Sakhir Orange interior makes plastic stand out more.

[2sporty]

I have a SO interior M4 on order, and I am thinking about switching from SO to black after seeing some pics in this forum. I think BMW has done a wonderful job on improving the interior vs the E92, especially with the full leather option, but there are still a lot of plastic pieces. IMO, the contrast between the sakhir orange and black plastic really highlights the fact that these pieces are, in fact, cheap plastic. Some examples are the back of the front seats, window controls, door handle surround, and stuff in the rear seats (from the attached pic). What does everyone else think?

[04RC51]

This is part of the reason why I love this forum so much. There will be a million people in this thread raving about SO interior and exterior while I'm sitting here thinking how ugly it looks. Different strokes for different folks!

[paddy335]

I'm not a big fan either....but each to their own. Seems waaaaay more popular in the US than most other markets

[polly]

I think so really makes u feel like u driving something out of the ordinary especially if its in full leather
here in sa it's not available on the f30 and 99% of all 3 series have black interior
I know for sure that the interior colour on my car will be a wow factor and talking point when people see it and because I use my e92 as a daily which has a black interior it will be different when I jump into my f80 over the weekend

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by 2sporty

IMO, the contrast between the sakhir orange and black plastic really highlights the fact that these pieces are, in fact, cheap plastic.

I think the plastic would look just as cheap if:

- It were Sakhir Orange too, instead of black. Maybe worse.
- It were "expensive plastic" - whatever that means.
- We were looking at other make/model cars in this price range (or even higher) with similar colored interiors.

I think perhaps if everything were made from machined billet and painted or anodized it would register to me as a marked improvement. I wouldn't pay for it, mind you, because I tend to place a much higher value on utility than aesthetic (exception: women). But I would probably think it looks cool.

Personally I'll take a function-first interior all day long, like in an F458 Speciale or something. But there's no market for that in a luxury sedan.

Any cars out there that have no hard plastic anywhere in the cabin at all - not on the trim parts, nor switches, nor storage areas? Do they use metal instead? Wood? If not what do they use? I guess I'd need to see pics.

[bryaninsterling]

Stick with black, in the long run you'll thank yourself.

[rz3]

I'm biased since I chose the SO interior, but I chose it because I want the contrasting colors inside the car. The 335 I'm driving has the chestnut interior, which is a great look and a great contrast. My previous car was an '06 330i which was silver with a black interior. It was a great car and looked nice, but didn't pop for me.

I learned from that experience that the interior is much more important than the exterior when I look at the car. I didn't mind the silver exterior, but the all black interior was boring to me. Contrast is interesting. Others love the consistency of an all black/gray/whatever interior. I absolutely love my gray on chestnut 335i and the only reason I'm giving it up is for the M3.

To each his own...

As for the SO exterior I'm getting, that's because it's an M and I want it to stand out. Besides, I've had gray or silver cars for the last 10 years. It's time for a change.

[shortseller]

SO interior is fine with certain exterior colors, white or black even silver come to mind. Can't help but think if a darker brown than current was being offered SO would get less play as an interior choice. Also if anyone considering SO interior hasn't seen it, it is much more red than orange and does look prestigious.

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by shortseller

SO interior is fine with certain exterior colors, white or black even silver come to mind. Can't help but think if a darker brown than current was being offered SO would get less play as an interior choice. Also if anyone considering SO interior hasn't seen it, it is much more red than orange and does look prestigious.

I've seen it IRL and it is a San Francisco Giants orange, not red. If you put a black "SF" on the middle of the back seat, you would have a SF Giants fanboy car.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by GBPackerfan1963

I've seen it IRL and it is a San Francisco Giants orange, not red. If you put a black "SF" on the middle of the back seat, you would have a SF Giants fanboy car.

Actually drove by AT&T park just last week, it's close.

As I saw it sitting inside a dealership with AW exterior, it looked closer to an apple than an orange to me. Weird, ain't it!

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Actually drove by AT&T park just last week, it's close.

As I saw it sitting inside a dealership with AW exterior, it looked closer to an apple than an orange to me. Weird, ain't it!

That's BMW and their color palette for you. They play on each individual human differences in their refractory senses.

[Suave]

The SO interior in any trim looks great. It it really matters this much for you I would strongly urge to consider doing Full Leather upgrade as I did. Its a huge upgrade and looks stunning on the dash/ upper doors, and around the controls with the added leather and contrast stitching. I can't tell you how many times I heard from those that got standard or even extended leather and wishing they had checked the box for SO. On the flip side if you rather spend money on other upgrades you cant go wrong with the cloth / leather interior which looks stunning as well!

[GBPackerfan1963]

Originally Posted by Suave

The SO interior in any trim looks great. It it really matters this much for you I would strongly urge to consider doing Full Leather upgrade as I did. Its a huge upgrade and looks stunning on the dash/ upper doors, and around the controls with the added leather and contrast stitching. I can't tell you how many times I heard from those that got standard or even extended leather and wishing they had checked the box for SO. On the flip side if you rather spend money on other upgrades you cant go wrong with the cloth / leather interior which looks stunning as well!

I will have to agree that the dash with the contrast stitching looks stunning and classy. Of course I'm a SF Giants fan tho.

[jc05e46m3]

This is nothing new. Looked the same when i had IR interior. Looked the same with FR interior, and guess what? Nothing has changed.

[GregW / Oregon]

Looks good to me! To me it doesn't look as orange IRL as in photos.

[M4 OSU]

Great pics GregW. We picked up our M4 June 24 ED, I was concerned about our choice of SO full leather until I saw it in person - it is very sporty while classy at the same time. Well done BMW.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Looks good to me! To me it doesn't look as orange IRL as in photos.

^^^^^^^^^Yep this is why Full Leather should be standard ^^^^^^^^^

[NavyBeeker]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I think the plastic would look just as cheap if:

- It were Sakhir Orange too, instead of black. Maybe worse.
- It were "expensive plastic" - whatever that means.
- We were looking at other make/model cars in this price range (or even higher) with similar colored interiors.

I think perhaps if everything were made from machined billet and painted or anodized it would register to me as a marked improvement. I wouldn't pay for it, mind you, because I tend to place a much higher value on utility than aesthetic (exception: women). But I would probably think it looks cool.

Personally I'll take a function-first interior all day long, like in an F458 Speciale or something. But there's no market for that in a luxury sedan.

Any cars out there that have no hard plastic anywhere in the cabin at all - not on the trim parts, nor switches, nor storage areas? Do they use metal instead? Wood? If not what do they use? I guess I'd need to see pics.

+1 Almost every single car imaginable has plastic interior parts... those that don't are certainly beyond my price range anyway. Does SO interior create contrast and draw your eyes to them? Sure, but it also draws your eyes to the fantastic leather too.... question I'll be asking myself before I choose is, is this a color and contrast combination I like and can live with happily?

As others have mentioned also, I think contrast inside is a good thing and that the interior selection is in many ways more important than the exterior... I intend to spend many more hours on the inside looking out than on the outside looking in.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Looks good to me! To me it doesn't look as orange IRL as in photos.

Really nice choice!

[JL M3]

Originally Posted by GBPackerfan1963

I've seen it IRL and it is a San Francisco Giants orange, not red. If you put a black "SF" on the middle of the back seat, you would have a SF Giants fanboy car.

Damn, might have to sell my car now!

[jewels]

I have an M4 Vert on order with MG exterior and SO interior...
I think it matters even more in a Vert as to having contrasting colors.

Love what I have seen in SO (NY Auto Show had this combo) and MG.

Very personal choice but I am done with Blk on Blk or Gray on Blk...to plain for MY taste

[GrussGott]

I say this car ain't a rolls or even a luxury car so you should nut-up and get the orange.

Or just plasti-dip the entire interior, that way it will all look inert. take pictures.