New Kidney Grill: Plastic only change?

Alex Lipowich · 07-10-2018, 09:05 AM

Can anyone confirm that the M2 Competition Grill is a plastic only change?

I prefer a stealth look, to the extent that I’d De-Badge, and swap in the predecessor M2 grill too, as I prefer that look as well.

Essentially, can anyone confirm the sheet metal is the same behind grill?

Not looking to start a thread on Whether People Like Or Dislike The Grill.

I’d prefer at work (and home) no one easily realizes I’ve traded a 228 for the M2 Comp.

To the vast majority of the public one white 2 series looks like the next.

TIA

chris719 · 07-10-2018, 09:54 AM

Does it just cover the painted area then? I know the lower bumper is different.

Thescout13 · 07-10-2018, 10:31 AM

I think the bumper designs and dimensions are significantly different that the parts would not be interchangeable. Plus, people will notice the difference with those hips, exhaust, badges, etc

Alex Lipowich · 07-10-2018, 10:31 AM

A few sites or articles describe the new version of the kidney grill to be "larger, more angular". There is an implication at least that its "performance oriented" not just cosmetic. But an off the cuff hunch is that when Realoem or BMWFAN catch up, and post up part numbers for the M2 Comp, we may find the sheet metal to be unchanged behind the Plastic Grill.

That doesn't mean that there isn't more airflow, because in theory, the old grill may block off more of the metal's area than the new one, but it may also be that the new plastic extends further out and around the same old sheet metal.

Curious if anyone knows the answers....

(And yes, I'm sure there will be some people looking to put the M2 Comp's plastic on the older version to update the look... but I'm ironically looking to do the reverse for Stealth reasons, and aesthetics.)

Again, TIA if anyone knows the answer.

Alex.

Thescout13 · 07-10-2018, 10:36 AM

If you compare the front shots of the two cars, the new M2C is definitely bigger/more angular. I highly doubt that it's a direct swap or that there is a sheet of painted metal behind even if you could get custom made plastic grills that are not one piece. I cannot give you the exact dimensions as I do not believe they are out yet but a simple comparison of pictures and the videos makes it very clear that the grille openings are bigger and slightly more angular and that the middle is indeed a single piece. Hopefully when one of those sites uploads the spec/parts we will know for sure. But I am 98% confident it won't be a simple/easy swap like your hoping. Respect your reasons why though and hope you find a good solution.

Alex Lipowich · 07-10-2018, 11:10 AM

Time will tell.

It’s hard for me to imagine the sheet metal behind the grill isn’t fully painted and finished. It would be hard to paint and finish the bumper and leave that patch unfinished.

Dying of curiosity.

Obviously if the true area of airflow is markedly larger, there is good reason to leave well enough alone, or possibly just modify that bridge for my personal cosmetic reasons....

Hopefully the sheet metal is really different, the opening truly larger, and BMW won’t have egg
on it it’s face caught implying a cooling upgrade with a pure cosmetic change.

Thescout13 · 07-10-2018, 11:40 AM

Are you sure that there is a piece of sheet metal back there? I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't. If there is, it would be painted the same color but our not be flushed with the bumper making it look weird if exposed.

Tag · 07-10-2018, 11:50 AM

The old grille wont fit.

Reasons

New and fully redesigned front bumper with mono-kidney grille design.
Car is 7mm shorted in length due to the new front end.
Engine is now an s55 which means it likely has other mounting, cooling, etc. changes behind the front bumper that are significantly different from the outgoing M2.

M-Pilot · 07-10-2018, 11:51 AM

You cannot the fit M2 grills on the M2C. M2 grill surrounds are two separate pieces while M2C grill surround is a single piece. The black part that is in between the right and left grill of the M2C is part of the surround. OG M2's grills are separated by the bumper itself.

ChrisK · 07-10-2018, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cntzl

You cannot the fit M2 grills on the M2C. M2 grill surrounds are two separate pieces while M2C grill surround is a single piece. The black part that is in between the right and left grill of the M2C is part of the surround. OG M2's grills are separated by the bumper itself.

It amazes me how much more aggressive the M2C looks. I have totally gotten used to the new grill.

M-Pilot · 07-10-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

It amazes me how much more aggressive the M2C looks. I have totally gotten used to the new grill.

Same here! The old grill already looks dated to me.

RSAUTOSPA · 07-10-2018, 01:30 PM

kidney grill seam to be larger and more angular.

akkando · 07-10-2018, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

It amazes me how much more aggressive the M2C looks. I have totally gotten used to the new grill.

Nah it's just the stock images on the comp are adaptive LEDs and black grille vs non adaptive LED and chrome grille.

akkando · 07-10-2018, 01:53 PM

If you want the old look perhaps you can swap the old N55 bumper on and have it painted then get the old grilles.

Alex Lipowich · 07-10-2018, 02:13 PM

I’m sorry (I think) now in retrospect.

I’m so used to the (vintage?) E36 platform, and didn’t pay attention closely to the 228 in my drive or more importantly, the photos of the M2’s.

Is that whole bumper assembly one big plastic part? From top to bottom? If so, damn..... obviously if they changed the bottom half of the mold unique to M2 Comp, no big deal to revise the top too, no savings.

I thought there was metal separate from bottom half of the whole nose of the car.

ChrisK · 07-10-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akkando

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

It amazes me how much more aggressive the M2C looks. I have totally gotten used to the new grill.

Nah it's just the stock images on the comp are adaptive LEDs and black grille vs non adaptive LED and chrome grille.

Not to me

Thescout13 · 07-10-2018, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Quote:

Originally Posted by akkando

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisK

It amazes me how much more aggressive the M2C looks. I have totally gotten used to the new grill.

Nah it's just the stock images on the comp are adaptive LEDs and black grille vs non adaptive LED and chrome grille.

Not to me

Yeah, what? Haha I see a huge difference, M2C much more aggressive

akkando · 07-10-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Yeah, what? Haha I see a huge difference, M2C much more aggressive

The M2C looks like black goth lipstick on lips instead of an angry face. It's like it's about to give you a gross kiss.

Thescout13 · 07-10-2018, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akkando

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Yeah, what? Haha I see a huge difference, M2C much more aggressive

The M2C looks like black goth lipstick on lips instead of an angry face. It's like it's about to give you a gross kiss.

One man's gross is another man's sexy. I'm all about the new face.

boostm3 · 07-11-2018, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akkando

The M2C looks like black goth lipstick on lips instead of an angry face. It's like it's about to give you a gross kiss.

LOL... GROSS!

Saphirschwarz · 07-11-2018, 11:02 AM

I'm an LCI owner but i love the new kidneys... I wouldnt be so surprised if there was an upgrade available for the LCI... i hope so !

alscks0414 · 07-11-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

I'm an LCI owner but i love the new kidneys... I wouldnt be so surprised if there was an upgrade available for the LCI... i hope so !

Same boat. I know a lot of ppl commenting on new kidneys saying that it look ugly. But it looks good and better than my MY18 LCI to me

07-10-2018, 09:05 AM	#1
Alex Lipowich Enlisted Member 18 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Green Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Arlington Heights iTrader: (0)	New Kidney Grill: Plastic only change? Can anyone confirm that the M2 Competition Grill is a plastic only change? I prefer a stealth look, to the extent that I’d De-Badge, and swap in the predecessor M2 grill too, as I prefer that look as well. Essentially, can anyone confirm the sheet metal is the same behind grill? Not looking to start a thread on Whether People Like Or Dislike The Grill. I’d prefer at work (and home) no one easily realizes I’ve traded a 228 for the M2 Comp. To the vast majority of the public one white 2 series looks like the next. TIA __________________ Own: 1991 Z1, 1995 M3 LTW WB racecar, 2015 228i For Sale: E36 MTechnic 325 with S54 transplant
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07-10-2018, 09:54 AM	#2
chris719 Major General 7334 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Does it just cover the painted area then? I know the lower bumper is different.
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07-10-2018, 10:31 AM	#3
Thescout13 Brigadier General 4947 Rep 4,976 Posts Drives: '20 F80 M3CS, %E2%80%9818 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I think the bumper designs and dimensions are significantly different that the parts would not be interchangeable. Plus, people will notice the difference with those hips, exhaust, badges, etc __________________ Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene) Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017)
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07-10-2018, 10:31 AM	#4
Alex Lipowich Enlisted Member 18 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Green Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Arlington Heights iTrader: (0)	Fact vs Fiction? A few sites or articles describe the new version of the kidney grill to be "larger, more angular". There is an implication at least that its "performance oriented" not just cosmetic. But an off the cuff hunch is that when Realoem or BMWFAN catch up, and post up part numbers for the M2 Comp, we may find the sheet metal to be unchanged behind the Plastic Grill. That doesn't mean that there isn't more airflow, because in theory, the old grill may block off more of the metal's area than the new one, but it may also be that the new plastic extends further out and around the same old sheet metal. Curious if anyone knows the answers.... (And yes, I'm sure there will be some people looking to put the M2 Comp's plastic on the older version to update the look... but I'm ironically looking to do the reverse for Stealth reasons, and aesthetics.) Again, TIA if anyone knows the answer. Alex. __________________ Own: 1991 Z1, 1995 M3 LTW WB racecar, 2015 228i For Sale: E36 MTechnic 325 with S54 transplant
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2018, 10:36 AM	#5
Thescout13 Brigadier General 4947 Rep 4,976 Posts Drives: '20 F80 M3CS, %E2%80%9818 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	If you compare the front shots of the two cars, the new M2C is definitely bigger/more angular. I highly doubt that it's a direct swap or that there is a sheet of painted metal behind even if you could get custom made plastic grills that are not one piece. I cannot give you the exact dimensions as I do not believe they are out yet but a simple comparison of pictures and the videos makes it very clear that the grille openings are bigger and slightly more angular and that the middle is indeed a single piece. Hopefully when one of those sites uploads the spec/parts we will know for sure. But I am 98% confident it won't be a simple/easy swap like your hoping. Respect your reasons why though and hope you find a good solution. __________________ Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene) Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017)
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07-10-2018, 11:10 AM	#6
Alex Lipowich Enlisted Member 18 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Green Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Arlington Heights iTrader: (0)	Time will tell. It’s hard for me to imagine the sheet metal behind the grill isn’t fully painted and finished. It would be hard to paint and finish the bumper and leave that patch unfinished. Dying of curiosity. Obviously if the true area of airflow is markedly larger, there is good reason to leave well enough alone, or possibly just modify that bridge for my personal cosmetic reasons.... Hopefully the sheet metal is really different, the opening truly larger, and BMW won’t have egg on it it’s face caught implying a cooling upgrade with a pure cosmetic change.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2018, 11:40 AM	#7
Thescout13 Brigadier General 4947 Rep 4,976 Posts Drives: '20 F80 M3CS, %E2%80%9818 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Are you sure that there is a piece of sheet metal back there? I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't. If there is, it would be painted the same color but our not be flushed with the bumper making it look weird if exposed. __________________ Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene) Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017)
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07-10-2018, 11:50 AM	#8
Tag this is the way 18151 Rep 8,527 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	The old grille wont fit. Reasons New and fully redesigned front bumper with mono-kidney grille design. Car is 7mm shorted in length due to the new front end. Engine is now an s55 which means it likely has other mounting, cooling, etc. changes behind the front bumper that are significantly different from the outgoing M2.
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07-10-2018, 11:51 AM	#9
M-Pilot Brigadier General 4859 Rep 3,659 Posts Drives: 981 Cayman GTS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 [0.00] 2023 Toyota GR86 [0.00] 2016 Porsche Cayman ... [10.00]	You cannot the fit M2 grills on the M2C. M2 grill surrounds are two separate pieces while M2C grill surround is a single piece. The black part that is in between the right and left grill of the M2C is part of the surround. OG M2's grills are separated by the bumper itself.
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07-10-2018, 01:30 PM	#12
RSAUTOSPA Registered 4 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: 1100 Finch Ave W #11b, Toronto, Ontario M3J 2E2 iTrader: (0)	kidney grill seam to be larger and more angular. __________________ Professional Car Detailing, Ceramic Car Coating in Toronto.
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07-10-2018, 01:53 PM	#14
akkando Major General 5865 Rep 6,635 Posts Drives: 17 M2 DCT LBB,11 e90 M3 ZCP IB Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	If you want the old look perhaps you can swap the old N55 bumper on and have it painted then get the old grilles.
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07-10-2018, 02:13 PM	#15
Alex Lipowich Enlisted Member 18 Rep 31 Posts Drives: Green Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Arlington Heights iTrader: (0)	I’m sorry (I think) now in retrospect. I’m so used to the (vintage?) E36 platform, and didn’t pay attention closely to the 228 in my drive or more importantly, the photos of the M2’s. Is that whole bumper assembly one big plastic part? From top to bottom? If so, damn..... obviously if they changed the bottom half of the mold unique to M2 Comp, no big deal to revise the top too, no savings. I thought there was metal separate from bottom half of the whole nose of the car.
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07-11-2018, 11:02 AM	#21
Saphirschwarz Major 1066 Rep 1,366 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	I'm an LCI owner but i love the new kidneys... I wouldnt be so surprised if there was an upgrade available for the LCI... i hope so !
	Appreciate 0 Quote