Lexitegra

iTrader: (2)

I've received a lot of PMs regarding the IS-F style grille I purchased from eBay. Since my original thread was closed, I created a new one (mods can combine with an existing thread about grilles if they see fit).

This one sells for about $106 (plus shipping and tax in CA) versus another that sells for about $200 on eBay. I don't know if both grilles are the same, but a lot of people seem to think they are.

Anyhow, on to the pictures!

Here's the OEM grille:


Closer photo of the OEM grille:


I chose to remove the grille insert without removing the grille surround. It takes some wiggling and maneuvering, but is possible:


As you can see, all the tabs that should be there, are there:



Maneuvering the new grille back into the grille surround:


New grille with shiny new emblem installed:


Installed and standing a little further away:


"Review":
-Grille Fitment: It's pretty much perfect. I had no problems fitting any of the tabs back into the grille surround and bumper. There are no weird gaps or anything.
-Emblem Fitment: One of my original concerns was that the black plastic "L" part on the grille was too large for the grille emblem and would show through. It was indeed too large and you can see from the close up shot that a rather large margin of black plastic shows at the bottom part of the "L". However, looking at the original grille, a bit of the black plastic shows as well, so I've made my peace with this.
-Appearance: Up close, it looks great! However since it's black, at a distance it blends into the darkness and you can't see it! You can kinda of see what I'm talking about in the last picture. I think the OEM IS-F and F-Sport grilles are coated in some sort of metallic/silvery paint which makes them more visible.

I've been toying with the idea of painting it as suxeLSI003 suggested. I'll have to do a bit more research as far as what to use and what color before I jump on that.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the product and would recommend it to anyone (with an 06-08) looking for a somewhat subtle change over the OEM grille. Hope that helps those of you who were wondering!

*Note: The grille did not come with a new emblem. Because I'm **** like that, I ordered a new one .

**I painted it! Update with pictures on PAGE 5.**

iRock

iTrader: (12)

good work.

Nelly

iTrader: (11)

Wow I didn't read the ebay part and thought it was OEM! Nice

SPNinjA

iTrader: (12)

Looks good, bro. I would get it but, the stock grill doesn't bother me enough to change it...;

quang

iTrader: (8)

As far as I know, the grill is made in Taiwan and was part of Taiwan only version of fsport package for 06-08 sold inTaiwan. Thus, I would expect the fitment is OEM quality.

bforbrian

iTrader: (3)

Looks great.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Looks good bro! I'm sure this will help a lot of people decide

hazmat

Thanks for posting this, definitely getting one soon and probably paint it slight gun-metal bronze to match my f-sport wheels

MyIS350G

iTrader: (6)

looks awesome! much better than the oem

Lexitegra

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys!

I'm still not 100% happy with it. I plan on trying to match the color of the OEM ISF/FSport grille and finding a way to paint just the surface of it instead of spraying the whole thing!

nastyemu

It does look good as is but I know what you mean by wanting some of that IS-F color in it. That "silvery" frosting goes a long way. Very interested in seeing what you come up with!

Keep us posted

sick

iTrader: (1)

Looks great, installed mine couple of weeks ago.

Ep350

good job!!!

mushybreak

thanks for the pics and update!

Silkky

iTrader: (3)

Looks good!