[pungo]

I set up all possible combinations and took some pics. Still undecided so thought I'd reach out to the group for comments.

Updated:

• Final - Matte Black Kidney Surround with Stock Silver Slats
  For me, this worked for my silver vehicle. If I had a different color paint, I'd probably have gone with a different grille combination.

• Test pics

[pdubq]

You should go with the black-trim silver fins on the right, and chrome trim black fins on the left!!!

J/k j/k... but honestly though, how long did that process and photo shoot take!?? Maybe I just suck at kidney grill removal, but just changing 1x will leave my hands chewed up, (and just feels like it’s harder on the front bumper than I should be).

I was thinking all-black as I was reading your post, but when I saw those Black-rim silver/grey fin grilles, they look fantastic with your paint color!

For me, though, I’m an all black grill guy. On my Space Grey E60 I went with space-grey grills at first, but just felt way too tame and way too subtle.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by pdubq

You should go with the black-trim silver fins on the right, and chrome trim black fins on the left!!!

J/k j/k... but honestly though, how long did that process and photo shoot take!?? Maybe I just suck at kidney grill removal, but just changing 1x will leave my hands chewed up, (and just feels like it’s harder on the front bumper than I should be).

I was thinking all-black as I was reading your post, but when I saw those Black-rim silver/grey fin grilles, they look fantastic with your paint color!

For me, though, I’m an all black grill guy. On my Space Grey E60 I went with space-grey grills at first, but just felt way too tame and way too subtle.

For the pics, I had all the combinations set up. I just put in them in place without clipping them in, which only takes a few seconds. If I actually installed all those combinations, it would have taken a while, as you know, they're not the easiest to remove. As well, I'm not sure how many times you can remove and install those grilles before damaging them or the bumper.

Yeah, grille color takes take on a different look with different paint colors.

To remove the grilles, I used a radiator hose removal tool through the front of the grille for the clips that are hard to reach.

[BMW JA]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/attac...1&d=1590753729

[dtox9]

My Vote's for the black trim / silver fin ..... no question!

[najnad]

Silver trim, black fin

[Bowtiefanatc]

I have full black on mine. I just ordered a spit black set with M colors for my wife's F25.

[richardodn]

The gloss black just doesn't look right on any of them. Because of that i went with the factory chrome surround with silver paint. However if you used a matte/satin black, I'd have gone with a chrome surround/black grille.

[e30lover318i]

I just did my grills myself, black centers chrome outside. I will post a DIY if anyone is interested!

[najnad]

Originally Posted by e30lover318i

I just did my grills myself, black centers chrome outside. I will post a DIY if anyone is interested!

I am about to do the same. What paint and prep did you do?

[e30lover318i]

I used the paint in the link below. Semi gloss dries too glossy the flat matches very well! I cleaned grills with brake clean and lightly scuffed with Brillo pad before using regular primer.

https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-b...paint/781936_0

[383vett]

Flat does look nice.

[pungo]

After looking at this for awhile and hearing feedback, I decided I didn't like the glossy finish too much. There's nothing glossy black on the front of the vehicle so I de-glossed the kidney with some 0000 steel wool giving it more of a satin finish, then put a few coats of ceramic coat on it so it cleans up easily.


Here's the results showing Black kidney / Silver grille and what the satin finish kidney looks like next to the glossy finish slats. I'll post some pics with them mounted once I get it outside in the daylight.

[pungo]

Updated pics in 1st post - Matte Black Kidney Surround with Stock Silver Slats.