[bubbahead]

Now that many of you had them on or seen them around, what does everyone think?
I have a Carbon Black 540i/20 inch rims with shadowline trim and tint. On the fence for the black grills.

I've seen some nice pictures by https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/ on instagram that looks great!

Does it only go with certain colours?

[drivethemachine]

I doubt there will ever be a "consensus" on that
Opinions vary wildly.
(I am personally not a fan because it looks like there is just an odd-shaped hole in the front of the car. Also, depending on the paint color, on the G30, it makes it seem like the hood is ajar.)

[AP]

Up to each person
But as you are asking for opinions , mine is that I think it looks better on lighter colour cars , a better contrast.
No right answer here......

[vanilepuding]

I also have a carbon black 530 with the 20 inch rims and the black grill . I think it looks great , but , as said , its Just opinions , if you like it , buy it .

[SteveMondragon]

Originally Posted by AP

Up to each person
But as you are asking for opinions , mine is that I think it looks better on lighter colour cars , a better contrast.
No right answer here......

Same opinion here. I think it looks good on lighter color cars for contrast, but ultimately it’s up to you with what you like.

The only thing that I’ll say about a carbon black 5-series is that it looks very navy blue under certain lighting (like in the parking garage at my work). There’s both a CB M Sport G30 and regular solid black standard body G30 (with shadow line trim pieces) that park by me everyday, and both of them have black grills. The black grills don’t look as clean on the CB since the blue-black look clashes a bit, but it looks decent on the solid black car.

Again, just my opinion as your mileage may vary.

[bimmer_335]

Here's my med blue g30 before and after pics... I swapped out with black grill soon after purchase. It makes headlights stand out and gives more sporty blacked out look. Depends what you like more than what others think really... hope this helps you decide

[bubbahead]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

Here's my med blue g30 before and after pics... I swapped out with black grill soon after purchase. It makes headlights stand out and gives more sporty blacked out look. Depends what you like more than what others think really... hope this helps you decide

I am looking for a stealthy look like your's and looks great especially with the shadowline trim IMO. But like the majority have said, its all personal taste. I guess I'll try it out and can easily swap it out.

Thanks for the comments !

[NicoleLusts4BMW]

I have the exact same set up but with Bluestone Metallic.

[BWTX540i]

Got mine (carbon black) m-sport with the dealer installed black kidney grille. I think I like it, since it has the shadowline trim, it all goes together. But, I'm a conservative guy, and am trying to go outside my comfort zone. It does look aggressive, but with the 20" wheels and tint, maybe too aggressive for me? I'll have to see. After hearing about how easy it is to swap out, I'll probably also buy a regular chrome with black inserts so I can go back and forth depending on my mood.

[ZigmundUK]

The chrome one is hard to keep shiny. I like the idea of the black but the kidneys seem to then lack definition on a darker body colour.

[bubbahead]

I just tried it the black grill. It looked OK at best. Something just didn’t look right. I put the stock ones back on. Both setups are OK IMO. I’ll be returning the black grills.

[mpress]

i had black grills on ly last two 5s both carbon black and loved them.,.. just got my new 5 bluestone and love them on that as well

[XxLHCxX]

Originally Posted by mpress

i had black grills on ly last two 5s both carbon black and loved them.,.. just got my new 5 bluestone and love them on that as well

I’m picking up my bluestone soon too. Where did you get your black grills??

[ibk11]

For the G30, I think the chrome works best - it looks more seamless / continuous as it connects with the design of the headlights, like a big chrome-coloured eyebrow along the top.

Having said that, black grilles look good on a black G30 - the headlights pop out really nicely, like a black cat.

On my F80 also, it really suits black grilles and can't imagine it any other way.

Having said, I often think BMW mix too many types of trim finish in their exterior design. It would be interesting, on the shadowline trim models, to see them try to include dark grilles but replace all the other bits of chrome to match so you don't end up with a mixture. The door handles, the badges, maybe even the headlight "eyebrow".

[bubbahead]

I had black grills on my carbon black f15 and looked awesome. I might give it another look again today.

[wknddrivr]

I'm not a huge fan.

My bluestone came with the black grills and I hated it with Bluestone...looked out of place and cheap. Had the dealer swap it out when I picked up the car.

On darker colors like Carbon Black or Black or a much lighter color like White I think it would look better. but with Bluestone it just didn't sit well with me.

[clintorama]

Originally Posted by bubbahead

Now that many of you had them on or seen them around, what does everyone think?
I have a Carbon Black 540i/20 inch rims with shadowline trim and tint. On the fence for the black grills.

I've seen some nice pictures by https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/ on instagram that looks great!

Does it only go with certain colours?

I think black and chrome are BOTH sharp. Just depends on the color and options. I kept the chrome for mine, with bluestone metalic paint. Looks super sharp. But I also considered a white one with a black grill and M package ... looked baller. Just depends. I went with chrome for mine because it looked best with bluestone metallic, in my opinion anyway, but black grills can look amazing as well. Go with your gut, it is your fashion statement, make it count LOL.

[nlkccom]

I think darker color car will look better with the chrome grille, while the black grille looks better on lighter color car. To me, it's all about the contrast that makes it stands out. I got my 540i off the lot, and it already has the black grille. At first I prefer the chrome grille, but after a while, the black grille is growing on me and now I really like the way it looks.

[stein_325i]

I never liked the look of a black grill on the G30 5 series. I like it on other vehicles like the 2 and 3, but it looks weird on the 5. Maybe because the bezels of the kidneys are thick, or that they are touching a large portion of the headlight that the transition doesn't fit with the rest of the car, but I think a chrome grill (stock) looks better, especially on darker colors. I find that a black grill on a black BMW makes it hard to actually notice the kidneys, and I think they should always be seen/a standout as they are a trademark of the brand.



In my opinion the chrome better fits the car, and blends in with the design and the headlights.

[mpress]

Originally Posted by XxLHCxX

I’m picking up my bluestone soon too. Where did you get your black grills??

dealer...install, doesn't charge me labor, just easier that way..

[Dephead2004]

Just a thought:
A few years ago on my E39, I bought new chrome grilles, which were offered only on higher spec cars, to replace the cheaper spec black ones.

[Krill]

Of course you need the black grille Here´s my Black Sapphire G30, I love the look!