[Kahuna]

Seems like a lot of new XLR owners on the forum lately and I have finally taken the plunge as well! arty 2006 Gold Mist with chrome wheels and aftermarket mesh 'V' grill - pics coming as soon as we get a clear day in the northeast.

My question is about the stainless steel lower grill guard offered by the XLR Gift Botique. Does anyone have any experience with one of these? Seems my XLR came with a hole in the plastic factory grill, likely from a stray stone or other junk encountered by the previous owner. Mesh plastic this close to the ground does not seen like a great design and covering it with stainless seems like a great upgrade.

 

[homegameroom]

I bought the guard for the bottom grill (the black one). The paint came off VERY quickly; it looked worse than busted plastic!

Many of us have not had any real issues with the factory grills. And you can buy a new one at your dealer for cheap. Some dealers even replace them for free. (NOT most....)

 

[mswaim]

I've installed two of them, both stainless. In my opinion, the factory unit is a POS that should have been upgraded after the first model year. Both of our XLR's lower grills had holes knocked in them before we could get a metal one installed.

 

[Kahuna]

Thanks to both replies. I suspected that the black would not be durable on stainless.

How does the brushed stainless look on the lower grill? Can you post a picture or send to me by email? I've seen pictures of the the aftermarket chrome mesh center grill and it looks 'added on,' if you know what I mean. My personal opinon is the black looks better, even with the V upper grill. The brushed stainless likely matches the stock upper grill, but may look out of place with the chrome V grill.

Thanks again for any input/opinions.

Jon

 

[ocool]

I have the upper v-grill but kept the orig. black plastic and have not had any problem with it. I held the mesh bottom center grill up to the car and didn't like it. It seemed to attract your eye to it with the black plastic side covers on each side of it. IMO, it cheapened the look of the front of the car. But, to each his own. Good luck with your XLR. You might try the corsa exhaust system. It really makes a difference in the car. Hope you can make R 3 in June. Bill (ocool)

 

[dws]

How easy is this stainless lower grille piece to install ? If it just presses in thats a lot easier than removing the bumper for that small grille. Is it held in by clips ?

 

[mtrocket]

How easy is this stainless lower grille piece to install ? If it just presses in thats a lot easier than removing the bumper for that small grille. Is it held in by clips ?

It actually has clips and screws that hold it in place. The only way to remove it is to take the bumper cover off first; I can't think of any way to get to the screws without removing the bumper cover.

 

[Kahuna]

If you are referring to the stainless or black lower grill cover from the XLR Botique, it is very easy to install - just snaps into place. This is much easier than replacing the original plastic and it is much more durable than the plastic original. It actually covers the original grill and hides any breaks and looks great.

 

[dws]

Kahuna yes I was referring to the stainless black one, I guess there has been an improvment in the paint now, better than at first. You said it snaps in place, any trouble with it coming loose, will it or has it come loose that you know of.
I HAD TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC ONE, AND ITS NOT CHEAP.

 

[Kahuna]

dws, after I returned home with my car (bought used) I noticed several of the plastic ribs were missing or broken due to stone damage. I considered a replacement, but assumed the same problem would exist again after driving the car for awhile. Even though some of the forum members expressed concern over stone chips on the black stainless grill, I figured it would be much easier to paint stone chips than replace plastic! I have had the car for over a year now and there is no evidence of stone chips. I live in central PA and drive the car year round, but do avoid severe weather. Also, as I recall, the stainless grill was about the same price or slightly cheaper than the factory and MUCH easier to install. Good luck and enjoy your ride!

 

[dws]

kahuna, you are soooooo right about to replace or repaint if need be. I was going to have one made till I came across this one. GM SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY ONE THAT HAS DAMAGE, SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS PLASTIC WOULD NEVER WORK.

 

[Kahuna]

Unfortunantly, I think this may have been one of the 'cost cutting' items as the XLR approached production. I just recently read an article on Bob Lutz and one of the concerns he had when he first joined GM was cost cutting on final finish details as models approached production (to meet cost targets). This was often done on interior and trim items that are the last to be finalized, and his concern was that these were the first items the customer sees. Though many changes have been made to address these issues at GM, this one seems to have slipped through - at least looks good in the showroom.