[FadeToBlack]

My point (among others) was and partially still is: why get blue when it's blue? Why not get a color that looks different every time? Why not get a color that pops? Montego Blue, Le Mans Blue, Imperial Blue, etc. are all standard BMW colors. Get one that at least isn't and is very different.

[wdimagineer]

Congrats on your decision! I can't wait to see what you decide and what it ends up looking like.

I thought I was crazy getting BMW to add Piano Black trim to my 550xi build at a cost of ~$1,000. At the same time I was getting the trim sorted I did inquire about Cohiba Brown leather. BMW NA came back and said for the luxury seating package it would cost around $9,000. I said nope. I'll take Black for $0, Alex.

I'd love a special color, though. I'd almost consider doing ED to roughly even out the $5k cost. But, I'm content with Alpine White.

[TunedIn]

Darn. My sales rep got the answer today from the BMW NA Rep:

"The only colors I can get for the $5000 are colors BMW offers in their standard line up. So specialized colors like Alpina blue or matte blue are not available. I can see how much they would charge to paint the car matte blue??"

I've asked him to find out the price for matte blue, and also to see if he can get a price for Alpina Blue, although at this point I seriously doubt that it's possible. Oh well, it was worth looking into. I'll post the numbers when I get them.

BTW, after input from several forum members (Stealth Pilot recently, Pharding previously, and others, thanks) I've decided to add Integral Active Steering and Head Up Display. Those two features will add about $2,800 to the cost of my car (91% of $3,050 MSRP), but I'm glad I've been able to make the changes in time. Build date is January 5, 2012.

[EdM5]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

I've decided to add Integral Active Steering and Head Up Display.

You won't regret it!
IAS and HUD are awesome.

[davesf]

I'm with you on the lighter blues. Are you truly off DSB? i love the color, and it almost seems worth an extra 4k to get DSB with the M-sport trim. as for the other blues.. you could go estoril if you want it to really stand out.

[joey5622]

Originally Posted by davesf

I'm with you on the lighter blues. Are you truly off DSB? i love the color, and it almost seems worth an extra 4k to get DSB with the M-sport trim. as for the other blues.. you could go estoril if you want it to really stand out.

really liking the orient blue!! i'm a sucker for purplish blue! haha

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by davesf

I'm with you on the lighter blues. Are you truly off DSB? i love the color, and it almost seems worth an extra 4k to get DSB with the M-sport trim. as for the other blues.. you could go estoril if you want it to really stand out.

If DSB were available with the M Sport package, as a standard "free" color, I'd grab it in a heartbeat. But since it's not, and I'd have to pay the $4,000, then personally I like Le Mans Blue better. Have you seen a 335 with M Sport in Le Mans Blue ? It's a knockout color.

Regarding Estoril Blue, that's nice too, but is it currently offered on any production BMW ? If not, it's a no-go. Can't really tell in the lineup of blues you provided (thanks BTW!), but how does Estoril compare with Le Mans in the sunlight or indoors ?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

If DSB were available with the M Sport package, as a standard "free" color, I'd grab it in a heartbeat. But since it's not, and I'd have to pay the $4,000, then personally I like Le Mans Blue better. Have you seen a 335 with M Sport in Le Mans Blue ? It's a knockout color.

Regarding Estoril Blue, that's nice too, but is it currently offered on any production BMW ? If not, it's a no-go. Can't really tell in the lineup of blues you provided (thanks BTW!), but how does Estoril compare with Le Mans in the sunlight or indoors ?

With the F10, my guess is the car looks better in a lighter shade or a darker shade than in a medium shade.'

For me this choice would be either Velvet Blue, or Monte Carlo Blue. I like LeMans but it wouldn't be my choice on an F10.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

With the F10, my guess is the car looks better in a lighter shade or a darker shade than in a medium shade.'

For me this choice would be either Velvet Blue, or Monte Carlo Blue. I like LeMans but it wouldn't be my choice on an F10.

Monte Carlo Blue is a strange color. Sometimes it looks WAY too Crayola-like, sometimes it looks darker and okay. But it's not just a light blue... to me, it's a strange blue. Although painting my 535i to resemble a new M5 is certainly tempting, I'd rather get a color that I actually prefer.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Monte Carlo Blue is a strange color. Sometimes it looks WAY too Crayola-like, sometimes it looks darker and okay. But it's not just a light blue... to me, it's a strange blue. Although painting my 535i to resemble a new M5 is certainly tempting, I'd rather get a color that I actually prefer.

I've never been a fan of Monte Carlo Blue on the X cars, but I just love it on the M5.

Maybe a couple of years from now, I will upgrade to an M6 GranCoupe with Monte Carlo Blue, Champagne Merino Leather and Piano Black Wood. That will be awesome.

[stealth.pilot]

Also since you veto Monte Carlo, I now vote for Estoril.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I've never been a fan of Monte Carlo Blue on the X cars, but I just love it on the M5.

Have you seen an M5 in person yet, perhaps at an auto show ? I'd love to know what you think of it once you've seen it.

Maybe a couple of years from now, I will upgrade to an M6 GranCoupe with Monte Carlo Blue, Champagne Merino Leather and Piano Black Wood. That will be awesome.

That would be quite striking.

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Also since you veto Monte Carlo, I now vote for Estoril.

Unless you know something I don't, Estoril is not available on any current production model BMW, so I can't get it even via the special order paint charge. But in any event, why do you prefer Estoril Blue to Le Mans Blue? I assume you've seen them both in person, so I'd really like to know what you find preferable about Estoril. Thanks.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Have you seen an M5 in person yet, perhaps at an auto show ? I'd love to know what you think of it once you've seen it.



That would be quite striking.



Unless you know something I don't, Estoril is not available on any current production model BMW, so I can't get it even via the special order paint charge. But in any event, why do you prefer Estoril Blue to Le Mans Blue? I assume you've seen them both in person, so I'd really like to know what you find preferable about Estoril. Thanks.

Estoril is lighter and less intense. LeMans Blue just seems like a sports car colour to me. But I think it is a good choice too - I would definitely pick LeMans Blue over DSB.

Estoril Blue II is also available as a current production car color on 1 series hatchback and on F30.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by davesf

I'm with you on the lighter blues. Are you truly off DSB? i love the color, and it almost seems worth an extra 4k to get DSB with the M-sport trim. as for the other blues.. you could go estoril if you want it to really stand out.

Dave (or anyone) - Do you know what color the one on the bottom is ? (it's the only one not labeled).

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Estoril is lighter and less intense. LeMans Blue just seems like a sports car colour to me. But I think it is a good choice too - I would definitely pick LeMans Blue over DSB.

Estoril Blue II is also available as a current production car color on 1 series hatchback and on F30.

Do they sell a 1 series hatchback in the US ? It's not on the BMWUSA.com configurator. Also, a check of AutoTrader for any BMW model, any year, anywhere, in Estoril Blue shows there are only 20 such vehicles, the most current one being a 2003 X5. Perhaps they're reintroducing the color on the new F30 3 series, but otherwise it looks like a defunct color.

[stealth.pilot]

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/f10...l-request.html

[remmib]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Do they sell a 1 series hatchback in the US ? It's not on the BMWUSA.com configurator. Also, a check of AutoTrader for any BMW model, any year, anywhere, in Estoril Blue shows there are only 20 such vehicles, the most current one being a 2003 X5. Perhaps they're reintroducing the color on the new F30 3 series, but otherwise it looks like a defunct color.

The new F30 M-sport will get Estoril Blue II Metallic.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by TunedIn

Have you seen an M5 in person yet, perhaps at an auto show ? I'd love to know what you think of it once you've seen it.

Mate - I've done better than that. I've driven the new M5. I had the pleasure of a Monte Carlo Blue/Platinum F10 M5 for a day in Seville. Here's my write up.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602425

[davesf]

i've thought about your conondrum. today i was driving my DSB behind a le mans blue 3-series, and as much as i love DSB i was a little jealous. le mans blue is such an awesome color. therefore, i declare you should get...

LE MANS BLUE

sure, it's a common 3-series color, so your color won't be unique... but your car will be! almost makes me wish i special ordered in Melborne Red Metallic. if you wan't a more unique blue, go for monte carlo.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Mate - I've done better than that. I've driven the new M5. I had the pleasure of a Monte Carlo Blue/Platinum F10 M5 for a day in Seville. Here's my write up.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602425

Thanks, I hadn't seen this, lucky you! Very interesting. So just as a follow up to the question I was asking you earlier, does Monte Carlo Blue have a split personality, where sometimes it looks "Crayola" like (light, sort of like Laguna Seca Blue), and sometimes it looks much darker and more "dignified" ? This one really seems to change its look depending on the lighting conditions, even more than some of the other BMW blues. Thx.

[TunedIn]

Originally Posted by davesf

i've thought about your conondrum. today i was driving my DSB behind a le mans blue 3-series, and as much as i love DSB i was a little jealous. le mans blue is such an awesome color. therefore, i declare you should get...

LE MANS BLUE

sure, it's a common 3-series color, so your color won't be unique... but your car will be! almost makes me wish i special ordered in Melborne Red Metallic. if you wan't a more unique blue, go for monte carlo.

Yea !! Thanks for the great input, and for your honesty Now that I know I can't get Alpina Blue as a special order paint (at least not for $4,000, still waiting to hear if it's available at a higher ridiculous cost), I'm 90% decided on getting Le Mans Blue, but I'm still mulling over Monte Carlo blue as an alternative. I like the way my car would look similar to an M5 in MCB, but I really do like Le Mans Blue better. That's why it's 90/10 at the moment. Thx.

P.S. - Can you please look at the question I asked you about 6 notes above regarding the name of the last blue in the color sample photo. Thanks !

[stealth.pilot]

I didn't get to see MCB look crayola like because the day I drove in Spain was mostly overcast. I have only seen it in those overcast conditions (like my pics) as well as indoors under bright lights at BMW Welt.

However I do share your hypothesis that it changes based on the pics I have seen. This seems to be a characteristic of all their new colors. My Imperial Blue also changes dramatically based on lighting conditions.