Buying an '11 or '12 E70 and painting Imola Red...
 

If there were any doubt to my sanity, I think this pretty much resolves it.

I had an '05 E53 in Imola Red and I just can't get over how much I loved that color. I traded it in several years ago and ended up ordering a new Tahoe, which is very practical though not nearly as much fun as the X5 was.

So my plan is to buy either an '11 or '12 model in gray or black, take it to my local body shop - which does outstanding work by the way - and have them paint it for the low, low price of $6,000, give or take. By the time all is said and done I'll have perhaps $38 to $40K in the vehicle. I rationalize it by telling myself that I keep my vehicles a long time, and that I'd never be happy with any other color. It's red or nothing for me.

Anyone else ever done something really stupid like this? Lol. Just curious. I realize that changing the car's original color is a big no-no as far as resale value goes, but since I keep my cars a long time and use up most of their value, that really isn't much of a concern to me.

Besides maybe I'll find some other kook to sell it to that likes Imola red :)

Why don't you just get the car wrapped for 1/2 the price and if you want to revert back, you can. You should be able to get a Red which is close to Imola Red. Just a thought

Hmm, never really thought about that. Do wraps last a long time, and would the gloss be the same as a factory paint job - or nearly the same?

I'm a little over an hour from the DC metropolitan area so I'm sure there are decent shops that do wraps somewhere in that area.

By the way, does anyone have an idea on why BMW only offers the X5 in black, white, and about 8 different shades of silver and gray? Whatever happened to Estoril Blue and Imola Red? Was there simply no demand for those colors?

I was reading a story just a few days ago about how BMW actually has built their facility with the intention of encouraging customers to custom order their vehicles, and how advanced their supply and build systems are in order to marry up all the potential combinations and wiring harnesses, etc. I really wish they'd offer more exciting paint choices.

Vinyl wrap can last about 5-7 years depending on the material and even longer if u keep it out the sun

Imola red is a fantastic colour, go for it. Wraps will never look as good as a decent paint job 👍

Yes it's really disappointing that BMW doesn't do the Priority 1 option of Imola Red for $2500 like they used to. I'd probably bite the bullet and go for a new one if that were an option.

The thing that scares me is spending 6K on paint and then finding out down the road that it's a money pit. My '05 was very reliable, I traded it when it had 100K miles and the only issue I can think of was a DSC light that came on for a day or so and wouldn't go off.

As uninspiring as my Tahoe is, I'd have to say its very trouble free. Always starts, no drama, never breaks down. Great in snow. After reading some of these E70 threads it's got me wondering about the reliability.

Seems like most of the issues were sorted by '11-'12 and most of the issues are with the 4.8 V8. I'd go with a 3.5i or 35d.
I think you should go for it. It would be unique and you wouldn't see another on the road!

The later model E70 X5's were offered in Deep Sea Blue and Vermillion Red. While searching for our X5, no question these were 2 of the lesser common colors (along with Platinum Bronze).

With that said, how about an X5M? Those came in Monte Carlo Blue and Melbourne Red - not too far off from Estoril and Imola.

That's for sure, it would be unique. I ordered my Tahoe for the same reason, it's bright red - what Chevrolet calls Victory Red - and it's available by special order for the whopping price of....ready for this?.....$275. I added Z71 wheels, badges and running boards and it's very unique. I just wish it was more fun to drive like my old X5!