[Kankles]

Only aesthetic thing I prefer on the OG M2 is the more traditional front grille. On the F80 I had the IND color matched grille surrounds and really like the look in person.

On the M2c I decided to paint the surround myself so it gives the two distinct kidneys. Still not a huge fan of center strip painted so went this route to see how it would look.

Color isn't a perfect match (need a glossier clear) but it's good enough for me.

[mcyumi]

Looks wierd to me. But hey, its your car.

Also you have not rectify the bumper fitment?

[Kankles]

[Sarg33]

Not something I would do, but I don't think it looks bad. Seems to blend into the car well enough.

I was explaining the BMW kidney grill to my daughter and how the M2C does not have the split that BMW typically does. She said the stock grill looks like a butterfly. lol

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by Sarg33

Not something I would do, but I don't think it looks bad. Seems to blend into the car well enough.

I was explaining the BMW kidney grill to my daughter and how the M2C does not have the split that BMW typically does. She said the stock grill looks like a butterfly. lol

That's funny you mention the kids as I had my 10 year old daughter help me with the paint prep (sanding, etc).

Her opinion—the painted surround looks better than stock

[Anthony1s]

I like this a lot better than the original and a lot better than just painting the center piece. I think I like it because I'm a fan of the smaller grilles with center opening, painting the whole surround gives the illusion of that.

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

I like this a lot better than the original and a lot better than just painting the center piece. I think I like it because I'm a fan of the smaller grilles with center opening, painting the whole surround gives the illusion of that.

Yup, that was basically the intent. Give it an overall smaller profile and two distinct kidneys.

[GoneIn4Secs]

Hey this makes the grill look 10x better!

Looks alot more aesthetically pleasing, im surprised more ppl dont do this

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

Hey this makes the grill look 10x better!

Looks alot more aesthetically pleasing, im surprised more ppl dont do this

Thanks, I had it out in the sun today and I'm happy with it

[Threeebowel]

It'd be great to see more pics of the car out and about, thanks!

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by Threeebowel

It'd be great to see more pics of the car out and about, thanks!

Will do!

[HSM2C]

Originally Posted by Kankles

Only aesthetic thing I prefer on the OG M2 is the more traditional front grille. On the F80 I had the IND color matched grille surrounds and really like the look in person.

On the M2c I decided to paint the surround myself so it gives the two distinct kidneys. Still not a huge fan of center strip painted so went this route to see how it would look.

Color isn't a perfect match (need a glossier clear) but it's good enough for me.

Looks way better than I thought it would

I hope you don't mind sharing how you removed the grille. Did it involve removing the bumper or is there a quicker way of doing it?

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by HSM2C

Looks way better than I thought it would

I hope you don't mind sharing how you removed the grille. Did it involve removing the bumper or is there a quicker way of doing it?

Thanks! I used INDs video for the OG M2. It's very similar except it's one piece. Link below.

1. Remove rubber strip covering the front fascia T30 torx screws.
2. Remove six T30 Torx.
3. Pull fascia forward (it's very pliable) and slip hand in.
4. Locate top plastic tabs along grill and push those in and forward while you pull on grille from outside with other hand. (This takes some patience and going back and forth between tabs).
5. While pulling up and out with external hand, push in tabs along bottom of grille.

It takes a bit of patience first time you do it. After one time however it becomes a lot easier.

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by Threeebowel

It'd be great to see more pics of the car out and about, thanks!

Updated the first post with pics. Not much sun today. Cheers

[TrentMeister]

That looks great.

My main gripe with HS was that the front end didn't look right with the mega kidney.

That looks awesome curious how an LBB car would look.

Also saw an HS m2 on an overcast day for the first time and man it really does its thing in that lighting.

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by LBbluem2

That looks great.

My main gripe with HS was that the front end didn't look right with the mega kidney.

That looks awesome curious how an LBB car would look.

Also saw an HS m2 on an overcast day for the first time and man it really does its thing in that lighting.

Thanks, this was the only way I could think of to reduce the grille size.

My thought was this, it's 115 euro for a new grille surround if I don't like it (I do, very much). Probably even cheaper in the US. If I don't like it it's easy to go back to OEM.

For LBB I'm sure it would look awesome, just make sure to get a good glossy clear to go with the LBB OEM spray can. Also, the prep (scuffing/cleaning) is probably most important step.

[Threeebowel]

Looks great, thanks!

[twin fed]

I like it. The M2C grill is to big in my opinion. I have always painted my surrounds the same as the body color and it looks much better.



old car

[Kankles]

Originally Posted by twin fed

I like it. The M2C grill is to big in my opinion. I have always painted my surrounds the same as the body color and it looks much better.

[IMG]http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL191.../414199683.jpg[/IMG]

old car
[IMG]http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL191.../409068654.jpg[/IMG]

That MG painted surround looks really familiar

Great minds! Haha

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by Kankles

That MG painted surround looks really familiar

Great minds! Haha

Exactly!!

[IcewaterPete]

So glad I found this thread. I’ve been thinking about painting the center strip for the past three years, but now I’m a convert to your concept. Thanks!