Going back to hexagon?

I think I've convinced myself to go back to the Aluminum Hexagon trim that is standard with the M Sport package. Though I ordered my vehicle with Individual Piano Black trim, the factory didn't install it - so the car came with Hexagon. (Yet I was charged for it. Go figure.)

As beautiful as the Piano Black is, I'm starting to question the durability of it. It is incredibly swirled, has scratched already, and certain areas are looking dull from repeated cleaning. I don't want to have to buff these things constantly.

Am I making a mistake? Should I just deal with it? I ordered this trim to have something unique and different from the Anthracite and Hex crowd. And since this trim isn't available in the US, chasing BMW for a warranty claim is difficult.

Not having seen it in person I can't comment, but I'm not a huge fan of piano black. Usually looks like shiny plastic.....

Is the BMW stuff any different? What's it made out of?

How are you cleaning it? That is probably what is causing the swirls. I detailed a Z8 with shiny black trim (piano black maybe?) and it was swirled to hell! You could remove the trim and buff it, but thats about it.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Not having seen it in person I can't comment, but I'm not a huge fan of piano black. Usually looks like shiny plastic.....

Is the BMW stuff any different? What's it made out of?

Well, it is pretty much shiny plastic. I was under the impression (solely based on cost alone) that it would be a more substantial, durable material. Looking at the back of the trim pieces it appears to be nothing more than shiny plastic that they charge an arm and a leg for.

I figure with the aluminum the pieces are readily available, easier to keep clean, more durable, and substantially cheaper to replace if I ever needed to.

Originally Posted by AlBoston

How are you cleaning it? That is probably what is causing the swirls. I detailed a Z8 with shiny black trim (piano black maybe?) and it was swirled to hell! You could remove the trim and buff it, but thats about it.

Moist, brand new cotton terry towel. I try to avoid microfiber on trim. It had swirls when it arrived.

It's just a pain in the ass to keep clean. Fingerprints, smudges, dust, etc. Seems like no matter what I'm always going to be cleaning it.

I think Alu. Hexagon is the best available trim to black leather. My vote, change back.

lets see a pic... then well decide as a team!

U are no longer allowed to make decision without discussing it with us first....

All the best
Rob

Hex Looks great


I Went with Dark wood cause my infiniti fx45 has the Alumunum finish!
check it out! almost looks black at night and tiger striped as well....3rd pic is with the flash. doesn't really look like that unless using a flash or tons of direct light. just wanted to show the pattern up close!

Interesting pattern, so it's a dark colour - close to black?

Hmm, piano might not cut it. Black, black, cinnamon v. black, aluminum, cinnamon. The hex looks real nice in this scheme IMO. BTW your photos are the most accurate rendition of the cinnamon leather seen to date on this forum. Congrats on the great photos. While I had discounted the hex from seeing it on a 3 where it just didn't work, seeing your photos and how it better shows the design lines has made me rethink this for the future. Final answer - keep the low maintenance hex and enjoy the ride!

Originally Posted by MSgtMel

Hmm, piano might not cut it. Black, black, cinnamon v. black, aluminum, cinnamon. The hex looks real nice in this scheme IMO. BTW your photos are the most accurate rendition of the cinnamon leather seen to date on this forum. Congrats on the great photos. While I had discounted the hex from seeing it on a 3 where it just didn't work, seeing your photos and how it better shows the design lines has made me rethink this for the future. Final answer - keep the low maintenance hex and enjoy the ride!

Thanks. Took the pics with a little Sony Cybershot 7.2 MegaPix. Always takes good pictures that little camera.

I have the same problem with marring on my Anthracite trim. The door and dash pieces are fine, but the center console is a problem. Now I know why the M5 has hard leather there.

I can remove the swirls quite easily with Meguiars scratchx.

If I switched the trim, I would switch it to the BMW Individual braided leather trim (if available) or a matte wood trim. I find the Hexagon just looks cheap to me.

Maybe you should remove the piano black, polish out the scratches, Opticoat it, and see if the Opticoat provides some protection from marring.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Interesting pattern, so it's a dark colour - close to black?

Pete i wouldn't say close to black, yet it is dark unless really bright light hits it like in the 3rd pic i took!

Its definitely much darker than the medium wood color thats offered on Mercedes in the last few yrs.

Really loving it...very classy color and certainly gives it that in between sport and luxury!

BMW should offer CF trim as in the M3 in more models. It's extremely resistant to scratches and doesn't show fingerprints, dust or water marks and it looks very cool.

I had aluminum trim in my Audi A6. It scratched very easily and I swore I would never have aluminum trim again. On the bright side, maybe the hex pattern will help hide scratches.

The Hex trim seems fairly resilient. It is also not "bright" but has an almost grey look to it. It's similar to the trim on my TL and that was fairly resistant to scratches.

+1 carbon fiber trim interior on f10

BMW will be offering a trim set for the F10 under the new M Performance Line. I'm not sure if it is real carbon fiber, but it does have the CF look. Availability is later this summer, around September. I already have a set on order.



In the interim, I think I may just switch back.

As for Stealth's idea... I was considering taking it all out and doing as you say. I might try it this weekend before swapping trim around.

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

BMW will be offering a trim set for the F10 under the new M Performance Line. I'm not sure if it is real carbon fiber, but it does have the CF look. Availability is later this summer, around September. I already have a set on order.



In the interim, I think I may just switch back.

As for Stealth's idea... I was considering taking it all out and doing as you say. I might try it this weekend before swapping trim around.

I think that Carbon Fiber trim will be a scratch magnet too. Carbon fiber is always a pain from an upkeep perspective.

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

BMW will be offering a trim set for the F10 under the new M Performance Line. I'm not sure if it is real carbon fiber, but it does have the CF look. Availability is later this summer, around September. I already have a set on order.



In the interim, I think I may just switch back.

As for Stealth's idea... I was considering taking it all out and doing as you say. I might try it this weekend before swapping trim around.

You should check to see how much they want to make the aluminum hex trim look like carbon fibre - I think you can get that done. The other thing is using real wood if its available (I think Audi uses it).

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

I think that Carbon Fiber trim will be a scratch magnet too. Carbon fiber is always a pain from an upkeep perspective.

Not true in case of the CF used in the M3, it's the most resistant trim I've seen. It's however not coated in a shiny finish like the one in the M line picture.

Originally Posted by solstice

Not true in case of the CF used in the M3, it's the most resistant trim I've seen. It's however not coated in a shiny finish like the one in the M line picture.

I had Carbon Leather in my E92 M3 Coupe and it was fantastic. I wish it were an option.

As for the suggestion of making my own, I have contemplated it. I had a close friend wrap the interior trim in my RS4, CC, and Volvo S60 in 3M DiNoc and it looked pretty fantastic.

The only issue with the F10 trim is the metallic plastic at the bottom. It makes it a bit tricky when wrapping the vinyl in that there's no 'edge' to wrap over to help secure it. He worries it might start to peel.

You can separate the two, but you need to release the welded plastic rivets and then re-attach. Done incorrectly, it will probably lead to rattles.

I will just stick to Hex for the time being - or perhaps consider the other wood trims.

EDIT: I was trying to take some pictures earlier but the swirls/scratches really didn't appear. In all but direct sunlight the piano black looks stunning.

I have hexagon trim in my vehicle and I love it. Easy to clean and no scratches and smuges. Goes well with black Nappa. IMO wood trim to me is old fashion. I like a more sportier look. Makes me feel young again

Originally Posted by GunsBMW

I have hexagon trim in my vehicle and I love it. Easy to clean and no scratches and smuges. Goes well with black Nappa. IMO wood trim to me is old fashion. I like a more sportier look. Makes me feel young again

+1, love the hexagon look, I had wood trim in all my prior BMWs, this is much sportier and goes well with the whole M sports look.