2013 X3 Grill color

I've read that the grill for the 2013 X3 can either be black or silver/gray. How is this determined or can the grill color be specified? If not, is it expensive to order the part and swap it out? Thanks in advance.

Not on the X3. On the 3 Series.

On the 2013's, the 28i get the black grills (noting the engine difference like they do in other lines) and the 35i gets the silver grills. They just started this for the 2013's X3's. It was not this way for the 11 & 12 model years.

Originally Posted by Want the Thrill

On the 2013's, the 28i get the black grills (noting the engine difference like they do in other lines) and the 35i gets the silver grills. They just started this for the 2013's X3's. It was not this way for the 11 & 12 model years.

You sure about that? It doesn't show that way in the BYO and I never heard mention of that when I was ordering mine, albeit I was only looking at the 35.

Over in the Production Thread several people have taken delivery on their 28s and posted pics and I don't see any Black grills.

Well this guy got black grills on his 2013 28
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685875

I can verify that indeed, the MY13 28i, does indeed get the black grills. Apparently the 4 cyl models all get them, so never an issue on the '11 or '12 MY's.

Originally Posted by Wabbajack

You sure about that? It doesn't show that way in the BYO and I never heard mention of that when I was ordering mine, albeit I was only looking at the 35.

100% positive. Every picture of a 28i 2013 model has the black grills. Maybe you are looking at pics of 2012's.

The X3 35i may have a different grill than the 28i. In looking at the BMWUSA site, the 35i appears to have a chromy grill.

Is this a way of distinguishing the cars or is the chrome grill considered an upgrade? I got a 35i and would have preferred the black grill.

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

Is this a way of distinguishing the cars or is the chrome grill considered an upgrade? I got a 35i and would have preferred the black grill.

It's a distinguishing feature. Not an upgrade.

One could always change them on their own pretty easily (either by changing part or some paint to the old one).

I got a 2013 X3 xDrive28i and it has a black grill. Personally I like the black better, for some reason I've never really cared for chrome.

The 28i (4cyl) gets black and the 35i gets silver.

Originally Posted by Richard Steele

I've read that the grill for the 2013 X3 can either be black or silver/gray. How is this determined or can the grill color be specified? If not, is it expensive to order the part and swap it out? Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Red_X3

I got a 2013 X3 xDrive28i and it has a black grill. Personally I like the black better, for some reason I've never really cared for chrome.

Did your dealer put your front tag on for you? Have you looked at the license frame base to see how it is attached?

Originally Posted by joebry

Did your dealer put your front tag on for you? Have you looked at the license frame base to see how it is attached?

The front license plate and holder were installed by the dealer. In NY we have to both front and rear plates. I'll pull the plate and take a look at for you.

Originally Posted by Red_X3

The front license plate and holder were installed by the dealer. In NY we have to both front and rear plates. Is there anything you'd like me to take a look at for you?

Is the plate base attached to 'bumper' with one or two screws? I have the base plate that was in the trunk of the X3 but there are no instructions or screws to attach it with. Since we are in a state that does not require a front tag, the dealer wants $56 to put it on.

Originally Posted by joebry

Is the plate base attached to 'bumper' with one or two screws? I have the base plate that was in the trunk of the X3 but there are no instructions or screws to attach it with. Since we are in a state that does not require a front tag, the dealer wants $56 to put it on.

Just out of morbid curiousity, I'm wondering why you would want a front plate holder put on when you live in a one-plate state...???

The license plate holder is secured via two fasteners, see photo below. The two areas highlighted in red are the screws that attach the plate holder to the bumper. The license plate holder is shaped to fit the front bumper as you can see from the side view photo. The lip of the plate holder is pressed up against the bumper fairly snugly and it looks like they sank the screws into the bumper with the holder in position.

Originally Posted by Red_X3

I got a 2013 X3 xDrive28i and it has a black grill. Personally I like the black better, for some reason I've never really cared for chrome.

Black grill looks great on a Vermilion.

Originally Posted by decade2000

Black grill looks great on a Vermilion.

I feel it does look great and the silver trim provides a nice bit of definition to it.

Originally Posted by Red_X3

The license plate holder is secured via two fasteners, see photo below. The two areas highlighted in red are the screws that attach the plate holder to the bumper. The license plate holder is shaped to fit the front bumper as you can see from the side view photo. The lip of the plate holder is pressed up against the bumper fairly snugly and it looks like they sank the screws into the bumper with the holder in position.

Thanks for the pictures. Maybe I can go to the dealer and get the two fasteners.

That is the same base plate that I have. There are two nipples on the bottom of the plate, one on each end, and these fit into slots on the bottom of the bumper and make sure the plate in centered on the bumper. Also, they are a way of hooking the bottom part.

My X3 is alpine white and my wife wants one of the 300's in vermillion red.

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by No12

Just out of morbid curiousity, I'm wondering why you would want a front plate holder put on when you live in a one-plate state...???

Everybody keeps asking me the same question. This is a college football state and my 2003 525 had a college tag on the front. But, every time I look at doing it, I have reservations.

Originally Posted by joebry

Everybody keeps asking me the same question. This is a college football state and my 2003 525 had a college tag on the front. But, every time I look at doing it, I have reservations.

There is no college football team in existance today that would cause me to put on a front plate holder if I did not have to. But, I know some ppl get pretty intense about their college teams, so it's your car and your choice.

How depressing I am not happy that my 28i will have the black grille damn it