THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications Black or Chrome Grill?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-01-2014, 05:41 PM   #1
HX_Guy
Captain
119
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW M235i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Black or Chrome Grill?

What do you guys think? I wasn't going to go with black grills because I like how the chrome defines the front end but in this case, I'm kind of split. The fact that it's an OEM piece is even better (I have a thing for keeping everything OEM or OEM-looking). Also thinking of getting rid of the orange reflector.






__________________
2014 BMW M235i 6MT
2012 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 05:49 PM   #2
jeremicium
Major
jeremicium's Avatar
United_States
170
Rep
1,178
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 328i
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tacoma, Wa. USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Black, without a doubt.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:04 PM   #3
GOLFFRR
GOLFFRR's Avatar
10723
Rep
27,536
Posts

Drives: GOLFFRR cart
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states

iTrader: (4)

def black!
__________________

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!
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:06 PM   #4
Sportstick
Major General
Sportstick's Avatar
4606
Rep
5,980
Posts

Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southwest USA

iTrader: (0)

I am not a chrome fan, and had different alternatives photoshopped...black, bodycolor in a few variations of the surround and internal grille slats...trying to decide what mod to make. I concluded that BMW had it right the first time. The chrome seems to work along with the headlamps to create some symmetry across the front appearance. The black just makes the center grille disappear and it looks like something is missing or unfinished. Sometimes, black adds a sporty/upscale look to certain parts...doesn't seem to work very well here. Maybe on a black car?
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:14 PM   #5
3.0L
Colonel
3.0L's Avatar
8904
Rep
2,011
Posts

Drives: M235i, 20k miles
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

I think the stock black grille with chrome trim is just right.
__________________
///M235i | Mineral Grey Metallic | Premium Package | Technology Package | Driver Assistance Package | Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather | Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system | 8-speed automatic

When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:24 PM   #6
USPSALIMITED
Private
USPSALIMITED's Avatar
United_States
1
Rep
75
Posts

Drives: Ford Fusion
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Southern Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Your car color (sporty but classy too), stock looks right to me.

Some other car colors (more toward the hooligan), all black grill looks right to me.

Disclaimer - I have never been accused of having good taste.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:36 PM   #7
espo
Captain
espo's Avatar
United_States
10
Rep
715
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sugar Land TX

iTrader: (0)

I like the black grills better (hence they are on my car now). I also added the carbon fiber mirror caps to balance it out. BTW I have the same MG as you. The best view of the change is direct view of the front. I didn't like that the grills were really the only piece of chrome on the car. Got a number of compliments on the look for a few other BMW owners at work.
__________________
E46 325xi Oxford Green/Sand Leatherette/Myrtle Wood Auto ZCW - Retired
E90 330xi Mystic Blue/Black Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/CA - Retired
F22 M235i Mineral Gray/Red Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZPP/ZTP
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:48 PM   #8
david.orr
Lieutenant Colonel
Australia
123
Rep
1,852
Posts

Drives: Cars
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

At the moment, you have ferric grey mirrors, orange reflectors, chrome grilles and black rims?!

IMO your rims define your intent and looks and with black rims you should go black grilles.

ps body colour code reflectors and mirrors (or cf mirrors)
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 06:50 PM   #9
HX_Guy
Captain
119
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW M235i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Rims are matte gray, not black.
__________________
2014 BMW M235i 6MT
2012 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 07:56 PM   #10
david.orr
Lieutenant Colonel
Australia
123
Rep
1,852
Posts

Drives: Cars
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HX_Guy
Rims are matte gray, not black.
Haha fair enuff hard to see on iPhone. Should have said 'darkened' then still darkened grilles
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 08:10 PM   #11
Canaletto
Private First Class
34
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: 4 Wheels
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (0)

I'll be a dissenter and say that I prefer the chrome. I like how it ties in with the shiny bits on the headlights.

The black grill is much less interesting to my eyes.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 08:19 PM   #12
jawal
New Member
2
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: BMW M235i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

It's a touch call, HX_Guy. I put your two pics side-by side on my monitor and I don't know that there is an obvious choice. I have Estoril Blue and went with black trim/black grille. But I don't think its a slam dunk call with either EB or MG. I agree with the folks who say that the chrome trim ties in with chrome in the light housing. And to the other poster, the black/black can look like one doesn't have a grill at all. On the other hand, I like the *idea* of the black and the more aggressive look it represents. And there is plenty of black on the car, e.g. shadowline trim, rest of front fascia, bottom of mirrors, etc.

For reference, I painted the mirror caps and rear diffuser body color (EB) to make the car basically black and blue. I think the M235i comes stock with too many different colors.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 09:26 PM   #13
uberspeed
Lieutenant
United_States
45
Rep
460
Posts

Drives: 328i
Join Date: May 2013
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Add a poll to the post

Black finishes what you started with the rims, also looks great imho.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 06:17 AM   #14
horsepower_and_hounds
Brigadier General
1836
Rep
4,204
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (9)

On my 1 series I replaced them with black but due to the lights on the 2 series I think the stock complements....
I would change the mirror covers first
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 08:17 AM   #15
DanG
Major General
DanG's Avatar
United_States
10447
Rep
6,879
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [7.68]
I kept the stock grill. I think it looks better with the chrome of the lights.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 08:17 AM   #16
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

On any color besides MG I'd say black but with the chrome in the headlamps as others have mentioned I think the stock grille is the way to go. All the other holes up front are all black I like the highlight. I literally had the black ones and held them up before install and just didn't like it.

+1 on mirror caps first then see what you think.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 09:12 AM   #17
bimmerbuff
Slightly Less Obsessed
bimmerbuff's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
317
Posts

Drives: Between BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

With the MG, I think the stock chrome looks better.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 11:28 AM   #18
HX_Guy
Captain
119
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW M235i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Wow looks like 8 votes for chrome and 5 votes for black.

I'm leaning toward staying with the chrome and seems other agree too. With the black grill, the car looks a bit too "tuner" for me, and as someone else said, almost looks unfinished. The chrome gives it a bit more classiness.
__________________
2014 BMW M235i 6MT
2012 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 12:58 PM   #19
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

If you're still undecided mask off the chrome with some electrical tape, step back and take a look. From 10 feet away it'll give you a damn good idea what it will look like.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 01:41 PM   #20
Researcher
Private
20
Rep
80
Posts

Drives: MG M235i / C7 3LT Z51
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Mars.

iTrader: (0)

All the trims around the windows match the black grill better than the chrome.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 01:44 PM   #21
Researcher
Private
20
Rep
80
Posts

Drives: MG M235i / C7 3LT Z51
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Mars.

iTrader: (0)

Black also seems to make the opening look wider and larger. More like that of the 435.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2014, 01:59 PM   #22
HX_Guy
Captain
119
Rep
623
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW M235i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
If you're still undecided mask off the chrome with some electrical tape, step back and take a look. From 10 feet away it'll give you a damn good idea what it will look like.
Great idea BEM-S4, will definitely try that.
__________________
2014 BMW M235i 6MT
2012 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST