View Full Version : My best AlanF impersonation: Color questions...
Okay, opinions...
Jet black versus Black Sapphire
and
Black leather versus Terra leather
Not that I'll listen. But I'm curious as to opinions.
I'd save yourself the $475, and get the jet black. I doubt anyone but you would ever notice that it's not metallic paint. And I think the terra leather might be interesting, but I'd have to see it in person first.
Go for the metallic. If there's no hue, at least get a little depth of color.
And go for the black interior. You have two small children.
zcasavant
02-09-2006, 06:41 PM
I love the terra interior. I think it's dark enough that it wouldn't look dirty. I like the metallic black better.
IMO, the metallic blacks hides fine scratches better. I always notice that when I wash my cosmos M3 back to back with my wife's jet 323iC.
I do think the terra would be dark enough for kids. I'm just concerned about the number of interior colors with that selection (brown seats, black dash, carpet and other bits, grey headliner, wood or aluminum trim). Sounds busy. But, on the otehr hand, the one "unusual" BMW leather offering (there seems to always be one at any given time) always looks pretty cool and it is unusual.
I'm going to try to see it in person and see if I have a stronger opinion.
I'd save yourself the $475, and get the jet black. I doubt anyone but you would ever notice that it's not metallic paint. And I think the terra leather might be interesting, but I'd have to see it in person first.
I've decided to penny pinch away the fold-down seats (I haven't missed not having them over 4.5 years with my M3) but the paint will be based on what I want, not saving more pennies.
Jason C
02-09-2006, 06:50 PM
Terra + Metallic.
Just IMO of course.
If I were buying the car, I'd get black/black. For a lease car, that I would only have for two years and that I wouldn't have to worry about selling, why not get the funky interior color? Terra is kind of cool and unique--black is kind of boring.
If it were my car, I'd probably get red/black, but my second choice would be jet black/terra. I think BMW's metallic black paint just looks dusty, but I think you're right about it being easier to keep clean.
EDIT:
I think, though, with the terra the aluminum trim looks better, though I think the aluminum trim looks better in all cases.
OK, nevermind--found the perfect combo.
Sonora/Terra. With poplar interior trim.
...grey headliner...
...Yet another very cool ZHP feature.
Anyhow. I agree with the busy thing. Dunno much about the colors, but if you can get a wood trim VERY close to terra, then that may be ok.
Be practical with the paint. JB will show swirls, but if you don't wash your car, it wont have them. :p
Frankly, I'd go JB, black leather. But that's just me. Anything to diminish the Bangleness.:D
Since you're leasing (and for only 2 years), I'd go w/ Jet Black and terra. Jet Black looks great when its new and clean which it will be for most of your ownership. Terra is a bit "different", so give it a try for a change-- you only have to live with it for 2 years.
wdc330i
02-09-2006, 07:13 PM
Since you're leasing (and for only 2 years), I'd go w/ Jet Black and terra. Jet Black looks great when its new and clean which it will be for most of your ownership. Terra is a bit "different", so give it a try for a change-- you only have to live with it for 2 years.
I just don't think browns and blacks go well together. I had that shiny, plastic-looking wood trim on my first JB 330i with black leather and it never looked right. Second time around I speced JB, black leather, and the plastic titanium trim. What that did was keep interior and exterior colors to two--black and silver metal or gray headliner. It really is a classic combo. But, indeed, JB shows all the fine scratches, etc. when you press your nose on the car. From a distance, it looks great.
But you're leasing, so I'd say go crazy. Do terra with that Barrique Red or one of the blues.
PS: We have titanium gray, gray leather, and anthracite on the 5 and that looks pretty sharp, too. There's something elegant about a monoculture of color.
If you are an appearance nut like I am, you will be much happier with a metallic black then jet black. Jet black looks nice, but it shows EVERYTHING. I swore after the 330i that I would never own another jet black car again. But the V only comes in four colors, three of which I did not like (and one of which cost $1,000!!). So I have it again. I love it when it's clean - that's about 15 minutes after a wash out here right now. The dust layer starts right away. Metallic would hide some of that stuff.
If you use car washes, even hand car washes, the towels they use will leave visible marks in jet black. Easy to get out, but will you? Dusters leave marks. Looking at the car cross eyed leaves marks.
Granted, the GM paint is crap compared to BMW paint and it might not be quite as bad. But I would get the metallic version, just to hide some stuff.
If it were my car, I would get black in the interior too, but that's subjectively personal, I think.
undefined
02-09-2006, 07:33 PM
defnitely jet black. I agree--BMW's metallic blacks always look dusty to me.
haven't seen terra in person before, so :dunno:
zcasavant
02-09-2006, 07:37 PM
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=390&stc=1
More here:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137&highlight=terra
wdc330i
02-09-2006, 07:40 PM
Wow. That looks really pink. Terra looks like a deep, reddish brown on the BMW Web site--but then all the colors on that Web site look distinctly artificial and odd.
undefined
02-09-2006, 07:41 PM
ugh--those seatbacks look awful with the 2-tone effect going on
I vote for black interior
zcasavant
02-09-2006, 07:43 PM
ugh--those seatbacks look awful with the 2-tone effect going on
I vote for black interior
I like the two-tone. And I don't think it's that pink in person. I'd almost certainly get it on an e90, but with sparkling graphite exterior.
Mr. The Edge
02-09-2006, 07:45 PM
TD why don't you go for another color since two of your current cars are black?
I have a friend who got an E90 330i in a dark blue shade (not sure of the color name) and it is really sharp.
Mr. The Edge
02-09-2006, 07:45 PM
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=390&stc=1
More here:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137&highlight=terra
That is pretty ugly, IMO.
undefined
02-09-2006, 07:48 PM
TD why don't you go for another color since two of your current cars are black?
I have a friend who got an E90 330i in a dark blue shade (not sure of the color name) and it is really sharp.
monaco blue--that would be my choice
(basically like Orient Blue from what I can tell)
My mom's E90 is Black Saphire / Sand (or whatever the tan is called now).
I think it looks great.
But I was really surprised when my mom told me she had ordered a black car -- every car she has had since I was born was either white or silver, and she detests having a dirty-looking car. So far she's pretty happy with the Black Saphire.
For interior, I actually like some contrast, but really hate black on anything other than the top of the dash and driver controls. One of the things I dislike about my E39 is that the wood (walnut) does not stand out against the black dash/gray leather. I wish it either had the tan leather, or that the wood was a lighter color to help lighten up the interior and provide more contrast.
Mr. The Edge
02-09-2006, 08:08 PM
monaco blue--that would be my choice
(basically like Orient Blue from what I can tell)
Yep, that's the one, as I know what Orient Blue looks like and his is basically the same.
wdc330i
02-09-2006, 08:08 PM
Yep, that's the one, as I know what Orient Blue looks like and his is basically the same.
I think I prefer that Mystic Blue. But nothing is a cheerful as Topaz. Alas.
Go with Jet Black/baby blue.
Not not the 'ette? I thought you prefered the pleather. Getting soft in your old age?
Go with Jet Black/baby blue.
Not not the 'ette? I thought you prefered the pleather. Getting soft in your old age?
Pleather rules. :worship
wdc330i
02-09-2006, 08:28 PM
Go with Jet Black/baby blue.
Not not the 'ette? I thought you prefered the pleather. Getting soft in your old age?
I think the sport package requires leather. (Why does that sound obscene?)
My best AlanF impersonation: Color questions...
Wow do you have a good memory that was back in fall of 2002 ... with that said I like the look of Jet black versus black metallic ... Jet black looks shinier and bklack metallic when clean doesn't ever look THAT clean in comparison.
Wow do you have a good memory that was back in fall of 2002 ... with that said I like the look of Jet black versus black metallic ... Jet black looks shinier and bklack metallic when clean doesn't ever look THAT clean in comparison.
Dude, I remember it too ( I had just joined the 'fest - formerly mbr129).
Anyway TD, I say get jet black and Rejex the shit out of it. I'm sure it will be fine. I hear Rejex is not a deep/pretty/whatever as Zaino or carnauba, but it's pretty damn resistant/long-lasting.
IndyMike
02-09-2006, 08:44 PM
Okay, I'm going to break down each of the colors and give you my honest opinion:
Jet black - Great if you are a detail fanatic; if you are detail averse not a good choice. Best interior Black or Tan. Personally I would go with Black.
Alpine white - Might be the best color for the E90. For some reason the flame surfacing really complements this color. The girth of the car is somewhat hidden. Best interior Black or Tan. I'd go Black, again.
Electric red - Not a bad color on the E90. Only mark against it is it isn't Imola. Best interior black or tan. I'd go black (catching a theme here?) :)
Black Sapphire - Hides swirls and defects better than JB. Has a dusty, cloudy nature that JST and bonoboy have already spoken of. Best interior Black or Tan. Go with the black.
Mystic blue - Nice color in the sunshine. Reminds me of Avus under those conditions. When it gets overcast or dark out it's Hyde nature comes out as well as the dark pigment in the paint. Little too murky for my liking. Best interior Black or Gray. I'd go Black.
Sonora - No comment. Nothing nice to say so I'll shut my pie-hole. Best interior choice? Pick your poison. The good news is even if your kids barf in it it'll still look better than the exterior.
Sparkling graphite - Not a bad color. Reminds me a bit of Steel grey, but you've already had that color and IMO Sparkling graphite is no Steel grey.Best interior is Black or Terra. You've seen Terra in previous posts here, so Black is the clear winner.
Monoco blue - Pretty nice color. Hard for me to say it's better than Orient because in overcast conditions it almost looks like non-metallic in nature. Best interior is Black or Tan. I'd go Tan.
Arctic silver - I may be called ghey, but I really like it. It has a neat sort of glacial light-green sheen to it when the sun reflects off of it. Best interior
is Black or Tan. I'd do Black to give it a little man-liness.
Tantanium silver - Next to AW is probably the best color, as long as you don't mind looking like everyone else. Easiest color to maintain. Only interior that works well with it is Black.
Dark green (or whatever it's called) - Can't comment because I haven't seen it. Shows you how popular a color it is.
I think that covers it.
If it were me I'd go with either Alpine white or Titanium silver and Black.
While I like JB a lot there's no way I would want to spend the time necessary to keeping it impecably clean, which is my standard.
If I were you I would opt for Black Sapphire and Black interior. You keep your cars pretty clean, but not clean enough to do JB any justice. Tan would not be a bad call, but since you have little ones it could be a bear to keep clean.
Mr. The Edge
02-09-2006, 08:44 PM
I'll never say never, but I don't think I would own a black car again, unless I got a killer deal on something.
Probably the most beautiful to look at when clean, but man it is hard work to keep clean.
Sharp11
02-09-2006, 09:13 PM
I'm color blind so for me it's pretty easy; black, white, gray or silver is my usual pick.
My E46 was JB, it was a great choice for that car but the E90 is larger, so perhaps a lighter choice or a metallic finish would do well.
Ed
Optimus Prime
02-09-2006, 09:43 PM
I personally like Mystic and Terra, however I can see the wife voting for Mystic with tan or White with terra.
I'll let you know what we order Saturday :cool:
(I didn't answer your color question, because you wouldn't have listened anyways. : outtaher )
I'll never say never, but I don't think I would own a black car again, unless I got a killer deal on something.
Probably the most beautiful to look at when clean, but man it is hard work to keep clean.
I love black cars and it is usually my first choice ... I try to go to the carwash once a week with my cars and they seem to always look clean.
I am sure if I was to study my cars the carwash is probably doing a nice job on the paint but until I have a car as sweet as your Porsche I am not too concerned !!!
I have seen all of the color options you mentioned. JB or SB with Terra looks great. Personally, I would probably SB if I was going to go with Terra. JB, with black.
Edit: BTW, Terra is hard to get photos of it showing the true color, just like Tanin Red was.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=390&stc=1
More here:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137&highlight=terra
I sat in terra tonight in person and two things: one, it looks nothing like that pic and, two, I liked it a lot.
In fact, I ordered it with Sapphire Black and walnut trim
I personally like Mystic and Terra, however I can see the wife voting for Mystic with tan or White with terra.
I'll let you know what we order Saturday :cool:
(I didn't answer your color question, because you wouldn't have listened anyways. : outtaher )
Cool!
Specs?
Jason C
02-10-2006, 12:43 AM
I sat in terra tonight in person and two things: one, it looks nothing like that pic and, two, I liked it a lot.
In fact, I ordered it with Sapphire Black and walnut trim
I would have ordered that too. :thumbup:
I personally like Mystic and Terra, however I can see the wife voting for Mystic with tan or White with terra.
I'll let you know what we order Saturday :cool:
(I didn't answer your color question, because you wouldn't have listened anyways. : outtaher )
I agree with this, Mystic blue - Nice color in the sunshine. Reminds me of Avus under those conditions. When it gets overcast or dark out it's Hyde nature comes out as well as the dark pigment in the paint. Little too murky for my liking. Best interior Black or Gray. I'd go Black.
Optimus Prime
02-10-2006, 01:03 AM
Cool!
Specs?
We're looking at ZPP, ZCW, and 322. Color TBD, hopefully the local dealer will give us a reasonable deal. I've got 3 good offers from dealers up by my parents in Chicago, as long as they match (or come close) we'll be happy.
We're looking at ZPP, ZCW, and 322. Color TBD, hopefully the local dealer will give us a reasonable deal. I've got 3 good offers from dealers up by my parents in Chicago, as long as they match (or come close) we'll be happy.
No ZSP?
In fact, I ordered it with Sapphire Black and walnut trim
I would just like to make sure I have this right before I keel over and crack my head open.
You actually ORDERED a car? :eek: I was sure we were going to be left at the alter again.
The car you ordered is a Bangle BMW? :eek::eek: I am sure this a dream where you fall forever and wakeup right as you hit the ground.
The car you ordered is a Bangle BMW? :eek::eek: I am sure this a dream where you fall forever and wakeup right as you hit the ground.
FYI, The E90 was penned by Joji Nagashima. He is the same gentleman that penned the E39. No wonder TD likes the E90. :D
FYI, The E90 was penned by Joji Nagashima. He is the same gentleman that penned the E39. No wonder TD likes the E90. :D
THATS why the rear end is more like the E39 then the E46.
Right, but Bangle didn't actually design any of these cars, did he? He just provided the design direction. Besides, it doesn't matter. With everything TD has posted in the past, I just wanted confirmation before I had a heart attack and cracked my head open.
Right, but Bangle didn't actually design any of these cars, did he? He just provided the design direction. Besides, it doesn't matter. With everything TD has posted in the past, I just wanted confirmation before I had a heart attack and cracked my head open.
Commence heart attacking and head cracking.
Commence heart attacking and head cracking.
Once I get the blood out of my eyes, I will make my way back to the keyboard and offer a hearty congratulations!! Hope you like the new ride enough to not regret it or start wishing you had a different car for at least three years.
Once I get the blood out of my eyes, I will make my way back to the keyboard and offer a hearty congratulations!! Hope you like the new ride enough to not regret it or start wishing you had a different car for at least three years.
That's my biggest fear.
That's my biggest fear.
Yeah, but this time you have a light at the end of the tunnel. You know you can give it back and walk away on a date certain. And if you are really worried about it, you can make that date only two years away. It won't cost you an arm and a leg to get out this time.
I am looking forward to hearing your opinions about the car 9 months and a year from now.
Optimus Prime
02-10-2006, 07:43 PM
No ZSP?
While the ZSP is nice, it's not needed for the wifes car. The e90 is still going to handle much better than anything she's had, and the ZSP would would rarely get put to actual use.
While the ZSP is nice, it's not needed for the wifes car. The e90 is still going to handle much better than anything she's had, and the ZSP would would rarely get put to actual use.
But even if it doesn't get "used", you get great seats, a better steering wheel and much better looking rims. For only $1455.
Bruce330cic
02-10-2006, 08:03 PM
But even if it doesn't get "used", you get great seats, a better steering wheel and much better looking rims. For only $1455.
Exactly. I wasn't going to get SP on my e90 either, but after test driving two with it, I loved the steering wheel and seats. I could go either way on the rims. But I'm definitely getting SP now.
Exactly. I wasn't going to get SP on my e90 either, but after test driving two with it, I loved the steering wheel and seats. I could go either way on the rims. But I'm definitely getting SP now.
So you're getting one too?
undefined
02-10-2006, 08:14 PM
buncha lemmings around here...
yeah, almost kinda funny. Large portions of the group migrated away, now the original hater is migrating back. Never say never.
Optimus Prime
02-10-2006, 11:49 PM
Exactly. I wasn't going to get SP on my e90 either, but after test driving two with it, I loved the steering wheel and seats. I could go either way on the rims. But I'm definitely getting SP now.
Well, perhaps after the test drive we will follow suit. :D
What colors are you looking at?
Bruce330cic
02-11-2006, 02:34 AM
So you're getting one too?
I am. But I'm not ordering until April. My lease is up in mid August and since I'm on the west coast it's about a 3 month process from order to delivery. They checked to see if I could get out of my current lease early but since it's not a BMWFS lease, I can't, but that's OK, I still love the convertible.
For the 330i, I plan on silver exterior, terra interior, aluminum trim, SP, PP, heated seats, satellite radio. Looking forward to it! :)
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