[adriang]

My lower drivers side grille has cracked from this brutal winter and I'm looking to replace it.

Would anyone know why there's a difference in cost between one for a 335i and one for a 335d? From what I noticed this part is grey for diesels but black for non diesels. I am looking at part 13 in the below link. Would anyone know if I could just get the one for the 335i and fit onto my 335d? I don't like how the middle grille for the 335d is black and the outside grilles are grey, I see no flow it that.

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/201...agramCallOut=1

Cheers
Adrian

[Yozh]

RealOEM shows the same part number for black 51117198907 and 51117198908 between the 'd' and 'i'. Different for 328i of course as it does not have an oil cooler (I think). Center grill also varies based on if you have active cruise or not. And of course inserts are different for M-pack.

[335dFan]

Good question. I was planning to Plasti Dip my outer grilles black in a few weeks. Thanks for reminding me. I just need to figure out how to avoid overspray and screwing up what I don't want to coat.

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by 335dFan

Good question. I was planning to Plasti Dip my outer grilles black in a few weeks. Thanks for reminding me. I just need to figure out how to avoid overspray and screwing up what I don't want to coat.

I just put painter's tape around the grilles and sprayed through it. Confirmed it with Puerto Rican who did the same thing and there's nothing really important behind those grilles. So far so good and the Plasti Dip is holding up surprisingly well!

If you're wary about the spray through method, you can always try out the balloon method (forgot which DIY thread) but I don't know how well that actually works.

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

I just put painter's tape around the grilles and sprayed through it. Confirmed it with Puerto Rican who did the same thing and there's nothing really important behind those grilles. So far so good and the Plasti Dip is holding up surprisingly well!

If you're wary about the spray through method, you can always try out the balloon method (forgot which DIY thread) but I don't know how well that actually works.

Did you use the matte black or what? I haven't even looked at what color is available yet.

[bdwyer]

What do you have to open up to get these grills out? My passenger side cracked this winter, as did the brake duct behind it. Make sure you look at that too if your grille cracked.

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by 335dFan

Did you use the matte black or what? I haven't even looked at what color is available yet.

Yes, black, which gives out a matte texture after it's dried off from three coats. Don't think there are any other options close to it except gunmetal gray.