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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Cosmetic Modifications Black M Style kidney grills for my 540

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      05-21-2018, 06:22 PM   #1
GoSchnell
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Black M Style kidney grills for my 540

I just picked up an '18 540 with the M package last week and I'd like to black out the kidney grills.

1. Where's the best place to pick one of these up...if not from the dealer? I actually negotiated that they do it before I pick up the car, but the day I went to pick it up they said they didn't have any in stock. So they just took the $275 (their cost evidently) off the price of the car. I see them on eBay, but I don't want to get some POS cheap Chinese knock-off (unless you guys say they're still not bad). I believe I saw IND has them, but I think they were more than $275. I could always just go back to that dealer to get them at that price, unless I can find cheaper and double spoke.

2. Can I get the double spoke M style grill? Or am I replacing just the chrome trim when I go to do it? And would this affect the active venting flaps?

3. Best video to show how to swap them out myself? I imagine it's probably not too difficult, but with my luck I'll probably snap some vital plastic tab.

Thanks guys
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      05-22-2018, 03:03 PM   #2
SteveinArizona
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If you have nightvision you can't change the grill.
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      10-16-2018, 08:09 AM   #3
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I have the same car '18 540 M sport and just changed out the kidney grills - I bought them online at bmwusa.com for $106 each after tax and shipping they were $245. So easy to change out, flathead screw driver push down on tabs and pop out. Looks awesome!
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      10-18-2018, 07:42 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoSchnell View Post
I just picked up an '18 540 with the M package last week and I'd like to black out the kidney grills.

1. Where's the best place to pick one of these up...if not from the dealer? I actually negotiated that they do it before I pick up the car, but the day I went to pick it up they said they didn't have any in stock.
I'm having mine changed as a PIA at the VPC. I'm hoping there are no stock issues, or I might have to circle back around and see what others have said.


Quote:
Originally Posted by GoSchnell View Post
2. Can I get the double spoke M style grill? Or am I replacing just the chrome trim when I go to do it? And would this affect the active venting flaps?
I have researched the double slats pretty extensively. I have an M550i coming in, so I felt comfortable putting the F90 style on my front end.

I have found differing opinions as to whether they will fit, or not. I can tell you, definitively, that the BMW grilles WILL NOT. I had a local dealership pull stock G30 grilles and black M Performance F90 grilles and they have different plastic trim behind the grille. The F90 grilles would interfere with the active grilles. And there is no way to trim them to fit.

I suppose some of the aftermarket mfgs might have the same plastic trim, so they might fit.

But, and this is one huge but, I gave up trying to find out if I can get it to work. A picture was sent to me showing what the double slats look like with the active grilles behind them. The slats and the actives behind do not line up. Regardless if they fit or not, IMHO, it is one "butt" ugly look!
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      10-18-2018, 07:50 PM   #5
Cougar85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cougar85 View Post
A picture was sent to me showing what the double slats look like with the active grilles behind them.
Damn, I forgot they were sent on this forum!

Check this post for the pix.

(Yeah, I know I could have edited my first post, but whatever...)
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      11-22-2018, 10:24 AM   #6
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Smile

Was looking at getting black kidney grilles fitted from new but glad I didn't pay the £120 parts and £60 fitting. Got my grille on Ebay for around £50. I took a before and after photo and the time difference between the two is 3 minutes! Wasn't racing to do it quick either
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      11-22-2018, 04:19 PM   #7
M2Andy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STUDAV333 View Post
Was looking at getting black kidney grilles fitted from new but glad I didn't pay the £120 parts and £60 fitting. Got my grille on Ebay for around £50. I took a before and after photo and the time difference between the two is 3 minutes! Wasn't racing to do it quick either
Could you share or pm me the link please?
I’m also reluctant to pay the £120 for genuine ones when 1,2,3 and 4 series kidneys can be had from BMW for almost half that... especially as I’m not 100% convinced they’ll work on my carbon back g32
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      11-25-2018, 04:25 AM   #8
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Take the existing ones off and have someone vinyl wrap them for you in gloss black, or do it yourself?
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      11-25-2018, 05:42 AM   #9
M2Andy
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Originally Posted by Walesy View Post
Take the existing ones off and have someone vinyl wrap them for you in gloss black, or do it yourself?
Good idea, will have to send back the genuine ones I’ve got on order now
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      11-25-2018, 05:51 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2Andy View Post
Good idea, will have to send back the genuine ones I’ve got on order now
LOL...just checked and you can get the wrap for around £10 from fleebay.

I did it on my F30...took me a bit of time and ALOT of swearing, well more than usual. It looked stock. But..just realised is the G30 just the surround or the entire surround complete with grills?
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      11-25-2018, 07:57 AM   #11
M2Andy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walesy View Post
LOL...just checked and you can get the wrap for around £10 from fleebay.

I did it on my F30...took me a bit of time and ALOT of swearing, well more than usual. It looked stock. But..just realised is the G30 just the surround or the entire surround complete with grills?
Ive taken one off this morning, took 15 seconds lol. A far cry from the pain in the arse removing them from f20/30 cars!
I may give plastidip a try or if not take them for wrapping as I can’t be bothered to try wrapping myself plus I don’t possess a hairdryer!
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      11-25-2018, 09:23 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2Andy View Post
Ive taken one off this morning, took 15 seconds lol. A far cry from the pain in the arse removing them from f20/30 cars!
I may give plastidip a try or if not take them for wrapping as I can’t be bothered to try wrapping myself plus I don’t possess a hairdryer!
Let me know how you get on bud, gonna be doing it myself at some point.
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      11-25-2018, 02:29 PM   #13
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I wouldn't bother with plastidip or vinyl wrap as being on the front of the car taking the brunt of any chips. If the plastic ones were to take a chip they are black throughout and therefore wouldn't show damage as much.
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      11-25-2018, 02:39 PM   #14
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRILLE-FO...K/282893972272
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      11-25-2018, 02:41 PM   #15
STUDAV333
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Headlight eyebrows next - Will Wrap these in gloss black

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-Ca...N/282772313476
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      12-02-2018, 03:47 PM   #16
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When NV is not a question, why not go for the Carbon Kidney's
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      12-09-2018, 08:48 AM   #17
Tfb
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Its posible, but its not plug and play. I made it in my local dealer. U have to use parts from ori chrome kindey.

Last edited by Tfb; 12-09-2018 at 08:54 AM..
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      01-06-2019, 06:07 PM   #18
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Can you share a little bit more about the carbon fiber kidneys? They look spectacular. How were they made?
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      01-07-2019, 04:11 AM   #19
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We have 2 styles available in stock and ready to ship!

We also carefully go over each set that goes out our door, fitment and satisfaction guarantee on all our grills

M5 Style:
https://www.futuredesignusa.com/prod...lack-grill-set


Performance Style:
https://www.futuredesignusa.com/prod...s-2-pieces-set
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      01-10-2019, 06:10 AM   #20
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In terms of the grills, there are so many versions on fleaBay, m5 (twin blade) and I performance (Single blade) but there are different number of blades for each version so it’s hard to decide especially as lots of them don’t have a clear photo of what it looks like when it’s installed.

My problem with deciding is how the blades line up with the blades on the back.
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      01-11-2019, 06:18 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Farravi View Post
In terms of the grills, there are so many versions on fleaBay, m5 (twin blade) and I performance (Single blade) but there are different number of blades for each version so it’s hard to decide especially as lots of them don’t have a clear photo of what it looks like when it’s installed.

My problem with deciding is how the blades line up with the blades on the back.
Yup!

I wanted the M5 look on my M550i, but saw this, and decided it was not a good look.

It's been suggested that the active grills can be removed, but I am not going to bother on a 3-year lease.

IMHO, be careful what you wish for...

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      01-12-2019, 01:16 PM   #22
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I disconnected motor from grills in open position does the job. (Removed plug) 5 min job.

Grills stay all the time open. No warning on dash.
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