Chrome trim or not??

zola&osgood · 03-06-2006, 06:56 AM

Tomorrow i take my titanium silver 320d SE in to my dealer to upgrade the alloys to 162`s

I also have the option of fitting chrome trim to the kidney grille and around the side windows thus making it look like a 330i! What do you guys think? Go for the chrome trim all round or just stick with the alloy upgrade????

E90Fleet · 03-06-2006, 07:04 AM

I dont like the chrome on the windows

But it looks nice on the kidney grill

ThreeBimm · 03-06-2006, 07:40 AM

I would definitely do the kidney grills. I'm in a similar predicament. I have the chrome on order but I'm not sure just yet how much I like it around the windows. Some days I want it, some days I don't.

ShinyRedCar · 03-06-2006, 07:40 AM

I never cared for the trim around the windows but what matters is what YOU like

and 162's are never wrong

Paul330d · 03-06-2006, 08:13 AM

Good choice on the wheels! IMHO, 162s are the perfect complement to the e90's styling, but I bet the upgrade is costing you a packet. What are you doing with your old wheels & tyres?

KL2DC · 03-06-2006, 08:20 AM

Depends on personal taste and color of car (darker colors are better candidates for chrome trims)

thebigman · 03-06-2006, 08:21 AM

Hope your getting a good deal on the 162s and tyres. I paid around £1400 which was cheaper than adding them as a factory option

Some dealers quoted me nearer £2k though.

I also fitted the chrome grille, there is a useful diagram explaining how to do this on the forum somewhere.

Jeffelite · 03-06-2006, 09:25 AM

Definitely get the chrome trim around the windows. And the 162s are a no brainer

shinsverk · 03-06-2006, 09:39 AM

Go with the chrome trim around the windows. The black trim is cheap plastic on top and rubber on the bottom. The black trim looks cheap compared to the metal chrome trims. You will not be disappointed when it is finished. The grill and tail pipes should also have chrome if you want a classier look.

hotsand5 · 03-06-2006, 09:44 AM

do the grill. I have the 330 w/ the chrome, and actually would not mind if it was all black. Then again, my car is black .

zola&osgood · 03-06-2006, 10:08 AM

Im even more confused now!!

Im definitely gonna get the 162`s!

Im definitely gonna get the chrome grille!

I will wait till i get to the dealer and look at a few other cars before i make my mind up on the chrome window trim!!

Bear in mind i`ve got a silver car lads!!

In answer to somebodys question, im gonna pay about £2000 ($3500) for the wheels/tyres/chrome grille & window trim!

Also in answer to another question, i`m probably gonna sell my original 156 style alloys and tyres! Please note, they only have 2000 miles on them since new if anyone is interested??

jjbirch · 03-06-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zola&osgood

Tomorrow i take my titanium silver 320d SE in to my dealer to upgrade the alloys to 162`s

I also have the option of fitting chrome trim to the kidney grille and around the side windows thus making it look like a 330i! What do you guys think? Go for the chrome trim all round or just stick with the alloy upgrade????

yeah i have a 320d sport orderd for come in 2 weeks time i have had upgraded the alloys to 193 18's fitted i have orderd the grille from bmw in uk they cost about £30 each so you will have change out of £100 fitted, dont think i would bother with the windows only bring the price down

Paul330d · 03-06-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zola&osgood

Bear in mind i`ve got a silver car lads!!

In that case, I would say no on the windows: chrome doesn't really go with silver, IMHO.

shragon · 03-06-2006, 11:03 AM

i don't like the chrome around the windows either.

mmeads · 03-06-2006, 03:44 PM

I'm going for the chrome (with SG). I agree with the classier look comments.

e90rocks · 03-06-2006, 03:52 PM

I didn't have a choice, as I got a 325xi. I added chrome exhaust tips, which are a must. I could go either way with a chrome grille. I don't like the chrome window trim because it makes my car look too much like the Honda Accord I just "donated" for the trade in price. My car is Jet Black, so that may be why I think black grille looks OK. I would go with Chrome grille given the choice w/ other colors.

DerekS · 03-06-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zola&osgood

Im even more confused now!!

Im definitely gonna get the 162`s!

Im definitely gonna get the chrome grille!

I will wait till i get to the dealer and look at a few other cars before i make my mind up on the chrome window trim!!

Bear in mind i`ve got a silver car lads!!

In answer to somebodys question, im gonna pay about £2000 ($3500) for the wheels/tyres/chrome grille & window trim!

Also in answer to another question, i`m probably gonna sell my original 156 style alloys and tyres! Please note, they only have 2000 miles on them since new if anyone is interested??

If you are proceeding with the upgraded wheels (162s), you will find that 18'' wheels look great, but have a very negative impact on the car's ride.
I found this on my E90/330i with sport pkg.(incl sport suspension). If your car doesn't have sport suspension, then the ride will not be as harsh, but it will certainly be firmer than your present setup.
For the chrome bits, I would suggest that you switch the grill inserts and the three trim pieces under the front bumper.

David328M-Sport · 03-06-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

I dont like the chrome on the windows

But it looks nice on the kidney grill

Perhaps I've come to expect them on my car but the chrome window trim on my e46 and e90 have been standard.

I like them as it gives the doors a defining edge, especially on my Jet Black car. Nice but not stunning.

meruyailir · 03-06-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zola&osgood

Tomorrow i take my titanium silver 320d SE in to my dealer to upgrade the alloys to 162`s

I also have the option of fitting chrome trim to the kidney grille and around the side windows thus making it look like a 330i! What do you guys think? Go for the chrome trim all round or just stick with the alloy upgrade????

I personally love the chrome trim around the windows. I also have it for the kidney grille but I think black on the grille also looks good.

akhbhaat · 03-06-2006, 11:20 PM

I should let you know that while I prefer black to chrome, the black trim on my 323i has faded somewhat over the past six years despite the use of some plastic UV protectants...the chrome, of course, won't fade.

Nerd · 03-06-2006, 11:53 PM

How much are the chrome trims around the windows?
Did you get them from the dealer?
Can you easily install them yourself?

davinet78 · 03-07-2006, 04:00 AM

i have the 320d also and i got the 162 rims and the chrome trimmings around the windows but i left the kidney grille as standard

03-06-2006, 06:56 AM	#1
zola&osgood New Member 1 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 320d SE Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Derby, UK iTrader: (0)	Chrome trim or not?? Tomorrow i take my titanium silver 320d SE in to my dealer to upgrade the alloys to 162`s I also have the option of fitting chrome trim to the kidney grille and around the side windows thus making it look like a 330i! What do you guys think? Go for the chrome trim all round or just stick with the alloy upgrade????
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03-06-2006, 07:04 AM	#2
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1311 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	I dont like the chrome on the windows But it looks nice on the kidney grill __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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03-06-2006, 07:40 AM	#3
ThreeBimm Private First Class 13 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 325 xi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I would definitely do the kidney grills. I'm in a similar predicament. I have the chrome on order but I'm not sure just yet how much I like it around the windows. Some days I want it, some days I don't.
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03-06-2006, 07:40 AM	#4
ShinyRedCar First Lieutenant 7 Rep 366 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I never cared for the trim around the windows but what matters is what YOU like and 162's are never wrong __________________ Jeff
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03-06-2006, 08:13 AM	#5
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Good choice on the wheels! IMHO, 162s are the perfect complement to the e90's styling, but I bet the upgrade is costing you a packet. What are you doing with your old wheels & tyres? __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-06-2006, 08:20 AM	#6
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Depends on personal taste and color of car (darker colors are better candidates for chrome trims) __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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03-06-2006, 08:21 AM	#7
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Hope your getting a good deal on the 162s and tyres. I paid around £1400 which was cheaper than adding them as a factory option Some dealers quoted me nearer £2k though. I also fitted the chrome grille, there is a useful diagram explaining how to do this on the forum somewhere.
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03-06-2006, 09:25 AM	#8
Jeffelite Private 7 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 335xi Coupe Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sylvania, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Definitely get the chrome trim around the windows. And the 162s are a no brainer __________________ 330i Tit Silver, PP, SP, Cold Weather
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03-06-2006, 09:39 AM	#9
shinsverk Private First Class 13 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 325i 06 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wahpeton, ND iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00] 2005 Grand Cherokee [0.00]	Go with the chrome trim around the windows. The black trim is cheap plastic on top and rubber on the bottom. The black trim looks cheap compared to the metal chrome trims. You will not be disappointed when it is finished. The grill and tail pipes should also have chrome if you want a classier look. __________________ 325i - E90 Arctic,Black/Alum,Prem,Sprt,Cold,X,CA,SnShad.In my hand 2/15/06
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03-06-2006, 09:44 AM	#10
hotsand5 hotsand5 49 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	do the grill. I have the 330 w/ the chrome, and actually would not mind if it was all black. Then again, my car is black . __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
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03-06-2006, 10:08 AM	#11
zola&osgood New Member 1 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 320d SE Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Derby, UK iTrader: (0)	Im even more confused now!! Im definitely gonna get the 162`s! Im definitely gonna get the chrome grille! I will wait till i get to the dealer and look at a few other cars before i make my mind up on the chrome window trim!! Bear in mind i`ve got a silver car lads!! In answer to somebodys question, im gonna pay about £2000 ($3500) for the wheels/tyres/chrome grille & window trim! Also in answer to another question, i`m probably gonna sell my original 156 style alloys and tyres! Please note, they only have 2000 miles on them since new if anyone is interested??
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03-06-2006, 11:03 AM	#14
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	i don't like the chrome around the windows either. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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03-06-2006, 03:44 PM	#15
mmeads Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: H-Town iTrader: (0)	I'm going for the chrome (with SG). I agree with the classier look comments. __________________ m\|m e90: 325i/SG/Terra/Alum/6sp/ZSP/Xenon/Sirius//
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03-06-2006, 03:52 PM	#16
e90rocks Myrmidon 17 Rep 236 Posts Drives: Entwicklung 90 - 325 Xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325 xi [0.00]	Chrome I didn't have a choice, as I got a 325xi. I added chrome exhaust tips, which are a must. I could go either way with a chrome grille. I don't like the chrome window trim because it makes my car look too much like the Honda Accord I just "donated" for the trade in price. My car is Jet Black, so that may be why I think black grille looks OK. I would go with Chrome grille given the choice w/ other colors.
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03-06-2006, 11:20 PM	#20
akhbhaat Captain 181 Rep 883 Posts Drives: ///M318ti Type-R Turbo S Join Date: May 2005 Location: T1 run-off iTrader: (0)	I should let you know that while I prefer black to chrome, the black trim on my 323i has faded somewhat over the past six years despite the use of some plastic UV protectants...the chrome, of course, won't fade.
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03-06-2006, 11:53 PM	#21
Nerd New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: LBC iTrader: (0)	How much are the chrome trims around the windows? Did you get them from the dealer? Can you easily install them yourself?
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03-07-2006, 04:00 AM	#22
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	i have the 320d also and i got the 162 rims and the chrome trimmings around the windows but i left the kidney grille as standard __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
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