I'm contemplating purchase of a new XKR....and would like to replace the black grill with a chrome unit (upper and lower). The dealer indicates that this is not a minor job. Seems to me that it should be rather easy, but I may be missing something. Any ideas?

 

There is a thread on the forum that deals with exchanging grills on XKs. Suggest you do a search using key words exchanging or installing xk or xkr grills.

 

Have to pull the bumper cover off which has like 30 screws in it. Easy, but a pain...

 

MinaGallery sells a set of polished stainless grills that mount right on top of the factory ones without removing the bumper. I used them on my '08XK and they looked and worked fine. The main difference between a factory grille and the Mina grill is that the Mina grill is more closed, the openings between the wire grills are smaller. Which is the reason that you can mount them over the factory grill and actually NOT see the factory one under.

Albert

 

What if you remove the black shroud cover above the radiators? I want to paint my grilles but don't want to drop the bumper if I do not have to.

 

Bumper needs to come off.

 

Dropped the bumper today. What a PITA!! The bumper on the X350 was really easy, but this one has way more screws than it needs, like one every inch and some that are in places that don't need to be that difficult to get to. Same goes for the mesh grilles. A metal clip every few inches.

 

Any pictures?

 

If I have time to work on it tomorrow, I will take some. I painted the grilles piano lacquer, literally lacquer paint, and they look great. Waiting on the 2014 red grille emblem to arrive overnight tomorrow morning and then put it all back together, except for the headlights which I am also customizing.

 

Other than the headlights, the bumper, grilles, center emblem and R badge are all buttoned up.

The R badge is screwed to the grilled, not taped on like some others have done. The '14 center emblem was easy, if anyone is interested in how to do it, I'll be happy to share.

Some tips for anyone else who want to do this. You do not have to remove the wheels or liners, just turn your wheels to one lock or the other before you start. You do not have to remove the numerous under tray screws. You do have to remove the headlights to get to 2 screws on each side.

Anyhow here are a couple of pics. I'll post better ones when all is done.

 

 

Thinking of changing my grill on my 07 xkr, it has the mesh effect under the fog lights, for the mina gallery mesh grill, upper and lower stainless steel. No need to take off bumper just fits over original grill. Has anyone pictures of these grills fitted close up if possible. I can buy these through e-bay for £200, item no; 360812752729, anyone else selling these maybe bit cheaper

 

I know it is personal preference, but I have seen these grills in person and they do not look factory original, they look handmade and the clips and the factory grill are very visible IMHO.

 

yes i agree some grills i see look like a d.i.y job. Think i will wait to see has anyone a picture to make up my mind, yours looks good, my car is black, i like the contrast of a silver/stainless grill with black, it's good to hear different options. One thing i can't get my head around is black alloys, why bother, there not very noticeable and as part of one the cars main features you want them to stand out, some people love them, matter of choice,as long as the drivers happy.

 

Why not paint the factory grills silver? Don't want black wheels on mine but I do like how they look on red and yellow cars.