[jpsimon]

So I personally like the look of the new grill (as long as it doesn't have the extra driving assist sensor in there). The thing I don't like about this new generation is the gloss-black painted bits along the bottom of the car. To me it looks cheap at least from the photos/videos I've seen. For those that have seen these in person, does the gloss black actually work?

Granted I haven't seen it in person yet (i'll see it at an event next month at the dealer), so my opinion could still change, but if I still don't like how it looks in person I think I may end up painting the car like these mockups I did. I have a deposit down to order an AWD one this summer. I keep flip flopping between PB and IOMG, I also did it to the BG so you can see it better.

What do you think?

[snareman]

I like it, although it's probably more effort than I'd put in to my car.

[Scorp!on]

Your idea would look great !

I don't mind the black lines which come as standard, but would pick yours if it was an option

[TargaM2]

Definitely an improvement.

[jzmundy]

Yeah this looks great, OP - I especially love that you kept some contrast with the black in the rocker panels. Nice job. Much better looking than stock IMO.

[frankiebones]

I like the black underneath but I appreciate your effort.

[jpsimon]

I just have memories of long ago when I had a bug-eye WRX which came with black side skirts. The first thing I did was get those painted to match the body color.

[nicksm3]

This is exactly how I felt and you nailed it! It certainly is cheap looking and with it being body color'd would really bring out the lines of the car and make it look much more lower, aggressive.
Well done!

[dave12285]

Great job OP! I've been basically indifferent about the grill. But I've never understood the black side pieces on the bumper. It definitely makes the nose look rounded out and I kept thinking that painting them would make the front look wider and square out the shape. Looks awesome. Would love to see the concept from different angles.

[W///]

Makes no effect for me personally. I kind of like the 2 tone

[dave12285]

I wanted to revive this thread now that many folks have seen it in person. I think the black trim around the bottom looks very awkward. Can someone change the lower trim to the body color with some of the many real life photos we now have?

[Transfer]

Looks good. I wouldn't go to the effort in the aftermarket because I don't really mind the black, but this is an improvement.

[Saphirschwarz]

On some pictures it looks like a cheap GTR gimmick but you have to see it IRL, it looks very good, contrasting with body color. It would be even more impressive in carbon fiber but i cant imagine the price...

[dave12285]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

On some pictures it looks like a cheap GTR gimmick but you have to see it IRL, it looks very good, contrasting with body color. It would be even more impressive in carbon fiber but i cant imagine the price...

That was what sparked me to revive the thread. After I saw it in real life I thought it looked cheap and awkward. It also makes the car look more narrow and higher in my opinion. Thanks for posting those photos as BG was the color that made me think they'd look much better in same color as the body.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by dave12285

That was what sparked me to revive the thread. After I saw it in real life I thought it looked cheap and awkward. It also makes the car look more narrow and higher in my opinion. Thanks for posting those photos as BG was the color that made me think they'd look much better in same color as the body.

It's also rarely going to be clean enough IRL to be that glossy. With a little road dirt on it, it will be much more low key.

IRL it looks amazing. I chose a light color to maximize contrast with it.

[dave12285]

You can at least get the idea from these photoshops I did. Clearly not winning any awards for my skill but it works for a quick visual. I think it looks much classier and lower from the side view with body colored panels on the bottom of the car.

[Rick955]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

It's also rarely going to be clean enough IRL to be that glossy. With a little road dirt on it, it will be much more low key.

IRL it looks amazing. I chose a light color to maximize contrast with it.

Yeah, I like the black too. Works especially well contrasting the lighter colors like that Fire Orange you'll be rolling around in soon!

Likely easier and less costly for BMW to source them all in black too.

[Saphirschwarz]

@dave : Well it actually looks good too but somehow less modern. I guess it would have been cool if ppl had the choice but i guess then it would have been a 1500€ option !!!!

[dave12285]

Yes, that's a good point. I'm sure it would have somehow ended up costing more to get them body colored. Hopefully someone will wrap or paint them in one of their builds and we'll be able to see some actual photos.

[jkap27]

Originally Posted by dave12285

That was what sparked me to revive the thread. After I saw it in real life I thought it looked cheap and awkward. It also makes the car look more narrow and higher in my opinion. Thanks for posting those photos as BG was the color that made me think they'd look much better in same color as the body.

I think theyre trying to highlight the front and rear fender flares by making the middle of the car look as narrow as possible which i think looks very cool but I could see that being divisive. kind of unrelated but has anyone played with painting the bottom few slats of the grille body color? Im sure thats floating around the internet somewhere. Seems like that could make the grille look smaller for whoever is looking for that. might look good with what you did here

[khanyam4]

It's cool but give me that o e. The way the gloss black portion frame the entire bottom portion is straight fire. Those who have seen the car can attest to that.

[dave12285]

Originally Posted by jkap27

I think theyre trying to highlight the front and rear fender flares by making the middle of the car look as narrow as possible which i think looks very cool but I could see that being divisive. kind of unrelated but has anyone played with painting the bottom few slats of the grille body color? Im sure thats floating around the internet somewhere. Seems like that could make the grille look smaller for whoever is looking for that. might look good with what you did here

Good question. I can take a crack at it tomorrow.