Brushed aluminum vs. carbon? Too reflective/distracting?

smmmurf · 07-11-2009, 02:52 PM

Hi, debating on the last option on my E90M before I take delivery in Europe in 3 weeks! The car is AW on Black leather. I'm looking for opinions on which trim to choose.

Is the Brushed aluminum trim really reflective? can it be distracting? It seems like the pattern is more of a matte look rather than a brushed streak look like my E46 M. Does this trim reflect a lot of light and take some focus away from the instruments and the road?

I was almost convinced I should get brushed until I saw some videos where the alum. was bright, but I have only driven cars with carbon, not alu.

Thanks for any feedback you might have on either trim!

Sean

Voltigeur · 07-11-2009, 03:35 PM

-

Biased. Love carbon and would choose it again. These days you get the alum trim in everyday cars.

FStop7 · 07-11-2009, 03:40 PM

Had two E46 M3 with brushed alu and now an E90 w/ carbon leather. They're both great, there is nothing wrong with either of them.

duk · 07-11-2009, 03:47 PM

alum FTW, not reflective at all

haze gray · 07-11-2009, 04:17 PM

Carbon leather IMO

Race_Doc11 · 07-11-2009, 04:25 PM

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by duk

alum FTW, not reflective at all

ssemerod · 07-11-2009, 04:32 PM

aluminum looked good in e46, carbon leather looks better in e9x. go to bmwusa and do a build and see what looks good to you. it won't look any better whilst sitting in the car

niqui · 07-11-2009, 04:33 PM

depends on interior color choice and extended or not.
i took alumnium and prefer it with my interior, adds color.
but it gets dinged easily by dumb passengers who just let go of their seat belt, i am debating wrapping their seatbelt in felt, thats how annoying it is. but i think it looks better.

SoreHead · 07-11-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Hi, debating on the last option on my E90M before I take delivery in Europe in 3 weeks! The car is AW on Black leather. I'm looking for opinions on which trim to choose.

Is the Brushed aluminum trim really reflective? can it be distracting? It seems like the pattern is more of a matte look rather than a brushed streak look like my E46 M. Does this trim reflect a lot of light and take some focus away from the instruments and the road?

I was almost convinced I should get brushed until I saw some videos where the alum. was bright, but I have only driven cars with carbon, not alu.

Thanks for any feedback you might have on either trim!

Sean

It's not bright at all and looks great. If your car is black inside it also picks up the inside a little. I had looked at the carbon but I like the little bit of brightness in the dark cockpit.

I like carbon but wasn't sure about the non lacquered version but it's all good.

whiteE92M3 · 07-11-2009, 05:08 PM

carbon leather for sure, no other company has anything else like it (to my knowledge)

IrvRobinson · 07-11-2009, 05:47 PM

Your car could become unmodifyable by next week,since the plants will be shutting down in August.All sold units are in 112 status,from there,they change to 150 are assigned vin numbers,then no more changes..You going to be on the inside more than anyone here,so try and see both in person and make your decision asap.......

smmmurf · 07-11-2009, 05:49 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. Went with AL for contrast because I didn't go extended leather. Maybe I'll get carbon leather on my next car if they really nerf the next M3.

Looking forward to my trip... will post pics of delivery!

Subw00er · 07-11-2009, 10:16 PM

The aluminum isn't reflective. I didnt like it at first, but its growing on me. I liked the carbon till I saw it in person and learned that it was just fake fabric. Sort of lame on a car this expensive IMO.

drivendriver · 07-13-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Is the Brushed aluminum trim really reflective? can it be distracting? It seems like the pattern is more of a matte look rather than a brushed streak look like my E46 M. Does this trim reflect a lot of light and take some focus away from the instruments and the road?

I drove an M5 with brushed aluminum on Saturday (which was very sunny here in the DC area). It's not reflective. It's not polished. It looks much better than Glacier Silver, and it's not as bright. I didn't find it distracting at all. But it's not as soft to the touch as I thought.

Anyway, I'm glad I ordered brushed aluminum for my M3 (which I will pick up in South Carolina a week from today!!!).

Nawaaz · 07-13-2009, 06:39 PM

The Brushed Aluminum is too bright to look at, especially in a darker interior. Also, the Carbon Leather trim gives me a headache when I look at it.

AMOCHOSTO · 07-13-2009, 10:25 PM

Wood!

zenderm3 · 07-13-2009, 10:42 PM

I picked the AL finish. As previously mentioned provides the contrast for a dark cockpit. All in all - I think you made a good decision!

07-11-2009, 02:52 PM	#1
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Brushed aluminum vs. carbon? Too reflective/distracting? Hi, debating on the last option on my E90M before I take delivery in Europe in 3 weeks! The car is AW on Black leather. I'm looking for opinions on which trim to choose. Is the Brushed aluminum trim really reflective? can it be distracting? It seems like the pattern is more of a matte look rather than a brushed streak look like my E46 M. Does this trim reflect a lot of light and take some focus away from the instruments and the road? I was almost convinced I should get brushed until I saw some videos where the alum. was bright, but I have only driven cars with carbon, not alu. Thanks for any feedback you might have on either trim! Sean
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07-11-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
Voltigeur MacroRisk 109 Rep 2,523 Posts Drives: M3 E92 ED'09 / 335d Sport DD Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	- Biased. Love carbon and would choose it again. These days you get the alum trim in everyday cars. __________________ Just thinking of something not so witty ///M3 E92 '09 Jerez Black \| 6MT \| Ext Fox Red \| Tech \| Prem \| 19s \|Heated Seats \| iPod \|Smartphone \| Euro Deliv June 09 Sold: 540iT / 530i / 323i
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07-11-2009, 03:40 PM	#3
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	Had two E46 M3 with brushed alu and now an E90 w/ carbon leather. They're both great, there is nothing wrong with either of them. __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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07-11-2009, 03:47 PM	#4
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	alum FTW, not reflective at all __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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07-11-2009, 04:17 PM	#5
haze gray Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe / 2011 X5 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	Carbon leather IMO
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07-11-2009, 04:32 PM	#7
ssemerod Private 1 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	aluminum looked good in e46, carbon leather looks better in e9x. go to bmwusa and do a build and see what looks good to you. it won't look any better whilst sitting in the car
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07-11-2009, 04:33 PM	#8
niqui Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,111 Posts Drives: Jet Black E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (7)	depends on interior color choice and extended or not. i took alumnium and prefer it with my interior, adds color. but it gets dinged easily by dumb passengers who just let go of their seat belt, i am debating wrapping their seatbelt in felt, thats how annoying it is. but i think it looks better.
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07-11-2009, 05:08 PM	#10
whiteE92M3 New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 08 White M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	carbon leather for sure, no other company has anything else like it (to my knowledge)
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07-11-2009, 05:47 PM	#11
IrvRobinson Banned 39 Rep 731 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Your car could become unmodifyable by next week,since the plants will be shutting down in August.All sold units are in 112 status,from there,they change to 150 are assigned vin numbers,then no more changes..You going to be on the inside more than anyone here,so try and see both in person and make your decision asap.......
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07-11-2009, 05:49 PM	#12
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Thanks for all the suggestions. Went with AL for contrast because I didn't go extended leather. Maybe I'll get carbon leather on my next car if they really nerf the next M3. Looking forward to my trip... will post pics of delivery!
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07-11-2009, 10:16 PM	#13
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch 126 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	The aluminum isn't reflective. I didnt like it at first, but its growing on me. I liked the carbon till I saw it in person and learned that it was just fake fabric. Sort of lame on a car this expensive IMO. __________________ Custom Exhaust Project: Bates Valvetronic exhaust: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253661 -- Exhaust Mod pics in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40236795@N03/ DON'T BUY Race Ready Performance electronic cutout valves. Here's why: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...40#post9589740
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07-13-2009, 06:39 PM	#15
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	The Brushed Aluminum is too bright to look at, especially in a darker interior. Also, the Carbon Leather trim gives me a headache when I look at it.
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07-13-2009, 10:25 PM	#16
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	Wood! __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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07-13-2009, 10:42 PM	#17
zenderm3 Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,996 Posts Drives: E36 M3 DY/2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	I picked the AL finish. As previously mentioned provides the contrast for a dark cockpit. All in all - I think you made a good decision! __________________ ________________ My ///M is in my garage .... and it is a beast! 2010 E92 M3 Space Grey \| Fully Loaded 1996 E36 M3 Dakar Yellow - SOLD 2004 Honda Accord Euro - SOLD
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