Opinions needed, Colors/Options for 35d

[twssas]

Test drove a 2010X5 35D a few weeks ago......and to say the least, was totally impressed......have been studying the various options and would like to hear opinions. Here is where I am so far:

Premium Package
Rear Climate
Technology
Multi Contour Seats
Roof Rails
Smart Phone
I Pod
Sat Radio
Space Saver Spare

On the bubble:
Premium Sound: wife has a 535 with premium, and I think it sounds great, but have no need for dvd changer.....have also had a 530 in the past with standard radio....in my opinion a stepdown from the premium. I think I would like the premium....but it hard to justify the differential cost.

Cold Weather Package or just heated front seats. Heated steering would be nice, but have little need for heated rear seats. But....who knows?

Sport Activity Package: Don't really want the adaptive drive, as we have a sport package on a 535...gives us plenty of fun........but was wondering if 19" give a more aggressive look vs 18", and is it worth the differential. I guess you get the "shiny" shadowline trim vs. the matte/black rubber trim, and the anthracite headliner, but that complicates the "two tone" look I have listed below......

Colors: Really struggling here: It is Space Gray with a couple of interior options, vs. Platinum Bronze.

Space Gray/Sand Beige. Is that too much contrast? Also.....is that a contrasting headliner (two tone)

Space Gray/Black. Had black on black with last 530. Don't know. I think the headliner is gray with this setup....and has a two tone line on pillar. Is that right?

Platinum Bronze/Sand Beige. Have been back and forth on this one. It looks great to me sometimes....and at others.....I don't like the gold tone. At least gold to me. Just don't know.

Was at the dealer twice yesterday....looking at various color combo's....and just can't nail it down.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[drod]

i have the space gray with black nevada... it looks hot but the only thing I would change if I had to do it again is the wood trim to the aluminum trim.

the interior is a bit too dark and the aluminum will break it up and add some color to it..

i also have the default gray headliner and it looks great...

my next purchase will have the m-pkg and this will change the headliner to black so the aluminum will definitely be needed here...

many have space gray with beige which doesn't look bad either... just wasn't for me...

[LeMansX5]

Space gray with black is good option. If you have no problem keeping the leather clean, you can go for beige.
Read this thread on alum trim.

[moolis]

I ordered mine almost exactly like you as far as options. I added htd. seats (no cw pkg.) and comfort access and did not order the spare. I've also had a 530 and 535. I did not have prem. sound in any and thought they sounded great. The sound in the X, to me, is a bit disappointing. I would get the prem. sound if it's important to you. I had a very difficult time picking color combos, too. Finally, I decided what interior I wanted first, since that's what you're seeing all the time. I went with beige as I've had grey and black interiors in the past and wanted to brighten up the interior. I love it! Then I chose the exterior that I liked best with beige. I went with mineral green. It's absolutely beautiful! I am female, tho. I think it does look more feminine, but not too much. My husband loves it, too. Almost went with space grey, but had that on my 535. If it's btwn grey and bronze, my .02 would be grey. As far as SA pkg., I did NOT want a black headliner. I was going for a light, airy interior. Good luck!

[KenB]

I got the "Smart Phone" option and I think it is kind of a waste. I have not gone out to get a "cradle" for my phone (original iPhone) because it won't work with my wife's phone (iPhone 3G). The data transfer through blue tooth works well enough, and I can plug my iPhone into the iPod plug to charge and listen to music and pod casts. The smart phone integration thing just sits there taking up half of the center storage compartment.

[KenB]

Premium sound is very good.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by KenB

I got the "Smart Phone" option and I think it is kind of a waste. I have not gone out to get a "cradle" for my phone (original iPhone) because it won't work with my wife's phone (iPhone 3G). The data transfer through blue tooth works well enough, and I can plug my iPhone into the iPod plug to charge and listen to music and pod casts. The smart phone integration thing just sits there taking up half of the center storage compartment.

The main advantage of the cradle, in my opinion, is obtained if you travel a lot, as the cradle will hook your phone into the vehicle antenna (shark fin) and provide better reception in weak areas.

[twssas]

Thanks for all the input. I think I would like the sand/beige interior, but don't know how well that will mesh with space grey. Don't want too much of a contrast.....and even though I make all my trips to dealer....still haven't seen that particular color combo. I see lots of Platinum Bronze/Sand Biege, and various external colors with black interior. Wish they still have light grey...but it is not to be.......

Think I will stick with just the heated seat option.....still undecided on the premium sound option.

Any thoughts on the 19" vs 18", and the shiny shadowline trim vs. the matte/black rubber finish?

Again, thanks to all for your advice.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by twssas

I think I would like the sand/beige interior, but don't know how well that will mesh with space grey. Don't want too much of a contrast.....and even though I make all my trips to dealer....still haven't seen that particular color combo.

The vehicle used for the model in the X5 brochure is Space Gray with Sand Beige, so BMW thinks it goes well.

I have a Space Gray with Sand Beige and like the color combo. The only thing I would change is the wood trim... I went back and forth between the walnut (dark, but nice grain) and light poplar (good color, but didn't like the grain). I ended-up with the Walnut and wish I had gone for the Light Poplar, as the Walnut is just too dark and doesn't give much of a "wood" effect except in bright sunlight.

Basically, the walnut is so dark it sort of blends in with the black dash, giving a two-tone effect to the interior. With the light poplar, you get more of a two-tone with a wood trim transition between the light and dark tones.

But, in the end, it is all personal taste.

[AzNMpower32]

I never have understood cars that are silver or gray with a beige interior. It looks wrong even in the BMW brochure.

I think everyone gets Space Gray, but if you must do so, then I'd suggest Black leather with aluminium trim. Titanium Silver is a nice hue for the exterior.

I'd skip Smartphone integration, I would order Sport Activity Package. Prevents too many colours inside since it has the anthracite headliner. The Aluminium trim will break it up.

I would skip the Premium sound unless you're an audiophile. Money can be better spent on the ZAP.