Mesh Grille
- Thread starter cj10jeeper
- Start date
To cut a long story short I was invited by the factory to come over and take a look at their facility and products.
I won't go into too much detail, but this is a seious outfit that makes the OEM grilles for Bentley, Jaguar, Peugeot, Audi Sport and the limited/performance editions for a whole slew of global manufactures from Ford to Mitsubishi and many of the experimental cars.
They were very interested in test fitting fror the facelift Z4 so I allowed a test fit/measure up. The lower mesh grille was way too much in stainless and IMHO did nothing for the car, but they could make it in dark by coating it.
I've taken a photo with upper stainless laid in (not fully clipped back so it would fit deeper in) and surprisingly I rather like it, in the context of what I've already done to the front end, with lights and badges, etc.
Open to thoughts and further abuse
I won't go into too much detail, but this is a seious outfit that makes the OEM grilles for Bentley, Jaguar, Peugeot, Audi Sport and the limited/performance editions for a whole slew of global manufactures from Ford to Mitsubishi and many of the experimental cars.
They were very interested in test fitting fror the facelift Z4 so I allowed a test fit/measure up. The lower mesh grille was way too much in stainless and IMHO did nothing for the car, but they could make it in dark by coating it.
I've taken a photo with upper stainless laid in (not fully clipped back so it would fit deeper in) and surprisingly I rather like it, in the context of what I've already done to the front end, with lights and badges, etc.
Open to thoughts and further abuse
I think the issue is that the original grills is what separates BMWS's from every other car cosmetically, other than the emblem of course lol. I personally think it looks good, although I'd opt for a dark mesh. Plus I'd remove the BMW emblem, doesn't seem right sitting up there.
Did a quick photoshop.
Did a quick photoshop.
Works on some cars, the Z4 NOT being one of them!! 
I think the problem is it's a "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" thing. There's nothing wrong with the originals, where as some cars the original grills need replacing. Looks better in the lower photo if you want to make your car look different to the norm I guess, but not for me.
I think the problem is it's a "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" thing. There's nothing wrong with the originals, where as some cars the original grills need replacing. Looks better in the lower photo if you want to make your car look different to the norm I guess, but not for me.
Traxxer said:I think the issue is that the original grills is what separates BMWS's from every other car cosmetically, other than the emblem of course lol. I personally think it looks good, although I'd opt for a dark mesh. Plus I'd remove the BMW emblem, doesn't seem right sitting up there.
Did a quick photoshop.
sorry, still a no for me. makes me think of nasal hair for some reason, that cant be good.
So you're not really all decided if you like it or not then...... 
Just kiddin'
Part of what I like doing is considering the overall effect of changes before making them, bouncing them around with fellow enthusiasts and this is one that's not going to work.
I studied the front end of the Z some more and realised a sort of symettry that the designer has created in crease lines on the front of the facelift design. 4 sets of them (inside headlight, face of bumper, lower grille edges and the fins of the kidneys) all meeeting at various imaginary points below ground level. This mesh grille, although good enough for cars like Bentley misses the point on the Zed.
Just to illustrate look how the eye follows vertical lines, rather than the bland horizontal ones of the Clio grille:
So just to reassure here's one from yesterday with her in full BMW grilled glory....
Just kiddin'
Part of what I like doing is considering the overall effect of changes before making them, bouncing them around with fellow enthusiasts and this is one that's not going to work.
I studied the front end of the Z some more and realised a sort of symettry that the designer has created in crease lines on the front of the facelift design. 4 sets of them (inside headlight, face of bumper, lower grille edges and the fins of the kidneys) all meeeting at various imaginary points below ground level. This mesh grille, although good enough for cars like Bentley misses the point on the Zed.
Just to illustrate look how the eye follows vertical lines, rather than the bland horizontal ones of the Clio grille:
So just to reassure here's one from yesterday with her in full BMW grilled glory....
Phew, glad you never did it - amazing to see a mod that is so universally unliked.
She isn't about to urinate on the Clio, is she? :scratchhead:cj10jeeper said:
:drool:
