[clivem2]

I'm pulling together a spec for a UK M40i. I'll probably go with Glacier Silver; I'm thinking Cognac leather. I've been so pleased with Saddle in my current car - it looks like Cognac is the new name for Saddle, is this correct? They showed me a swatch of the leather...it looked exactly the same a Saddle, so much so I suspect it was a Saddle sample. I've seen that Cognac might be a trace more yellow than Saddle but it's hard to know as bright sunlight changes how Saddle looks (makes it orange).

The the spec so far is:
Glacier Silver
Cognac leather
Aluminium Rhombicle trim
M Sport Plus
Lumbar Support
Front & Rear seat heating
Pano roof

Anything major I've missed? Upgrading the audio is possible but frankly in a car I'm not so bothered about absolute sound quality, unlike at home. Unless the Harman Kardon is totally incredible..

The 360 degree camera in whatever the package is looks confusing so I'm thinking the standard rear view should be fine.

I drove the M40i today - it was so much more sophisticated than my F25 35D. Even the 21 inch wheels with RFTs gave a good ride in adaptive vs my 19 inch with switchable dampers.

[PerthBMW]

Hi

Don't forget the acoustic glazing for the front side windows and the wireless charging - well worth the money.

If you have some extra cash consider the seat back adjustment for rear seats - I got that and they are good.

Hope that helps.

[Alias1431]

Is acoustic glazing not standard for 2020?

[Myk-D]

I think you're correct about cognac being only very slightly different. It also looks quite orangey in direct sunlight. I've got it and would absolutely spec' it again - it really elevates the interior.

I went with the HK audio simply because I've always heard that the standard BMW systems aren't very good. I'm glad I went with it - personally I think it's pretty good for a non-aftermarket system.

The wireless charging is useful and I think it comes with an extra USB port to standard.

[Mike72uk]

Originally Posted by Alias1431

Is acoustic glazing not standard for 2020?

Correct - Acoustic Glazing now standard in MY20 spec (at least for UK)

[Mike72uk]

From the looks of this post (https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1643133) it looks like there are now 2 x USB-C ports int he rear rather than the 12v socket (finally in the 21st century!)

[Alias1431]

Originally Posted by Mike72uk

Correct - Acoustic Glazing now standard in MY20 spec (at least for UK)

Glad I'm not crazy. Though even if it wasn't, for $150 it would have been a must.

[Kermez]

Originally Posted by Mike72uk

Correct - Acoustic Glazing now standard in MY20 spec (at least for UK)

Only for front or also for side ones?

[Alias1431]

Front sides

[clivem2]

Providing I have a positive discussion with the dealer on prices tomorrow I've very close to ordering an M40i with M Sport Plus as per my OP, therefore it includes privacy glass.

I've pretty much decided on Glacier Silver.

I was going to go with Cognac which is vary similar to my existing Saddle (with Space Grey). The combination of Cognac and Silver may not suit everyone but it should work...however I'm now tempted by Tartufo Merino Leather, this looks a little darker than Cognac and of course it's said to be lovely soft leather.

How robust is Tartufo leather? I expect Vernasca is tougher but then again being harder it might be more prone to splitting as my Dakota did.

Any comments on the combination? My alternative could be Fiona Red but it's very in-your-face, especially with the quantity of colour the back seat shows. Would have been cooler if the rear seat centre had a black panel.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by clivem2

My alternative could be Fiona Red but it's very in-your-face, especially with the quantity of colour the back seat shows. Would have been cooler if the rear seat centre had a black panel.

Definitely would be my first choice. I don't quite understand the "in your face" concern versus it just being strongly attractive. How often do you turn around to stare at the center of the rear seat back? The non-color of silver awakens much more with the crispness of the red interior, particularly when some is viewed from the exterior through the window. The darker brown leathers inside silver just make the entire affair blend into the background, although some might prefer that. Too drab for me.

EDIT: I think the darker brown leathers would pair quite well with Phytonic Blue, or also Olive, Terra, or White.

[titomi]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Providing I have a positive discussion with the dealer on prices tomorrow I've very close to ordering an M40i with M Sport Plus as per my OP, therefore it includes privacy glass.

I've pretty much decided on Glacier Silver.

I was going to go with Cognac which is vary similar to my existing Saddle (with Space Grey). The combination of Cognac and Silver may not suit everyone but it should work...however I'm now tempted by Tartufo Merino Leather, this looks a little darker than Cognac and of course it's said to be lovely soft leather.

How robust is Tartufo leather? I expect Vernasca is tougher but then again being harder it might be more prone to splitting as my Dakota did.

Any comments on the combination? My alternative could be Fiona Red but it's very in-your-face, especially with the quantity of colour the back seat shows. Would have been cooler if the rear seat centre had a black panel.

Privacy glass (back and trunk windows) is not the same as acoustic glass (windshield and front windows).
As for the leather - Cognac or Tartuffo can worm with the silver in my opinion. Tartuffo maybe more, being a darker colour. If I was making another order, I would go for Merino leather. Vernasca is quite hard for a leather and is PU coated, so doesn't even feel like a leather. And maybe that's also the reason why it is a little bit harder. Saying that, I've no complaints about my Mocha Vernasca choice.

[clivem2]

I should look at Red in the flesh. Much depends on the tone, I might yet choose it. I've had red on a 335i Vert previously and liked it.

I'd class Tartufo as mid-brown but I'm splitting hairs...I agree Tartufo would be a great match with Phytonic Blue but that blue is too strong for me to live with over a few years.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by clivem2

... but that blue is too strong for me to live with over a few years.

Completely respect everyone's personal preference, but still working to understand this particular idea I've also heard from some others before.

A more intense color is too strong to have over time, but a less intense color is not too boring/ordinary over time? Doesn't a more intense color "settle down" in your perception to being ok over time, while a more boring color essentially evaporates from consciousness? A sincere inquiry as to understanding this thought from a guy who previously picked Valencia Orange and is sincerely disappointed in the limited color choices for my pending X3 purchase.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by titomi

Privacy glass (back and trunk windows) is not the same as acoustic glass (windshield and front windows).
As for the leather - Cognac or Tartuffo can worm with the silver in my opinion. Tartuffo maybe more, being a darker colour. If I was making another order, I would go for Merino leather. Vernasca is quite hard for a leather and is PU coated, so doesn't even feel like a leather. And maybe that's also the reason why it is a little bit harder. Saying that, I've no complaints about my Mocha Vernasca choice.

I mentioned privacy glass because it changes the view into at least half of the car. It comes with the M Sport Plus package, it's not something I'd pay for, it;s the adaptive that I want, hence the M Sport Plus pack. The M40i comes with acoustic glass I believe.

Silver is a little tricky to get a great match. Black would be easy but it's not for me. I am a little more swayed to Red. Mocha I like but my family doesn't.

[clivem2]

Going towards Tartufo with Sophisto Grey now....a better combination maybe. But then again I really prefer silver or white exterior and black matches these best but I can't get excited about black.

[gopirates]

We have Glacier Silver and Cognac and love it. That was the wife’s first choice. I inquired about the brown though the wife wanted the Cognac and thought the Cocoa or whatever they call it looked like Poo.

We did see the Tartufo on an X5 and thought that was definitely too Orangey. Way more than Cognac. Cognac is closer to a Palomino brown but still has an orange tint especially in direct sunlight.

Overall we are pleased with the combo and happy with our decision.

I do think Cognac also pops with Phytonic, Cobalt and regular black.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by gopirates

We have Glacier Silver and Cognac and love it. That was the wife’s first choice. I inquired about the brown though the wife wanted the Cognac and thought the Cocoa or whatever they call it looked like Poo.

We did see the Tartufo on an X5 and thought that was definitely too Orangey. Way more than Cognac. Cognac is closer to a Palomino brown but still has an orange tint especially in direct sunlight.

Overall we are pleased with the combo and happy with our decision.

I do think Cognac also pops with Phytonic, Cobalt and regular black.

Thank you, that's a useful insight.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Completely respect everyone's personal preference, but still working to understand this particular idea I've also heard from some others before.

A more intense color is too strong to have over time, but a less intense color is not too boring/ordinary over time? Doesn't a more intense color "settle down" in your perception to being ok over time, while a more boring color essentially evaporates from consciousness? A sincere inquiry as to understanding this thought from a guy who previously picked Valencia Orange and is sincerely disappointed in the limited color choices for my pending X3 purchase.

Ok, I'll give this a go!

There's kind of a mental conversation that takes place when you see something with a strong presence or character. Phytonic Blue says, "look at me, aren't I impressive", I reply "wow, yes you are". Is this is conversation I want everyday? Some days I'll say "please, can you tone it down today, I don't want this conversation". If you keep you car for 2 years then change, it's a more viable situation. I want my next car for 5 to 10 years.

Another aspect is context. In a very modern environment such strong colours can work well. Also in a bright, maybe even desert location. I live in an English conservation area with UK weather...it's 1900s housing and very leafy, Phytonic Blue is not subtle and would struggle to gel with the surroundings.

The colours which endure in the BMW range are white, grey, black, sliver others get rotated, Phy will likely be replaced by another strong colour when the LCI comes out.

[clivem2]

Another question! Where is the G01 up to in terms of an LCI update, it seem we talking summer 2021,I suppose it's too early to know what they'll do. Having just gone to ID7 maybe BMW are rolling updates in model years rather than waiting for a bigger LCI update. No doubt they will be some styling changes to give the Life Cycle Impulse.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Another question! Where is the G01 up to in terms of an LCI update, it seem we talking summer 2021

Based on BMW's normal product cycle, the MY22 model released sometime in 2021 should be the LCI.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Ok, I'll give this a go!

There's kind of a mental conversation that takes place when you see something with a strong presence or character. Phytonic Blue says, "look at me, aren't I impressive", I reply "wow, yes you are". Is this is conversation I want everyday? Some days I'll say "please, can you tone it down today, I don't want this conversation". If you keep you car for 2 years then change, it's a more viable situation. I want my next car for 5 to 10 years.

Another aspect is context. In a very modern environment such strong colours can work well. Also in a bright, maybe even desert location. I live in an English conservation area with UK weather...it's 1900s housing and very leafy, Phytonic Blue is not subtle and would struggle to gel with the surroundings.

The colours which endure in the BMW range are white, grey, black, sliver others get rotated, Phy will likely be replaced by another strong colour when the LCI comes out.

I think your observations are very sound. Sometimes a new color feels great just because it's new and different. But sometimes new can quickly grow old. I think that happened with Estoril Blue on the last gen 3. Conversely, I bought a Sakhir Orange M5 and loved it so much, I bought it again on my M4. And as you say, some colors seem to just fit certain locals. Colors like Porsche's Miami Blue are great in, well, Miami, but just don't fit in England (or New England for that matter).

And sometimes I think it just comes down to a visceral feeling at the moment you're ordering the car. I've always hated white cars. But I just ordered an AW X4. It just looks right on that car to my eye. I was conflicted about ordering the color because "I hate white cars." But I finally succumbed literally as I was sitting next to my sales guy placing the order. And I haven't looked back.

It's easy to say "don't stress about it," but most of us are on these boards because we strive for our version of perfection. Obviously, no one can answer the question for anyone else, but these sort of threads have helped me in the past to frame my decision. Best of luck.