Chrome or Black kidneys
09-07-2012, 09:13 AM
#11
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
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Active Cruise
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Have the kidneys painted to match body color.
It's the best look, and also is more unique.
It's the best look, and also is more unique.
09-07-2012, 09:30 AM
#12
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My Ride: Alpine E60, '09 535i-Premium, Sport and Comfort Access PackageMods: Lux H8 V3 Angel Eyes, Weisslicht LED license plate lights, Interior LED lights, RPI Scoop, Matte Black Grills, Smoked LED side markers & side reflectors, 35% tint all around, and a 3
I have matte grills now and I'm thinking of painting them gloss black. Btw nice looking ride.
09-07-2012, 10:02 AM
#13
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My Ride: BMW E60
Model Year: 2016
I had the matte black grilles...looked cheap to me. I put my chrome ones back on with the OEM gloss black slats. Maybe I'll put the OEM gloss black on to change things if I'm in the mood.
If I were you I would stick with chrome or gloss black.
[attachment=173211:balbsbmwfront.JPG]
P.S. For the wheels, there are a couple of members here that painted the center indented strip on each spoke black. It looked pretty good. You can use plastidip for that to see how it looks.
If I were you I would stick with chrome or gloss black.
[attachment=173211:balbsbmwfront.JPG]
P.S. For the wheels, there are a couple of members here that painted the center indented strip on each spoke black. It looked pretty good. You can use plastidip for that to see how it looks.
Edit: (LCI's eyebrow part is flat metallic silver)
09-07-2012, 10:31 AM
#14
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My Ride: 2009 535i Sport
Model Year: 2009
Engine: N54
My 5 is black and I just recently painted the grill slats ONLY. On black 5's, I think that the all-black grilles (slats + kidney rings) looks too generic, unfinished, and cheap. On other colors the all-black grilles work better. Black-painted cars need the chrome ring, IMO, to retain some definition on the front end.
I just sanded up the chrome portions of the slats on the very front, applied three coats of satin black Krylon Fusion paint, and two coats of satin polyurethane spray for protection. I was very pleased with the result (sorry no pics, but looks just like the left photo in the original post in this thread).
I just sanded up the chrome portions of the slats on the very front, applied three coats of satin black Krylon Fusion paint, and two coats of satin polyurethane spray for protection. I was very pleased with the result (sorry no pics, but looks just like the left photo in the original post in this thread).
09-07-2012, 12:29 PM
#15
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My Ride: 2010 535i Msport
definitely depends on the color of the car. the chrome with blk inserts would prob look best on your color w/ silver 166's. now if you powdercoat the 166's then go all black.
09-07-2012, 03:05 PM
#16
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For what it's worth, I tend to think that (depending on car color as well) chrome grilles look more match with pre-LCI headlights. The reason is because pre-LCI headlights' eyebrow part is chrome and it supplements each other.
Edit: (LCI's eyebrow part is flat metallic silver)
Edit: (LCI's eyebrow part is flat metallic silver)
Though I will say they're growing on me...
09-08-2012, 10:49 PM
#19
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My Ride: 2008 AW N52 with sports package & premium package; natural brown interior
MODs:
Orion V2s
3000K H8 Yellow Fogs
Matte Black Kidney Grills
20" Miro 111
Hankook V12 Tires
H&R Sport Springs
Special coding via Simon (dbl flash hazards, digital velocity, etc.)
LED Side Markers from Trinity Autosports
LED License Plate Lights from Trinity Autosports
Carbon Delete
BMC Air Filter
RPI Scoop
RPI GT Exhaust
Future MODs:
Mtech Kit
KW Variant 2 Coilovers
CIC Retrofit
Upgrade Audio System
09-09-2012, 07:47 PM
#20
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My Ride: 05 525i
Model Year: 2005
Your car looked great with the OEM ones, I could maybe say gloss black on the fins but leave the outer in chrome.
You might wanna try the OEM Performance grills (full gloss black) .. I think however that dark grills stand out better on light colored cars. In dark colors it seems to get lost.
You might wanna try the OEM Performance grills (full gloss black) .. I think however that dark grills stand out better on light colored cars. In dark colors it seems to get lost.
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