Since I have been back I have been going crazy with this car. The latest thing I have done is to custom fabricate a Bently style grill. I always hated the Chrysler minivan / Sebring style grill on these cars. So I went looking for a grill that was a similair size to ours that I could mod to fit. I think I may have found the right one. The Grill I bought from E bay is made for a 2004 Nissan Altima. It was the closest physical size to our opening. While I knew I wanted a mesh style grill, I knew I didnt want the one dimensional chrome wire mesh one that you can see right through. I knew it had to be three dimensional so that it looks rich and substantial. This one is that for sure.

Now don't get me wrong, this is in no way an easy install. I had the use a dremel to cut large portions of it off to fit. It also had to be very carefully heated with a heat gun to form it properly to the curve of our nose. Mounting it is not an exact science. Right now it is held in by the force of the hood closing on it. It is not going anywhere, but opening the hood will be an adventure when I have to do it.

Anyway, just though I would pass the info along. I am not going to make and sell these, it is way too time consuming. But if you have time and $50 you can end up with something pretty nice.

Please give me your opinions and and thoughts on the look. I am pretty happy with it. Maybe some of you would like it too.

 

A Bentley grille? I know someone here who might be interested in one.

 

Here is the ebay listing

and a pic of the grill

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-02-03...f14291&vxp=mtr

 

I think I just might like you..lol. I know I like the way you think! I've kinda been looking at various grills on ebay myself.. and have to admit that probably is the closest fit over ones I've eyeballed.
Goes good with that front lip..

 

Hahahahahahhahahaha I know too! But I aint saying!! 180, your killing me!!!

 

looks great i have the billet grille on mine that looks real good allot better than the mesh grilles

 

Doesn't fit the space well enough to be worth the effort. Good try though.

 

Are you sure you don,t want to make one for me?..........
Looks great.

 

Looks pretty good. I wonder if this material could be purchased and a piece formed to fit at the bottom of the grill openning a little better. I do like the mesh!

 

good effort, though that opening at the bottom would bug me every time I walked up to my car

 

With the fit at the bottom being improved, it is a very nice touch.

James

Edit: I just read the auction description: plastic ABS.

 

I am pretty sure I can fix that issue on the bottom. To be honest, in person you don't even notice it. I am pretty **** about stuff being perfect.
Gonna look at it tomorrow some more. I know I had it fitting better before. The clips on the bottom must have popped out. More R and D time tomorrow.

 

Ok, did some more fitting and took care of the gap on the bottom of the grill. The pictures do not do it justice. In person it looks absolutely amazing. I am very very happy with it. I also realized the lower grills needed trim around the perimeter to finish it off. I think this can be done by anyone with patience and a little skill. The lower grills are made of chrome heavy gauge wire mesh with chrome door edge molding as the perimeter trim.

Hope you like it.

 

So heating it with a heat gun didn't have an affect on the chrome finish? I'm guessing you had to heat the lower flange and contour there? Would a custom formed sheet metal plate take care of the fitment at the hood for attaching? For the price and the "3D" look I'm about tempted here..

 

can you post any under hood pictures or how you have mounted it?

 

People call that style a "Crentley". This is when they modify their Chrysler 300 to like like a Bentley.

 

Looks really good, I'll have to make this purchase for sure. I'm quite handy. I for one don't think the billet grills look nice. Their hideous to me. But to each his own. I'll be PM'ing you to get some tips.

 

Sorry for the delay guys. Been crazy busy with daughter starting college in Florida.
Let me try to answer questions that have been asked.

Bending it with the heat gun, yes mostly reformed at the bottom. A little at the top too. Be extremely careful and go slow. The chrome plating does not flex like the plastic does. Too much and it will crack. It did wrinkle a little bit so that is where I stopped. Nothing that is noticable.

Mounting, well right now I am not proud of my mounting. To be honest it really just sits in there. The pressure of the closed hood locks it in place. It will require alot more fab work to make actually mount. If I open the hood the grill comes out. Like I said not proud, but how often do I open the hood anyway.

I am very happy with the look and I get more of the questions "what kind of car is that anyway?" With out the Chrysler minivan grill it is not a dead giveaway any more. I had one guy ask if it was a Maserati, but he may not have been the brightest bulb in the box.

 

I think you're definetly on the right track. That's one of the nicest looking grille changes I've seen. As you stated, the fitment is not perfect, the mounting needs to be perfected and I personally don't like the fact that it's ABS plastic instead of stainless steel wire mesh. Thanks for sharing your efforts . . .

 

I think you have done a nice job adapting another grille for use on the XF, but I would like to see another member put one on that does not have a black car. I think on the side and on the bottom the gap is a little too large and would be much more noticeable on a colored car.

Just my opinion.