Black kidney grilles added to my X3 35i M-sport

pokkus · 08-10-2014, 08:22 AM

Yesterday I finally installed these OEM black kidney grilles. OEM grilles cost only ~$10 more than ordering same non-OEM parts from China. It was pretty easy choice to take OEMs

They look fantastic, but installation was a little bit tricky and took me about one hour to finish. Once you get the idea how to release the clips from the sides, it gets easier. Second grille was easier to remove than first, because you have better access to the clips after the first one is removed.

Edges are glossy black plastic and grilles are matte black.

Front is now much more aggressive looking:

Comparison - before and after:

luckystrike · 08-10-2014, 11:03 AM

this is nice will it fir the 2015 model?

pokkus · 08-10-2014, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckystrike

this is nice will it fir the 2015 model?

I am not sure, but I do not think so. At least according to www.shopbmwusa.com there is no performance grilles available for 2015 models.

guyver626 · 08-11-2014, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckystrike

this is nice will it fir the 2015 model?

It will not. 2014 and 2015 have different bumpers and kidneys.
I did the same on my carbon black. Love the new look

gcool · 08-12-2014, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokkus

Yesterday I finally installed these OEM black kidney grilles. OEM grilles cost only ~$10 more than ordering same non-OEM parts from China. It was pretty easy choice to take OEMs

They look fantastic, but installation was a little bit tricky and took me about one hour to finish. Once you get the idea how to release the clips from the sides, it gets easier. Second grille was easier to remove than first, because you have better access to the clips after the first one is removed.

do u have a link for ordering this? ebay? what prices are we talking about?

thx
G.

LeeAC · 08-12-2014, 11:39 AM

Looking sharp! I love black kidneys on white X3s. I have a deep sea blue, otherwise I would put them on mine.

GOLFFRR · 08-12-2014, 12:39 PM

nice touch. grill mod makes a huge statement.

pokkus · 08-12-2014, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcool

do u have a link for ordering this? ebay? what prices are we talking about?

thx
G.

This is exactly what I bought:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-OEM-Perf...-/291213352429

Good seller, fast and free shipping, good price ($110) and OEM-quality. Can't go wrong

gcool · 08-13-2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokkus

I am not sure, but I do not think so. At least according to www.shopbmwusa.com there is no performance grilles available for 2015 models.

if my new X3 car ships in NOV 2014 - will it be a 2015 model?
G.

FSociety · 08-19-2014, 09:57 AM

Nice pokkus!
I'm going to plastdip mine in wet black/gloss

I want to get the roof black, the side view mirrors cover, the front signal, and wheels

kozzi · 08-19-2014, 04:07 PM

That does look nice! Thanks for sharing that.

jmxIII · 12-04-2014, 07:09 AM

Nice grille Pokkus, any pictures and procedures how to remove the grille. Have a F25 M Sport Package in Deep Sea Blue. Thinking of painting the chrome part to black to match the carbon black trims.

ansch

lbjgh · 12-04-2014, 08:49 AM

I think I might 'upgrade' to the black grill inserts in the spring. For the time being I'll live with a bit of colour.

n55x3 · 12-04-2014, 09:37 AM

Definitely looks good in black!! Should be that way from the factory!

I painted my wife's 35i X3 grills matte black back in 2011 and they have held up nicely. Cheap alternative with similar results.

mge92 · 12-04-2014, 10:17 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271604534737...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Check these out!!

lbjgh · 12-04-2014, 02:20 PM

subtle...

droftrah · 12-04-2014, 11:26 PM

Now put LEDs in the front signals and get the reflector overlays from bimmian and get rid of all that orange in the headlights!!!!!

08-10-2014, 08:22 AM	#1
pokkus New Member 5 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i xDrive M-sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Black kidney grilles added to my X3 35i M-sport Yesterday I finally installed these OEM black kidney grilles. OEM grilles cost only ~$10 more than ordering same non-OEM parts from China. It was pretty easy choice to take OEMs They look fantastic, but installation was a little bit tricky and took me about one hour to finish. Once you get the idea how to release the clips from the sides, it gets easier. Second grille was easier to remove than first, because you have better access to the clips after the first one is removed. Edges are glossy black plastic and grilles are matte black. Front is now much more aggressive looking: Comparison - before and after:
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08-10-2014, 11:03 AM	#2
luckystrike First Lieutenant 18 Rep 349 Posts Drives: X3 F25 MSport Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: austria iTrader: (0)	this is nice will it fir the 2015 model? __________________ black saph./black leather/xenon/heated seatscomfort pkg./advantage pkg
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08-12-2014, 11:39 AM	#6
LeeAC Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Looking sharp! I love black kidneys on white X3s. I have a deep sea blue, otherwise I would put them on mine.
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08-12-2014, 12:39 PM	#7
GOLFFRR 10796 Rep 27,588 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	nice touch. grill mod makes a huge statement. __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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08-19-2014, 09:57 AM	#10
FSociety IG @bmwF9xG80 3813 Rep 7,592 Posts Drives: G80 M3, X4M, G07 X7m50 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NYC to NJ to Orlando FL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2023 BMW G80 M3 [0.00] 2020 BMW X4MC [0.00] 16' BMW X4 M40i [10.00] 06 Cadillac STS [0.00]	Nice pokkus! I'm going to plastdip mine in wet black/gloss I want to get the roof black, the side view mirrors cover, the front signal, and wheels __________________ 60-130mph 6.5s X4M #HCP 60-130mph 5.0s G80 M3 #OrlandoAutowerks Sauce IG: @bmwF9XG80
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08-19-2014, 04:07 PM	#11
kozzi Pygocentrus Piraya 927 Rep 1,008 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X3MC Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3MC [10.00]	That does look nice! Thanks for sharing that. __________________ kozzi 2021 BMW X3MC Donington Grey Metallic / Sakhir Orange & Black Extended Merino Leather / Aluminum Carbon Structure
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12-04-2014, 07:09 AM	#12
jmxIII New Member 6 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2011 F25 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Nice grille Pokkus, any pictures and procedures how to remove the grille. Have a F25 M Sport Package in Deep Sea Blue. Thinking of painting the chrome part to black to match the carbon black trims. ansch
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12-04-2014, 08:49 AM	#13
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	I think I might 'upgrade' to the black grill inserts in the spring. For the time being I'll live with a bit of colour. Attached Images __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
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12-04-2014, 09:37 AM	#14
n55x3 Captain 72 Rep 876 Posts Drives: n55 BMWs Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: us - ohio iTrader: (0)	Definitely looks good in black!! Should be that way from the factory! I painted my wife's 35i X3 grills matte black back in 2011 and they have held up nicely. Cheap alternative with similar results.
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12-04-2014, 10:17 AM	#15
mge92 SPEED RACER 375 Rep 740 Posts Drives: BMW X5 M50d BMW M2 CS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: London iTrader: (2)	http://www.ebay.com/itm/271604534737...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Check these out!! Attached Images
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12-04-2014, 02:20 PM	#16
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	subtle... __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
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12-04-2014, 11:26 PM	#17
droftrah Private First Class 61 Rep 182 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	Now put LEDs in the front signals and get the reflector overlays from bimmian and get rid of all that orange in the headlights!!!!! Attached Images
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