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I did a simple mod that I like, (go figure...). The front grill in my opinion, has too many lines. I blacked out the vertical lines with electrical tape so the horizontal lines are highlighted. This gives the illusion of the front being wider and less taller looking.
After seeing your post on using black tape to mask out the vertical lines on the grill I went out and spent 5 minutes doing it myself. I think I like it, and it does give the illusion of being 'less tall' Great Idea and I will keep it that way for a while and see if anyone notices.
Hi!
While it's not for everybody, it's simple and quickly reversible! I'm glad you like my idea and modified your grill, too! As you might notice, with certain light conditions, pretty much all the lines are visible. Yet, when the light is more indirect, the horizontal lines will show up more. I think it looks so much cleaner. By the way, what color is your Amanti?
The car is silver. I see what you mean by certain lighting conditions. I took about a dozen pictures with and without flash before I was able to clearly make out the lines properly. I am also thinking about tinting the windows. I have already pulled the Kia emblem off the trunk lid. I have asked around for hub cap replacements but to no avail. I was also able to add a satellite radio, running the antenna wire up and around the back windows small, counter sunk rubber flange, and it turned out very well. The receiver is mounted on the left drivers side vent. It’s an arms reach but workable. My car also has that dreaded ‘clunk’ on the right-front strut and I will be taking the car in this week, hopefully for a quick fix. Interestingly enough the grill was the first thing that attracted me to the car and every one seems to like it, the car as a whole that is. But after a month and a half, I am getting a bit uncertain about it. I love the car how is rides, how quiet it is to drive most everything about the vehicle except I have mixed feelings about ‘that grill’ so your idea helps.
Hey, your picture looks very cool!! You did a great job on your grill!
I, too took off the rear KIA emblem. I didn't really want to, but someone wrote about it and I started pulling on the letters and the next thing I knew, it was off. And...it looked nice without it. Folks will have to guess, -just who makes the Amanti, (unless they see the wheels ). I did play around with some hypothetical KIA logo locations and took some pics. The letters were sticky, so I could move them around. I thought some locations looked kind of interesting. Just having some fun. (Sorry about the messy garage...I got to get in there and straighten up, but I'm too busy driven' around with the Amanti! )
"http://photos.yahoo.com/tgear3"
(please cut and paste the above address BETWEEN the qoute marks, thanks)
I, too thought about the windows being tinted. But I'm afraid of a poor job or the tinted glass bubbling or peeling off after time, so I didn't have the guts to do it. But it sure would look nice.
I had my suspension fixed a couple of weeks ago and the car really drives so much better, now. Good luck in that department. Thanks again for the feedback!
Hi Pete, your image link doesn't seem to work. Also I am having a hard time with my local Kia dealer not knowing about the problem reguarding the 'clunk' sound, so they say... Did you get a TSB number with your repair. What exactly did they do to fix the problem so I can pass this information to my dealer.
I kept the Amanit lettering where they were. and I too did the same thing, I started pulling the logo off and by then it was too late to salvage it as the rubber mounting tape streached all out of shape. I found out from my local dealer that there is a gold logo package avalible, not in my taste though.
Sorry about the dead link . It worked for awhile, but I think I fixed it now!
I do not have an actual TSB number. However, try calling 1-800-333-4542, (KIA consumer affairs) concerning the suspension. Ask for John at extension 46635.
I hope that will work for you, as he is the person who helped me set-up my appointment concerning those parts with my local dealer.
If that number does not work, try 1-800-225-3217 (this is the KIA number for dealers only-but they will re-direct you) . However, the top number should be the one to try first!
The suspension repair is actually very easy. Under the hood, the top of the shock strut is accessed and a longer metal sleeve (about 2 inches long) is replaced and a modified rubber bushing is also replaced on each side of course. The whole repair can be done in about ten to fifteen minutes. I watched my technician do it and he would have been quicker if I didn't ask him a zillion Amanti questions . Luckily, he's a very friendly fellow.
Well, I hope that works! Please let us know how you make out with the suspension situation. If you have noticed the clunk, and you Amanti needs those parts, (because not all of them do) it will be noticeably quieter. Good luck!
Pete,
Sorry for the delay, busy, busy... I called John at the number you provided. He seemed a bit supprised that his number was posted on a web fourm and told me that this site was not part of Kia or supported by them, news to me. Though he knew exactly the problem and the fix for it. He called my local dealer and informed them on how to fix the problem. My dealer said that I was the first of this kind of fix at their site and that they needed the car overnight, fun! They are ordering the parts in and I take the car in next Thursday May 5th for the repair. I don't expect any problems but will let you know how it turns out.
Getting back to your front end grill mod, I have noticed that after about 3 car washes (by hand) that the black tape is starting to peal up on some of the corners. A minor maintance issue I guess. I do like the new look and plan to keep it that way as long as the tape doesn't peal up too fast, all the time!
Hi Kurt!
Thanks for the feedback!
Hmmmmh...If I understand you correctly, THIS forum is not recognized by KIA and John is probably unaware that I gave out his phone number on this forum. Yet, it seemed to have helped you (Or it will on the 5th of May) as it helped me.
I think I got the 'dealer only' number from my dealer, which I called. They again referred me to the other number where I spoke to John who was very helpful.
Good luck on the 5th!
My grill is still doing fine. I made sure to use a good quality tape and also made sure not to stretch it during the application. This prevents it from shrinking. I love the way it looks and it looks really great on your Amanti as shown in your pic!!
Keep us posted!
Thanks again!
Pete
PS Anyobody else considering this mod for their grill?
Pete, Got, most of the repair on the front-end noise fixed. They didn't have one of the parts when I took the car in but didn't tell me that until after I picked it up. It seems that most of the problem is gone, but I still hear some noice though it is not as pronounced. Maybe after I take the car back for the additional sleeve the problem will be solved. I think the main issue over noise in this car it that is it just so quiet inside and 'any' kind of car noises really stand out!
). I did play around with some hypothetical KIA logo locations and took some pics. The letters were sticky, so I could move them around. I thought some locations looked kind of interesting. Just having some fun. (Sorry about the messy garage...I got to get in there and straighten up, but I'm too busy driven' around with the Amanti! 
)
. It worked for awhile, but I think I fixed it now!
. Luckily, he's a very friendly fellow.
Thanks,
Linear Mode
