Black Kidneys

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sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

Hi.

Does anyone have pictures of a car equipped with this set of kidneys?
Black kidneys on black car. That would be the best. Thanks! (no chrome please)
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///M_aniac
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by ///M_aniac »

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sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

This are normal kidneys - just black. I meant the one on the first post... ;)
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deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by deni2s »

sviru, I had seen those kidneys on a car in german z3 forum, but I can't find that picture. Also had seen them in flesh. I do think that original black kidneys look much better, why are you interested in these? I always looked at them as at cheap replicas.
Kondor
Joined: Fri 18 Jul, 2014 20:45
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Kondor »

Got to agree. I have the chrome version on my 2.8 and I absolutely hate them.

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sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

Chrome version is disgusting :) - you are right. I found few pictures of them on german mobile.de... black on black.
I don't want to judge - yet - but I must say that I like them - but don't get me wrong - only on black car.

I asked for a hires photos - then I'll try to Photoshop my car...
Imho they look more modern and aggressive to my taste.

Intriguing!
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Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Rafolian »

BOUGHT a set of black plastic ones for my silver 2.8 off a member here earlier this year and wasn't sure at first, but absolutely love them now and the original chrome ones are staying in the under build!
sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

Can you post photos of your car? Can't find them.
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Southernboy »

....do you actually like that style of grill on a Z3 ?...... :bad
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Cloz
Joined: Fri 30 Jun, 2006 01:41
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Cloz »

Fot myself my next step will be to paint the chrome ring the same color than my car. Keeping the grill black. Of corse it depend on the color of your car. Mine is Montreal Blue so it will great :D
Mike Fishwick
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Location: Daglan, France

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Mike Fishwick »

It would look better with the grilles painted Montreal Blue, and the chrome surrounds left alone - if you do not like it, the grilles can always be painted black. It would be different, too - everyone and their dog have black grilles . .. a case of everyone trying to look different, and ending up looking the same.
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Kondor
Joined: Fri 18 Jul, 2014 20:45
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Kondor »

Funny. Hadn't seen them in black in that style before this thread.

Then saw this link on Gumtree for them; http://www.gumtree.com/p/car-tuning-sty ... 1083529941
deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by deni2s »

sviru, here are few pics on a blue roadster:
http://www.salberk.de/product_info.php? ... s_id=21414
Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Rafolian »

Have to agree about everyone trying to look different and all looking the same, I blame the Americans!!!
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Southernboy
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Southernboy »

Traditionally all the bonnet grills are chrome finish. IMO they should stay that way or colour coded to match the paintwork on the body. Black on black blue on blue etc... The same can be said for the outer door handles if one is going down the colour coded route. At least then we will have a variety of colours without the ubiquitous "black"... For some reason black seems to be considered "sporty"... every other woman wears black these days... does that make them "sporty" or just another sheep in the flock.
The chrome bonnet grills are definitive BMW styling which has endured since BMW first started producing cars and represents one of the signature identification traits of BMW as it does for most other brands. The attractive aspect of the chrome finish is the mirror effect it has on the adjacent body colour and the pronounced BMW identity. I say wear it loud and proud and put the black back in the closet where it can feel happy in the dark... :lol: :lol:
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deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by deni2s »

Southernboy wrote:I say wear it loud and proud
Z3 has already 9 bmw badges on it, isn't that more than enough? And most of us already got rid of most of them (new wheels, z3m side gills). And sometimes when I see how some x5 looks or how some bmw drives I am not very proud of that bmw badge. In our country there is a big pre-justice against bmw owners as stupid and aggressive and there is no smoke without the fire, and friends are usually having fun of me, because I also own bmw. Of course, they are telling that me and my bmw are exceptions, and I also thingthat z3 is exception from typical bmw production line.

I think visually black kidneys make the car more aggressive, because that visually makes the car more wide by removing accent from the centre of the car.

Everyone and his dog is changing side mirrors and side gills to z3m versions too, but we all accept that, because that improves the overall look. And changing few things just shows everyone else that you care about your car and how it looks, it's not just transportation vehicle from A to B, and that is not bad even if everyone around you cares about the car looks too and does similar things.

That is just my point of view on these things...
Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Rafolian »

Hear hear, well said that man! I'll stick with the black grills on a silver car for now and definitely forsake the Liberace chrome side gills.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Del »

I think the chrome accessories are probably aimed more at the US market where they seem to like that look. I agree that the "black look" is more European and is contemporary/sporty - I prefer it myself. I've seen one firm that does carbon fibre effect front grills which I really like. :)
Del
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Del »

Anyone tries these? Some things on ebay can be great others can fade to white after three weeks exposed to UV :D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CARBON-LO ... 19f0f9e885
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g8jka
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by g8jka »

Del wrote:Anyone tries these? Some things on ebay can be great others can fade to white after three weeks exposed to UV :D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CARBON-LO ... 19f0f9e885
Yes :D

Been on a couple of years with no problems

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sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

I usually don't like chrome stock kidneys. There are some exceptions... but very rare.
Still beside the blu one send by Denis I can't find any pictures of those bended ones.

I guess I'll have to purchase them and see it in real life. I have a hunch that this is gonna look good. Idk why :)
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deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by deni2s »

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On the last picture stripes look more vertical than in chrome version and OP version.
sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

Yea... this is another version I have never seen... very nice indeed!!!
Hm.... I have to search for it :). I found a few photos but very poor quality.
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akirk
Joined: Fri 20 Apr, 2012 08:11
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by akirk »

For me those - and the green German Z3 above with the Chrome version - don't work because of the thickness of the top horizontal - the originals are the same thickness all around...
then the angle - or something abou tthe grille bit doesn't work as well

what was a delicate but strong front has become very clumsy...

colour though - black or chrome, either works!

Alasdair
sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

I like them on this Z3M... Suits very nice! Modern, aggressive. He has some matte ones... I found only "piano" type finish.
I'll buy them tommorow! :)
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Cooper01
Joined: Tue 29 Apr, 2014 08:06
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Cooper01 »

The thick upper section of the kidneys look horrible {IMHO} in any colour. This is what they remind me of:

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siwilson
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 09:54
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  M roadster S54
Location: Horley

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by siwilson »

Look squashed. Not a good look IMO :( Like the shape of g8jka's ones, but maybe not CF for me.
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Mike Fishwick
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Mike Fishwick »

The 'later' type grilles look as if they had been squashed to fit to the bonnet apertures - horrid, and the chrome version is totally dreadful! I still prefer my body coloured grilles with chrome surrounds:

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If you are tempted, it is cheap enough to try, and just as cheap to paint the grilles matt black if you prefer the original style.
Last edited by Mike Fishwick on Mon 06 Oct, 2014 14:28, edited 1 time in total.
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David
Joined: Mon 16 Sep, 2013 18:33
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by David »

I'm thinking of buying some standard shaped chrome kidney grills, and spraying a couple of coats of tint spray and laquer on top of them.
Hopefully that will give it a 'gun-metal' type look ...and that'd look great IMO
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akirk
Joined: Fri 20 Apr, 2012 08:11
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by akirk »

like the red - but I think I would go red for the surround as well - for me body coloured = more subtle, therefore it should all be body coloured...

Alasdair
Mike Fishwick
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Yes, I thought seriously about have the chrome surrounds in red too, but thought I would first try the grilles, which has grown on me - or maybe I have become too lazy to finish the job!
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sviru
Joined: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 21:32
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sviru »

Hmmm. Personally I don't like when grill is matching body color. It looks odd. But how boring it would be if everyone would like the same things.
Those bednded kidneys are growing on me ;)
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deni2s
Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by deni2s »

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IMHO this looks awesome.

Check also these images for body color kidneys and nice looking angel eyes (maybe just because the photos are realy great):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bob_walla ... otostream/
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sirius-c
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sirius-c »

It seems no one likes the top heavy chrome ones,
Each to their own I guess....I'm very happy with mine and prefer them to standard, I think they compliment the chrome angels

http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/siriu ... me%20Grill
Designed or not designed, that is the question.
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David
Joined: Mon 16 Sep, 2013 18:33
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by David »

I think they do blend better with your chrome angel eyes, and the 'top heavy' chrome isn't the issue for me... It's the curved vertical lines of the grilles that I think sit awkwardly IMO.
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sirius-c
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by sirius-c »

David wrote:I think they do blend better with your chrome angel eyes, and the 'top heavy' chrome isn't the issue for me... It's the curved vertical lines of the grilles that I think sit awkwardly IMO.

I know what you mean, they kind of look like an old Rover grill too, I forget which model.
Designed or not designed, that is the question.
t-tony
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Re: Black Kidneys

Post by t-tony »

Grilles are a very emotive subject. I fitted some chrome ones on my car earlier this year, they didn't grow on me and many comments agreed with me so I sold them on. I do like the ones on the M coupe with body coloured surround and silver/grey grille slats. I know it's a personal thing but I think Mike's red ones look " tacky" like they belong on an old XR2i or something. Maybe on a darker colour car they might appeal. As I said each to their own.

Tony.
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Del
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Black Kidneys

Post by Del »

What about silver v colour coded side gills? :D
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