Opinions wanted: Chrome or Black kidney grilles? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

boostmiser · 17th August 2004, 03:38

The car currently has the chrome but I was thinking about black ones. I know the black out look would be perfect for a black car...but what about a white one? There is virtually no other chrome on the car. Would the black blend in better? Most certainly makes the grilles look larger. What do you think?

BKH · 17th August 2004, 04:01

JMO, but I think chrome kidneys add definition and muscularity to the nose. I've seen quite a few cars with black kidneys and on each one the nose seemed characterless and visually weak.

gra8fuldd ed · 17th August 2004, 04:37

I tend to agree with BKH ... BUT ...

On the above White E39 ... The Black Kidney Grills look better.

On the above White Car ... I would definately paint the black plastic bumber and door protectors the same white as the rest of the car. The horizontal BLACK Lines really divides the car in a negative way ... instead of giving it that whole sleek sharp look!

Back to the Kidney Grills ... On my Carbon Black Beast ... I love the CHROME!

m5 rus · 17th August 2004, 14:08

I prefer Chrome one as well...but if the BEAST is black I would put a black one, may be...

Gustav · 17th August 2004, 14:21

Chrome for me.

ELEVENS · 17th August 2004, 15:43

LeMans Blue here. Done 'em both. Chrome in the summer to match bling-bling wheels, blacked-out in the winter hides the dirt and goes good w/ stock wheels/snows. I used the (overpriced) plastic stick-on Hamman ones. The black ones look a wee bit sinister! If you're just not sure, get the Hammans. If you ever decide to get rid of them, they'll easily sell on ebay.

If you do it, show us the pics!

Sean@D/A · 17th August 2004, 18:49

No question.. to me on a white car black looks better then chrome

JamesB · 21st August 2004, 18:07

I've been kicking this around also. Mine's jet black and would probably benifit from the black grills. I'm wondering if anyone's painted the grills to match the paint color other than black? Is it my failing eyes or are the M5 grills' chrome actually wider/thicker than other e39s? To me the thinner chrome is less pronounced and therefore detracts less from the natural menacing look of the nose. Are the other e39 chrome grills interchangeable with M5? How about leaving the outer chrome and blacking out the vertical ribs? I'm about to order these from Beastmaster, anyone with first hand knowledge weather the paint is a close match to the jet black?
Thanks, James B.

4ocious · 21st August 2004, 20:00

I have the Hamman grills (not sure they are worth $100.00) on my Imola Red 2003. Personally I feel they make the front appear more aggressive.

warhaven · 21st August 2004, 21:58

Well, maybe I'm off the mark but,

I had a 528i E39 style and for me the differnce in the M5 grill and that one was huge. The reason I mention this is that the black grill makes the front end remind me of my 528i when it was stock. Personally, I would stick t the crome.