Comparison: AVO Grille v. R-Rev Grille

Backstory: When I first sought out a grille, I looked for a something cheap because I couldn't justify over about $150 for a grille. I got a good deal on an AVO grille from Fred Beans parts spring of this year, paying less than $100 since it was a test-fit piece with minor damage. Fred Beans warned me ahead of time that the fitment was "far from perfect," but for the price, I couldn't complain. Eventually, I got tired of how this grille looked in person and how the pictures turned out with it on. I sold the AVO grille and bought a fiberglass R-Rev grille for just under $200 and got this one professionally painted for about $80. But, let's just say, you get what you pay for.

The Test:

Before I sold the AVO grille, I received the R-Rev grille and decided to do a side-by-side comparison of a cheap grille versus a high-end grille. I wanted to justify my purchase, and lets just say I don't regret getting the R-Rev for one second.

When I received the AVO Grille, it had been test fitted, but some of the drilling had torn the surrounding fiberglass. I got a few quotes from nearby bodyshops to repair the grille and get it paint-matched, but most of them wanted close to $200 for repair and paint. I decided this grille wasnt worth that much, so I drilled the holes out even further to achieve proper fitment, then bondo'd around them and sanded it down, and finally painted it with rattle-can semi-gloss black. The piece itself looked fine when I was done with it:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2310.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2314.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2311.jpg

But as far as fitment went, I was never satisfied. Shimming the bumper only marginally helped the lower fitment, and the top of the grille sagged. What many people don't mention about this grille is that even after drilling the holes out about 3/4" further back than they are when you receive the grille, the front of the grille is still too far back. You can actually see the catch for the factory grille's lip when the grille is installed. Here are some photos of fitment:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2329.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2330.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/GrilleSurround.jpg

I did a few side-to-side comparisons of the AVO grille and the R-Rev grille (white, before paint). First thing I noticed was the grille mesh was already powdercoated, unlike the cheapo mesh on the AVO that I spray-bombed. Second, the AVO grille had loops built in to the back for fastening the mesh with zip ties or equivalent fasteners. The R-Rev has bendable metal clips on the back that insert into the mesh and tie in place. Finally, the R-Rev has a lip molded into it on the bottom that works with the factory grille catch:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2320.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2328.jpg

This is the only grille I know of on the market that has this catch. I did the fitment of the R-Rev grille before it was painted since I had learned from the AVO that there will probably be some modification necessary. There was necessary modification, but minor modification. The bottom catch was slightly too thick and required about 5 minutes of sanding to fit in the factory lip. The holes required small drilling modification, but not more than about a 1/4" off. Also, one of the holes had some runoff of fiberglass and needed to be drilled out:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2309.jpg

After drilling:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2315.jpg

After making these modifications, I fitted the grille, and it looked much better. Here are the holes lining up with the pop-its put in place:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2318.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2324.jpg

And finally, a side-by-side comparison:

AVO:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2329.jpg

R-Rev:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2326.jpg

And the final product, paint-matched, complete with a new look, the proprietary R-Rev emblem:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/The%20Crew/DSC_0011reedit.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/The%20Crew/DSC_0013edit.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/The%20Crew/DSC_0021edit.jpg

where'd u get the rrev grill badge from, that looks sick

i have a ton of rrev stuff on my car now, cf grill, cf eyelids, cf mirrors, and soon to be red emblem in the front

where'd u get the rrev grill badge from, that looks sick

 

i have a ton of rrev stuff on my car now, cf grill, cf eyelids, cf mirrors, and soon to be red emblem in the front

R-Rev provided the badge for free upon request (I remember seeing one in a picture one time and asked about this badge, its kind of a test run right now). They were worried it would have trouble staying on the grille, but when I saw this badge, I knew I wanted it on the grille- and why it probably wouldnt stay; they use double-sided white foam tape on the back, which will not be powerful enough to hold on to mesh. I pulled that tape off, and replaced it with a strip of double-sided gray 3M body molding tape, which is the same tape I used to hold on the GT badge pictured on the AVO grille. This stuff will hold to over 100mph and lasts through rain and the elements, and I tested that over many months.

How much did you pay to have it painted? That looks fantastic BTW.

It was $80 for paint at a local dealership's body shop. It would have been more, because they wanted to fix every small imperfection due to pitting in the fiberglass, but it was unnoticeable enough to me that I told them not to. After it came out of paint I had no problems. Also, I removed the mesh ahead of time which saved some money.

That RRev grille does look good!

Thank you very much. I was skeptical at first about spending more than double the amount compared to the AVO, but it was well worth it.

u can still see the gap on the RREV grill but much better. all these aftermarket grills are fiberglass so it's going to chip and wear either way. but thanks for the review.

Not to sound offended, but there is NO gap. The bumper and the grille are in full contact at all points. That lip on the back of the grille slides into the factory grille catch. Sides? They are touching. Top? No sagging, and yes, it is also touching the hood. But since you brought it up, here is a high resolution zoomed-in picture of the grille. Please point out the gaps:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/GrilleFitmentZoom.jpg

Not to sound offended, but there is NO gap. The bumper and the grille are in full contact at all points. That lip on the back of the grille slides into the factory grille catch. Sides? They are touching. Top? No sagging, and yes, it is also touching the hood. But since you brought it up, here is a high resolution zoomed-in picture of the grille. Please point out the gaps:

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/GrilleFitmentZoom.jpg

Can't tell since it's blacked out. But in the picture you posted before painting it looks like it sags.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a332/jrroszko/2005%20Legacy%20GT/Grille%20Comparison/DSCF2326.jpg

Can't tell since it's blacked out. But in the picture you posted before painting it looks like it sags.

Just the angle I took the photo from. No sagging. I am trying to let other members know that this is a quality product, so I want to clear up any misconceptions from my crappy pictures. (The last 3 photos were done by someone with a way better camera and photography skills)

Just the angle I took the photo from. No sagging. I am trying to let other know that this is a quality product, so I want to clear up any misconceptions from my crappy pictures. (The last 3 photos were done by someone with a way better camera and photography skills)

Nice, I am looking for a grill right now. Same situation I don't want to spend that much on a grill then paint costs. Rather modify the stock grill but not sure yet. I keep all my stock parts to return back to OEM when i sell the car. Where did you buy the RREV grill?

I use LOTS of R-Rev products on my own cars. I have nothing but compliments for Jason at R-rev and his work.

I highly recommend his products.

R rev ftw. I have his CF grill, CF aero strakes, CF tailight overlays, CF mirror overlays and CF eyelids.

Soon will be purchasing his CF shifter trim, CF fog light trim, CF hood scoop replacement, and when produced, his CF front splitter.

i had the AVO grille and it fit like a glove but i couldnt resist the appeal of carbon fiber so i got the R-Rev.

The R-Rev didnt fit as well as the AVO, I have a slight gap on the bottom but other than that, R-Rev makes high quality stuff!

Just ordered some rain guards and the carbon fiber chrome tail light overlays!

i had the AVO grille and it fit like a glove but i couldnt resist the appeal of carbon fiber so i got the R-Rev.

 

The R-Rev didnt fit as well as the AVO, I have a slight gap on the bottom but other than that, R-Rev makes high quality stuff!

 

Just ordered some rain guards and the carbon fiber chrome tail light overlays!

You may want to double-check the installation of your grille. There is a lip on the back side of the grille that slips in to the bumper shroud. I had to sand down the lip on mine for it to fit in, but if you dont slip that lip into the shroud, it will just be pushing against it, which would cause your gap. My AVO had about a half-inch gap on each side and at least a half-inch gap on the bottom, and also sits back far enough that you can see the bumper shroud while the grille is installed.

I just received my carbon fiber RREV grille and am very unhappy with the product I received. There are scratches all throughout. Fogging of the Carbon fiber. The holes barely line up and my hood won’t even close. On top of that, on the inside, the grille is cracked and the cuts around the hood patch look like a 12 year old did it with scissors.

Maybe I am just unlucky?