[mercury26]

So, I am considering order a new BMW, my first new BMW. I am looking at color choices and I am leaning towards the following. My wife is also concerned about Saddle Brown and dirt/wear with kids. The vehicle is an E91 (touring/wagon).

1. Titanium Silver Metallic, Anthracite Headliner (M Sport Pkg), Saddle Brown Leather and Dark Burl

2. Titanium Silver Metallic, Anthracite Headliner (M Sport Pkg), Black Leather and Dark Burl

3. Blue Water Metallic, Anthracite Headliner (M Sport Pkg), Saddle Brown Leather and Dark Burl

I love Alpine White, but I am getting tired of white. I have always enjoyed silver in the past. Though I definitely do not like darker colors, so I am trying to stay light color.

I appreciate opinions, especially wear and tear on the Saddle Brown.

Thanks,

Chuck

[MontegoGoGoGo]

Although I hate silver and black because it's about as run-of-the-mill as you can possibly get, the other two combos sound bad. There is just something I don't like about silver and saddle, something about the tones clashing. IMO, it's kind of like putting pink and red together.

I don't suppose you'd be down for silver and coral?

Or montego on saddle?

[DrGP]

Originally Posted by Montego GoGoGo

Although I hate silver and black because it's about as run-of-the-mill as you can possibly get, the other two combos sound bad. There is just something I don't like about silver and saddle, something about the tones clashing. IMO, it's kind of like putting pink and red together.

I don't suppose you'd be down for silver and coral?

Or montego on saddle?

Coral is not available on the Sedan. IMHO, with kids, black interior is the way to go. Any scuffs you get can easily be returned to near new condition with black shoe creme.

[mercury26]

Originally Posted by DrGP

Coral is not available on the Sedan. IMHO, with kids, black interior is the way to go. Any scuffs you get can easily be returned to near new condition with black shoe creme.

I should have mentioned that I am looking at the E91 (touring/wagon).

Cheers,

Chuck

[07E92TT]

silver on saddle! black is boring on the inside and that light blue color should be on a camry.

[nobody]

Remember that Saddle is so called two tone interior. "High traffic" areas like carpets, seat backs and lower door parts are still black.

[mercury26]

I am with you on the rest of the interior. I have seen some posts of jeans and other materials, leaving "stains" and marks on saddle leather.

Cheers,

Chuck

[nobody]

You are probably not going to win this one . It is always going to be something. Light brown can get denim stains. Gray will have shoe marks. Black will show milk stains and cheese crackers smeared over it. Wood can be scratched. Aluminum will have dents...

It is a losing battle.

[mercury26]

I am with you, except no food in Dad's car. Sippy cups with water are ok, otherwise...

Even myself, I transport drinks but rarely consume them while driving.

Cheers,

Chuck

[BK]

I've managed to keep a black car with beige interior clean even with kids. But it's stressful both for me and the kids. My vote is silver with black interior.

[gos]

IMO, the closer you are to brown, the more natural (and acceptable) any wear in the leather will look. The more exotic colors have to stay perfect to look good.

[mercury26]

I am actually thinking of going with what I know, Alpine White:

Alpine White, Anthracite (M Sport) Headliner, Saddle Brown Leather and Dark Burl Trim

I will sleep on it, then send out to the dealer.

Cheers,

Chuck

[dmz]

Since it's a Touring and you have kids. Go with the Silver/black combo. It's a classic BMW color and will wear better and have better resale value when you decide to sell it.

[Z22Z]

silver with black interior is what i have and not only does it look better than silver with brown, but it is really easy to keep clean.

[Lynchmob6]

I have Barbera Red and Saddle. My kids are 15 and 11, and so far, so good. With the black on the bottom of the doors and black carpet, all is holding up well. I do not use the black carpet floor mats...have the BMW rubber ones instead.

But the leather is holding up well so far. No problem with jean stains. The only think I do is cover the seat with a towel when my football player son gets in after practice!

[Kilgore Trout]

I actually think the Saddle would do very well with kids. Its dark enough to hide day-to-day dirt, and not so dark that every bit of dust and sand will show up looking bad.

As for an exterior color, I am with those who think that silver and white is too boring. My two favorite options in the E9x line are Montego Blue (not what I'd call a light color, but also not dark). Blue Water is nice, although I wish it was more blue and less gray.

My car has a Gray Dakota interior. I could not live with the darkness of black, don't like the two-tone look of saddle, and thought beige was impractical for a guy whose vehicle is often used to haul a bike et al. For the most part, it has done pretty well hiding dirt, but I do need to clean the seats every few weeks.

[Craig@SupremePower]

get black with the kids..

[nobody]

I do not find black interior easy to keep clean at all. There is an insane amount of light dirt kids drag into the car. Winter is especially bad. Drops of snow/ice dry into really nasty looking milky stains. We have bottom of the rear bench covered so at least stuff does not drip all over leather but it still gets around the interior. Summer is not far behind with beach sand, ice cream and dust from outdoor adventures.

I agree with KT. We had light gray before and it was great. I myself did more damage than the kids ever could (you know... brake dust, oil etc ). It was a bit darker shade of gray vs E91 though.

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

get black with the kids..

Agreed.

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by nobody

I do not find black interior easy to keep clean at all. There is an insane amount of light dirt kids drag into the car. Winter is especially bad. Drops of snow/ice dry into really nasty looking milky stains. We have bottom of the rear bench covered so at least stuff does not drip all over leather but it still gets around the interior. Summer is not far behind with beach sand, ice cream and dust from outdoor adventures.

I agree with KT. We had light gray before and it was great. I myself did more damage than the kids ever could (you know... brake dust, oil etc ). It was a bit darker shade of gray vs E91 though.

Really? I had light gray before with my e46 BMW and it would get darker/dingier with time. You and the kids will be touching the leather throughout the years, and it will definitely show! And, I live in Socal and clean/treat the leather consistently.

[roadkillrob]

Depends on how old your kids are - black is super easy, I have saddle and my kids are 6 and 8 and not terribly messy and it is pretty easy to clean - any leather is relatively easy to keep clean unless it is really light and stains - a little Zaino leather in a bottle though and it all comes out. If you do Saddle, take a look at the Gray Poplar instead of the burl as saddle and burl don't go together particularly well in my book.

Good luck with your decision!

[WILLIE92]

Black interior hides all stains easy to clean!