Nevermind, found the answer. Plastic vs Wood. Speckled gloss vs straight gloss.

 

High-Gloss is plastic. I had it. Looks Okey, but you can tell it is plastic.
Piano is wood, I 've never seen it in person. Suppose to be very classy and elegant.

 

I wonder if I can get my wood trim painted piano black... hmm.

 

To clarify, "piano black" does not just mean "painted black like a piano." It is wood trim that has been finished using the same technique as a piano: Multiple coats of black and clear lacquer with careful surface preparation to obtain a deep, mirror finish. Thus the high price.

You can of course pull your trim and have it refinished but that could get pricey (though still less than a full trim set). The process is labor-intensive when done right.

 

Just my opinion, but I think BMW is getting out of control with their 'black' colors. Would 'piano' black be Steinway, or Yamaha oriented? There's a difference!

 

I would like to see a Fender Rhodes silver sparkle top suitcase model trim for tourings.

I can pretend I'm the piano player when I'm listening to Van Morrison's A Night In San Francisco CD while sitting in traffic.

 

Um, well, I have a black baby grand and it's not a Steinway (or Yamaha) and it is beautiful. Pianos have thick polyurethane glossy clear coat. After having two 335i's with dark burlwood I would really hesitate to go for Piano Black or even Gloss Black as the scratches are soooo easy to do and show really easily.


Hey 55, is that a 3 series wagon in Mojave Metallic?

 

Space grey. what is Mojave metallic? I don't think it is available on 3s, at least not in 2009.

 

I've lost track of BMW's creative "black" colors...I've had a more than a few. It gets complicated when ordering Dr. ColorChip.

I'm waiting for their next "special edition" black...no doubt for the 7-seriies: "Rubinstein-Grieg-Previn-Carnegie Hall-Steinway-Chinese Lacquer Black." At a premium price in N.Y.

My last four cars have been black...not by choice...NOT the next one. I'll even go for "Phoenix Yellow" if that's still available. It will help me locate my car in parking lots crowded with similar BMWs in L.A.

 

I've lost track of BMW's creative "black" colors...I've had a more than a few. It gets complicated when ordering Dr. ColorChip.

I'm waiting for their next "special edition" black...no doubt for the 7-seriies: "Rubinstein-Grieg-Previn-Carnegie Hall-Steinway-Chinese Lacquer Black." At a premium price in N.Y.

My last four cars have been black...not by choice...NOT the next one. I'll even go for "Phoenix Yellow" if that's still available. It will help me locate my car in parking lots crowded with similar BMWs in L.A.

You are a hero. I had one black car. It's enough..

 

I just recently installed the high gloss black trim in my e92, and I must say it looks much better than the burl wood, however it is much lighter than the wood trim because its plastic... The wood trim has a premium feel to it.

 

PIcs or it didn't happen. I want to do the same thing. thanks

 

I have high-gloss (which actually has a very subtle multi-colour shimmer to it), but I have seen the piano black in person and it is very much a high quality, beautiful looking trim!

As an aside, 55, I just noticed your wheels...the 195s look very nice on your Touring.

Cheers
D.