E92 335is Kidney Grills for E92 328i?

Hi All,

I currently have a set of glossy BMW black performance grills on my 2012 E92 328i Coupe.

I know that the 335is grills are different in that they have a glossy black rim, with chrome slats on the inside.

Two questions:

1. If I bought 335is grills from BMW parts, would those fit my 328i Coupe?

2. Would this be exactly the same as taking the black rim from my performance grill, and snapping it onto the chrome slats from my original grill, or are the 335is grills still somehow different?

Thanks!

Installing 335is parts on a 328i is against the laws of nature!

^ +1

Its a great looking grill if it fits go for it. 99.9% of the people will have no clue as to its original use.

yes, it will still fit all E92 LCI's share the same grilles

All E92 LCI grills are interchangeable and you can definitely swap them over!

Should have bought a 335is!

Originally Posted by beden1

Installing 335is parts on a 328i is against the laws of nature!

On that note ... how much would it be to swap out my 328i motor for a 335is one?

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

yes, it will still fit all E92 LCI's share the same grilles

Originally Posted by ModBargains.com

All E92 LCI grills are interchangeable and you can definitely swap them over!

That sounds good - thanks!

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

Should have bought a 335is!

Not sure if the price difference between a 328i and a 335is with the same features is about the same as the price for a set of plastic front grills, but if it is, then I'll go for a 335is next time!

Also seems that the 335is grills are just a mix of the original chrome grill and the performance grill.

So, instead of ordering an actual 335is grill, one can also use the black frame from the perf grill with the chrome slats of the OEM 328i grill. Both are two-part assemblies and are easily taken apart and re-assembled.

Originally Posted by YoPapa

Also seems that the 335is grills are just a mix of the original chrome grill and the performance grill.

So, instead of ordering an actual 335is grill, one can also use the black frame from the perf grill with the chrome slats of the OEM 328i grill. Both are two-part assemblies and are easily taken apart and re-assembled.

The frame of the 335is grille (not grill, we're not talking BBQ here!) is black chrome. The slats are chrome on the front face only and black on the other three sides. I doubt that you will achieve the same look by piecing together the parts you mentioned. But hey, who else besides a 335is owner is going to know?

Originally Posted by YoPapa

I currently have a set of glossy BMW black performance grills on my 2012 E92 328i Coupe.

Performance?

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

The frame of the 335is grille (not grill, we're not talking BBQ here!) is black chrome. The slats are chrome on the front face only and black on the other three sides. I doubt that you will achieve the same look by piecing together the parts you mentioned. But hey, who else besides a 335is owner is going to know?

Yes, grillE Good point on the frame being black chrome - since you're an owner, do you feel that color actually looks different from the regular black on the perf grilles? On the few 335is I've seen next to 3ers with black perf grilles, there wasn't any discernable difference, but I might be wrong.

Also, do you have a reference that states the black is actually "black chrome"? I know the grilles are listed as "Schwarzchrom" ("black chrome"), but this might also just mean that they're black and chrome. Would be interesting to know either way.

The slats on the OEM chrome grille are actually also only chrome on the front face, and black on all other sides, so those might actually be identical.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Performance?

Yes, BMW's words. I believe it refers to the fact that they increase the 328's whp by 270, making it faster than comparable M3s.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Performance?

10whp+ due to the airfoil shape of the bars pushing air into the CAI.

Looks like there really isn't any difference between the 335is grilles, and using the frame from the black performance grilles and chrome slats from the standard grilles.

Originally Posted by YoPapa

On that note ... how much would it be to swap out my 328i motor for a 335is one?

About 5 dollars. Takes about 5 minutes.