Suggestion to BMW: Replace Beige Leather with Saddle Brown on M Sport Line

Many of us have complained about the restrictive interior options on BMW's "Lines". I agree that it's annoying, but I can also kind of see why BMW did this. If you could get any interior on any line, there would be a much larger number of build combinations. What I'm proposing is the following: offer saddle brown leather on the M sport line instead of beige. From what I've seen, beige is not very popular on the M sport line, whereas many/most of the luxury lines I've seen have saddle brown. Advantages:

- Finally possible to get saddle on a sport/M sport car, which is probably the #1 specific complaint I've heard related to restrictive interior options.
- Number of build combinations remains the same.
- Some people might get M sport instead of a sport line just to get saddle brown, which means more $$ for BMW.
- Others who were already planning to get M sport might upgrade from leatherette to leather just to get this color. I would probably have done this if it were possible (again, more $$ for BMW).
- Luxury line maintains an exclusive combination of saddle brown + anthracite wood trim (probably the best looking interior combo in my opinion).
- BJ would not have had to pretend to like the Luxury line when he secretly hates it

Anyone else think this is a great idea and pretty much a win/win for everyone?

I would have gone M Sport if saddle was an option.

I would have chosen it over black leatherette just to have the contrast. Beige is a bit too "old man" for the M-Sport in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

I would have chosen it over black leatherette just to have the contrast. Beige is a bit too "old man" for the M-Sport in my opinion.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

Beige is a bit too "old man" for the M-Sport in my opinion.

Agreed. It doesn't seem like a "Sport" color at all. It might fit in a Modern or Luxury line perhaps. Saddle brown with a contrasting Black stitching, Black with a contrasting blue stitch (to complement the blue stripe on the dash or the EBII exterior color, or Gray with a contrasting black stitch all seem more appropriate for the M Sport than what is being offered.

I don't care for the exterior color limitations either. For me, Imperial Blue with a Saddle Brown "Sport" interior would be perfect.

to BMW with all these "Line" limitations.

.

i want oyster

I say replace the Coral Red with Saddle Brown and the Beige with the Grey from the Sport line. that would have been best.

Originally Posted by johnofcross

I say replace the Coral Red with Saddle Brown and the Beige with the Grey from the Sport line. that would have been best.

I've seen a number of people getting Coral Red on M sport though, whereas I've seen maybe one M sport with Beige, at most.

Originally Posted by E36toF30

I've seen a number of people getting Coral Red on M sport though, whereas I've seen maybe one M sport with Beige, at most.

For Canada, the M Sport is restricted to 335i; interior choices are leather (standard), black or red.
But, we can order M Sport blue brakes for only $350 !!!!

Originally Posted by E36toF30

I've seen a number of people getting Coral Red on M sport though, whereas I've seen maybe one M sport with Beige, at most.

I am one of those people. But I think the Saddle Brown is the appropriate hue of 'red' for the line. Grey, instead of Beige, along with EB would have been the perfect color combo for me for sure.

Originally Posted by E36toF30

I've seen a number of people getting Coral Red on M sport though, whereas I've seen maybe one M sport with Beige, at most.

Considered it with red leather but if I went M I'd want Estoril Blue. My wife saw that config and asked, "Do you get scared when you fight crime?"

Ouch.

Originally Posted by brkf

Considered it with red leather but if I went M I'd want Estoril Blue. My wife saw that config and asked, "Do you get scared when you fight crime?"

Ouch.

Yeah, coral red with estoril blue is a little out there for most. Not everyone wants Estoril though. The coral red goes great with white, black, or grey on the exterior. It's an appropriate color to offer on the M sport line. Beige though, I don't believe is.

Originally Posted by E36toF30

- Luxury line maintains an exclusive combination of saddle brown + anthracite wood trim (probably the best looking interior combo in my opinion).

- BJ would not have had to pretend to like the Luxury line when he secretly hates it

Anyone else think this is a great idea and pretty much a win/win for everyone?

I think the issue is that Saddle doesn't go with MR or EB and those are very popular M-Sport colors. Saddle is a bit on the orange side, clashes with those choices. So you'd leave someone with those colors with only black or red, way too dark or way too Superman. The Grey leather would likely have been a stronger fourth interior if BMW chose to give another choice.

I'm in your shoes though, was going to replace my E90 M-Sport with an F30 M-Sport but the limiting interior colors and a front end that looks too much like the E90 LCI were dealbreakers. BMW didn't lose money on me though as I just took what I was going to spend and put it towards other options.

Each of the lines has something exclusive to it, Saddle is an exclusive to the Luxury model, makes us special. We call it the Luxury Line Jealousy Edition.

BJ

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

I think the issue is that Saddle doesn't go with MR or EB and those are very popular M-Sport colors. Saddle is a bit on the orange side, clashes with those choices. So you'd leave someone with those colors with only black or red, way too dark or way too Superman. The Grey leather would likely have been a stronger fourth interior if BMW chose to give another choice.

BJ

Personally, I think saddle with Estoril blue would look great. Grey instead of Beige would also be a good choice. Mainly I'm advocating replace the Beige with something more interesting, since I don't think it's going to sell well at all in the M Sport line.

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

Saddle brown is my favorite and I wish it was available on ALL the lines. The lack of color options is one of the main reasons I picked up a CPO 335i, instead of leasing a new one.

But I have to ask, why did they extend the brown color onto the lower half of the dash. I mean, the entire glove box is brown!!! I think it looked much better when they used to keep the entire dash black, and just use the brown on the seats and the door inserts.

Originally Posted by E36toF30

Many of us have complained about the restrictive interior options on BMWNA's "Lines". I agree that it's annoying, but I can also kind of see why BMWNA did this. If you could get any interior on any line, there would be a much larger number of build combinations. What I'm proposing is the following: offer saddle brown leather on the M sport line instead of beige. From what I've seen, beige is not very popular on the M sport line, whereas many/most of the luxury lines I've seen have saddle brown. Advantages:

- Finally possible to get saddle on a sport/M sport car, which is probably the #1 specific complaint I've heard related to restrictive interior options.
- Number of build combinations remains the same.
- Some people might get M sport instead of a sport line just to get saddle brown, which means more $$ for BMWNA.
- Others who were already planning to get M sport might upgrade from leatherette to leather just to get this color. I would probably have done this if it were possible (again, more $$ for BMWNA).
- Luxury line maintains an exclusive combination of saddle brown + anthracite wood trim (probably the best looking interior combo in my opinion).
- BJ would not have had to pretend to like the Luxury line when he secretly hates it

Anyone else think this is a great idea and pretty much a win/win for everyone?

Fixed.

Outside the USA there are no such leather colors (neither for Sport Seats) restrictions with the Lines.

Originally Posted by Technic

Fixed.

Outside the USA there are no such leather colors (neither for Sport Seats) restrictions with the Lines.

You're right that BMW NA is responsible for some of the restrictions, such as only being able to get sport seats and sport suspension in sport or M sport lines. However, I went on the BMW UK website and they are restricted to the same three leather colors in M sport (black, red, beige).

Originally Posted by E36toF30

You're right that BMW NA is responsible for some of the restrictions, such as only being able to get sport seats and sport suspension in sport or M sport lines. However, I went on the BMW UK website and they are restricted to the same three leather colors in M sport (black, red, beige).

You are correct...

I'm with you. Saddle Brown is an awesome color and the closest we now have to the old Cinnamon, which was my favorite interior for the E46 M3. Has anyone actually tried to get Saddle in an M Sport? Back in E46 days, there was also a Saddle Brown that was offered for non-M cars. Back then, the configurator would also prevent you from selecting Saddle with certain exterior colors, but if you had a CA who was willing, the combo would be doable. I know because I had one on order. Wondering/Hoping that this might still be the case.

Originally Posted by cantona7

I'm with you. Saddle Brown is an awesome color and the closest we now have to the old Cinnamon, which was my favorite interior for the E46 M3. Has anyone actually tried to get Saddle in an M Sport? Back in E46 days, there was also a Saddle Brown that was offered for non-M cars. Back then, the configurator would also prevent you from selecting Saddle with certain exterior colors, but if you had a CA who was willing, the combo would be doable. I know because I had one on order. Wondering/Hoping that this might still be the case.

It was Natural Brown... my 2002 E46 330i was Orient Blue with Natural Brown with Birch trim.

Originally Posted by Technic

It was Natural Brown... my 2002 E46 330i was Orient Blue with Natural Brown with Birch trim.

Yes! That's the name. And I had ordered an Orient Blue 325Ci with Nat. Brown through my CA at the time—something that was not doable in the online configuration. Ah...memories...

Originally Posted by cantona7

Yes! That's the name. And I had ordered an Orient Blue 325Ci with Nat. Brown through my CA at the time-something that was not doable in the online configuration. Ah...memories...

Originally Posted by Technic

It was Natural Brown... my 2002 E46 330i was Orient Blue with Natural Brown with Birch trim. ::

Nice (colors).

BJ

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

Nice (colors).

BJ

Wow looking at that E46 interior makes me think we haven't really progressed much in two generations, it looks great!

BMW really should open up the interior combos, even with the lines. I am really hoping they do by the time my lease is up.

I wanted Saddle with my EBII. Greg even tried to go up the ladder to get it. Denied. They lost out on leather from me because of it.

Saddle brown looks magnificent with the anthracite headliner. I don't really like it with the grey top because the interior is 3 tone instead of 2 tone. Makes a pretty big difference.

Originally Posted by JustinTJ

BMW really should open up the interior combos, even with the lines. I am really hoping they do by the time my lease is up.

I wanted Saddle with my EBII. Greg even tried to go up the ladder to get it. Denied. They lost out on leather from me because of it.

Saddle brown looks magnificent with the anthracite headliner. I don't really like it with the grey top because the interior is 3 tone instead of 2 tone. Makes a pretty big difference.

This "Line" concept is not a bad idea. The color/leather restrictions in the other hand is simply suspect. One thing is saving money by restricting choices... less inventory, less money on hold doing nothing. But restricting choices that are right there in the same production line but in another bin is idiotic.