Black Kidney Grills on a Black car - Matte vs Painted
04-16-2009, 10:03 AM
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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!
04-16-2009, 10:07 AM
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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).
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.
04-16-2009, 10:10 AM
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My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
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
04-16-2009, 10:11 AM
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I have matte black grilles. I think it goes well with the shadowline trim. Either way you go, you can't go wrong. 
I think color matched grilles look great on E63's because their grilles are wider.
I think color matched grilles look great on E63's because their grilles are wider.
04-16-2009, 10:40 AM
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My Ride: 2007 E60 530i
Color: Jet Black/Black Anthracite
STEP | Sport | Premium | NAV | Logic 7
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M-Tech Kit | M5 Mirrors, Trunk Finisher | Jet Black Kidney Surrounds | Madico Charcool Tint 54%, 35%
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Euro-Headlights | Euro-LCI Tail Lights | AiB V3.0 | Solaris Invisi-bulbs | OEM LED Plate Lights
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Porterfield R4-S Brake Pads | K&N Air Filter
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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
Surrounds painted Jet Black.
04-16-2009, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='849430' date='Apr 16 2009, 01:40 PM
Surrounds painted Jet Black.
Attachment 77014
Attachment 77014
04-16-2009, 10:49 AM
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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
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.
04-16-2009, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by KnIgHtCoM' post='849430' date='Apr 16 2009, 02:40 PM
Surrounds painted Jet Black.
Attachment 77014
Attachment 77014
04-16-2009, 12:25 PM
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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.