My Melbourne Red Base Line

Since I have not seen many pictures or a base model with the 17" wheels I thought that I would share a couple of mine. You can see in the one photo how the red when in the sunlight looks almost orange.

what do you think of the interior? i'm debating whether to get the sportline or the base model and use the savings for more options but i've heard a lot of complaints about the base interior.

Originally Posted by soopra

what do you think of the interior? i'm debating whether to get the sportline or the base model and use the savings for more options but i've heard a lot of complaints about the base interior.

Not sure what there is to complain about. I like the silver and don't care that it's missing a few silver/chrome trim pieces. I really don't like black interiors and the sportline with leather was out of my budget with the other options I wanted.

I love beige, but I agree with some of the consensus around here, that the steering wheel, and some other panels are just too much. Plus I'd get wood

Good problems to have though, no?

Originally Posted by SuperTerp

I love beige, but I agree with some of the consensus around here, that the steering wheel, and some other panels are just too much. Plus I'd get wood

Good problems to have though, no?

The issue with the wood in the base model is that it looked really dark in the brochure and I wanted the more sporty look, thus the silver.

Originally Posted by micknugget

The issue with the wood in the base model is that it looked really dark in the brochure and I wanted the more sporty look, thus the silver.

You can get wood in the base model?

Originally Posted by evergreen2000

You can get wood in the base model?

My CA had a brochure that showed it but it wasn't on the BMW site. I think it's going to be one of the 2013 changes.

Originally Posted by micknugget

Since I have not seen many pictures or a base model with the 17" wheels I thought that I would share a couple of mine. You can see in the one photo how the red when in the sunlight looks almost orange.

Looks sharp. The color combo would be one of my choices. And I'm considering the base as well. Luxury/Modern are definitely out. Sport with Grey seats is a possibility, but I like the beige much better. The only thing I don't like about the beige is the seat belts. Since they see a lot of hands, I see them getting grimy over time. They should have left those black like in the E46.

I should also say I much prefer the look of the steering wheel in the base model as compared to that in the sports line.

What options did you get? Did you get leather?

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Looks sharp. The color combo would be one of my choices. And I'm considering the base as well. Luxury/Modern are definitely out. Sport with Grey seats is a possibility, but I like the beige much better. The only thing I don't like about the beige is the seat belts. Since they see a lot of hands, I see them getting grimy over time. They should have left those black like in the E46.

I should also say I much prefer the look of the steering wheel in the base model as compared to that in the sports line.

What options did you get? Did you get leather?

With kids and a light colored interior, I would definitely scotchgard the seat belts. It probably not a bad idea even for adults.

I got the leatherette. It looks like leather and wears much better. I had an e46 and the leatherette seats looked like new 50k miles and 4 years later.

As for options, all I got was the heated seats & steering wheel, moon roof, and the metallic paint.

Originally Posted by micknugget

I got the leatherette. It looks like leather and wears much better. I had an e46 and the leatherette seats looked like new 50k miles and 4 years later.

I have friends who have leather in their cars (non-BMW) that claim their leather wears well too...in other words, they haven't been applying conditioner or anything. But they are in the Bay Area and the weather doesn't get that extreme that.

With my car, the driver's seat is showing a big crack now and one can tell that's not leather. But that is after more than 9 years. I'm tempted to try leather for the next car, but let's see. The passenger seat and back seat don't see much use and those look new even now.

BTW, the your car have the seat pan tilt control shown on pg 46 of this manual?
http://www.f30post.com/goodiesforyou...al_F30POST.pdf
I used to think that getting manual seats mean giving up on the tilt function.

Looks sharp! I've ordered a base line so it's nice to see 'real' pics from base line owners. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

BTW, the your car have the seat pan tilt control shown on pg 46 of this manual?
http://www.f30post.com/goodiesforyou...al_F30POST.pdf
I used to think that getting manual seats mean giving up on the tilt function.

My car did not come with the seat tilt adjustment but, at least for me, it is set-up roughly where I would want it. The only complaint that I have about the standard seats (probably the same issue with any of the non-sport seats) is that the seat cushion is a little flat and if you drive aggressively you do tend to shift around a little. Higher bolsters would be nice.

"Powered by BMW Motorsport"

Really??

Really nice looking car! I think the base model wheels look great, of course I'm biased as a fellow "base head".

Looks really good; enjoy the ride. If everyone would get the same, these forums would be boring.

Originally Posted by speedwaywhite

Looks really good; enjoy the ride. If everyone would get the same, these forums would be boring.

Tell that to the guys on the iphone forums.

Great color combo! N4S