Kidney grills Production dates... What's the difference

[redlinealley]

I want to buy a new set of chrome kidney grills. My production date on the Z is 11/98. There are more then 1 production dates for the grills. Up to 4/99 and 4/99 and newer. The older one I need is around 215.00 each and the newer one is around 80-90.00 each. Does anyone know the difference between the two?

[Randy Forbes]

Newer ones have the blades faced with chrome; only difference, completely interchangeable (though I prefer the black slats for my 01/99 & chrome for my 08/01 cars).

[redlinealley]

Thanks for the info Randy...

[dpfaber]

Are these the same as for M cars? My 2001 needs a replacement passenger side only. What should I order?

[redlinealley]

I found this info on realoem.com. Yours will be different from mine. But as Randy stated there all interchangeable. Early years have black grills from 4/99 and older.

[cleanerPA]

Like Randy F. said- the earlier grill is chrome trimmed on the outside, with the inner vanes black. The later grille is chrome trimmed on the outside and the inner vanes are chrome as well.

The all black ones are aftermarket, although BMW is now selling all black grilles for some cars.