73 Bav Hood Grills

I don't think BMW viewed plastic as low end, it's all over the E9 incl the hood and front fender grills. I think BMW switched up stuff on purpose, knowing years later we would have discussions on it.
 
I had no idea BMW made metal hood grilles. Every one I've ever seen was plastic.

This is a highly regarded chrome plating shop in Utah. They have a lot of different finishes to choose from.

 
My '73 Polaris has black hood grilles. Definitely in need of painting as they're pretty faded.

How important are the two pieces of padding that realoem shows below the screen below the grilles? I have one shriveled section remaining of the four, and it doesn't look like they're available.
 
This is how mine look. There is some pitting in the alloy that I could possibly sand out but you only see it from very close up so I'm not too bothered.

View attachment 223777
Yeah, that’s the same as mine. I just assume they were painted..I’ll strip the other one and clean em up the best I can. Maybe the paint actually saved them from getting pitted over the years..trying to be glass half full..lol
My '73 Polaris has black hood grilles. Definitely in need of painting as they're pretty faded.

How important are the two pieces of padding that realoem shows below the screen below the grilles? I have one shriveled section remaining of the four, and it doesn't look like they're available.
i just saw those little pieces on a diagram..not sure..what do they look like new? Something to be DIY’d?
 
I had no idea BMW made metal hood grilles. Every one I've ever seen was plastic.

This is a highly regarded chrome plating shop in Utah. They have a lot of different finishes to choose from.

Really? I’m wondering if we’re all talking about the same ones? The actual slat fins, not the mesh underneath, right? It’s pot metal, but man, I’m surprised they were done in plastic. Mine are good enough to send for now, but I’ll look into having them redone down the road when money is flowing like wine…
 
May I see the RealOEM page with the two pieces of padding? I doubt mine are still there. Would love to order a pair.

thanks, steve
 
May I see the RealOEM page with the two pieces of padding? I doubt mine are still there. Would love to order a pair.

thanks, steve
I had shriveled dry-rotted remnants of one section on the passenger side, but I think the others are long gone.

One site in the US showed them as available, but it's a site notorious for showing available parts that are not available lol. W-N didn't have them listed for the one part # that I checked.

Part numbers are 51131807153 and 51131807154
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2026-08-05 at 4.37.41 PM.png
    Screenshot 2026-08-05 at 4.37.41 PM.png
    403 KB · Views: 10
Last edited:
Back
Top