So I'm going to be repairing and painting the hood and bumper pretty soon here and along with that I need to replace the middle bumper grill since it's also dented. That got me thinking about maybe replacing the whole grill with maybe the JCW aero style. That would mean slowly changing all the trim to black though in my mind so I'm not sure. I'm also not sure I'll be putting the stripes back on the hood.

So what would you guys do...replace grille with chrome pieces or start blacking it out??? Both look good to me so I'm not sure which route I should take.
Here's a pic and thanks in advance.

 

I had the same exterior chrome package option on my R53 and changed it by blacking out the grille slats while leaving the chrome surround. I went with white mirror caps and replaced the hatch handle with a body colored one. I didn't want to black everything out, or have too much chrome, so I thought that was a good place to start.

 

I left the chrome and blacked out the slats and the insert below. I like the look.

 

that's a pretty good idea. Did you just paint them yourself?

 

Also is the lower slat in the bumper even there in that pic? I can't tell if you painted that one or just removed it.

 

I using some blue painters tape to mask everything off and then papered the back side in the hood. Painted both slats and the black strip that sits above the U Chrome but below the top of the bumper trim.

It goes well with the black stripes. I thought about buying the mesh inserts but IMO the black with chrome goes with the rest of the car.

 

Used some Rust Oleum satin black that is made for plastic. Took my time with a razor blade cutting the tape next to the chrome. I even put tape on the black plastic inserts so they stayed the factory flat.

 

Ok thanks. That could be my move. I just need to find that lower bumper grill replacement. I like how that turned out for you and I agree this does not need to be a who,e blackout project!

 

This looks really nice, IMO. Mine (previously, in my avatar pic) came with color-keyed Dark Silver. Wasn't bad, but I think a grille should look like a grille, not part of the body.

 

Agreed. I like this idea.

 

Plasti dip and black tape what you are thinking about doing as its reversible if you don't like it. Then you can move forward with paint if you like it. There should be plenty more photos here so that you can make a decision. Have fun!

 

Another choice is to get a painted EB grille of a junkyard or buy a grille primed in the center and paint it EB?



Or Aero grille?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-the-r53.html

Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

I like that a lot. I might nick that idea.

 

The upper and lower chrome pieces appear to pop off right? The lower insert I guess is just stuck in there with adhesive. I need to replace that part anyways and would just paint it before I put it in there.

 

I am thinking the upper chrome trim is held on with some "one time" plastic fasteners. There are threads around that note this and how some used zip ties to hole the piece back in place. I took my time and masked everything off.

 

Here is a thread on the grill removal,

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...moval-diy.html

 

Thank you sir

 

Yeah you guys aren't making this easy! I really like the aero grill too.
I was worried getting that would lead me to blacking out all the other chrome but I have to admit either way I really like that look!

 

If you don't want to go for the blacked out look, there's a chrome version. That's what I plan on getting.

 

Honestly the more I look the more I'm leaning towards the black aero...this is tough!!!

 

My vote for the black aero

 

Yeah...i ordered it...couldnt resist.

 

Well I tried to have my hood and bumper repainted from bad rockchip damage but it was so faded that the blend just didn't look great. Now having the rest of the car painted for a little more. Oh well...I figure its worth it. I'll post when it it done and the grill is installed. I miss my Mini!!!

 

Well finally got the car back from paint and installed the grills.
I ended up painting the whole car...it needed it. Haven't decided on the hood
stripes yet.
I almost screwed up on the install as the bottom grill was getting hung up on one of the tabs. Almost messed up my new paint!

 

Very nice...very nice indeed...