Black Grills - what's the consensus?

[JackReacher]

I'm sitting on a fence as to whether I should fit these to my m240i, I think it might make the front look a bit more aggressive and "sporty", which appeals as I think the front currently looks a bit tame, but I generally dislike an aftermarket look. Colour is Estoril blue if it makes any difference. I also plan to ditch the ferric grey mirrors by replacing them with Estoril blue ones, and the grey fins.

So black grills, do they look good or are they a bit chav, if that's still a word?

[JackReacher]

It would look a bit like this.

[anonymous-user]

Bit chav and a waste of money and effort imo.

Why would you want your car to look aggressive?

[Rrh8]

I put them on my E92. I wanted to stay as original as possible but then realised some late 2012 models left the factory with them on.
Mines the M sport edition so has the black wing mirrors.
Car doesn’t look chavy at all imo.
Got mine from Bmw parts dept. Can’t be that non original.

[xjay1337]

I have black grills, the chrome ones look crap.

[JackReacher]

REALIST123 said:

Bit chav and a waste of money and effort imo.

Why would you want your car to look aggressive?

Perhaps aggressive is the wrong word, but a more sporty front end to suit the performance, rather than a front end that looks the same as a 218d. Not interested in splitters, spoilers etc.

[Andehh]

xjay1337 said:

I have black grills, the chrome ones look crap.

Yep, me too! Black looks much smarter IMO.

[AB]

My opinion;



I think they look excellent. I went for black mirror caps too.

[Vroomer]

REALIST123 said:

Bit chav and a waste of money and effort imo.

Why would you want your car to look aggressive?

[soupdragon1]

I like the black grills too.

[GregK2]

I was hesitant to do it, but glad I did. The chrome just doesn't look as good to my eye.

[Cw4578]

I have just put them on 235i as the rest of the car has black trim. Window surrounds etc so just felt the chrome looked odd.

[mattwatson]

Funny old world isn't it. Years ago people spent money colour-coding elements on their car to match the body work colour. Now we have gone full circle and people spend money to create a contrast in colour to the body work.

Clever marketing of 'performance parts' etc...

My X5 has black slats with chrome surround. I don't like the full chrome, looks too bling. All black looks OK if it has a gloss finish on the right car IMO.

Not a fan of the matt finish - just looks primed ready for final finish.

[stewart rix]

I think the black looks fine. We have a 'Shadow Edition' 335d touring which has the gloss black grill, mirrors, dark background light lenses etc. Not sure the 'titanium grey' exhaust tips that come as part of that package are such a clever move though - they look as though they're permanently grubby.

[chandrew]

For me, it depends on the colour. I quite like them on a white car though I do think it looks if the owner is trying too hard.

My 340 touring has brushed aluminium window surrounds and roof bars. It's a family car and a load-lugger. A sports car it is not so can't see the point in an aggressive look. (it wears 17" winter wheels 7 months of the year)

[okenemem]

yes please

[Hyy]

Consensus is, it depends on personal taste.

[jakesmith]

Must have for me

[pidsy]

AB said:

My opinion;



I think they look excellent. I went for black mirror caps too.

OT but what model is that? I like that a lot.

[AB]

pidsy said:

OT but what model is that? I like that a lot.

It's a 435i with M-Performance bits. Nothing special, but I like it