Silver Gray vs. Black M6 -- Help Please

[Wayward]

I'm about to spec my M6 and would appreciate some fresh opinions on everyone's favorite topic -- color!

I've read many, many posts debating color, including the silver gray/black threads, but I'm hoping that a few members will help out with their current thoughts with regard to these colors on an M6.

The car will be my daily driver (993TT is my weekender), and I was all set on Silver Gray until today, as I visited the dealer today and was *very* impressed with the "liquid black" look of an in-showroom Sapphire Black M5.

Having owned several black Porsches (and gray and arctic/brilliant silver on 5 previous BMWs and MBs), I'm all too familiar with the maintenance headaches of black, but that M5 today, well, whoa.

I've exclusively used Zymol (concours) on previous black vehicles, and am fairly good at minimizing swirl marks, though I've never owned a black BMW. Maybe I would need to switch to Zaino for the BMW?

To complicate matters, I'll probably opt for a black interior, and really didn't want all-black, but then again, it wouldn't kill me. I'm somewhat afraid of the lightness and two-tone contrast of the Silverstone interior (would've loved polar gray).

In any event, I'm confused as h*ll and would truly really appreciate the opinions of fellow members here.

Thanks all.

[MaxTimeOff]

Well, having struggled with this color choice I know what you are going through. I was also going back and forth between SG & SB. I like them both (Jet Black would be better though), but in the end I went with SB with Sepang interior to lighten up the car a bit. I felt that SG looked a little bland. My wife stated that SG was nothing special and that a car of this stature needed something with a little more pizzaz. That comment sort of tipped the scale for me. I have seen SG on the M6 at the Auto in Munich and it was a little plain and not very striking, not bad, just really understated.

I owned a black 645 cabrio and just loved that car in Jet Black. I personally feel that the 6er, M or otherwise, just looks best in black.

Good luck, and remember, it's still an M6 no matter what color it is!!

[Wayward]

Thanks so much.

Every point in your post struck home. I tend to agree with your (and your wife's) views, and hence my dilemma!

After having seen that M5 today (wow), I'm leaning so much toward SB (and I'll end up dealing with swirls, I suppose). The interior, though -- silverstone vs. black vs. portland, well this just makes it so difficult.

I've seen your posts of the SB/Portland at the Munich dealer, however, I, like you, am not entirely comfortable with this combo, nor with any of these combinations. It seems that the safest route, perhaps, is monotone.

I'm really struggling. If I didn't view this car as something of a keeper (ie: not a 2-3 year lease), the decision wouldn't have near the magnitude.

Like you, having reflected on these aspects from a buyer's perspective, I have to wonder who and/or why, within the heart of BMW's design dept, chose and limited these choices. Did they consult or poll *real* perspective buyers in their varied markets. Logically, this is likely a marketing/design/cost based dictate, but still quite discomforting in its limited nature.

Btw, have you been able to see the silverstone interior in person -- no one at my dealership has.

Thanks again.

[noblecasa]

I'm amazed that there aren't more Indianapolis Red M6's. As I reviewed the M6's being produced, the majority of them are Sapphire Black w/Black interior.

I suspect that having two Black/Black 645's, it's time for a change. I was able to configure the Indy Red with Portland Brown interior. Hopefully it will be a beautiful combination.

FYI, be creative with your color combo's as the colors on the BMW website are suggestions only and you should be able to pick any combination you prefer.

Good luck!

[Wayward]

Thanks noblecasa, this is such a tradeoff.

I do like Indy Red, but it's like cop city here. I didn't give it too much consideration for the same reason I never owned a guards red 911 (like 'em alot though). I always felt like I'd be shouting "Come'n get me copper", or some other Cagneyesque statement.

Oh well, top o' the world, ma!

[Terk]

Wayward,

I think when it comes time to spec ones car, we all age a few years and then experience those sleepless nights hoping we have made the right decision. I think went through numerous colour choices with my E39 M5 before settling on LeMans Blue and even then I second guessed myself after seeing a Carbon Black M3 in the showroom days later. In the end when your car is delivered, whatever colour you choose you will love as ///M Cars really look good in all of the colours.

As others have said, the M6 does look sexy as hell in black although upkeep can be a deciding factor. You do loose the cool two-tone mirror effect and of course that CF roof is less apparent. I really like SG on the M5 but for whatever reason, I do not personally care for it on the M6.

My dealer recently had a Sapphire over Black M5 and a Silverstone II over Silverstone M5 in the showroom and although the Black M5 look absolutely stunning, the uniqueness of Silverstone did catch my eye to the point that the Black M5 at a glance could be mistaken for a regular 5 series. I suppose the same could be said of the M6. I was however very impressed with the Silverstone Interior, something I could not have appreciated from the pictures.

If I was specing my car today, I think my first choice might be to seriously consider Indy Red although as I have only seen it under the artificial lights of Cobo Centre in Detroit, it would require a small leap of faith to order sight unseen. As we have the Individual collection available north of the border, I am really tempted to go with Azurit Black over Polar grey which also gives me the Piano Black trim which I really like.

What ever you choose, your car will look awesome.

Good Luck
Tony

[Kramer]

I've seen the e60 M5 in Interlagos Blue, Silverstone & Silver-Gray. I really liked all of them for different reasons, but I certainly didn't think the silver-gray looked bland or boring. In fact, the color of the car almost seemed to change a shade or two depending on whether or not the sun was peeking through the clouds or not. It was a much more interesting color than I expected it to be. I personally wouldn't want a black car as a daily driver, esp here in the Chicago area with all of the contruction dust, dirt and grime we seem to deal with on our roads all year-round. I would opt for SG with black interior if I were in your shoes. Either way, it's an M6. I'd drive a pink one if it was the only color choice..

[OLD SPEED LOVER]

I've noticed that the lighter colours show up the lines and details better due to the shadows which add emphasis.
Both colours are stunning - Good luck!!!

[Wayward]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I've also been looking at the owners gallery photos quite a bit but am still undecided. Why is this so difficult?

Did more research and will definitely be using Zaino products (no matter what color), btw.

I do like the contrast of the CF roof with SG too, and am fairly sure (?) of getting the black full lthr interior, so do I want an all-black car?

I was thiniking of SG because of its low maintenance and stealth properties, but perhpas it is a bit bland? I did walk the dealer lot yesterday and can't say that I was blown over by SG.

Believe it or not, I even toyed with white, but in cop city (just the term I use to describe this area), I think I'd be too easy to spot!

Right now I can't even decide what I want for dinner at this point, lol.

More comments are always welcome, and thanks again.

[Wolverine]

OK, here's my two bits. If you're trying to decide between silver grey and sapphire black, in my mind it's no contest. Get the sapphire black.

I saw a silver grey M5 at the dealer Friday, and clean, under flourescent lights, it looked very nice. But it is very bland. Plus, although it won't show swirl marks like black, it is not a great dirt color. It will look like a used rag after a day or so driving in the rain/snow.

Black on the other hand, is IMO, the best color for this body style. I had a black 545, and it just looked awesome after cleaning. Nothing really can compare. The black makes the car look meaner, more compact, and blends the sometimes incongruent lines of the E60 style.

So, if you don't mind a high maintenance car, I'd get the black. I really don't see any advantage to the SG, other than you won't see the swirl marks and chips.

I'll put a plug in for Silverstone, because I've gotten a lot of comments on how unique the color is, and it is absolutely bulletproof as far as showing swirls and dirt.

From everything you've said though, I think you need to get the black.