Color Choice???

[Tio]

After lurking for a while, I have a question.

First off, I am currently driving a 1995 525i. While it has run great for years, speed is not a word I typically use when asked about my car. This is actually my fourth BMW. However, I have always desired a 3.0CSI, which I feel is today’s 6. After drooling since they were released, I got my wife to go with me to a dealership for a test drive last weekend. Now, prior to this she thought the 6 looked like her brother’s Solara and insisted that I also look at an SL500 and a CL500! However, after a test drive, followed by a trip to the Mercedes dealership, she has been converted. No back seat and no way to turn off the front passenger airbag in the SL and me insisting on a convertible sealed it (we have three young children). So she is on board, which anyone HAPPILY MARRIED knows is important.

Now for the question. I love black cars, but I personally don’t think that they show off the lines on the 6. In addition, with a black top and black interior, it just kind of all blends together. I know that some think that a black interior is a bad idea here in Vegas, but I can’t get cream, the kids will trash it. There was a 2004 6 at the dealer with cream interior and it looked like it had seen better days. And, my 5 is black inside and I have no problems. So here is what I am thinking of ordering:

2006 650Ci
Silver Grey Metallic
Black Top
Black Leather Interior
Light Birch
Sport Package
Premium Sound with IPOD hook-up instead of six-disc changer
Satellite Radio
Steptronic
Head-up display (loved it during test drive)
Active Steering ???
Hamann Five Spoke PG3 19” Wheels

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?

[waiter]

I think you choices are great. I wish there were more interiour color options. The red is quite bold, cream is not my favorite, and while black look great it gets a bit too hot in the deep south for it.

I see you have listed "Premium Sound with IPOD hook-up instead of six-disc changer". How do you request this. My dealer is no help. According to him only the 3 Series can be linked with IPod (I know this is standard in that model).

[SmoothCruise]

Is Nav included? Can't remember, if it's not add it.

If it's not a standard option, you should get bluetooth for your car. Anyways, it's an option you can add later, if you choose.

Ask them to add a clear bra too. That's an option you can get later, but it's good to start protecting your paint the moment it leaves the dealership.


Now, I didn't know Hamann rims were an option. That's way cool.

Congratz on your new car. I think you'll love it.

[Tio]

I agree with wishing for more interior color options, I think grey would be great. I have black interior on my 5 and my test drive was in a black 6 with black interior, but the air was good. You need good air in Vegas. As for the IPOD, I was assuming that would be possible. I have known my dealer for over 30 years, so I know he will do all he can for me. We go all the way back to playing pop-warner together and went through high school together. I will post when I know the procedure, but as I understand the IPOD takes the plug in for CD Changer. If they won't do it, I can always switch it out after. That part looks easy, the hard part is signing that $85k check.

As for the navigation set-up, I assume that I will need to subscribe to an annual or quarterly provider for the disc, but I believe that the system is standard along with Bluetooth. But I have lived in Vegas for the last 46 years and have been appraising real estate for the last 21. So I really know my way around here. But I will play with it on trips to Cal. My past experience with a bra on a 3 series back in the 70's was not good. There is just to much sun here. When I took it off, the rest of the car had fadded slightly, which made the front end look funky. The wheels are an add-on that the dealer is helping me with.

[AriciU]

If you wanna go for black (although it hides the 6ers lines, specially the M's) at least get the red interior to go with it. Black on black is very dull IMO.

[BillKach]

see sig below :)

[Southern6er]

I didn't think the iPod adapter was available for 6's... Bluetooth is standard if you have BMW assist, which I think all 6's have.

-Paul

[SmoothCruise]

I agree with wishing for more interior color options, I think grey would be great. I have black interior on my 5 and my test drive was in a black 6 with black interior, but the air was good. You need good air in Vegas. As for the IPOD, I was assuming that would be possible. I have known my dealer for over 30 years, so I know he will do all he can for me. We go all the way back to playing pop-warner together and went through high school together. I will post when I know the procedure, but as I understand the IPOD takes the plug in for CD Changer. If they won't do it, I can always switch it out after. That part looks easy, the hard part is signing that $85k check.

As for the navigation set-up, I assume that I will need to subscribe to an annual or quarterly provider for the disc, but I believe that the system is standard along with Bluetooth. But I have lived in Vegas for the last 46 years and have been appraising real estate for the last 21. So I really know my way around here. But I will play with it on trips to Cal. My past experience with a bra on a 3 series back in the 70's was not good. There is just to much sun here. When I took it off, the rest of the car had fadded slightly, which made the front end look funky. The wheels are an add-on that the dealer is helping me with.


If you get those Hamann wheels, then I'd get the wheel insurance with it. Those Hamann rims are nice and expensive. Now, are you getting a convertible? If so, you definitely want the nav, you'll be exploring alot of back roads in your convertible just for the fun of it. In a non-converitlbe, you'll probably drive the same roads as you do now. The nav isn't a monthly or yearly subscription. It's a DVD which you can buy the update later if you so choose, which really works out well actually. If you live in a city where there's not much development, it makes no sense to get a subscription. If you do live in a city with lots of development, then you can 'tailor' your updates to your needs.

As far as colors go, I would stay away from any neutral tones, white and black are simply out of the question. Why? The 6er has some really subtle curves, white and black do not bring those curves out at all. If you get white or black, your 6er will look like any other normal looking car.

If you get a convertible, don't get a soft top with the same color as the rest of your car body. It will look like BMW forgot to put a roof on your car and in a hurry threw a blanket over it.

Did you get the heated seats? I don't think they are all that great, since at times it feels like you just took a piss in your pants!! But for a convertible, they have more use. Oh wait, you live in hot Las Vegas, Nevada... okay... nevermind.

Depending on how cramped space is in Nevada, you may or may not want the Parking Assist. Actually, it's kind of a joke. And the dimples in your car make your car look ugly.

Parking Assist beeps you when you are about a foot within another car and beeps faster as you get closer.. In a very urban city, that will just be alot of false alarms; you're gonna have to inch up close to another car. then again, if you are inches from another car, do you really want to park that close? Okay, then, so if you want to leave a food distance between you and the next car, well you can tell that distance fairly easily. In my opinion, there will be an aftermarket kit wth much better abilities. You can save some money there.

[credit777]

Nav is standard on the 650i

Have you seen the Mineral Silver - its amazing and you REALLY have to see it in the sunlight to appreciate it. IMO the silver grey is a fairly common color - while the mineral silver is entirely unique. But again, you gotta see it.

[wagonman]

bimmers look best in some variation of grey/silver. the silver grey is a nice color. i opted for titanium grey on my 06 530 xi t. i think it is the nicest of the bmw grey's. i have not seen the mineral silver. titanium silver is a standby but is a bit boring at this point. black is impossible if you care about paint appearance. the monaco blue is interesting but i question how it will be to keep up. the stratus grey is the most interesting 6 series color i have seen. i think it would be my choice..as we all know colors are very personal and subjective..my two cents

[cobradav]

Good spec, good choices. NAV and Bluetooth are standard, not options.

I have Black interior on A4 Cabrio in Florida. 57 straight days of 90 degree + wx here and I have no issues with it here. Exterior is nice bright Red and it sets off nicely.

If U have not checked out Chateau interior as possibility it might also suit u. It is not loud or flambouyant. Now in MY06 it will be paired with black as opposed to the Basalt Gray on the '04 and '05 MY interiors. I have previously posted pics of interior, but can post additional if interested.

U could skip the Active Steering and not miss a lot. With two drivers and switching cars u could be asking for trouble. On the other hand I have it and love it. But NO ONE else drives my car and I can switch easily.

I am not aware of this Ipod hook up. Most of us Ipod useres now use AUX input (post delivery mod) that accepts ANY audio source. It does not control anything, just audio in. And it works with 6-CD changer, which is what I have. Although there have been rumors of a true Ipod integration such as available on older (non iDrive) BMWs this might be a true breakthrough. I would like more details as my dealer knows nothing of this "iPod" capability. I do know that some dealers confuse the Aux Input retro-fit as an Ipod adapter. Really check this out as u could be being misled.

You won't be disappointed with your current choices. But do a little more research to be sure.

[ShinySteelRobot]

I work right next to the biggest BMW dealer in my state (I can see the dealership from my office window) and see 6's and other BMWs of all colors every single day.

In my opinion, the single best color on the 6 is definitely black. For some reason, all Bangle bimmers look best in dark shades. In sunshine, the bright shiny highlights of the complex curves complement the 645 lines very nicely. White on a 6 is also very nice, but would probably be a pain to keep clean. Artic blue is also a sweet color, and it's a hue you don't see every day on the road. After that all of the intermediate shades are just okay.

In my optinion there are too many grayish-silver, silver-grayish, grayish, etc options for the 6 and not enough brighter colors. BMW is sooooo conservative when it comes to color on their 6 and 7 series. I really wish that BMW would list a nice Imola Red (like Porsche and Ferrari have), medium blue, or yellow as options for the 6 series. Almost every 6 that I see on the road is silver, but of course there's a reason for that:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20050119a1.asp

[650iOzBoy]

I ordered my 650i coupe on Mineral Silver exterior and Individual 1 - Platinum leather and Alcantara. I think Mineral Silver is a very nice colour especially in bright direct sunlight, illuminating a brilliant sparkle. Similarly with Stratus Grey, where there is this beautiful golden brown sparkle. :thumbup:

[SmoothCruise]

I would love to see the 6 in an Orange. Something like a bright pumpkin orange. It doesn't quite fit the 6, not quite cheesy, not elegant, but something you'll pay attention to. Something that would make you go, "Hmmmm......"

[waiter]

I have seen comments before about the Individual Program. How does this work and how do you place an order? What are the choices/cost?

[AriciU]

If you plan on going the individual route ask them what this colour is. I think it's the new Sepang Bronze but i'm not really sure.

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9407/m6superculoare4xo.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m6superculoare4xo.jpg)

Awesome!

[650iOzBoy]

If you plan on going the individual route ask them what this colour is. I think it's the new Sepang Bronze but i'm not really sure.

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9407/m6superculoare4xo.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m6superculoare4xo.jpg)

Awesome!

Yes, that is Sepang Bronze. As attached some more.

[650iOzBoy]

I have seen comments before about the Individual Program. How does this work and how do you place an order? What are the choices/cost?

I ordered mine with BMW Indiviudal programme 1.

Basically, Individual gives you a more refined package and more colour choices. I retained the standard exterior colour choice (Mineral Silver), but under Individual, you can also choose from Blue Onyx, Ruby, some black I can't remember, Malachite Green etc. and possibly any other colour (so long as you are willing to pay the extra price). My interior combo under programm 1 is Platinum Full leather, Platinum Alcantara for roof liner, and Anthracite for the top shelf (front and back). Other things include illuminated chrome door sills written as "BMW Individual" (rather than just BMW), Style 152 19" BMW Indiviudal wheels. This package cost me an extra Aust$15,000 (~ US$11,500), which is not an insignificant extra spend. So it depends if you want the standard version or a more luxury packaged finish. I think the Full leather is a must - leather covering lower dash, centre console, back of front seats (other wise in cheap plastic ?) etc.

Best to speak with the dealer.

[ShinySteelRobot]

I have seen comments before about the Individual Program. How does this work and how do you place an order? What are the choices/cost?Unfortunately the Individual Program is not readily available from BMW N.A. LLC. If you manage to get a salesperson to sell you a BMW Individual package in Nashville (or anywhere in America), please tell us all how you did it!

[Skylar's Dad]

This car looks good in any color but the White / Black / Cream Beige / Chrome Sport Wheels is awesome, well at least I think so.....

[spw1964]

Frankly, I like the 6 in Black, but then, mine IS...

I think it looks like the f***ing Batmobile!
:)