Asking for a little help from my friends

All,

So I've got a bit of a dilemma (first world problems, I know), and wanted to ask for some opinions here.

I am planning on changing out our DD's (get rid of wife's 330Ci, and give her my current X5) and get myself a new BMW 650i Gran Coupe. All three of our cars are currently gray (pic of stable attached), and I'm thinking of changing things up a bit and ordering the GC in Tanzanite Blue (example pic attached).

The dilemma comes with the interior color. I hate black interiors (no offense to anyone else) and ultimately am choosing between Champagne and Canyon Brown (also attached). I love the Canyon Brown looks-wise, but I am concerned a brown interior doesn't really match with a blue exterior. So I think Champagne is the safer bet, but I always go back to the brown.

Or should I just change the exterior color to something else?

Any thoughts appreciated guys!

Cheers!
Dennis
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I personally like the brown soooooo much better. It goes fine with the blue exterior.

It will look better for longer too.

my $.02

 

I'd go with the lighter interior, I really prefer the lighter interior but think it could be a maintenance headache long term, especially if you have kids or dogs. So if you don't own it more than 3 years, I'd say go light.

I like the brown as well, not as much as the lighter interior, and suspect if you're buying the car it may make resale a little tougher down the line.

Have I thoroughly clouded the issue now?

D

 

How about gray? I have an orientblue 7 series which might be a tad darker than that with gray interior and it goes very well together and is easy to keep clean (a plus with 2 kids).

 

Go with the gray or silver, as BMW calls it. When you open the doors and the interior lights go on, it's as if you are stepping into luxury. The brown is better...the cream is too light and too conventional and will get dirty very quickly. The brown looks nice and sophisticated, and goes nicely with the blue (which is a bit too bright for my liking). Consider a maroon? Or a white? Or a sky blue if it's available? Dark green might work too.

 

I actually like the look of the lighter interior more. I would think a lighter color would be more difficult to maintain over time then a darker color.

 

I am personally a big fan of Blue with Tan. Although Blue with Tobacco or Cuio is becoming a favorite. I agree with the maintenance of the lighter Tan colors. This all assumes you stay with Blue. For me Grey/Charcoal is the new Red!! Jon with three Grey cars in Delaware.

 

love the brown interior - classy !

 

I'm with Zack -- I'd personally go with a grey/stone colored interior with the blue paint. For the record, the brown looks much better than I expected.

 

Love the blue. Great choice. Isn't the grand coupe available with cinnamon brown leather also? That is a bit lighter than the pictures above and I think would look great with the Tanzanit blue.

 

I say grey/silver with the blue.

david

 

I agree with Jon, blue/tan! Add a little color to your life!

 

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. Couple of additional answers/considerations given prior comments:

1. I buy my cars. Don't really believe in leasing unless they're throwing around ridiculous residuals. So I tend to keep my cars. Wife driving a now 9 year old 330Ci. My X5 is 6 years old. I typically start with a car, then pass it off to her. Probably will want to accelerate the cycle a bit going forward, but she sees very little need of new cars. So I'll have this one for at least 5 years, maybe up to 8 I think.

2. Agree the light interior is difficult to maintain. The tan in my 6 year old X5 has gotten quite dirty in spots. Besides the general look, I am leaning towards the brown for maintenance as well.

3. As for other color suggestions, appreciate the thoughts, but BMW's selection is a little "limited" for my tastes. There's a black, a red (would never consider these), three browns (canyon being the one I like -- cinnamon brown is too red and amaro brown too orange), and 3 "whites" -- Ivory White, Opal White, and Platinum. So no real "grays", although the Platinum may be the closest thing. But even then, the Platinum will have the same issues as the tan in terms of getting dirty. Pics of all the interior color options attached.

Bottom line -- if I were to choose exterior and interior colors INDEPENDENTLY, there is no question -- I'd go blue and brown. My concern is with the combination of the two. I have one person saying he thinks it goes fine together (Statler), and Jon mentioned blue and tobacco (note: in Germany this color is actually called Cohiba Brown -- I guess in the US they didn't want any connections with Cuba or tobacco?). But no one here said that it's a bad combo.

Finally, as far as resale, fair points. But that doesn't bother me -- if I get more enjoyment and utility out of something during the ownership period and take a somewhat lower resale value, then so be it.

So I'm 80% brown/blue. Anyone want to push me the last 20%?

Thanks everyone!
Dennis
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I agree!

 

Another vote for the Blue/Brown. Great colors. Blue really makes it pop on the outside. On the inside the brown shows off the lines of the dash without being too loud (light color) or understated (black/darker color).

 

That white interior is sex! How are light interiors any more difficult to maintain?The carpets and floor mats are usually dark and the seats can be easily cleaned. Just don't leave chocolate melting into them and you'll be fine.

 

Well, I could leave chocolate melting on the brown and no one would be the wiser! Hence easier to maintain!

 

Top right interior photo. I like how the brown goes down to the armrest.

My 2s. 6d.

 

I say dont worry about the leather maintenance, thats what you have me for!

If youre keeping it, Id consider coating it too for your sake. My .02 says go with the brown, tan becomes too "monotone" after time in my mind. You will enjoy the darker interior for longer.

 

I will cast a another vote for blue with brown. But then again, my Ferrari is Blu Pozzi and Cuoio. It looks great.

 

Thanks everyone. The car has been ordered. Get to pick it up in Munich (European Delivery) on 12/20, then will take some time to ship over, so expecting it stateside sometime in February. Will post some pics then, but thought I'd keep folks guessing until it arrives!

Oh, and Nick, a ceramic coat is definitely being considered for this one... Will be in touch.

Cheers!
Dennis

 

Very cool to do European delivery!! It will be here in the USA for spring!!! Go enjoy some Christmas Shopping in Germany in the meantime!! Congratulations!! Jon

 

Thanks Jon! ED is also significantly cheaper. Plus I will visit my parents up in Berlin (we're German) over Christmas, which will be fun. I'll definitely bring the car out to C&C sometime when it arrives...

 

You made the right choice Dennis, congrates and happy driving

 

Alright, delivery completed. The tanzanite blue and canyon brown color works great. Extremely happy. Now comes the 2 month wait for it to be shipped over though, but then I get to pick it up at the Performance Center in Spartanburg, which should be fun too!