What's the difference in grills?

[7173bmw]

What's the difference between 4 bar and 5 bar kidney bean grills for my 1974 3.0cs?

Thanks

 

[HB Chris]

The four bar black slat kidney with plastic slats was introduced during the 74 model year. The earlier five slat metal kidney was standard on the CSLs and has been NLA since early 80s.

 

[7173bmw]

So....if I have a '74 with an aluminum 5 bar that is slightly bent....I should repair and straighten it out?

 

[HB Chris]

Absolutely! I assume it is black?

 

[Markos]

So....if I have a '74 with an aluminum 5 bar that is slightly bent....I should repair and straighten it out?

You can remove the slats and use jewelers hammers to fix. Once reinstalled, I believe that @HB Chris recommends a dab of something on the spoke ends to prevent them from flying off at 60mpg

 

[7173bmw]

Great! Thanks for the help. Looks like I have some work to do!

 

[Keshav]

So....if I have a '74 with an aluminum 5 bar that is slightly bent....I should repair and straighten it out?

Am I reading this wrong? You have a 74 with a 5 slat all Alu grille, right? Your question is whether you should have the 4 or 5 slat grill. To @HB Chris and @Markos, shouldn’t he have the latter style 4 plastic black slat grill, specially since it needs replacement, instead?

 

[Markos]

Am I reading this wrong? You have a 74 with a 5 slat all Alu grille, right? Your question is whether you should have the 4 or 5 slat grill. To @HB Chris and @Markos, shouldn’t he have the latter style 4 plastic black slat grill, specially since it needs replacement, instead?
View attachment 62959

I think it was me who started a big debate with my assertion that the 74 also came with a five bar black aluminum grille.

 

[Keshav]

I think it was me who started a big debate with my assertion that the 74 also came with a fivd bar black aluminum grille.

And you’re not entirely wrong there, an overlap from the old to new type surely took place, depending on the production dates. Although with his need for a new grill, he could use the latter style which are easier to find.

 

[HB Chris]

A US 74 may have had the bright alu slat grille early in production but four slat plastic became the standard. We never got five slat black here. The four slat is only one available new unless something has changed.

 

[7173bmw]

Where can I find one new? Through the dealer or another source?

 

[Keshav]

Available new but expensive. They often appear on German EBay, all depending on how much you want to spend....

https://www.wallothnesch.com/ziergitter-mitte-schwarz-wird-1x-pro-auto-benoetigt-51-04-05.html

 

[rsporsche]

is this is a repop? its a 4 slat grill, which originally was a '74 only grill ... which was black plastic slats.

 

[Keshav]

The pics are deceptive. It’s infact the Face lift kidney, 4 black plastic slats even though it says 73 onwards

 

[HB Chris]

9/73 onwards meant MY 74 in the US

 

[merdad]

I assume Peter at Coupeking has them, either new or re-finished. A friend bought a 4 slat from him and is very happy.
A 5 used black slat just came on eBay. Expensive.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bmw-E9-3-O...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Gary Knox]

Post a 'looking to buy' on the Parts forum. One may show up. I bought a perfect one for my '74 about a year ago from a fellow member of this forum.

Gary