2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Imperial Blue or Sophisto Grey II ?
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-30-2012, 10:03 AM   #1
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

Imperial Blue or Sophisto Grey II ?

So new 530d is on order with late July build. And like everyone else I now find myself constantly reviewing the spec. My latest concern is colour. I'm pretty much decided on Venetian Beige interior and originally I was going to get Sophisto Grey II but eventually decided on Imperial Blue. But I was in Singapore last week and saw a convoy of 3 x F10s all in what looked like Sophisto Grey and they looked fantastic. But then this week I was at the Severn Brige toll gate and saw a F10 in what looked like Imperial Blue and it too looked stunning.

My neighbours on both sides have F10s and both are in black so although I think I really want Sophisto Grey will it look too much like the cars on either side or is it different enough? Or do I stick with Imperial Blue? The agony of choice

Last edited by MPH; 06-30-2012 at 10:41 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 11:33 AM   #2
Bimmernerd
Second Lieutenant
Bimmernerd's Avatar
Sweden
6
Rep
242
Posts

Drives: 530dM xDrive F11 2012
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Stockholm

iTrader: (0)

Hmm...I had the same problem with my 530d, first I was 100% sure I wanted Imperial Blue with oyster/oyster interior. Then I saw a carbon black F11 and it looked stunning! However, Carbon black is hopeless to maintain from what I have heard. Every little scratch will be visible. After this I finally went for Sophisto Grey II...it is a very nice color as it almost looks black when it is dark outside and dark grey in sunlight. In combination with 351M 19" wheels and oyster/black interior the car is a beaut!

Good luck with your choice!
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 11:40 AM   #3
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

I really like Carbon Black but it's only available here on the M Sport version which I decided not to go for (i've chosen VDC so sports suspension deleted and rather have toys than body kit). Plus in the UK with the lack of sunshine it will always look black

Going for the 19" 331 wheels. Again the 351s are only available on M Sport.
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 12:40 PM   #4
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Imperial Blue is the best. Here are pics of mine.
















__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 12:57 PM   #5
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

aaaahhhggg

Looks great! Decision just became harder. Any photos under dull, cloudy or rainy skies so I can see what it would look like on a typical British summer day?
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 01:37 PM   #6
joey5622
First Lieutenant
Canada
32
Rep
363
Posts

Drives: 535xi
Join Date: May 2011
Location: vancouver bc

iTrader: (0)

imperial blue is the way to go!!!! sophisto gray II is no where near as nice as sophisto gray I or imperial blue..

i had a similar problem when picking a color and have not regretted it since!! imperial is so amazing when clean, its not bad when dark out either! sophisto II in my opinion is a bit to dull when its dark out... and the fact that it does not have xirallic on it killed it for me.
__________________
2012 535xi Imperial Blue Oyster interior
2012 Lexus CT200h Star fire pearl Ivory interior
2008 Infiniti G35x Aspen pearl Graphite interior - you are missed my friend
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 03:23 PM   #7
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by MPH View Post
aaaahhhggg

Looks great! Decision just became harder. Any photos under dull, cloudy or rainy skies so I can see what it would look like on a typical British summer day?
Hmmm. What are these dull cloudy skies of which you speak? I don't think we have them in Miami Beach.

On a serious note, if you look at the official imperial blue thread here http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371397 , you will see plenty of pictures of imperial blue under cloudy skies.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 03:27 PM   #8
A900ss
Private First Class
A900ss's Avatar
United Kingdom
22
Rep
144
Posts

Drives: 2012 520d Touring
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gloucestershire, UK

iTrader: (0)

If you want photos of Imperial Blue (and Venetian beige) under cloudy skys, here is my car...

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699844

I had a Sophisto for a 4 day test drive and whilst it was nice, it just wasn't as classy as imperial blue in my eyes.

Good luck.
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 03:47 PM   #9
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

Thanks Joey. I didn't realise that Sophisto Grey II is no longer Xirallic. In my lease company configurator it still shows as Xirallic and for a while I'm sure that on the BMW configurator it was Xirallic but I just checked and it isn't any more! The 530 used to come with free Xirallic paint but it looks like they've substituted that with metallic (oh and they throw in ambient lighting to make the £8.7k price increase over a 520 more palatable)

So Imperial Blue is ahead again
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 03:55 PM   #10
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by stealth.pilot View Post
Hmmm. What are these dull cloudy skies of which you speak? I don't think we have them in Miami Beach.

On a serious note, if you look at the official imperial blue thread here , you will see plenty of pictures of imperial blue under cloudy skies.
I did have a look and there's a good selection. However, the Sophisto Grey collection is much larger and more diverse (although i don't think there are any Sophisto Grey II photos). I also looked at one at my local dealer a month or so back and was thinking of going there this weekend to take another look (forgetting that BMW dealers are so rich they don't have to open on Sundays).

I guess I'm just looking for peer acceptance and confirmation
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 07:27 PM   #11
BCA
Captain
21
Rep
793
Posts

Drives: 2015 M3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (1)

I was going to say gray hands down but I must admit that stealth.pilot's car looks pretty damn good. It's a tough call and you really can't make a "bad" choice.

When I was looking for mine, it was between Dark Graphite II and Carbon Black. I ended up with DGII (found a car to my exact specs that was at the VPC, and a dealer trade was arranged) and not only do I love it but I have also gotten so many compliments on the color I can't even believe it. So apparently I made a good choice and I would pick it again without question.

I will say this: I HIGHLY recommend that you go with a combo that has black carpet (such as oyster/black like I have). Black carpet is just so much easier and I think it looks better. I also happen to think that oyster looks way better than beige.

My car also happened to have ceramic controls (not something I was really looking for), and I LOVE them! Just something to consider...

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPH View Post
I didn't realise that Sophisto Grey II is no longer Xirallic. In my lease company configurator it still shows as Xirallic and for a while I'm sure that on the BMW configurator it was Xirallic but I just checked and it isn't any more! The 530 used to come with free Xirallic paint but it looks like they've substituted that with metallic (oh and they throw in ambient lighting to make the £8.7k price increase over a 520 more palatable)
The change from Xirallic to metallic was made because of the Japan earthquake/tsunami that affected Xirallic flake production. BMW was not the only automaker affected. Unfortunately, the metallic version doesn't look nearly as good but I still love it.

It's been rumored that the color may return to a Xirallic formulation at some point, at least here in the U.S. I have no idea if there might be differences in Xirallic vs. metallic availability in the U.S. vs. Europe, now or in the future.
__________________
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S
2019 Porsche Cayenne

Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 07:32 PM   #12
LiveLarger
Second Lieutenant
Norway
4
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F11 520d M-sport
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oslo

iTrader: (0)

Pictures of my imperial blue in dull weather here:
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=643705
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 08:32 PM   #13
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by MPH View Post
Thanks Joey. I didn't realise that Sophisto Grey II is no longer Xirallic. In my lease company configurator it still shows as Xirallic and for a while I'm sure that on the BMW configurator it was Xirallic but I just checked and it isn't any more! The 530 used to come with free Xirallic paint but it looks like they've substituted that with metallic (oh and they throw in ambient lighting to make the £8.7k price increase over a 520 more palatable)

So Imperial Blue is ahead again
I was also torn between Imperial Blue and SGII.

I did a similar thread to this. Then I went down to the dealer, and I told them to run a SGII and an IB car through the car wash so I could see them clean. I did this on a partially overcast day.

The IB kills the SGII in this comparison. The problem with SGII is that it is dull. The original SG had a gun metal luster which was quite sexy. The new one is a bit dull. It lacks brilliance.

BTW IB is still Xirallic whereas SG is no longer as you noted. The earthquake ruined SG forever. It's still my second favorite color, but the original was much better.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 09:59 PM   #14
joey5622
First Lieutenant
Canada
32
Rep
363
Posts

Drives: 535xi
Join Date: May 2011
Location: vancouver bc

iTrader: (0)

It came down to the "flakes" for us, we were leaning towards the SG but seeing SG II up close for a long time pushed us towards IB! The purple flakes of SG I made it so nice.. Both are beautiful colors and you can't go wrong with either!

I wonder what happens to owners of SG I if they need something repainted since the paint is no longer produced..

My only gripe with IB is that the f30 has it..... But not many people here have it in IB so it's all good haha
__________________
2012 535xi Imperial Blue Oyster interior
2012 Lexus CT200h Star fire pearl Ivory interior
2008 Infiniti G35x Aspen pearl Graphite interior - you are missed my friend
Appreciate 0
      06-30-2012, 10:05 PM   #15
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by joey5622 View Post
My only gripe with IB is that the f30 has it..... But not many people here have it in IB so it's all good haha
That's funny. I was somewhat annoyed when IB was offered on the F30 too. I thought it would remain a 5 or 7 color.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 03:13 AM   #16
HOPTB
Registered
Belgium
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: BMW 520d
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Zottegem

iTrader: (0)

My current F10 is a Sophistic with oyster/black interior.
New F10 Imperial blue with same interior on order.
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 03:25 AM   #17
AP
Major General
AP's Avatar
2701
Rep
5,020
Posts

Drives: G30 M550
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Well my 530d is sophisto grey and I think its a very nice colour that seems to 'change' based upon the ambient light.
colour is obviously a very personal thing but I think you find this colour is one of the betterones.
If I didn't have this colour and had some more money to spend, I'd go for Citrin Black (individual) which I thing is very good.
A few pics here ofr you viewing pleasure!
Name:  f105series_25.JPG
Views: 26856
Size:  144.8 KB
Name:  f105series_26.JPG
Views: 13836
Size:  169.6 KB
Name:  tyres_6.JPG
Views: 19952
Size:  169.6 KB
Name:  tyres_7.JPG
Views: 14780
Size:  180.0 KB
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 04:25 AM   #18
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
Well my 530d is sophisto grey and I think its a very nice colour that seems to 'change' based upon the ambient light.
colour is obviously a very personal thing but I think you find this colour is one of the betterones.
Really great looking car. I'm guessing that yours might still might be Xirallic. I checked the brochure last night and Sophisto Grey II is shown as Xirallic but on the website is now metallic so I think the change to metallic is fairly recent - certainly when I was speccing my car at the beginning of May I'm sure it was still Xirallic.

Quote:
I will say this: I HIGHLY recommend that you go with a combo that has black carpet (such as oyster/black like I have). Black carpet is just so much easier and I think it looks better. I also happen to think that oyster looks way better than beige
At first I was going to go with Oyster/Black but I think the Oyster is too white/creamy. I've had Beige in my previous 530 and like the warmer feel. I also dropped the black anthracite headliner because I don't like dark interiors (another reason for not going the M Sport route). I'll probably put down a black floor mat just to give a bit of contrast and keep it clean

Last edited by MPH; 07-01-2012 at 04:43 AM..
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 08:00 AM   #19
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
APs Sophisto pictures look great. However that looks more like the original Sophisto Gray than SGII.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 08:02 AM   #20
stealth.pilot
Knight Commander
stealth.pilot's Avatar
United Kingdom
554
Rep
5,948
Posts

Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by MPH View Post
At first I was going to go with Oyster/Black but I think the Oyster is too white/creamy. I've had Beige in my previous 530 and like the warmer feel. I also dropped the black anthracite headliner because I don't like dark interiors (another reason for not going the M Sport route). I'll probably put down a black floor mat just to give a bit of contrast and keep it clean
Oyster isn't really creamy white. It is a light almond beige. I know this because I have it in my 550 per pics above. I ordered cream white "Platinum Merino" on my M5 and the difference is quite big.

Venetian Beige is more of a tan color.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 08:37 AM   #21
mroll320
Private First Class
6
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 530d
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: uk

iTrader: (0)

In the UK at the moment there is only one choice... alpine white! it really stands out and is fetching a premium on the used market.
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2012, 09:36 AM   #22
MPH
Private First Class
United Kingdom
8
Rep
143
Posts

Drives: F10 530D SE 2013 Imperial Blue
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: South Wales

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mroll320 View Post
In the UK at the moment there is only one choice... alpine white! it really stands out and is fetching a premium on the used market.
I live in the country next to a field full of cows. Have you seen what flies do to a white car?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:39 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST