Found myself at the BMW dealer last week asking about the new 4 Series Gran Coupe. I hate myself for even stopping there. As I'm driving home I realize I need to do some mods to make my Jag "new" again. I have that "need something new" disease that many of us suffer from. Anyway, the wheels/brake calipers were the first step and i thought I'd post a couple of pics. Good is the normal XFR setup. Better is with my calipers painted, and best is with the rims powder coated. I realize black wheels aren't everyones cup of tea but to each his own. Now if I could just find somebody with the black window trim who wants to trade with me I'd be all set. I'm starting to realize how much I dislike chrome.

 

Looks great dude! Black trim is a good call, may as well go full murdered out!

 

I'm not a fan of murdered out cars as they look generic, but too much chrome isn't always the best look either. Did you change out the side vents to chrome or were they like that when you got it? I would bet if you did the vents body color and changed the grill to chrome ring with black mesh, the window trim wouldn't bother you as much.

 

SugarChev, have you ever contemplated what is called "black chrome". It comes out kinda a dark gray (not black), but it would give you a little bit of shimmer, but not be the stand out silver chrome look either. Then you aren't "murdering" your car. A lot of chrome shops can do that sort of thing for you.

Just a thought.

 

I agree, doing body colored or carbon fiber side vents would make a huge difference.

 

Side vents were already chrome went I bought the car. Changing them to black or "black chrome" (thanks for the tip Thermo) might be just what I need. I'm not 100% against the chrome look. I actually think having black side vents but keeping the small strip that says Jaguar in chrome might be the right move. Definitely need to do something about the grille mesh and surround. If anybody knows someone wanting to swap out their black grille for chrome, send them my way!

 

You could always paint it or Plastidip it like I did:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...w-pics-109329/

Very durable and affordable option, looks as good as it did the day I dipped it 6 months ago

 

Great suggestion Thermo! I've been contemplating going black chrome on my rims and vinyl wrapping the bright chrome pieces in black chrome wrap. But my modification budget isn't sufficient to tackle that project right now so I'm holding off and enjoying the performance upgrades I've made this year. Also need to do brakes. Going with EBC Red ceramic on all four corners. Will only be $400 installed. Will post a link where to get the pads cheap when I order them.

 

Good thing you didn't drive it, because you would have ended up buying it.

I had to bring my car in for service and I got a 2014 3 series as a loaner. I was extremely impressed with it. It really is true that BMWs are the ultimate driving machines after some many years. BMW is still a benchmark in performance segment.

Extremely connected to the road/driver. Great handling even on the 17" tires. I don't know why everybody complaints about electric power steering in the BMWs, as I found it to be still very natural and sharp. The 4 cylinder 240hp turbo engine would kick me back into seat every time I would put my foot down. I am still blown away how something can move that fast with 240hp engine.

 

SugarChev, talk with a chrome shop. I bet they can fill in the letters with something when they dip it for the black chrome and leave the lettering in normal chrome. I did something to that effect on the back of my car.


I am contemplating an XJ or an XF and I would be doing something like what you are, but doing everything in the black chrome and then putting my own little twist on things. Found a 2012 XJL Supercharged for a good price. So tempting.

 

I have a 2010 XF lunar gray and the week I bought it I took to my body shop and had him paint all the chrome gloss black as well as the roof. Only left badging chrome. Then I've customized the rear with the lower center reflectors (a pain) and custom boot lighted badge , and chrome letters.

 

Custom 2010 rear.

 

Very nice!

 

Vent trim and mirror caps are easily replaceable and virtually snap on. You can have the plastic painted any colour you want, that's how the factory does it.