Individual Imola/Opal Merino - Update

Starters.

So damn jealous!!!!

Congrats. Beautiful car.

Love it bro. Personally could never deal with the maintenance needed for white leather, but I think it's the best looking interior color.

Like the troopers from star wars. Looks fantastic =)

Originally Posted by southern6er22

So damn jealous!!!!

Congrats. Beautiful car.

What will be your next car...stay with coupé or the GC?

I remember driving a imola red 650i...a bright colour and a real eye-catcher!!

Love that interior....piping and contrast stitching....why did opt out from getting the B&O system??

Originally Posted by Ace535i

What will be your next car...stay with coupé or the GC?

Idk. Depends on where I'm living and my car needs. I might go the M4 route depending on the fit and finish of the new one. I don't see myself getting a GC as I don't see a need for the passenger space in the near future. Maybe an X6 50i or X6 M + Individual. Not really sure when I'll be replacing my 6er. I'm pretty sure I'll be holding onto it for 5 years or so since I didn't lease.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

Idk. Depends on where I'm living and my car needs. I might go the M4 route depending on the fit and finish of the new one. I don't see myself getting a GC as I don't see a need for the passenger space in the near future. Maybe an X6 50i or X6 M + Individual. Not really sure when I'll be replacing my 6er. I'm pretty sure I'll be holding onto it for 5 years or so since I didn't lease.

Will you then be getting the BMW extended 7yr/100K warranty?

Thinking about it. I'd hate for it to become a money pit. Still thinking it over...

Originally Posted by Ace535i

I remember driving a imola red 650i...a bright colour and a real eye-catcher!!

Love that interior....piping and contrast stitching....why did opt out from getting the B&O system??

Kept this car under the physco 100K MSRP mark coming in at $99,225.

Just can't do all the goodies. For me really don't see the need for the B & O. The one option I struggled with and didn't do was the Adaptive Drive that also includes ARS.

Can't do em all but in the end very pleased ordering a 2013 in June for 6K under MSRP.

Beautiful - Please tell me you are removing those efficient dynamics stickers. And am I correct you wanted shadowline not chrome?

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Beautiful - Please tell me you are removing those efficient dynamics stickers. And am I correct you wanted shadowline not chrome?

Oh yes on removing those gawd awful dynamic stickers. Plus there is another factory sticker inside top left on the windshield that will be removed.

Having 3M Crystalline tint put on late next week. Also having a protective sheild applied to the inside door openers to keep those lady fingernail scratches from appearing.

Love the shadowline vs chrome on the coupe, especially when the tint goes on.

I'm thinking you should go with the Full Individual Leather Merino that includes leather dash/doors, contrast stitching everywhere and leather pipping instead of the Executive Package. Add Ceramic Controls and your still ahead $150. For me the only gotta have option on the Excutive Package besides what is included on the Full Merino Leather (Perf/Vent Seats, Contrast Stitching, Instrument Panel with Leather) is the Soft Close Doors. To me it came down to a choice between Full Individual Merino Leather vs. Soft Close Doors.

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

Oh yes on removing those gawd awful dynamic stickers. Plus there is another factory sticker inside top left on the windshield that will be removed.

Having 3M Crystalline tint put on late next week. Also having a protective sheild applied to the inside door openers to keep those lady fingernail scratches from appearing.

Love the shadowline vs chrome on the coupe, especially when the tint goes on.

I'm thinking you should go with the Full Individual Leather Merino that includes leather dash/doors, contrast stitching everywhere and leather pipping instead of the Executive Package. Add Ceramic Controls and your still ahead $150. For me the only gotta have option on the Excutive Package besides what is included on the Full Merino Leather (Perf/Vent Seats, Contrast Stitching, Instrument Panel with Leather) is the Soft Close Doors. To me it came down to a choice between Full Individual Merino Leather vs. Soft Close Doors.

It is a tough choice between Executive and full Merino. But you did forget one great feature in Exec Pkg - the Heads up display. I have tried it and it is terrific. Only way to get in this year is in this pkg, no stand alone option. And FYI, the Exec pkg includes the ceramic controls. Also like the power rear sunshade which is included.

Question - other than the color & piping, is there any difference between the Nappa leather and Merino? Can't find much info on Merino

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

Kept this car under the physco 100K MSRP mark coming in at $99,225.

Amazing that this car has a MSRP < $100k - definitely had me fooled with Individual interior, M Sport, and Full LEDs. Sure is amazing how the options add up fast. I think when I first started toying with the idea of a 6er (once my X6 reached the $90k mark on the BYO site) I was able to go bare minimum and was right around $93k... Then I had to add M Sport, HUD, etc. and I added another $10k+ before I knew it. Even without these options the car was very respectable - although it's almost sickening that you could get a 3er with more tech options for half the price of a 6er.

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Question - other than the color & piping, is there any difference between the Nappa leather and Merino? Can't find much info on Merino

I haven't found any good info about the difference between the two. BMW doesn't publish much about the various leathers unfortunately. I think they're very similar in terms of quality and material. I think the Merino, at least in BMW terminology, is as much about the name and color options as it is about anything else. Nappa is pretty amazing - makes Nevada feel like pleather.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

Amazing that this car has a MSRP < $100k - definitely had me fooled with Individual interior, M Sport, and Full LEDs. Sure is amazing how the options add up fast. I think when I first started toying with the idea of a 6er (once my X6 reached the $90k mark on the BYO site) I was able to go bare minimum and was right around $93k... Then I had to add M Sport, HUD, etc. and I added another $10k+ before I knew it. Even without these options the car was very respectable - although it's almost sickening that you could get a 3er with more tech options for half the price of a 6er.



I haven't found any good info about the difference between the two. BMW doesn't publish much about the various leathers unfortunately. I think they're very similar in terms of quality and material. I think the Merino, at least in BMW terminology, is as much about the name and color options as it is about anything else. Nappa is pretty amazing - makes Nevada feel like pleather.

I agree - think Nappa & Merino is similar. Colors and exclusiveness are likely difference, and the individual name. But like the B & O, the money difference is a factor. Take out the leather dash/contrast stitching at $1500 ( from '12 pricing) and the Merino is $2000 more than Nappa. Not sure if it's worth it. Think I prefer to put the $ into Exec and get Ivory White Nappa & Exec Pkg to get the other goodies (HUD, soft close,ceramic, rear sunshade, vent seats- and of course extended leather)

Originally Posted by southern6er22

I haven't found any good info about the difference between the two. BMW doesn't publish much about the various leathers unfortunately. I think they're very similar in terms of quality and material. I think the Merino, at least in BMW terminology, is as much about the name and color options as it is about anything else. Nappa is pretty amazing - makes Nevada feel like pleather.

I'm going to be curious to see the leather in my GC (which went into production TODAY!), but I've seen "Merino" leather in the Z4 and couldn't tell any major differences in terms of quality or feel.

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

It is a tough choice between Executive and full Merino. But you did forget one great feature in Exec Pkg - the Heads up display. I have tried it and it is terrific. Only way to get in this year is in this pkg, no stand alone option. And FYI, the Exec pkg includes the ceramic controls. Also like the power rear sunshade which is included.

Question - other than the color & piping, is there any difference between the Nappa leather and Merino? Can't find much info on Merino

A good debate. What I especially like with the Individual Merino is the console color matching up with the interior and front/back seats. Gives the interior more flow and pop. Get's you away from the standard black console. There may not be but probably is a difference in leather quality between Nappa and Merino, I had the never previously had the opportunity to checked this out, but will do so.

For my taste, the Heads up Display for me it's not a, "gotta have", nice but no deal breaker. A bit like the seat ventilation and the rear sunshade. Like I said, go with the Full Merino Leather add Ceramic Controls at $650 and your still $150 ahead.

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

A good debate. What I especially like with the Individual Merino is the console color matching up with the interior and front/back seats. Gives the interior more flow and pop. Get's you away from the standard black console. There may not be but probably is a difference in leather quality between Nappa and Merino, I had the never previously had the opportunity to checked this out, but will do so.

For my taste, the Heads up Display for me it's not a, "gotta have", nice but no deal breaker. A bit like the seat ventilation and the rear sunshade. Like I said, go with the Full Merino Leather add Ceramic Controls at $650 and your still $150 ahead.

Agree good discussion. I think any of the options discussed by themselves are not dealbreakers, but taken together are a excellent feature set. Seems the 2 leather types are very close. Matching console color is nice but so are the HUD & soft close doors. Also I would imagine the pure white might be headache to maintain. Even as a pleasure car, it is going to show every mark and spot of dirt. You'll have to let us know about maintenance.

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Agree good discussion. I think any of the options discussed by themselves are not dealbreakers, but taken together are a excellent feature set. Seems the 2 leather types are very close. Matching console color is nice but so are the HUD & soft close doors. Also I would imagine the pure white might be headache to maintain. Even as a pleasure car, it is going to show every mark and spot of dirt. You'll have to let us know about maintenance.

Wonder what's harder to keep clean, Opal/Ivory interior or a Black Metallic exterior.

With the quality cleaining products available I choose not to buy the 5 year BMW interior package. Don't really think it's going to be all that tough. I know your going with Imola but what's your interior color lean?

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Agree good discussion. I think any of the options discussed by themselves are not dealbreakers, but taken together are a excellent feature set. Seems the 2 leather types are very close. Matching console color is nice but so are the HUD & soft close doors. Also I would imagine the pure white might be headache to maintain. Even as a pleasure car, it is going to show every mark and spot of dirt. You'll have to let us know about maintenance.

One other feature of the Individual Full Leather Merino that I do like is the black leg wells and black carpet. Agressive color combo.

Originally Posted by ShakeDaddy

Wonder what's harder to keep clean, Opal/Ivory interior or a Black Metallic exterior.

With the quality cleaining products available I choose not to buy the 5 year BMW interior package. Don't really think it's going to be all that tough. I know your going with Imola but what's your interior color lean?

Ivory white for sure. Drove a non-M sport car recently with that interior color & leather dash/contrast stitching. I recently sold a Porsche with a black interior and want a lighter color. Love the contrast with the black surroundings.

And FYI- wife test drive with me - with the soft close doors she will have no excuse for "slamming" the door shut - a pet peeve of mine. IMO soft close should be standard without having to go for Exec Pkg. And I'll vote black exterior being harder - I have a black V8 4 Runner and it's a bitch to keep looking pristine.

The white and red is really sharp on your car, a head turner!

We we're going to order Amaro/Opal White but chickened out after hearing horror stories about keeping the white, White. So now we have Black/Amaro. You can only get the Amaro/Opal in the GC. Black/Amaro is available in the Convertible and Coupe.

How is the white holding up?

My great uncle had a beautiful 1968 Cadillac Eldorado in cherry red with red carpet and pure white leather interior including a white vinyl top and steering wheel and trimmed in chrome inside and out!!

It was always in top form and a real show stopper!!

I forgot how beautiful cars could be executed 45 years ago!!