Going back to Chrome

[The Dane]

Hi

I put the oem grills back on and i like it

I know black grills, is one of the most used exterior mods out there.
But i am not sure its for me.

The car had the black grills installed before i picked It up, and first thing my wife said it looked smaller the the 530d.

And i agree it makes it look shorter, and more bland.
Its Sapphire black btw

Second thing is that i really like the Chrome side vent’s, its the area imo were it most sets in apart visualy from the normal f10.

Here is the car what do you think ?

[RHM5Y]

Im with you on that. Never been into blacked out grills or black wheels.
Looks great to me.

[rockyfeller]

I agree with you guys. Never been a fan of the blacked-out/murdered treatment either for the most part. I never understood why a majority of people like this fad for the last 20yrs. A little splash of chrome adds some contrast and breaks up some of the body sections to make it look leaner. 3 areas I don't mind a darker treatment are window trims, tail lights and roofs.

My car is MCB, I think the OEM grille looks much better. Gives the car that high end sporty but keeps that luxury look. But it all depends on the color of your car. There are some other colors (like silver) where the black grille gives good contrast and will work. But on black, it totally gets lost. So then your eyes get much more drawn towards the chrome in the headlights. With the OEM grille, it looks far more cohesive across the front of the car.

Black wheels and exhaust tips, nah. Can't get any more lost details than that. These parts are on the lower part of the car and having that contrast is important to me. I love wheels with details and that machined finish. The OEM 343M wheel is a work of art matching the M5 gorgeously. By blacking it out, you're practically ruining the look. All the details are lost and it makes the whole car look cheaper IMO. Probably the only kind of car that would look good with black wheels is like a yellow or lime green 911 or Lambo. Bright colors with a contrast, where the car itself attracts so much attention for the eye. For the M5, it's already a sleeper. The black wheels do it no favors.

I would say window trim/frames look better blacked out, particularly if you are going to tint the windows out. Chrome trim looks good only on high-end luxury cars like an S-class and Rolls.

BMW themselves have switched back and forth with dark taillights. (If you notice, their trend tends to be red tail-lights, then LCI models usually get a darker version. Check out the 2021 5-series) I tend to usually like that darker version every time.

And lastly, a black roof (made popular by the MB panoramic roof) looks great on many cars, including the M5. Again blends everything nicely if you have black window trim and tinted windows.

[S_CDSM5]

Honestly speaking i like the black. Makes the car look sporty and takes the "weight" off the car to make it look more nimble. The chrome looks more classy however. Gotta do what you like best man!

[The Dane]

I am all for customizing the car, and i have always modded the looks of my cars.
But i had a epiffany when i put the Chrome grills on.

I wanna keep the crome, but enhance the looks by lowering the car, put a m-preformce spoiler on, and some wider tires, maybe even spacers.

Only thing am not sure of, is the wheels, i admire my 343m’s but the are just too commen, i Think il try the 601m’s with 305’s on the rears.

This is a oem black sapphire black m5 comp, and only thing that could possible make it look better IMO, is some lowering and wider tirees/wheels

[rockyfeller]

Initially I didn't like my 601M wheels. Spacers make a big difference. I now see it as a more unique look than most of the M5s I see on the road so it's grown on me.

[M5Rick]

601m wheels are cast alloy,heavier than the forged lighter 343m's which are stronger too.

[arucano]

It's strange that BMW would make the 601 a competition package wheel if it were not at least as strong as the others. Wouldn't?

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by arucano

It's strange that BMW would make the 601 a competition package wheel if it were not at least as strong as the others. Wouldn't?

Indeed it's strange with just 15bhp more than the favoured original version.Even on the limited Pure Metal version 343m's were standard.

[J11SEK]

Originally Posted by The Dane

Hi

I put the oem grills back on and i like it

I know black grills, is one of the most used exterior mods out there.
But i am not sure its for me.

The car had the black grills installed before i picked It up, and first thing my wife said it looked smaller the the 530d.

And i agree it makes it look shorter, and more bland.
Its Sapphire black btw

Second thing is that i really like the Chrome side vent’s, its the area imo were it most sets in apart visualy from the normal f10.

Here is the car what do you think ?

Down to body colour for me, understand what you mean Re black grills/vents/wheels etc on a Black body...... but on other colours the black touches make the car look superb! Enjoy you're own set up

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

601m wheels are cast alloy,heavier than the forged lighter 343m's which are stronger too.

Maybe but they also signify the more focused premium model that drives like an M car should

[schrickm5]

I agree with the notion that MCB looks better with the OEM chrome grill. Also not a fan of black alloys (even though my last car had them). 601's - never saw them apart from in pix, but now I have them I think they look stunning.

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by The Dane

I am all for customizing the car, and i have always modded the looks of my cars.
But i had a epiffany when i put the Chrome grills on.

I wanna keep the crome, but enhance the looks by lowering the car, put a m-preformce spoiler on, and some wider tires, maybe even spacers.

Only thing am not sure of, is the wheels, i admire my 343m’s but the are just too commen, i Think il try the 601m’s with 305’s on the rears.

This is a oem black sapphire black m5 comp, and only thing that could possible make it look better IMO, is some lowering and wider tirees/wheels

I have the same car and to me I added black grills, black side grills and black door handle inserts, also added the OEM Carbon M Performance exterior and I think it looks excellent

[The Dane]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

I have the same car and to me I added black grills, black side grills and black door handle inserts, also added the OEM Carbon M Performance exterior and I think it looks excellent

I Think the key here is to have both the side and front grills the same colour, like you have done.

With Chrome sidevents and black front grills, it looks like something is missing.

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by The Dane

I Think the key here is to have both the side and front grills the same colour, like you have done.

With Chrome sidevents and black front grills, it looks like something is missing.

Yes makes sense, the carbon M performance kit makes a nice upgrade if you ever feel the need to spend money

I think I paid £1100 from BMW for two wing mirror covers, rear spoiler and rear diffuser

[The Dane]

Originally Posted by OneExtra

Yes makes sense, the carbon M performance kit makes a nice upgrade if you ever feel the need to spend money

I think I paid £1100 from BMW for two wing mirror covers, rear spoiler and rear diffuser

I had a oem m-preformance spoiler on my 530d, and i loved it, so that is on my mod list.👍

I think the m-performance stuff, is were its at, because it lookes like it came like this from factory, yet more sporty.


Do you have pictures of your m5 ?

[OneExtra]

Originally Posted by The Dane

I had a oem m-preformance spoiler on my 530d, and i loved it, so that is on my mod list.👍

I think the m-performance stuff, is were its at, because it lookes like it came like this from factory, yet more sporty.


Do you have pictures of your m5 ?

Yes will take some tomorrow

[Simple5]

Contrast is my personal policy.. when it starts all blending together it doesn't look too great..

[HXS]

Black is the only color that can pull off the chrome trimming and badges. So, well done!

It also helps that you have silver wheels and not black ones

[OneExtra]

Here is a pic of mine

[OneExtra]

A few with the carbon parts

[AlisterB]

Originally Posted by HXS

Black is the only color that can pull off the chrome trimming and badges.

IMO it works OK on white too.