[x300] Grille difference between X300 and X308

X300
1

I was reading about the differences in the body between the
X300 and the X308. I can see the exterior light changes and
the bumper top trim changes, but I read that the front
grille is shallower on the X308. Can the earlier deeper X300
grille be installed without the hood hitting the grille when
the hood is opened? Somebody must have tried this already. I
have a nice NOS fluted shell and grille inserts hanging on
the wall waiting to be put on a 2003 X308!!! :} Brandon–
B. V. ST JAMES
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2

In reply to a message from VITOCARLY sent Thu 26 Mar 2009:

I doubt anyone has retro-fitted stuff to make their car look older but I did it the other way round.

The X300 grille will fit an X308 fine and not foul at the top. The grille will overlap the headlamp trim pieces at the lower outer ends which will look odd on close inspection. Not half as bad as fitting the narrower X308 grille to an X300 using the existing X300 trim pieces. These leave an ugly gap each side around the bottom with the X308 grille.

With luck your X300 stuff is stainless instead of chromed plastic, although even the X300 started using plastic eventually, which spoiled the solid feel of the rear numberplate ‘eyebrow’ trim for example.

Pete–
68 E-type OTS, 96 X300 XJ12, 94 XJR 5-speed manual
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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3

In reply to a message from VITOCARLY sent Thu 26 Mar 2009:

Pete, first of all, I just recieved a copy of your book on
buying X300/X308! I read it start to finish, it had
confirmed that I am making the right choice in searching for
a 2003 Xj8 Vanden Plas. My East Library is full of spares
from 2 years of shopping for anything that might fail on an
X300! Now I am sifting thru and saving what may be used on
an X308. I have a beautiful chrome cast metal fluted trunk
plinth from a 96 X300 and a NOS chrome cast metal fluted
grille assy. saved for the new car. I will have to install
the grille and see how bad it looks on the overhanging
edges. Seems they couldn’t leave well enough alone! Thanks
for all the help, I’ll post pictures when the new ‘‘baby’’
arrives. Brandon–
B. V. ST JAMES
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4

In reply to a message from VITOCARLY sent Fri 27 Mar 2009:

I have tried to do this and it doesnt look good. You need the trim
around the headlamps in order to make it look good!–
xjsx300
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