date='Apr 16 2009, 02:40 PM
Surrounds painted Jet Black.
Attachment 77014
Attachment 77014
#10
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
On a black car, I think you should do the matte look. It gives the grill some contrast and makes it stand out a bit from the car. I find that the painted ones blend in too much.