Living with a white car

bluesmachine · 03-31-2011, 11:13 AM

Hey all: my order is 112 status on an X3 35 with a Chestnut (Red) Interior and many packages.

I was sort of set on Deep Sea Blue but to be totally honest, I don't love any of the colors and just wanted to know what it's like to live with a white car. I think the white exterior and the red/black interior would look really good.

I live in Massachusetts and we've got lots of snow and ice and dirty roads that make darker cars look especially bad.

I did own a black minivan for the past three years and when clean it looked great, but of course after just a few minutes on the road during the winter didn't look so great.

So what is life really like with a white car?

Thanks in advance!

MA78 · 03-31-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesmachine

Hey all: my order is 112 status on an X3 35 with a Chestnut (Red) Interior and many packages.

I was sort of set on Deep Sea Blue but to be totally honest, I don't love any of the colors and just wanted to know what it's like to live with a white car. I think the white exterior and the red/black interior would look really good.

I live in Massachusetts and we've got lots of snow and ice and dirty roads that make darker cars look especially bad.

I did own a black minivan for the past three years and when clean it looked great, but of course after just a few minutes on the road during the winter didn't look so great.

So what is life really like with a white car?

Thanks in advance!

I have an Alpine White 35i, and it looks great. Portland is wet and muddy, and no colour will hide that. But white hides dust nicely, and swirl marks are virtually invisible (not that I have any).
The colour that hides the most dirt would probably be Space Gray. But I think Alpine White looks better on the X3. Especially with the black body cladding. The black and white contrast makes the car look like a Storm Trooper!

W3dge · 03-31-2011, 11:31 AM

I have always liked white cars. My wife doesn't. I was cleaning the car just now and I have had to use tar spot remover on the grey paintwork. As I was cleaning, I thought to myself how they would stand out on a white car.

tuco44 · 03-31-2011, 11:33 AM

Two of my former BMWs were Alpine White. It's a great color, but I decided I needed a change, and my ordered 35i is Vermillion Red on Black leather.

White is not as tough to keep clean as the darker colors, especially black. About the only color that is easy is a beige or light brown one (eg, Sparkling Bronze may be the best of the current X3 colors). The AW will not show "swirls" (as mentioned above) as easily as black.

bluesmachine · 03-31-2011, 11:43 AM

It's not like I'm a neat freak at all...but I DO like the white look a lot - especially with all the dark black trim on the car.

Tough one. Kind of wish there was a Monoco Blue or something but I don't want to special order nor do I think one can do that (and i dont want to pay the $4000 or whatever...).

I also like the red a lot, but am going with the red/chestnut interior and that could be too much...

tuco44 · 03-31-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesmachine

It's not like I'm a neat freak at all...but I DO like the white look a lot - especially with all the dark black trim on the car.

Tough one. Kind of wish there was a Monoco Blue or something but I don't want to special order nor do I think one can do that (and i dont want to pay the $4000 or whatever...).

I also like the red a lot, but am going with the red/chestnut interior and that could be too much...

I would NOT do Vermillion Red if you are set on a Chestnut interior, that's not a combo that works, in my opinion.

jijioben · 03-31-2011, 11:55 AM

I lived 3 years with a white Ford Edge, and I liked the colour. I am extremely happy with black, but I am experiencing the cost of upkeep first hand... And Alpine White looks stunning on the new X3. In the future, though, I may explore the silver or titanium metallic colours - they appear to be easier to maintain.

jt2 · 03-31-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

I would NOT do Vermillion Red if you are set on a Chestnut interior, that's not a combo that works, in my opinion.

Agreed. That would be pretty gross.

Vermillion with Oyster, on the other hand...

MA78 · 03-31-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt2

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

I would NOT do Vermillion Red if you are set on a Chestnut interior, that's not a combo that works, in my opinion.

Agreed. That would be pretty gross.

Vermillion with Oyster, on the other hand...

Agreed. Pure sex.

bluesmachine · 03-31-2011, 12:33 PM

Don't worry! I would never go with Red on red! And remember, that I am that school teacher who wants to fly a little under the radar in his new X3 so white could fit the bill.

Thanks everyone.

drtdvl · 03-31-2011, 12:34 PM

I like white cars - In my driving life, I have had a white GTI, a white Cooper S and currently have a white Tacoma which i just picked up. I find that they are easy to keep clean - much easier than our black 328 xi Touring. I find they also tend to hide scratches/swirl marks better than the darker colours.

Our X5 is Space Grey and i agree with one of the earlier posters as it hides the dirt pretty good.

White Tacoma

White Cooper S

VW GTI

bekind · 03-31-2011, 01:02 PM

Our decision for our new X3 was pretty easy. We felt White was the best choice for us. It is very easy to keep looking nice and hides the dirt pretty well too. Plus we liked the contrast of the darker plastics with the white.

We also have a Summit White Tahoe and it looks great even after several years of hard use.

Bimar · 03-31-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesmachine

Don't worry! I would never go with Red on red! And remember, that I am that school teacher who wants to fly a little under the radar in his new X3 so white could fit the bill.

Thanks everyone.

Mineral silver n red would go well that's my choice it takes dirt n scratches well. White n red 2nd choice.

flash3 · 03-31-2011, 01:21 PM

I have a white on order too!

Powerrunner · 03-31-2011, 02:10 PM

My two favorite colors black, but very hard to keep clean and on the extreme white as it looks great and most always looks clean. You are going to love your new X3.

fedinand · 03-31-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerrunner

My two favorite colors black, but very hard to keep clean and on the extreme white as it looks great and most always looks clean. You are going to love your new X3.

Same here - we always have either a white or/and a black car. White is a great color on the X3 - it was a close second to the black sapphire we ended up ordering. White really pops when detailed…it looks like it glows a bit. Bluesmachine, I think you will love the white!

Brutus1 · 03-31-2011, 04:31 PM

We love white vehicles and I have had one since 1991,but prior to that there were 2 navy ones and 1 gray/silver with the white one looking the best. The one shown had not been washed for about 5-6 months prior and had been sitting outside during that time. I loved that car but had put a transmission in it and then it needed a motor in the near future.

bluesmachine · 03-31-2011, 07:03 PM

I just changed my order today to Alpine White and I truly thinks that it for changes. 112 status and on the block for 6NR so it should be fairly soon.

Alpine White
Chestnut Interior with Siena Wood

thanks for all the pics everyone.

Pretty darn excited!

TuffLittleUnit · 04-02-2011, 07:22 PM

It's a bit since I had a white car but there is something IMMENSELY SATISFYING about washing one with a sponge and seeing the sort of lines that only ever appear on TV ads for kitchen and bathroom cleaners! Bang ... and the grime is gone.

MA78 · 04-02-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLittleUnit

It's a bit since I had a white car but there is something IMMENSELY SATISFYING about washing one with a sponge and seeing the sort of lines that only ever appear on TV ads for kitchen and bathroom cleaners! Bang ... and the grime is gone.

Hahahaha!

Cactus · 04-02-2011, 07:38 PM

I spec'ed my E90 in white thinking it wouldn't show the dirt much... how wrong I was!

White doesn't show the swirl marks or dust, but it seems to show everything else. In a dry climate, white will always look clean. But if it ever rains it will show ALL the dirt.

That said, I think white looks fantastic on the X3!

03-31-2011, 11:13 AM	#1
bluesmachine Private First Class 39 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 45e blue/cognac Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N'England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 1998 BMW 328ic [0.00]	Living with a white car Hey all: my order is 112 status on an X3 35 with a Chestnut (Red) Interior and many packages. I was sort of set on Deep Sea Blue but to be totally honest, I don't love any of the colors and just wanted to know what it's like to live with a white car. I think the white exterior and the red/black interior would look really good. I live in Massachusetts and we've got lots of snow and ice and dirty roads that make darker cars look especially bad. I did own a black minivan for the past three years and when clean it looked great, but of course after just a few minutes on the road during the winter didn't look so great. So what is life really like with a white car? Thanks in advance!
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03-31-2011, 11:31 AM	#3
W3dge Private 0 Rep 72 Posts Drives: F25 X3 2.0D Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cumbriaborough iTrader: (0)	I have always liked white cars. My wife doesn't. I was cleaning the car just now and I have had to use tar spot remover on the grey paintwork. As I was cleaning, I thought to myself how they would stand out on a white car.
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03-31-2011, 11:33 AM	#4
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	Two of my former BMWs were Alpine White. It's a great color, but I decided I needed a change, and my ordered 35i is Vermillion Red on Black leather. White is not as tough to keep clean as the darker colors, especially black. About the only color that is easy is a beige or light brown one (eg, Sparkling Bronze may be the best of the current X3 colors). The AW will not show "swirls" (as mentioned above) as easily as black. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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03-31-2011, 11:43 AM	#5
bluesmachine Private First Class 39 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 45e blue/cognac Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N'England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 1998 BMW 328ic [0.00]	It's not like I'm a neat freak at all...but I DO like the white look a lot - especially with all the dark black trim on the car. Tough one. Kind of wish there was a Monoco Blue or something but I don't want to special order nor do I think one can do that (and i dont want to pay the $4000 or whatever...). I also like the red a lot, but am going with the red/chestnut interior and that could be too much...
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03-31-2011, 11:55 AM	#7
jijioben Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2011 F25 X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I lived 3 years with a white Ford Edge, and I liked the colour. I am extremely happy with black, but I am experiencing the cost of upkeep first hand... And Alpine White looks stunning on the new X3. In the future, though, I may explore the silver or titanium metallic colours - they appear to be easier to maintain.
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03-31-2011, 12:33 PM	#10
bluesmachine Private First Class 39 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 45e blue/cognac Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N'England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 1998 BMW 328ic [0.00]	Don't worry! I would never go with Red on red! And remember, that I am that school teacher who wants to fly a little under the radar in his new X3 so white could fit the bill. Thanks everyone.
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03-31-2011, 12:34 PM	#11
drtdvl Private 3 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan, X3 35i, Tacoma Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	I like white cars - In my driving life, I have had a white GTI, a white Cooper S and currently have a white Tacoma which i just picked up. I find that they are easy to keep clean - much easier than our black 328 xi Touring. I find they also tend to hide scratches/swirl marks better than the darker colours. Our X5 is Space Grey and i agree with one of the earlier posters as it hides the dirt pretty good. White Tacoma White Cooper S VW GTI
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03-31-2011, 01:02 PM	#12
bekind Private 2 Rep 86 Posts Drives: x3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	Our decision for our new X3 was pretty easy. We felt White was the best choice for us. It is very easy to keep looking nice and hides the dirt pretty well too. Plus we liked the contrast of the darker plastics with the white. We also have a Summit White Tahoe and it looks great even after several years of hard use.
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03-31-2011, 01:21 PM	#14
flash3 Captain 68 Rep 654 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I have a white on order too!
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03-31-2011, 02:10 PM	#15
Powerrunner Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Naperville iTrader: (0)	My two favorite colors black, but very hard to keep clean and on the extreme white as it looks great and most always looks clean. You are going to love your new X3.
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03-31-2011, 04:31 PM	#17
Brutus1 Private First Class 7 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 x3 -Alpine white Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	We love white vehicles and I have had one since 1991,but prior to that there were 2 navy ones and 1 gray/silver with the white one looking the best. The one shown had not been washed for about 5-6 months prior and had been sitting outside during that time. I loved that car but had put a transmission in it and then it needed a motor in the near future. Attached Images
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03-31-2011, 07:03 PM	#18
bluesmachine Private First Class 39 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 45e blue/cognac Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N'England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 35i [0.00] 1998 BMW 328ic [0.00]	I just changed my order today to Alpine White and I truly thinks that it for changes. 112 status and on the block for 6NR so it should be fairly soon. Alpine White Chestnut Interior with Siena Wood thanks for all the pics everyone. Pretty darn excited!
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04-02-2011, 07:22 PM	#19
TuffLittleUnit Lieutenant 112 Rep 518 Posts Drives: G26 420d MSport Pro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leeds, UK iTrader: (0)	It's a bit since I had a white car but there is something IMMENSELY SATISFYING about washing one with a sponge and seeing the sort of lines that only ever appear on TV ads for kitchen and bathroom cleaners! Bang ... and the grime is gone. __________________ G26 420d Gran Coupe MSport Black on black, MSport Pro Pack, Comfort Plus Pack, Harman Kardon audio
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04-02-2011, 07:38 PM	#21
Cactus Enlisted Member 2 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 2.8i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (0)	I spec'ed my E90 in white thinking it wouldn't show the dirt much... how wrong I was! White doesn't show the swirl marks or dust, but it seems to show everything else. In a dry climate, white will always look clean. But if it ever rains it will show ALL the dirt. That said, I think white looks fantastic on the X3!
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