Should I go for the blacked out srt style grille or keep it classier with the chrome mesh bentley look on my 2018 300c? Im really torn because one looks way more aggressive but the chrome feels right for the cars luxury vibe. I have about 800 bucks saved up for some exterior stuff and I live in Florida where the sun just kills black plastic so maybe the chrome holds up better? Also thinking about adding some tinted side markers or maybe a small trunk lip. Im leaning towards the srt look but worried it might look a bit cheap if I dont do the whole chrome delete thing too. Which one looks cleaner in person?
In my experience working on these over the years, the Florida sun is basically a death sentence for cheap black plastic. If you go for the SRT look, you really have to do a full chrome delete or the car just looks confused. I've tried many different setups and here is my take:
To add to the point above: thermal expansion is a major fail point for aftermarket plastic in Florida. If you are doing the SRT look, STILLEN Chrysler 300 Front Lip Spoiler Polyurethane is more durable than fiberglass because it flexes instead of cracking. For markers, Oracle Lighting Smoked LED Side Markers 300 are safer than film; the LEDs maintain visibility in heavy rain. Id go chrome unless you have the budget for a full trim delete.
I absolutely love 300 builds! I remember back in my early days with a 2015 model, I actually went through three different front end setups because I just couldn't decide on the final vibe. Honestly, the SRT style is fantastic if you want that aggressive stance that makes people move out of your way on the highway. It just looks so mean in the mirror! But if you're not ready to commit to a full blackout, it can definitely look a bit unfinished, almost like you're midway through a project. I saw a guy down in Miami last month who had the high-shine mesh look paired with some really clean polished wheels and man, it looked like a million bucks! It's that classic luxury look that never goes out of style for these cars. Since you're in Florida, that sun is no joke... I've seen so many matte black plastic pieces turn gray and chalky after just one single summer in that brutal humidity. Before you drop that 800 bucks, are you planning on keeping the stock wheels for a while? Also, are you thinking about lowering it or keeping the factory height? That really changes which style looks more natural when you see it in person.
Quick reply while I have a sec! I totally get being torn because I went through the same thing when I first started modding my ride and I was honestly terrified of making it look tacky or having the sun ruin everything within six months! Living in a high-heat area like yours really changes the game. I personally started with small, safe changes because I didnt want to regret a huge purchase or hurt the resale value later on. I really love the classy look but that aggressive vibe is so tempting! Here is what I learned from my first few attempts: