Carbon fibre kidney grilles - which ones?

D

dan yeates

Active member
 New Forest, Hampshire
Hello,

I’ve been having a search here and found a few mentions, but can’t find anyone that’s actually bought these. I’m looking to replace my chrome grille surrounds and seen some carbon fibre ones.

There were some real carbon fibre surrounds on eBay, but they’re no longer listed. These were just the surrounds, real carbon fibre and were about £90 if I remember rightly.

The same company are now selling these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130579148227?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 which are simulated carbon fibre, I assume it’s plastic which is wrapped maybe? This is £60 posted. I can't tell if this is just the surround or for the whole thing.

But I’ve now just seen this on the German eBay site: http://www.ebay.de/itm/CARBON-NIEREN-Grill-Kuhlergrill-SET-BMW-Z4-E85-E86-M-/250843306480?pt=DE_Autoteile&fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item3a676d19f0 Roughly translated, these also appear to be simulated carbon fibre, made from plastic. But these include the vertical slats as well as the surrounds. These work out at £76.71 posted. I'm now starting to think these might be the same product as above.

Has anyone tried any of these? Are there any others I should be looking at? Which do you think would look best on my car? I’m leaning towards the German set. Photo of my car for your opinion...

6127309737_f8c2babcf5_b.jpg
BMW Z4 M Roadster in Monaco Blue by danyeates, on Flickr

Thanks a lot,

Dan
 
My personal opinion of course, but I think your car looks stunning as it is. I wouldn't be putting carbon fibre effect grilles on, as that will cheapen the look of the car no end.

I'd suggest if you really want a change, just buy some black plastic ones, which will look infinitely better than the CF ones (but on a dark car, not as good as having your chrome surround, in my opinion).

You could alternatively buy some second hand grilles which usually sell for around £35, and spray them to your liking.
 
Should have said, if I was to go for either of the above, it would be the more expensive ones - they look better.
 
IK. said:
My personal opinion of course, but I think your car looks stunning as it is. I wouldn't be putting carbon fibre effect grilles on, as that will cheapen the look of the car no end.

I'd suggest if you really want a change, just buy some black plastic ones, which will look infinitely better than the CF ones (but on a dark car, not as good as having your chrome surround, in my opinion).

You could alternatively buy some second hand grilles which usually sell for around £35, and spray them to your liking.
Click to expand...

Thank you! How kind! :D

I must admit, I am in two minds whether to change them or not. I do like the chrome against the blue, I think it looks classy, but I also would like to to look different.

I've also found these on the American eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Z4-CARBON-FIBER-GRILLE-2003-2008-COUPE-ROADSTER-BMW-/160454452479?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item255bd4a4ff which work out at about £48 with free delivery! :o
 
Oh, I've found the real carbon fibre one in the US, expensive considering it's jus the surround, but looks nice

http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-04-05-06-07-08-BMW-E85-E86-Z4-Z4M-REAL-CARBON-FIBER-FRONT-KIDNEY-GRILLE-/310352715361?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AZ4&vxp=mtr&hash=item4842769e61

About £130 posted
 
If you want the car to look different, keep the original grilles on! So many people change the grilles to black, you're probably bucking the trend keeping them on! :rofl: (I say this as someone with full black grilles, too)

As you say, the chrome (on darker cars) adds a bit of 'class' (even though they're still just cheap painted plastic), and since yours doesn't have any other modifications, I'd suggest keeping the existing ones.

Yours is one seriously stunning car, and you don't need to change it. :thumbsup:
 
Ive got some black Kidney grills on mine, thought id attach a pic for you for reference. I do like the carbon fibre grils, but im not sure it would suit the blue, If it was black or a dark grey I think it would work a lot better, but then in person it may look fantastic. I had a carbon black beemer and it has a very blue tint and carbon fibre extras really complimented it. But I think It would look sweet on my car! :evil: Got a few other Carbon bits on mine like the rear spoiler, works well with the colour! Thanks for the inspiration.

6263301708_0ed3de9c76_z.jpg
IMG_0927 by tom_scott88, on Flickr
 
IK. said:
If you want the car to look different, keep the original grilles on! So many people change the grilles to black, you're probably bucking the trend keeping them on! :rofl: (I say this as someone with full black grilles, too)

As you say, the chrome (on darker cars) adds a bit of 'class' (even though they're still just cheap painted plastic), and since yours doesn't have any other modifications, I'd suggest keeping the existing ones.

Yours is one seriously stunning car, and you don't need to change it. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Mmm, might do. Could probably spend £100 elsewhere!
 
tomscott said:
Ive got some black Kidney grills on mine, thought id attach a pic for you for reference. I do like the carbon fibre grils, but im not sure it would suit the blue, If it was black or a dark grey I think it would work a lot better, but then in person it may look fantastic. I had a carbon black beemer and it has a very blue tint and carbon fibre extras really complimented it. But I think It would look sweet on my car! :evil: Got a few other Carbon bits on mine like the rear spoiler, works well with the colour! Thanks for the inspiration.

6263301708_0ed3de9c76_z.jpg
IMG_0927 by tom_scott88, on Flickr
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Happy to help!

Perhaps if you do go for carbon, I could buy your black ones to see how they look.
 
I see you're only in the New Forest. If you're ever in the Swindon area, you're more than welcome to try my black ones on your car to see how they look.
 
tomscott said:
Ive got some black Kidney grills on mine, thought id attach a pic for you for reference. I do like the carbon fibre grils, but im not sure it would suit the blue, If it was black or a dark grey I think it would work a lot better, but then in person it may look fantastic. I had a carbon black beemer and it has a very blue tint and carbon fibre extras really complimented it. But I think It would look sweet on my car! :evil: Got a few other Carbon bits on mine like the rear spoiler, works well with the colour! Thanks for the inspiration.

6263301708_0ed3de9c76_z.jpg
IMG_0927 by tom_scott88, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Tomscott, your car looks drop dead gorgeous in that pic.. That colour looks so good on an M and the wheels look superb :D
 
Anyone with Photoshop fancy 'shopping some black or carbon grilles onto my car for me?

This is probably the best photo of my car

6127417719_3f5cce748d_b.jpg
BMW Z4 M Roadster in Monaco Blue by danyeates, on Flickr

Grilles

GRBZ4K_0.jpg


DSC_0451A.jpg
 
IK. said:
I see you're only in the New Forest. If you're ever in the Swindon area, you're more than welcome to try my black ones on your car to see how they look.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. I have a lot of family in Calne and Devizes so I may well be.
 
dan yeates If I decide to take the plunge I will give you a PM. Bit tight this month with the purchase of the car, some new subs and some shadow chrome 19" CSLs on the way :thumbsup:

Thank you very much JDM. If I can get my car looking half as good as yours I will be onto a winner! :thumbsup: Hope the wheels gave some inspiration with your latest project! Do you have matte grills or gloss? its hard to see from the pic. Which ever they are they look awesome!
 
Thanks Tomscott.. I have spent alot of time and effort not to mention money on the car so its nice to get comments like that. Means alot. :thumbsup: Although I would say you are there with yours already. Looking at it makes me consider a frozen grey vinyl wrap but I must resist

The grilles are gloss black. They are the original graphite ones that I had lying about. Painted them myself a few weeks back. £10 worth of plastic primer and gloss instead of £60+ for the ones off eBay. :D
 
JDM said:
Thanks Tomscott.. I have spent alot of time and effort not to mention money on the car so its nice to get comments like that. Means alot. :thumbsup: Although I would say you are there with yours already. Looking at it makes me consider a frozen grey vinyl wrap but I must resist

The grilles are gloss black. They are the original graphite ones that I had lying about. Painted them myself a few weeks back. £10 worth of plastic primer and gloss instead of £60+ for the ones off eBay. :D
Click to expand...

It does look stunning! Noooooooo, don't wrap it! Looks great as it is and wrapping never ends well! A local company royally cocked up my friends Lamborghini Gallardo. In the end he peeled it all off, now it's covered in cut marks. :cry:
 
Changed my mind. Just bought a Brodit Pro-Clip, iPhone 4S cradle and Dice iPod adaptor jobby, so may put off the kidney grilles for a while now!
 
Cheers JDM, you can definitely tell you have spent a lot of time and money but its all worth it!

Only had mine 2 weeks so there is a lot I want to do. Lots of niggles! Just had all four wheels refurbed by BMW because I wasn't happy with the way they came. Just got a stubby on it, quick but worthwhile fix! I need to do a full detail before the weather kicks in, also got the 19" shadow chrome CSLs on the way and some new subs to replace the ones in the bins. The reverb is horrific and drives me insane!! The grills on mine are black matte plastic and look a bit naff so going to do a similar thing to you and do them in gloss black. The driver seat has some wear on the bolster, another quick fix, the drivers side door seal has gone a grey colour! The seal seems fine but the colour looks very unsightly! Any useful tips? blackener? have to do some more research on that. Also the headlights have a slight yellowing so like you said will see if BMW has any more good will, its not too bad but still next to the new Mini CS they do look dull. Then when I have a little more money I think I will have the cruise control retro fitted.

This forum is the devil, but I do love it and discussing all the mods!
 
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