OEM Black Kidney Grills Vs ECS Tuning Black Grills

Just curious, OEM M performance black grills cost $150 and ECS tuning black grills cost $79, whats the difference. Appreciate input.

$71.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Great, that was good one)
Exactly, why should I pay extra $71 for OEM grills.

I know for the E46 the cheaper alternatives don't fit as well.

After a few redesigns and tests fits we developed our grilles have oem like fitment at a fraction of the original cost. Cosmetically the BMW Performance grill is gloss black with the inner slats sides in matte black, our ECS grille is high gloss all over. The design of the slats is also slightly different on our grille vs the BMW Performance grille.

ECS Blackout Grille Set - Piano LINK


BMW Performance Grille LINK

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

After a few redesigns and tests fits we developed our grilles have oem like fitment at a fraction of the original cost. Cosmetically the BMW Performance grill is gloss black with the inner slats sides in matte black, our ECS grille is high gloss all over. The design of the slats is also slightly different on our grille vs the BMW Performance grille.

ECS Blackout Grille Set - Piano LINK


BMW Performance Grille LINK

Why won't these work with the nightvision option?

The night vision equipment mounts in the grille, our grilles (just as the genuine BMW Performance grilles) do not have the mounting/housing areas built into the grilles.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

The night vision equipment mounts in the grille, our grilles (just as the genuine BMW Performance grilles) do not have the mounting/housing areas built into the grilles.

Got it. I would have ordered these, but for the night vision option which I have. Thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by John NY

Got it. I would have ordered these, but for the night vision option which I have. Thanks for the clarification.

I would have as well...
tk

i was in for service yesterday.
my dealer wanted $140. for the black grills. no charge for the install.
i passed. if i change them out it will be for matte black,which bmw does not make.
might even consider plastidip.

I was going to ask the same thing. Anyone try spraying PastiKote spray paint on the OEM grill to get the matte black finish. This would ensure having the perfect fit.

http://www.plastikote.com/index.jsp

http://www.plastikote.com/products/G...mel-Paint.html

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

I was going to ask the same thing. Anyone try spraying PastiKote spray paint on the OEM grill to get the matte black finish. This would ensure having the perfect fit.

http://www.plastikote.com/index.jsp

http://www.plastikote.com/products/G...mel-Paint.html

I'm picking up my 550 xi tomorrow morning. I'll see how the originals look and then decide what to do.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

After a few redesigns and tests fits we developed our grilles have oem like fitment at a fraction of the original cost. Cosmetically the BMW Performance grill is gloss black with the inner slats sides in matte black, our ECS grille is high gloss all over. The design of the slats is also slightly different on our grille vs the BMW Performance grille.

ECS Blackout Grille Set - Piano LINK


BMW Performance Grille LINK

So the grills you now sell on your website are different and tweaked than the F10 grills you sold at the beginning of the year?

ECS, your black gloss grill looks almost like the OEM grill. The OEM grill is a gunmetal chrome color. The grill you have posted looks like a black chrome. Do you have any other pics of your gloss black F10 grill?

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

So the grills you now sell on your website are different and tweaked than the F10 grills you sold at the beginning of the year?

ECS, your black gloss grill looks almost like the OEM grill. The OEM grill is a gunmetal chrome color. The grill you have posted looks like a black chrome. Do you have any other pics of your gloss black F10 grill?

The revisions where before we released them, these are the same grilles we've been selling for a while. The color when it's in your hands or on a car is a high gloss piano black. The lighting and white backing in the photo studio makes them sometimes look more "chrome" than they really are. Below are a few more photos of them.