De-chroming. Black grill & Carbon badges
De-chroming. Black grill & Carbon badges
I have been thinkg about this for a while. Not to everyones taste but I quite like it.I have looked at Hang_em_High's car and it looks fantastic.
I think Mine being a dark colour would benifit from the a black grill and a full set of carbon fibre badges. The badges I have found dont look like the normal tacky carbon look stuff. They look like a OEM item
My car has only got the chrome on the kidney grill, badges, steering wheel and wheel caps oh and the boot open assit. I think that it would set the car off nicely due to the contrast in colours. Plus I dont like shiny chrome
Here is my car at the moment:
The grill:
The badge set:
You opinions will be very helpful
Thanks, w4tkins
I think Mine being a dark colour would benifit from the a black grill and a full set of carbon fibre badges. The badges I have found dont look like the normal tacky carbon look stuff. They look like a OEM item
My car has only got the chrome on the kidney grill, badges, steering wheel and wheel caps oh and the boot open assit. I think that it would set the car off nicely due to the contrast in colours. Plus I dont like shiny chrome
Here is my car at the moment:
The grill:
The badge set:
You opinions will be very helpful
Thanks, w4tkins
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Good thinking
I will get my photo shop expert on it
I will get my photo shop expert on it
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
-
- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
- Posts: 2094
- Location: Daglan, France
All Black
I think that it wil llook to similar to the current look, the only difference being that the grille surrounds will be black - just more black.
Why not first try spraying the grilles in the same silver as the rest of the car? This will make the chrome surrounds stand out, and the grilles blend in. All you need is an aerosol can.
Black-everything is thrown at us all the time (by people who make money from it!) but colour matching is more subtle and (for my money) better.
Why not first try spraying the grilles in the same silver as the rest of the car? This will make the chrome surrounds stand out, and the grilles blend in. All you need is an aerosol can.
Black-everything is thrown at us all the time (by people who make money from it!) but colour matching is more subtle and (for my money) better.
Re: All Black
Cheers Mike.Mike Fishwick wrote:I think that it wil llook to similar to the current look, the only difference being that the grille surrounds will be black - just more black.
Why not first try spraying the grilles in the same silver as the rest of the car? This will make the chrome surrounds stand out, and the grilles blend in. All you need is an aerosol can.
Black-everything is thrown at us all the time (by people who make money from it!) but colour matching is more subtle and (for my money) better.
The car is actualy steel grey . I dont really like the colour coded grill look, sorry. Plus I want the keep my current grill as a spare incase I change my mind.
I will try the photo shop look first and that might help.
Thanks for the input
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
-
- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
- Posts: 2094
- Location: Daglan, France
Colour Matched
Each to his own - but how about spraying the chrome surrounds in body colour? All black will just llok like monster grilles.
I have the black grill like you have pictured. They are a pretty good fit and easier to get on/off than the OEM ones.
I was not sure at first but the black grill grew on me. I've put a chrome one back on but I think the black will be going back on again
Re the other badges from the ones I have seen they fall into 3 catagories:
- the worst = printed transfers
- OK = proper centres but stuck on non OEM backs
- the best = proper centres stuck on OEM backs (you can tell as they have the BMW part numbers on)
The ones you have linked to are the "OK" ones. You can get away with them on the wheel centres as you do not look too closely but IMHO they do not look anywhere near as good on the boot/bonnet as the OEM backed ones (which have the silver edges).
I had the OEM backed ones on mine and only swapped for AC Schnitzer ones (which are still OEM backs )
Hope that makes sense
nb it explains why the best ones are much more expensive as they have to source OEM backs to make them
ps I think the carbon badges would look great on your car, the grill you would have to try and be prepared for mixed responses. (also I sourced the grill for £17 but £12 delivery but was still the cheapest option so search eBay properly)
I was not sure at first but the black grill grew on me. I've put a chrome one back on but I think the black will be going back on again
Re the other badges from the ones I have seen they fall into 3 catagories:
- the worst = printed transfers
- OK = proper centres but stuck on non OEM backs
- the best = proper centres stuck on OEM backs (you can tell as they have the BMW part numbers on)
The ones you have linked to are the "OK" ones. You can get away with them on the wheel centres as you do not look too closely but IMHO they do not look anywhere near as good on the boot/bonnet as the OEM backed ones (which have the silver edges).
I had the OEM backed ones on mine and only swapped for AC Schnitzer ones (which are still OEM backs )
Hope that makes sense
nb it explains why the best ones are much more expensive as they have to source OEM backs to make them
ps I think the carbon badges would look great on your car, the grill you would have to try and be prepared for mixed responses. (also I sourced the grill for £17 but £12 delivery but was still the cheapest option so search eBay properly)
Last edited by Jonttt on Wed 25 Aug, 2010 16:53, edited 1 time in total.
- markrnorton
- Joined: Mon 05 Jan, 2009 13:19
- Posts: 841
- Location: Essex
- marcusplowman
- Joined: Sat 22 May, 2010 20:34
- Posts: 458
- Location: Belfast
Rob, I think the black grills will look great although I think they would look even better in gloss black, like Jon, if you don't like em you can easily swap back.
The badges, sorry I'm not a fan at all of these, I just think they look too Carnoisseur/Halfords, I think the blue/white propellor should stay
Tim.
The badges, sorry I'm not a fan at all of these, I just think they look too Carnoisseur/Halfords, I think the blue/white propellor should stay
Tim.
A few visual stimulants courtesy of photoshop:
THIS ONE IS ONLY US MESSING ABOUT
THIS ONE IS ONLY US MESSING ABOUT
Last edited by w4tkins on Wed 25 Aug, 2010 20:36, edited 1 time in total.
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
-
- Joined: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 19:14
- Posts: 928
- Location: Eastbourne
Cheers NickHang_em_high wrote:Well you know which way im voting
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Very observant of you TitanTitan wrote:Still not convinced but it does look like you have matching black stains underneathw4tkins wrote:A few visual stimulants courtesy of photoshop
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
I really like the carbon badges I think they go great with the colour of your car. I was looking at the green version for mine... can't decide.
Don't like your "playing about" one though it looks really chavvy with the gold letters.
Don't like the grill though I'm afraid - but hey it's your car..
Don't like your "playing about" one though it looks really chavvy with the gold letters.
Don't like the grill though I'm afraid - but hey it's your car..
...........No Mods...... I like him just the way he is
Carbon badges look very good IMO.
Colour coded grills look shockingly bad IMO.
All-black grills look a bit dodge to me too, and the chrome actually looks good on that grey colour so I would be tempted to leave it. The half-way alternative for the grills it to remove them and paint the outer edges satin black leaving the chrome slats as they are, this tones down the chrome without blacking it out. A very good look IMO.
Definintely fit the badges all round - as you can see in the photoshop it looks good, especially with the grey paint. The blue and white roundels, however original, don't always go well with the car colour). Don't blacken the side gills though as in that 2nd picture!
Colour coded grills look shockingly bad IMO.
All-black grills look a bit dodge to me too, and the chrome actually looks good on that grey colour so I would be tempted to leave it. The half-way alternative for the grills it to remove them and paint the outer edges satin black leaving the chrome slats as they are, this tones down the chrome without blacking it out. A very good look IMO.
Definintely fit the badges all round - as you can see in the photoshop it looks good, especially with the grey paint. The blue and white roundels, however original, don't always go well with the car colour). Don't blacken the side gills though as in that 2nd picture!
Thanks for the replys
The carbon look side grill was a mess about on photoshop, my friend who did it wanted to see what people would say. They are not going to be wrapped
I am still torn with the carbon badges, I think they would look good but the only way to know is to buy a set
The grill on the otherhand I think will look good. My OEM one does not have the chrome fins they are matt black. Tho only chrome on the grill is the outer edge. I have made a better photoshop to show the exact grill I am looking at:
I is a deep version (the same as the OEM) rather than the others advertised on the net where the fins at flush with the other grill. On the very outer edges the fins are reseset back into the grill. I did think about spraying the chrome outer edge but if I wanted to change my mind I would have to buy a new grill
.
On another not, photshop is a fantastic tool, if you can imagane it, it can be done
The carbon look side grill was a mess about on photoshop, my friend who did it wanted to see what people would say. They are not going to be wrapped
I am still torn with the carbon badges, I think they would look good but the only way to know is to buy a set
The grill on the otherhand I think will look good. My OEM one does not have the chrome fins they are matt black. Tho only chrome on the grill is the outer edge. I have made a better photoshop to show the exact grill I am looking at:
I is a deep version (the same as the OEM) rather than the others advertised on the net where the fins at flush with the other grill. On the very outer edges the fins are reseset back into the grill. I did think about spraying the chrome outer edge but if I wanted to change my mind I would have to buy a new grill
.
On another not, photshop is a fantastic tool, if you can imagane it, it can be done
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Cheers Mr Silver,Mr Silver wrote:Just my two cents: black plastic grills look to be exactly what they are - black plastic grills! Look good on Astra's etc.
Time better spent on cleaning and painting the calipers (and looks good)!
Regards.
The calipers are being sent off in the winter for a full overhaul and poweder coat in black as well as the wheels in BMW silver. Whilest they are being done I need someting to do (the underneith of the car is very clean too, maybe I could repaint the diff )
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Hi Rob . think the carbon badges look brilliant on steel grey really suit it and add a touch of individuality. You have a spare set of side grills so if you change your mind its not too big a problem.
As for the black grill im not to sure. to be honest the kidney grills are my least favourite body styling aspect of the zed. i think maybe leave the chrome ones on as you do have the chrome boot lift assist in chrome, so unless you can source a black one of those too.
As for the black grill im not to sure. to be honest the kidney grills are my least favourite body styling aspect of the zed. i think maybe leave the chrome ones on as you do have the chrome boot lift assist in chrome, so unless you can source a black one of those too.
Please help. The money will go to a good cause. email me for the link to my fundraising page.
-
- Joined: Sun 21 Sep, 2008 20:33
- Posts: 319
I like the all black grill but only on black cars. Was talking about this recently, why dont you get the oem chrome grill but change the outside to black so u have black trim with the chrome insert?
Someone posted a pic of it and it looks really good. Not to much chrome but also not to black.
Thinking of doing this myself soon.
Someone posted a pic of it and it looks really good. Not to much chrome but also not to black.
Thinking of doing this myself soon.
Here is a car that was for sale on gumtree over here in NI back in June. Plenty of pics with what looks like the carbon / black badges
http://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/43/60912643.html
http://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/43/60912643.html
I couldn't repair my brakes, so I made my horn louder.
Difficult decision on the grills, I do think the black looks good on Jonttts Zed as theres a good contrast with the paint work, but unsure against grey
Chrome suits as gives the Zed the retro appeal for me why I like the chrome gills.
Still don't like the carbon badges, they look too naff to me
Tim.
Chrome suits as gives the Zed the retro appeal for me why I like the chrome gills.
Still don't like the carbon badges, they look too naff to me
Tim.
Too many people to quote but:
Jonttt:
Those black grills look MINT!!! I must say they suit your car very well. They match the headlights and the tinted indicators/bumper side lights very well. Top job mate Where did you get them from???
Canman/TitanTim
The badges are really growing on me. I can understand what Tim and jonttt say, cheaper one do look tacky. The eBay dealer I have found puts the C/F badge on OEM backs. I have also seen cheap looking C/F ones that do give the Halfords affect.
gypsycatcha
I don’t have the chrome inserts and I can’t really stand chrome. Little is ok but I want something not to OTT but to say this is mine. Plus don’t want to paint my OEM ones just in case
seasurfer
Gill, Thanks for the encouragement, I think it looking good and from the link below from Daz 999 I think they still have the OEM quality look. I can confirm you have first refusal on the badges if I don’t like them
Daz 999
Thanks very much for the link. It has really helped, also I feel quite good at the Photoshop thing now (they look identical, oh cheers Rich for the help). I think the ones I have found on eBay look a bit better quality . The car in the link, the badges don’t really show off the C/F weave.
As Kev (Canman) put earlier. I do have a set of spare side grills. I got them off eBay for £15 delivered in mint condition in the original box with the OEM instructions. I stripped them down ready for a coat of steel grey (just in case) . I have also emailed the eBay seller about an order of:
1x OEM backed bonnet badge 82mm
1X OEM backed boot badge 78mm
2x OEM backed side grill badges 78mm
4 x OEM backed wheels centre caps
1 x Steering wheel badge.
For the above - the side grill badges is £44 delivered. I have asked for a deal on the lot. Also just need to decide on the grill
Plus I can always change my mind if I don’t like it. Still though, your comments are welcome . Still not quite there yet to put my hands in my pocket as I hopefully need to pay for my ///Mirrors
Jonttt:
Those black grills look MINT!!! I must say they suit your car very well. They match the headlights and the tinted indicators/bumper side lights very well. Top job mate Where did you get them from???
Canman/TitanTim
The badges are really growing on me. I can understand what Tim and jonttt say, cheaper one do look tacky. The eBay dealer I have found puts the C/F badge on OEM backs. I have also seen cheap looking C/F ones that do give the Halfords affect.
gypsycatcha
I don’t have the chrome inserts and I can’t really stand chrome. Little is ok but I want something not to OTT but to say this is mine. Plus don’t want to paint my OEM ones just in case
seasurfer
Gill, Thanks for the encouragement, I think it looking good and from the link below from Daz 999 I think they still have the OEM quality look. I can confirm you have first refusal on the badges if I don’t like them
Daz 999
Thanks very much for the link. It has really helped, also I feel quite good at the Photoshop thing now (they look identical, oh cheers Rich for the help). I think the ones I have found on eBay look a bit better quality . The car in the link, the badges don’t really show off the C/F weave.
As Kev (Canman) put earlier. I do have a set of spare side grills. I got them off eBay for £15 delivered in mint condition in the original box with the OEM instructions. I stripped them down ready for a coat of steel grey (just in case) . I have also emailed the eBay seller about an order of:
1x OEM backed bonnet badge 82mm
1X OEM backed boot badge 78mm
2x OEM backed side grill badges 78mm
4 x OEM backed wheels centre caps
1 x Steering wheel badge.
For the above - the side grill badges is £44 delivered. I have asked for a deal on the lot. Also just need to decide on the grill
Plus I can always change my mind if I don’t like it. Still though, your comments are welcome . Still not quite there yet to put my hands in my pocket as I hopefully need to pay for my ///Mirrors
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
- markrnorton
- Joined: Mon 05 Jan, 2009 13:19
- Posts: 841
- Location: Essex
I have looked again at the badge set. Going by what Jonttt said they do drop into the catagory of "OK". They are mounted on OEM backs that have a stick on emblem. This does make them look a bit off. Also the kit pictured above is wrong. You need:
2x 82mm badges (front/back)
2x 78mm badges (side grills)
4x wheels caps (need to measure my OEM ones properly)
1x steering wheels badge (the above picture does not have the OEM look silver outer ring)
I have looked on ebay and found a UK dealer that looks to be selling a better quality item. I was given a catalogue by Hang_em_High but his ebay seller does not stock any BMW badges any more The cost is more but I'd rather pay a bit more for better quality
I think these look better quality, what do you think????
The bonus with this item is that the given part number is an exact match to the RealOEM part
82mm = 51 14 8 132 375
The 78 mm badge has the wrong part number but I have measured mine and it is 78mm
I would be up for organising a group buy but would want to get a set first to inspect the quality before I recommend them to others. I will email the seller and try and speak to him on the phone to sort something out.
Let me know what you think
2x 82mm badges (front/back)
2x 78mm badges (side grills)
4x wheels caps (need to measure my OEM ones properly)
1x steering wheels badge (the above picture does not have the OEM look silver outer ring)
I have looked on ebay and found a UK dealer that looks to be selling a better quality item. I was given a catalogue by Hang_em_High but his ebay seller does not stock any BMW badges any more The cost is more but I'd rather pay a bit more for better quality
I think these look better quality, what do you think????
The bonus with this item is that the given part number is an exact match to the RealOEM part
82mm = 51 14 8 132 375
The 78 mm badge has the wrong part number but I have measured mine and it is 78mm
I would be up for organising a group buy but would want to get a set first to inspect the quality before I recommend them to others. I will email the seller and try and speak to him on the phone to sort something out.
Let me know what you think
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
The part number off the side grill badges I have in my hand are:Robert T wrote:I understood the boot badge to be the same size as the ones on the gills - when I replaced my gill badges I am sure I ordered 2x trunk lid badges.
Cheers R.
51 14 1970248. and is 78MM
the front/rear badge is:
51 14 8 132 375 and 82MM
You may be right Rob and the boot badge fits. I haven't tryed it but it does dool tight
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
I'd be interested in a set if you managed to set something up Rob.w4tkins wrote: I would be up for organising a group buy but would want to get a set first to inspect the quality before I recommend them to others. I will email the seller and try and speak to him on the phone to sort something out.
Let me know what you think
Current...1998 ///M Coupe
Previously...1997 Z3 2.8
Previously...1997 Z3 2.8
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
errrrrrr......................
My Journal
Favourite Quotes:
Favourite Quotes:
Rob Tan wrote: The Z3. Purely medicinal.
TREGZY wrote:''Ive seen the way you drive.....you got a heavy foot''
Oh I just bought a set of thoseCanman wrote:how about these Rob
Just kiddin I think those just stick over the existing grill surrounds
Have bought a set of these though, which I think will look quite nice
Tim.
I haven't looked but if they were standard they should appear on OEM.myredzed wrote:Slightly OT but does anyone know if BMW fitted the carbon effect badges as standard to any of their cars? (M3 CSL maybe?)
Conversely, the trade mark is the blue and white "propeller" derived from the Bavarian flag and it seems unlikely that this would be altered.