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      05-20-2012, 03:08 PM   #1
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Wood or Aluminum trim?

I'm going to be ordering a 2013 650i X-drive in Alpine white with a black leather interior and the M-sport package. I'm interested in other owners' opinions on interior trim. Aluminum or Gray Poplar Wood? Photos would me appreciated along with your input!
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      05-20-2012, 03:20 PM   #2
southern6er22
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I have the gray poplar with black, and it looks amazing. The aluminum looks good, but it scratches easily. The aluminum is a stark contrast to all the black. I prefer the gray poplar with its grayish-greenish coloration. I've got several pics on my blog (link is in my signature) if you're interested.
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      05-20-2012, 03:21 PM   #3
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What about the special M-sport hexagon aluminum trim? Does it scratch easily too?
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      05-20-2012, 03:23 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by X6DB View Post
What about the special M-sport hexagon aluminum trim? Does it scratch easily too?
We don't get that in the US unless something has changed for 2013. For the 2012s it was only in the UK (and maybe other European countries) market.
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      05-20-2012, 04:18 PM   #5
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Here's a side by side comparison of the two trims as well as several other pictures of my Gray Poplar.

*The aluminum is another picture I stole from Itinj6
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      05-20-2012, 04:24 PM   #6
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Thanks for the pics! Do you know if the Aluminum trim is coated with something?
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      05-20-2012, 04:37 PM   #7
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No idea. Sorry.
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      05-20-2012, 05:04 PM   #8
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We get the hexagon trim in the UK, I have never had this on my cars as it plays havoc with my eyes I personally prefer the brushed aluminium not sure what this is called in the US but this is the photo southerner has posted above. I have had this on my previous 4 cars never had issues with scratches! On my 640d I opted for the poplar wood which is great! as the brushed aluminium is not available in the UK with the M Sport package.
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      05-20-2012, 05:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harveyten View Post
We get the hexagon trim in the UK, I have never had this on my cars as it plays havoc with my eyes I personally prefer the brushed aluminium not sure what this is called in the US but this is the photo southerner has posted above. I have had this on my previous 4 cars never had issues with scratches! On my 640d I opted for the poplar wood which is great! as the brushed aluminium is not available in the UK with the M Sport package.
Thanks for the reply. I've had wood trim on my last 6 cars. I think I'm going to choose aluminum this time around.
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      05-20-2012, 05:17 PM   #10
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Good choice, but yet another variation between the different markets from BMW!
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      05-20-2012, 05:49 PM   #11
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One thing to consider is the aluminum with ivory interior with the Nappa dash and contrast stitching. That is how the configured the promo coupe in the brochures, etc. and it's beautiful with the black dash, ivory seats, aluminum trim, and ivory stitching. I think that's the most "custom tailored-looking" combo without going Individual. I had my mind set on black on black for my next car, so I couldn't convince myself to change. Just something to consider. Black with aluminum will look great as well
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      05-21-2012, 03:29 AM   #12
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The aluminum doesn't scratch easily at all. It is a thin sheet of aluminum so expect it to get hot in the summer and cold in the winter to the touch. I have the aluminum in my 650 (pictured above) and my X6 50i. There is a scratch in the aluminum of my X6 but it is following the patterns of the "brush lines" and very difficult to notice. No idea how it got there (I suspect the wife lol) but I've seen much worse on the glaze coating of the wood trim (chips and scratches that looked horrific on a lot model). Either way, if you take care of either trim, it will look good for a long time. The aluminum does not seem to be coated. I am 99.9% sure it is bare metal.
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      05-21-2012, 04:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itinj6 View Post
The aluminum doesn't scratch easily at all. It is a thin sheet of aluminum so expect it to get hot in the summer and cold in the winter to the touch. I have the aluminum in my 650 (pictured above) and my X6 50i. There is a scratch in the aluminum of my X6 but it is following the patterns of the "brush lines" and very difficult to notice. No idea how it got there (I suspect the wife lol) but I've seen much worse on the glaze coating of the wood trim (chips and scratches that looked horrific on a lot model). Either way, if you take care of either trim, it will look good for a long time. The aluminum does not seem to be coated. I am 99.9% sure it is bare metal.
Having the alu trim myself: I love the feel of touching bare aluminium, a real and honest material. It gives a certain techno look and feel that suits the sophisticated engineering of the car very well. Besides I believe it fits better in a sporty car than wood trim does. Wood trim is for (even) old(er) men (than me)!
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      05-21-2012, 09:18 AM   #14
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Have to disagree there Superspeed. For me the 6 is all about calm, luxury and pace, so the wood goes really well with the interior. Sporty is Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo territory where aluminum trim is much better suited.
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      05-21-2012, 11:01 AM   #15
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Quote:
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Have to disagree there Superspeed. For me the 6 is all about calm, luxury and pace, so the wood goes really well with the interior. Sporty is Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo territory where aluminum trim is much better suited.
+1

This car can take on multiple personalities, depending on how it's optioned, the color combination and even that nice rocker switch next to the shifter.

That's the great thing about BMW and the 6er. Different things to different people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it cames to the subjective items, there is no right or wrong.

We can certianly all agree this car is fantastic (except maybe for the poor souls that are having fuel problems) . One of the best I've ever owned and that includes an E92 M3.
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      05-21-2012, 12:10 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Bönz View Post
This car can take on multiple personalities, depending on how it's optioned, the color combination and even that nice rocker switch next to the shifter.

That's the great thing about BMW and the 6er. Different things to different people. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it cames to the subjective items, there is no right or wrong.

We can certianly all agree this car is fantastic (except maybe for the poor souls that are having fuel problems) . One of the best I've ever owned and that includes an E92 M3.
I do agree! How boring if everybody had the same taste and same preferances.
Also this is a relatively polite forum where (most of) the contributors respect different taste, whether it is wild styling or untouched beauty. Or alu trim, as it turns out
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      05-21-2012, 12:29 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superspeed View Post
...whether it is wild styling or untouched beauty. Or alu trim, as it turns out
Let me make sure I have this straight: Aluminum is a virgin... so gray poplar is a slut? What is Fineline Americal Oak? I'm thinking it's a bit of a ho
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      05-21-2012, 03:07 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by southern6er22 View Post
Let me make sure I have this straight: Aluminum is a virgin... so gray poplar is a slut? What is Fineline Americal Oak? I'm thinking it's a bit of a ho
Well, some thoughts struck my mind, but I'll better keep them to myself since it might come out wrong in English....

Getting late here - I'm taking the vert out for a spin
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      05-21-2012, 03:22 PM   #19
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With the black interior I think the aluminium would be a very good contrast.

The darker trim such as grey poplar I think look better as a contrast with lighter interiors.

Just my opinion.
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      05-24-2012, 08:30 PM   #20
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If I were to do it again, I would only go for optional piano black trim, don't like the gray poplar much
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      05-24-2012, 09:55 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by southern6er22 View Post
Let me make sure I have this straight: Aluminum is a virgin... so gray poplar is a slut? What is Fineline Americal Oak? I'm thinking it's a bit of a ho
I'm guessing I'm a bit of a ho?????..... this is fineline oak.
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      05-25-2012, 07:59 AM   #22
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Guys I was really quite enjoying this forum, until I got involved in this thread. I have to say I don't understand some of the language or the tone of some of the messages.

Superspeed suggested wood was for old(er) men. I disagreed, and suggested that Aluminum worked better with sportier cars. No big deal - it then went off in a rather odd direction.

Am I just being over sensitive. Surely for this to be productive, it has to allow everyone to express their honest opinions without any repercussions?
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