Alpine White OR Black Saphire - that is the question....
 

So the new lease signing looming within next weeks, the debate is now which color.

I am planning on getting 2013 X5d with 214-style wheels, almost fully loaded, and with running boards. And the interior is black (likely with aluminum trim).

I've been debating between Saphire Black and Alpine White, have seen both colors on the lot. But I'd like to hear from members here on their own personal ownership experience with either of these colors.

This is not a debate of color preference - this is sharing of your experience of what worked and what didn't - for you, as initial days of ownership worn off and reality settled in, and you had to deal with washing (hand or car wash), scratches, swirls, snow, salt, road dirt and debris, etc. Did you have any regrets getting black or white, would you wish you had different color, and why.

Fire away!

P.S. I know from pure practical point of view I should go with silver, but that is not my option. Also, I used to own Space Gray and Platinum Gray x5s in the past, so those colors ruled out, too.

my thing was - since the trim items on the car are usually black, do i like the black accents on a white (or other color) car, or do i want to "hide" black trims in black color... well... in 4 bimmers to my name, 3 are black, one is grey... black one are a b!tch to keep clean... grey - is a blessing... lol...

Agree, hiding of the trim is one of considerations. While I would keep wheel arches and lower bumpers black, I'd paint side molding white - that is if I would go AW.

I've got Black Sapphire, and I like it. It is a pain to keep clean, but around here, any color is a pain to keep clean when they put so much salt on the roads. My pearl white Audi wasn't as hard to keep looking clean, but I never drove it down here in the salt. I always prefer "special" colours, and Black Sapphire has just enough metal flake in it to keep me from getting bored.

Thanks for replies, please keep them coming!

I guess another data point I'd like to learn more about - which color gets "dirty" sooner after a wash - under regular weather, let's NOT count snow/post-snow days, as all bets are off during those times. Thinking spring, summer, autumn...

Is Jet Black offered anymore? I've had two Cosmos Black M3s and two Sapphire Black Metallic X5s. I think a non-metallic paint would be a nice change up, if this were me.

However, my current X5 is SBM and it's "ok." Honestly, I don't love the paint selections offered from BMW, so I just go with black. Titanium Silver is decent, but fairly common where I am, and once it's dirty, it loses any bit of shine. When freshly waxed and polished though, TS is nice.

How about Space Grey?

Jet Black is offered, but I was warned (and saw it) that it scratches very easily - couple of car washes and micro scratches are everywhere... Yes, it is deeper black though, but looks dont last long at all.

Space Grey was my very first X5 - 2008' 4.8. I want something different.

Well, BSM isn't any better, IMO. I have swirls all over mine, unfortunately. I need to get the buffer out as soon as the weather's better.

I love my alpine white. Surprisingly, it hides dirt pretty well-- as well as swirls.

You rarely see a white X5 with the 214s... Everytime I see one, I do a double take. So in that case, I say WHITE!

Well if you can find Alpine White with black interior I think that is the best looking x5. You can really get that "storm trooper " look going that is sporty but classy.
I also think the aero kit looks best on Alpine Whie cars. I could never find a white one optioned the way I wanted it so I went with Space Grey, and don't regret it, but I am partial to the look of a Well modded white car.