So, when i bought my XJ8-L back in June, she of course had the factory Mesh & Chrome upper grille but the plastic on the bottom; so before i even picked her up, i had already ordered a few things to put on her, including a Lower Mesh Grille; the last couple months, i was looking for an X358 Grille, and stumbled across the Mina Growler Grille; I grabbed it as well as a Spoiler from Mina Gallery as Christmas gifts to myself; I love it! They painted it, so if you look hard enough, the color is slightly different but not enough to bother me any...

I'll get some more pics of it in daylight, but i couldn't wait, as i just put it on & gave her a wash today...

 

Wow that looks great, that paint color looks really nice on the XJ!

 

This is how it would look on your BRG

 

Thanks RengeneRen; Yeah I've always loved that color on cars , so that color a must for me the Jag; & Hafren, that looks sweet!!! It's great to see someone else with it. I love being the only person in my area with it! I've already got a few questions & certainly, some compliments on it...

 

Very nice! I'm still on the fence on whether I want to go with an X358 or Mina Gallery grille. Its great to see pics of other cars with the Mina grille, helps the decision. Also Marque, You mentioned getting the spoiler. Did Mina paint that for you also?

 

Hey Don, thanks 1st off! Yeah I was battling between the x358 & this 1, being I couldn't find anyone with it, but I'm glad I took the chance on it.

As for the spoiler, yes they painted it as well. They charge $50 to paint, but since I bought both @the same time, they went ahead & did both & only charged me the 1 fee; they did tell me that the spoiler was a day or 2 behind the grille, so I hadn't gotten it yet...

 

So I finally put the Spoiler on. I'm sorta I the fence on whether I like it or not though. It's not long enough to go from end to end which is what I wanted. Plus, 'I' put it up a bit high I think, but the way they're made, you don't have much of a choice. Here's some pics of it as well as another Grille shot...

(I also refurbished my Rims using Plasti dip, but I'll start another thread on that)

 

So, I went & grabbed a great gun, pulled the Spoiler off, heated the Spoiler a bit more to get maximum flexibility, repositioned it, now I love it!!!

I got it to match the curve just rite!..

 

Marque,
If I may ask, where did you get the lower grille? The upper one looks great and really updates the car. I've had my 05-L for six years now and it didn't take me long to grow tired of the factory split grille. That Growler grille is perfect.
After I get the upper one, I'll wait and see if I really want the lower one. Thanks.

 

Thanks Chuck!..

I got the lower grille from off eBay, but Mina has them too, but they're a bit more of course. I paid $125 for the lower one. I actually bought that before I even got the car! Hahaha I knew I didn't want that stock "grill/blocks" on the car once I started driving it..

 

Margue,
Ordered the Growler grill right after your last post and received an up date "preparing for shipment", (I guess in the painting stage) so should have it with-in next week.
Hated to see the price you paid for the lower grill because Mina has a special for the two at $345. I got the upper for $325 + 30 for painting. The fellow at Mina said after I decide if I want the lower--after I install the upper, he'll still let me have it for $20. Can't bad mouth that. Are there any suggestions/comments on installing the upper?
BTW: Use to live in Memphis back in the 50's, before the service (Army). Lived at 959 Colonial Rd. New home then. Elvis bought his mom and dad their first new home one street over. Small world.

 

Oh wow. My son goes to school up the street from Colonial. (Overton High Capa School)

& yeah, I wish I'd known about the Growler grill when I 1st bought the car; like I said, I literally had the lower grille before I had the car! I bought it from a dealership in Florida, so I ordered quite a bit before I picked it up. (Grille, Bluetooth to stream audio, New center caps)

But yeah, that's a Heck of a deal; as for the install, it's very simple; taking off the original is extremely simple as well; just make sure you slide the bottom brackets out. You won't really see them good, because the plastic that holds the mesh is sorta blocking them, but it's simple as long as you know it's there.

The lower grille (blocks), you have to take off a little more, but with instructions, it's really simple & straight forward as well...

You should/could be done with both on 25 mins @most...

I will say the Mina Grille is a REALLY tight fit, so you really have to put a bit of force to get it on to tighten; don't think you're too hard on it, & the bottom off it only has the middle piece to lock in place vs the middle & 2 end brackets like the factory grille...

 

So, I ended up getting Mina to ship me a New lower grille since I had already bought the Growler; they also suggested that I paint the area behind the lower grille 'Black'; so being as I had a New lower grille, I removed the prior one, which stills looks great btw, got my good old trusty 'Plasti Dip', & sprayed the area black, which definitely gives it a better look with the lower grille in place.. (only thing now is, I can actually see the screws/always som'n)

That said, I now have a lower grille for anyone that wants 1 for a "mere" $80 which'll INCLUDE shipping. It's in great shape & of course I have the brackets etc. still New because I didn't have to use those, being I just took my prior grille off, & replaced it with the New 1; the ONLY thing you'll see on it, is @the bottom on the rubber piece, there's a little bit of Winter Gold Metallic paint, but the only way you see it, is with the grille actually off. Otherwise, it isn't noticeable any...

Here's how I look now with the area painted black...


P.M. me if you're interested. 1st come 1st serve...

 

Bump

 

Marque,
Looking at the new lower grille, I notice it (looks like) it overlaps the lights a bit. Is that normal?
Side note: It has been a month now and I still haven't received my grille's yet. Said they are having paint issue's----orange peel etc. A bit disappointing to say the least, but say they want to get it right. I agree and hey---I'm not going anywhere, so we'll see again next week.

 

Hey Chuck; nah it doesn't overlap @all actually; It may be a bit longer in with so that there's no space, but it's flexible to where u can get it in just right & snug fitted. But it doesn't overlap any (Unless you just put it straight on)

& yeah, same thing happened with my grille as well as far as the paint thing. It took a month for mine too!.. Sucks but, well worth getting tho!..

 

Marque,
Just an update for you and friends.
Have installed the upper and lower Mina mesh grilles and must say; I think of all the things I could have done to give the car a fresh upgrade and one that looks just beautiful and one that makes the car look years newer, this is it.
I had to do a little bit of engineering to get the upper one to look just right and some fitting to get the lower one just right, but I think it is just great looking.
As soon as I can, I'll post some pictures. The better half also thinks it changes the whole car. She never did like the split (Beemer looking) grille, but now I can't get it away from her. :-))
Chuck

 

It definitely changes the look. There aren't many XJ8s here where I am, but the few that I run across, be it on the highway or wherever, always give the thumbs up! & if I happen to run across someone to where I can actually speak with them, & they ask about it,,,,, I tell them,,,,,,,, it was on the car when I bought it! Hahaha

Even the ppl I run across with an XF always make a mention of it...

 

Marque,


As promised, see photo of Mina Grilles on my XJ8L. I think they really change the looks.

 

Definite thumbs up here!!!