Light colour leather - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

mf22433 · 28th December 2005, 19:44

Hi,

I have to decide on the colours for my next 5 (I'll order it on Friday, a 530xd).

I have decided to take it with the Individual full leather option. I am almost decided on the exterior colour: Onyx Blue (thanks to the nice pictures I found on the forum).

Now the dilemma... the interior colour. I like the light colours like Platin and Champagne which I think are a good match for Onyx Blue but... I am really afraid that these colours will not be easy to maintain at all with time.

I visited one of the main BMW dealer in Munich this afternoon and they had an M5 with the Platin full leather interior and also a 535d with Champagne seats... but my wife immediatelly noticed that the Champagne driver seat was already dirty (dark traces).

The alternatives would be Black (like my current 535i) or perhaps Caramel like Ashok (BTW, Ashok is the ceiling also Caramel or Antracit?).

Question for you guys who have experience with light colour interior: are these colour easy to maintain and how shall the leather evolve with time?

Thanks.

Ashok Arora · 28th December 2005, 20:27

Very good taste you have

Firstly, I can recommend Onyx Blue - it's a superb colour:

Some more pictures of my Blue Onyx M5

Full caramel leather will look great - here is member alsahher's car:

Second M5 in the Family (Individual caramel interiour)

As you can see he has the caramel headlining. I chose to go with the anthracite headlining because I have two small children and the caramel headlining will show the dirt (chocolate fingerprints etc.). I am very happy with the anthracite headlining which I have in alcantara.

Here is my interior:

Individual Caramel & Light Ash interior pictures

I had caramel leather in my E39 M5 and was pleased that it did not get dirty. This is why I chose the same leather for my E60. Over time it gets slightly darker and develops a slight patina/shine. As long as you clean & feed it with a good leather conditioner every 2-3 months there should be no problems. I find that the Merino leather in the E60 is more durable than the previous (Heritage) leather I had in my E39.

Personally, I don't like black leather interiors. I find them boring and they make the car look smaller. Of course, it's all a matter of personal taste.

Don't forget to think about the trim as well. From the photos above you can see that I have Individual Light Figured Ash wood and alsahher has the standard alumnium.

Here are some other combinations with Onyx Blue:

M5 in individual Onyx Blue arrived in Canada

Finally took some pics (Onyx Blue/Indy red)

mf22433 · 28th December 2005, 21:13

Thanks Ashok,

Cheers,
Michel

Gustav · 28th December 2005, 22:12

Champagne or ecru (almost white) is very nice.

bksf · 28th December 2005, 22:15

I like the appearance of light leather. Personally, however, I don't like the maintenance and wear (i.e. prone to darkening and staining) long term.

Good luck w/ your purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf22433

Hi,

I have to decide on the colours for my next 5 (I'll order it on Friday, a 530xd).

I have decided to take it with the Individual full leather option. I am almost decided on the exterior colour: Onyx Blue (thanks to the nice pictures I found on the forum).

Now the dilemma... the interior colour. I like the light colours like Platin and Champagne which I think are a good match for Onyx Blue but... I am really afraid that these colours will not be easy to maintain at all with time.

I visited one of the main BMW dealer in Munich this afternoon and they had an M5 with the Platin full leather interior and also a 535d with Champagne seats... but my wife immediatelly noticed that the Champagne driver seat was already dirty (dark traces).

The alternatives would be Black (like my current 535i) or perhaps Caramel like Ashok (BTW, Ashok is the ceiling also Caramel or Antracit?).

Question for you guys who have experience with light colour interior: are these colour easy to maintain and how shall the leather evolve with time?

Thanks.

mf22433 · 31st December 2005, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Champagne or ecru (almost white) is very nice.

I just ordered the 530xd with Onyx Blue, Full Leather Champagne, Pianolack Black and almost full option (M-sport paket, Steptronic, Navi Prof bluetooth, HUD, Logic7, Adaptive curve Xenon, Confort seats, Glas roof, PDC, etc ...)

mf22433 · 6th January 2006, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mf22433

I just ordered the 530xd with Onyx Blue, Full Leather Champagne, Pianolack Black

I changed the order... to Ruby Black with Champagne and Pianolack.