[Luc@Speed&Tech]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Thank you, looks great! This is exactly what I was thinking about doing. Can you please share what product you used for the mesh and how you installed it? I was looking into AggAuto Universal 6x12mm Mesh from Amazon.

The mesh was actually leftover from a 488 Mansory body kit build I worked on and I'm not sure if it's sold separately. Looking at the link you posted it's most similar to the 10x38mm honeycomb option. The mesh was molded to the grill openings and just secured with automotive grade urethane.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

The mesh was actually leftover from a 488 Mansory body kit build I worked on and I'm not sure if it's sold separately. Looking at the link you posted it's most similar to the 10x38mm honeycomb option. The mesh was molded to the grill openings and just secured with automotive grade urethane.

Thanks again Luc. Car looks awesome BTW. Could you post some more pics here of the grill to give us a better idea of the final install?

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Thanks again Luc. Car looks awesome BTW. Could you post some more pics here of the grill to give us a better idea of the final install?

Sure, here's a few photos from when I installed it as well as a full front and close up to see how well it hides the foam.

[luckym3girlnj]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

The issue of seeing the foam pads behind the front bumper is not limited to the AutoTecknic Motorsport V1 Grille. The foam pads are visible behind the most popular manufacturers' products and even through the BMW OEM and CSL grills as seen below, although BMW admittedly does a better job hiding them. Zoom in to each image and you can clearly see the foam pads behind each front grill.

This is my car (the mint green). I've had both grills from unit17 I really don't care about the foam because no one's getting that close to look between the slats and if they do they will get slapped😂

I've switched to Unit17 csl since then. I love both personally and do not care about the foam. The way the front end transforms is worth it to me. Fitment from unit17 was perfection as was the quality.

Sorry you had a bad experience with autoteknic.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

Sure, here's a few photos from when I installed it as well as a full front and close up to see how well it hides the foam.

Looks so good. What color is that? It almost looks like a frozen green under certain light.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by luckym3girlnj

This is my car (the mint green). I've had both grills from unit17 I really don't care about the foam because no one's getting that close to look between the slats and if they do they will get slapped😂

I've switched to Unit17 csl since then. I love both personally and do not care about the foam. The way the front end transforms is worth it to me. Fitment from unit17 was perfection as was the quality.

Sorry you had a bad experience with autoteknic.

Minty fresh. Lucky girl.

[spicoli024]

Project Gamma seems to have actually solved the problem with a seemingly good looking GT3 style grill. They take the design a bit further than a slap on flat front cross section and extend it past the foam pads at an angle similar to the M4 GT3. It looks like the front cross bar sections on both sides protrude past the grill frame/center body line, but it is hard to get a good idea of the actual product through the choppy photoshop advertisement (below) or any of the videos or images online. At least Project Gamma took some initiative and we know it is possible to cover the foam pads.

Project Gamma G8X Carbon Fiber GT3 Grill

[Ghozthunter]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Project Gamma seems to have actually solved the problem with a seemingly good looking GT3 style grill. They take the design a bit further than a slap on flat front cross section and extend it past the foam pads at an angle similar to the M4 GT3. It looks like the front cross bar sections on both sides protrude past the grill frame/center body line, but it is hard to get a good idea of the actual product through the choppy photoshop advertisement (below) or any of the videos or images online. At least Project Gamma took some initiative and we know it is possible to cover the foam pads.

Project Gamma G8X Carbon Fiber GT3 Grill

They are in Houston, maybe they can let you check it out in person.

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Looks so good. What color is that? It almost looks like a frozen green under certain light.

Thanks it's actually a wrap. The color is called "Matte Platinum Dark Sage" by KPMF. It's similar to the Frozen Deep Green on the M5CS, just darker.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Ghozthunter

They are in Houston, maybe they can let you check it out in person.

Oh nice, didn't catch that. Thanks Rob!

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

Thanks it's actually a wrap. The color is called "Matte Platinum Dark Sage" by KPMF. It's similar to the Frozen Deep Green on the M5CS, just darker.

Love. Definitely one of the best looking G8Xs I've seen. M Performance kit looks really good with that color too. Are those BBS LM wheels?

[Luc@Speed&Tech]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Love. Definitely one of the best looking G8Xs I've seen. M Performance kit looks really good with that color too. Are those BBS LM wheels?

Yep!

[endofanera7]

Anyone else got any new grill tested on? This is such a great informative thread.

[jeegunkim]

Originally Posted by Luc@Speed&Tech

Sure, here's a few photos from when I installed it as well as a full front and close up to see how well it hides the foam.

Nice, this is the same route I am planning to go with. I can care less about seeing the foam, I'm more concerned about so much exposure to rocks and debris and damaging the radiator. Have you thought about putting the mesh behind the intake ducts as well? I am planning to do that just go all the exposed areas look consistent.

[Bumper2Bumper]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Project Gamma seems to have actually solved the problem with a seemingly good looking GT3 style grill. They take the design a bit further than a slap on flat front cross section and extend it past the foam pads at an angle similar to the M4 GT3. It looks like the front cross bar sections on both sides protrude past the grill frame/center body line, but it is hard to get a good idea of the actual product through the choppy photoshop advertisement (below) or any of the videos or images online. At least Project Gamma took some initiative and we know it is possible to cover the foam pads.

Project Gamma G8X Carbon Fiber GT3 Grill

This is very nice looking, but I dont know if anyone else can see the pretty bad photoshop job... Wonder if this is actually a shipping product or they are working on it.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Bumper2Bumper

This is very nice looking, but I dont know if anyone else can see the pretty bad photoshop job... Wonder if this is actually a shipping product or they are working on it.

I thought the same thing when I first saw the promo image on their website, but their instagram account includes several videos which reveals the same odd details. See images below and check them out on instagram @project_gamma.

[spicoli024]

I ordered a couple different black metal mesh options (4x8mm and 6x12mm) from AggAuto through Amazon last week. They came quick and appear to be good quality but I have not had an opportunity to install them. Just thought I would pass on the info in case anyone is looking for a solution and has the time.

https://www.amazon.com/AggAuto-Unive...2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

I thought the same thing when I first saw the promo image on their website, but their instagram account includes several videos which reveals the same odd details. See images below and check them out on instagram @project_gamma.

Mine is on the way. We'll see how it goes.

[spicoli024]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Mine is on the way. We'll see how it goes.

Nice, congrats! Please let us know how it goes. The images of actual installation look way better than the choppy photoshop promo pic--they should get rid of that LOL.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by spicoli024

Nice, congrats! Please let us know how it goes. The images of actual installation look way better than the choppy photoshop promo pic--they should get rid of that LOL.

Agreed. It wasn't until I saw Instagram videos from yano_brooklyng80m3.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cijk0...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[endofanera7]

After searching through multiple threads, I have concluded that I want to go with GT Style Grill. Now the shopping part:

MHC+ or R44 Has installation videos, look to have good fitment.
AutoTechknic Some fellow members are saying that you have to cut into the bumper foam protector part like the Vorsteiner's grill.
eBay Good pricing
Aliexpress Cheapest but quality and return policy is unknown.

Some says that they all come from the same factory in China but vendors like MHC+ or R44 might have additional quality control, therefore more expensive. Justifiable to pay double? The vendor on eBay looks like they are in the US, has a return policy.

Hope to hear some feedbacks!

[JTO24]

Originally Posted by endofanera7

After searching through multiple threads, I have concluded that I want to go with GT Style Grill. Now the shopping part:

MHC+ or R44 Has installation videos, look to have good fitment.
AutoTechknic Some fellow members are saying that you have to cut into the bumper foam protector part like the Vorsteiner's grill.
eBay Good pricing
Aliexpress Cheapest but quality and return policy is unknown.

Some says that they all come from the same factory in China but who vendors like MHC+ or R44 might have additional quality control, therefore more expensive. Justifiable to pay double? I vendor on eBay looks like they are in the US, has a return policy.

Hope to hear some feedbacks!

I think you have summed it up well... save for some specific pieces from a few brands, all of these parts are sourced from the same 1-2 factories in Asia. This has become obvious to me once every single CF vendor came out with a CSL grill that didn't fit a normal badge. It's OK if one company had the wrong badge indent, but when EVERY company has it, you know they're not designing or producing anything; just drop-shipping. From my experience, you can work directly with these same suppliers to modify designs, but MOQ and costs go way up... and it seems the CF vendors made the right move by not investing in a new design because no customers seem to care that their CSL grill has this glaring issue.

What you're paying for with these brands is the ease of exchange and receipt inspection of product; so when they get the grills, they can inspect for blemishes etc., but you still run the risk of fitment issues as we've seen. But the refund/exchange process is much easier/faster than it seems to be going direct to the manufacturers via Alibaba/ Ali Express.

There's no right answer, IMO. It's about what matters more to you: convenience and piece of mind or saving money knowing the product you're buying is identical to those being marked up. YMMV... I'd be happy to be proven wrong by any of the CF vendors here, too, if I have this all wrong.