Alpine White or Black Sapphire Metallic M3CS?

[Kief]

My dealer has both colors, but I really want San Merino Blue. However no one seems willing to trade ...I've had AW before, my first F82 was AW, and my X5M is BSM.

AW is easy to clean/hides swirls; appears cleaner after rain; contrast shows off CF parts/wheels nicely; but somewhat a boring color.

BSM is menacing; when clean (and just before driving off) black is beautiful; the metallic flake is somewhat dynamic; but BSM is a career to keep clean, see ever paint imperfection, CF/wheels get lost in the color; a slight morning dew can make ext filthy; not really into the murdered out look.

I know color is a personal choice, and only I can decide, but for fun I just wanted to see which color other forums members would choose:

[ruley74]

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1538460&page=3

Black, after the wheel refinish=awesome!

[Kief]

Originally Posted by ruley74

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...460&page=3

Black, after the wheel refinish=awesome!

I've seen that one before and it does look nice!
You think he is on stock suspension? I couldn't tell from reading the thread.

[ruley74]

Originally Posted by Kief

I've seen that one before and it does look nice!
You think he is on stock suspension? I couldn't tell from reading the thread.

Unsure, but it's given me the courage to go bronze wheels on my normal BSM M4!

[einscot]

Originally Posted by Kief

My dealer has both colors, but I really want San Merino Blue. However no one seems willing to trade ...I've had AW before, my first F82 was AW, and my X5M is BSM.

AW is easy to clean/hides swirls; appears cleaner after rain; contrast shows off CF parts/wheels nicely; but somewhat a boring color.

BSM is menacing; when clean (and just before driving off) black is beautiful; the metallic flake is somewhat dynamic; but BSM is a career to keep clean, see ever paint imperfection, CF/wheels get lost in the color; a slight morning dew can make ext filthy; not really into the murdered out look.

I know color is a personal choice, and only I can decide, but for fun I just wanted to see which color other forums members would choose:

there are plenty SMB around still if you don't have to go through your local dealer. as an owner of an AW F80, I wouldn't get the color again to be honest. The first place it gets dirty is on the front door sills at the hinge points, it looks like you've got a permanent black streak all the time. it drives me crazy. doesn't matter how much i wash the car and clean out every nook and cranny, it just always looks dirty there.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by einscot

there are plenty SMB around still if you don't have to go through your local dealer. as an owner of an AW F80, I wouldn't get the color again to be honest. The first place it gets dirty is on the front door sills at the hinge points, it looks like you've got a permanent black streak all the time. it drives me crazy. doesn't matter how much i wash the car and clean out every nook and cranny, it just always looks dirty there.

Yeah, I need to go with this dealer bc of the incredible deal.
I don't remember any staining from my AW F82, but I appreciate the feedback.

Me and my buddy are going up this morning to take a closer look at both which may help me decide. But hell, once you've seen one AW or BSM M3, you've seen them all!

[DS_BMW]

I would go SMB, I would like to get one but can't get out of my lease without being in the hole. I'm betting they are trying to move them now since it's the new year.

[CanAutM3]

Shop around. If you really want SMB, get it. Otherwise you will always be dissatisfied with your car regardless of the deal. SMB is by far the most common colour for the CS (more than one out of 3 M3cs in the US is SMB) and I am sure other dealers are also starting to get eager to get them off their their lots, so other deals are to be had.

I've always hated white cars (personal taste). So given the choice between AW and BSM, BSM gets my vote. But go with SMB since that is where your hart is.

[Wah]

Tough choice... on one hand black seems like it would hide all the details that make it visually a CS... an M for that matter. On the other hand... I had a white M4 and I got sooo bored of it even after putting carbon fiber everywhere. I'd probably go black if I had to choose between the two.

[HMM]

I've always been partial to white cars. My 2018 M3 is AW too.

[gatorfast]

SMB or bust

[Maitre_Absolut]

I am partial to white (last 4 cars) but I find the CS does not look good in white. Find that regular M3 with M-performance splitter etc looks better than CS exterior in white.

At first I wanted LRG but very happy I ended with SBM. Loud and blacked out works well on a muscular sedan.

[Ex_Stig]

Just sayin'...

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by einscot

there are plenty SMB around still if you don't have to go through your local dealer. as an owner of an AW F80, I wouldn't get the color again to be honest. The first place it gets dirty is on the front door sills at the hinge points, it looks like you've got a permanent black streak all the time. it drives me crazy. doesn't matter how much i wash the car and clean out every nook and cranny, it just always looks dirty there.

True about the stains... BUT... having owned both black and white cars, white is exponentially easier to keep looking clean/decent. Even when it's filthy my AW F80Z looks pretty good. The white also pops really hard against the M3's flared bodywork, and, contrasts superbly with dark trim/wheels.

White, by itself, is somewhat bland but given the right body lines and contrasting items it can present very nicely in the flesh. Although BSM was my first choice, I am still extremely pleased with my AW F80Z 6 months in - it's a real stunner. I very rarely have the thought "I should have gotten BSM" because I happen to love the AW as well, perhaps just not quite as much.

Point is - these cars look good in a few choice colors and so long as you go with a color you love you'll be happy. But be sure to consider the overall combo - contrast is absolutely key to making both the body and color pop. Dark blues, for example, while gorgeous, can easily look bland with dark wheels/trim/windows even though the paint color itself might be much more exciting than, say, black. Similarly, if you like super dark window tint, a light exterior color will be a much better choice that a dark color as the latter will tend to fade away.... no pop. This is why black cars look best with no/super light tint generally speaking.

M3CS with the black wheels and all the black accents? Alpine white, Lime rock grey, etc. are going to be excellent choices. That said, SMB is probably one of most gorgeous colors ever designed.

[Kief]

Just got back and checked them out. AW looked good, but I was surprised to see so many swirls already on the hood, damn incompetent dealership detailers!!! Easy to fix I know. Then checked out the BSM in another building, and it was beastly! But sorta leaning toward AW, and it must say something as I only took a pic of the AW. But still unsure. Appreciate everyone's input. And I already have a BSM X5M

[DS_BMW]

Have you tried a local dealer? There are 2 SMB around us.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

Have you tried a local dealer? There are 2 SMB around us.

Don't want to trade...that will be discussed after I get my hands on one of these

[NYBulldog]

If you already have a BSM, the choice is simple to go with AW. However the SMB is so amazing.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

If you already have a BSM, the choice is simple to go with AW. However the SMB is so amazing.

Makes sense...here's my wife's BSM X5M:

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Kief

My dealer has both colors, but I really want San Merino Blue. However no one seems willing to trade ...I've had AW before, my first F82 was AW, and my X5M is BSM.

AW is easy to clean/hides swirls; appears cleaner after rain; contrast shows off CF parts/wheels nicely; but somewhat a boring color.

BSM is menacing; when clean (and just before driving off) black is beautiful; the metallic flake is somewhat dynamic; but BSM is a career to keep clean, see ever paint imperfection, CF/wheels get lost in the color; a slight morning dew can make ext filthy; not really into the murdered out look.

I know color is a personal choice, and only I can decide, but for fun I just wanted to see which color other forums members would choose:

Kief, last I checked ottos had that SMB CS on the floor for a discounted price of 97k.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by ///M///

Kief, last I checked ottos had that SMB CS on the floor for a discounted price of 97k.

Thanks, yeah I know. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I can't use another dealer bc the deal I'm getting is ridiculous. I know others have commented that the deal shouldn't override my preferred color/options, but in this case, I'd be foolish to walk and look elsewhere.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Kief

My dealer has both colors, but I really want San Merino Blue. However no one seems willing to trade ...I've had AW before, my first F82 was AW, and my X5M is BSM.

AW is easy to clean/hides swirls; appears cleaner after rain; contrast shows off CF parts/wheels nicely; but somewhat a boring color.

BSM is menacing; when clean (and just before driving off) black is beautiful; the metallic flake is somewhat dynamic; but BSM is a career to keep clean, see ever paint imperfection, CF/wheels get lost in the color; a slight morning dew can make ext filthy; not really into the murdered out look.

I know color is a personal choice, and only I can decide, but for fun I just wanted to see which color other forums members would choose:

For that much money. I would personally not settle less than a SMB. That color is special and you don't see it on the road. Looks incredible and adds to the look of the CS which is already special. With AW it will just look like my car and I am local to you. That said, between AW and BSM! There is no question I would go with AW. Having owned all black cars in the past, my current AW is so low maintenance as far as cleaning goes. And especially living in the NE, you will never do well with black. The swirls and every little scratch will drive you nuts. The CF roof gets totally lost on the BSM whereas all the M Perf CF parts on the AW offer a beautiful contrast.

My order would be...... CS or AW. Forget the BSM.