"Dark Graphite" when it rains and snows?

Salter · 10-07-2010, 12:17 PM

I've just ordered a 535xi and have a few more days to finalize color combo. I'll depart from my black interior past, and this time around opt for the Oyster/Black - which I've seen and was impressed how elegant it looks. No kids/dogs/dirty coveralls + Rexoll cleaning from time to time, should be a recipe for keeping the very light Oyster leather in reasonable shape. But if anyone has different experience, I'd love to hear about it.

I was also interested to hear from those who own the 5 with the Dark Graphite exterior color - in regards to its practicality (color is a personal choice of course - so my question is not about personal color preference).

In a city (Toronto) where it rains and snows - very dark color like black is very hard to maintain and demands a certain level of upkeep/cleaning which I have little patience for. I realize that the Dark Graphite will be less practical than say silver - but how obvious does Graphite (dark grey) show dirt/dust etc? Is it as challenging as the black?

I currently own a 08' 535xi in white - and interestingly it's not too bad in this regard. But I'd like to try a different color.

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

tadtaggert · 10-07-2010, 12:54 PM

Sophisto is an interesting color in that while dark there is that 'shimmering' quality that changes background color depending on the lighting. That said, it's been much easier to keep 'looking clean' than I had imagined it would.

Salter · 10-07-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadtaggert

Sophisto is an interesting color in that while dark there is that 'shimmering' quality that changes background color depending on the lighting. That said, it's been much easier to keep 'looking clean' than I had imagined it would.

Thanks for this. It's encouraging.

MojoeF10 · 10-07-2010, 04:09 PM

I agree with tadtaggert. Depending on the lighting, the dark graphite tends to change colors...which I guess helps hide any dirt. But when the car is clean, man is it gorgeous.
I spend more time trying to keep the wheels clean, which is hard to keep up with!

CanadianGOLD2010 · 10-07-2010, 11:37 PM

I have oyster/black with graphite combo and it is stunning if I don't say so myself. If you are worried about the car looking dirty I would go for light grey and I think it hides the dirt the best but when it is clean I don't think you can go wrong with above combo.

pharding · 10-08-2010, 05:28 AM

I have Dark Graphite/Sophisto Gray and Oyster Black on my F10. I do not find it difficult to keep clean.

If you go that route, I highly recommend the Anthracite Headliner. The Oyster headliner is fine, but the Anthracite Headliner is spectacular.

d-rive · 10-08-2010, 06:09 AM

I have Sophisto. I think is closer to the silver like practicality than black.
I have an X3 black and its a nightmare compared to Sophisto.

Salter · 10-08-2010, 09:01 AM

Like baking ovens, cars should have a 'self clean' option. I'd pay a premium for the such package. Wouldn't you!?

Seriously though, it sounds like Graphite is a reasonable choice. I'm pretty much set on the Oyster/Black and my order already includes, as pharding recommended, the Anthricite headliner.

Thank you everyone for your input. This is such a useful and informative forum.

I'll update the thread tomorrow.

tadtaggert · 10-08-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salter

Like baking ovens, cars should have a 'self clean' option. I'd pay a premium for the such package. Wouldn't you!?

Isn't that what the kids are for?

Salter · 10-08-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadtaggert

Isn't that what the kids are for?

You're right! What was I thinking?
I'd better hurry up and make a few of those.

Hoss NY · 10-09-2010, 06:57 AM

I have the Sophisto with oyster/black interior and have been very happy with it. No issues with keeping the interior clean. I'd say the Sophisto is much less challenging to keep clean vs. black. The color shifts in different lighting as well as the metallic effect are enough to keep it looking good between washes every couple of weeks.

Rush2808 · 10-09-2010, 11:21 AM

i just got this on the 6th and it was raining for 2 days straight where i live, i havent washed the car u can barely notice the water spots

Rush2808 · 10-09-2010, 11:25 AM

i tried to upload a pic but it doesnt work >.<

Salter · 10-21-2010, 11:48 AM

(A promised thread update)
I've changed my order (Week 45) to Dark Graphite (aka Sophisto Gray). Thanks for everyone's input, advice and reassurance.

10-07-2010, 12:17 PM	#1
Salter Private 26 Rep 71 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	"Dark Graphite" when it rains and snows? I've just ordered a 535xi and have a few more days to finalize color combo. I'll depart from my black interior past, and this time around opt for the Oyster/Black - which I've seen and was impressed how elegant it looks. No kids/dogs/dirty coveralls + Rexoll cleaning from time to time, should be a recipe for keeping the very light Oyster leather in reasonable shape. But if anyone has different experience, I'd love to hear about it. I was also interested to hear from those who own the 5 with the Dark Graphite exterior color - in regards to its practicality (color is a personal choice of course - so my question is not about personal color preference). In a city (Toronto) where it rains and snows - very dark color like black is very hard to maintain and demands a certain level of upkeep/cleaning which I have little patience for. I realize that the Dark Graphite will be less practical than say silver - but how obvious does Graphite (dark grey) show dirt/dust etc? Is it as challenging as the black? I currently own a 08' 535xi in white - and interestingly it's not too bad in this regard. But I'd like to try a different color. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
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10-07-2010, 12:54 PM	#2
tadtaggert Private First Class 3 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 550i F10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Sophisto is an interesting color in that while dark there is that 'shimmering' quality that changes background color depending on the lighting. That said, it's been much easier to keep 'looking clean' than I had imagined it would.
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10-07-2010, 04:09 PM	#4
MojoeF10 Enlisted Member 18 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I agree with tadtaggert. Depending on the lighting, the dark graphite tends to change colors...which I guess helps hide any dirt. But when the car is clean, man is it gorgeous. I spend more time trying to keep the wheels clean, which is hard to keep up with!
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10-07-2010, 11:37 PM	#5
CanadianGOLD2010 Private 22 Rep 85 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F10 535I Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I have oyster/black with graphite combo and it is stunning if I don't say so myself. If you are worried about the car looking dirty I would go for light grey and I think it hides the dirt the best but when it is clean I don't think you can go wrong with above combo.
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10-08-2010, 05:28 AM	#6
pharding Major 308 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 23 Audi Q4 e-tron + 14 X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I have Dark Graphite/Sophisto Gray and Oyster Black on my F10. I do not find it difficult to keep clean. If you go that route, I highly recommend the Anthracite Headliner. The Oyster headliner is fine, but the Anthracite Headliner is spectacular. __________________ 23 Audi Q4 e-tron; 23 i4 M50 on order 14 X3 Retired: 20 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD; 17 540i x; 14 550i Euro Del; 11 550i Euro Del; 08 550i Euro Del; 06 330i Euro Del; 04 545i Euro Del; 01 530i Euro Del
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10-08-2010, 06:09 AM	#7
d-rive the iREAL STIG 13 Rep 182 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d 2007 & 530d 2011 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Europe, Romania iTrader: (0)	I have Sophisto. I think is closer to the silver like practicality than black. I have an X3 black and its a nightmare compared to Sophisto.
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10-08-2010, 09:01 AM	#8
Salter Private 26 Rep 71 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Like baking ovens, cars should have a 'self clean' option. I'd pay a premium for the such package. Wouldn't you!? Seriously though, it sounds like Graphite is a reasonable choice. I'm pretty much set on the Oyster/Black and my order already includes, as pharding recommended, the Anthricite headliner. Thank you everyone for your input. This is such a useful and informative forum. I'll update the thread tomorrow.
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10-09-2010, 06:57 AM	#11
Hoss NY Private First Class 17 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2011 F10 535i Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00] 2000 BMW E39 528i [0.00] 2002 BMW X5 3.0 [0.00]	I have the Sophisto with oyster/black interior and have been very happy with it. No issues with keeping the interior clean. I'd say the Sophisto is much less challenging to keep clean vs. black. The color shifts in different lighting as well as the metallic effect are enough to keep it looking good between washes every couple of weeks.
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10-09-2010, 11:21 AM	#12
Rush2808 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 49 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hamptons, NY iTrader: (0)	i just got this on the 6th and it was raining for 2 days straight where i live, i havent washed the car u can barely notice the water spots
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10-09-2010, 11:25 AM	#13
Rush2808 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 49 Posts Drives: F10 535 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hamptons, NY iTrader: (0)	i tried to upload a pic but it doesnt work >.<
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10-21-2010, 11:48 AM	#14
Salter Private 26 Rep 71 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Dark Graphite it is. (A promised thread update) I've changed my order (Week 45) to Dark Graphite (aka Sophisto Gray). Thanks for everyone's input, advice and reassurance.
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