[pounc007]

Does anyone know of a good way to get a factory painted rear bumper garnish to replace the stock black plastic one?

[BEM-S4]

I have literally no idea what you are talking about but if you want a factory OEM part painted a different factory color than what came standard, call IND.

[pounc007]

I'm talking about the garnish that is immediately over the exhaust tips. I'll add a picture when I'm able to get to my computer.

FYI, I'm a complete noob here so forgive this stupid question. Who's IND?

[BEM-S4]

http://www.ind-distribution.com/

The reason I was confused is unless your car is different than literally every other one I have seen or has an aftermarket part, your OEM diffuser is painted dark shadow metallic which is very similar but not identical to mineral grey. The M performance one comes in basic black and can be painted whatever you want but some folks leave it black.

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/cate...m235i-diffuser

I am assuming by your 2014 car versus lack of knowledge about it maybe you bought it used and didn't install the M Performance one yourself, which is my best guess at what you are talking about.

[pounc007]

You hit that right on the head. Bought it used and didn't install the performance one myself, it wasn't on the build sheet. I don't see many 2 series around and haven't been able to look aside from pictures on the internet. On the internet everything looks black. Thanks for clearing that up.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by pounc007

You hit that right on the head. Bought it used and didn't install the performance one myself, it wasn't on the build sheet. I don't see many 2 series around and haven't been able to look aside from pictures on the internet. On the internet everything looks black. Thanks for clearing that up.

Ok so what you have is the M performance diffuser which is OEM but not standard on the car. Think it can be port installed but most are done after the fact.

Anyway what you paint it is entirely up to you. I personally think it looks best not body colored and appreciate some contrast. On BSM cars I think best dark shadow with fins black. Other colors best gloss black. Finally if you are adding other carbon bits you can have it dipped carbon to match. Really totally up to you. It's not a hard piece for any shop to paint for you. It gets labor intensive when you add multiple colors like top black, center body colored, find black due to masking dry times etc.

[pounc007]

That was my thinking too. I work in automotive parts development and didn't want that painted by a body shop. I'd prefer something factory painted or molded in color due to the likelihood of rock strikes. Mine is mineral grey so going with a stock one seems like it will work.

[BEM-S4]

Call IND. They do factory finish paint you can ship your diffuser to them and have it painted there. I do not believe the process is any different than factory, maybe better in fact.

[davefromfla]

I had mine painted to match my car (BSM) at a local body shop I have used before. Cost $135 and was a perfect match. You should be able to get it painted any color you want easily, and not very expensive.

[moldcad]

Attached please find an example of selective-painted MP difussor; those fluent in Photoshop please provide some renderings of different painting schemes (like the main area unpainted, central part with ribs painted in body color - AW in this case - etc.) You will have some entertainment while the rest of us AW 2-series owners will get the idea how their cars would look like Thanks!

Piotr

[moldcad]

In particular, I'd love to see what the entire car would look like with the diffuser painting reversed on the attached picture (i.e. the outer area with pipe cu-outs being black - unpainted, and the central part - actual diffuser with ribs - painted white)... Anyone with PS skills, please? TIA

Piotr