Originally Posted by rodybmw' post='405570' date='Mar 22 2007, 09:09 AM

I prefer Aluminum to wood. I think some wood trims look much better than others, but overall I would take any of the Aluminum trims (ALU Shadow brushed, ALU Feinschliff brushed, ALU Cube, etc.) over any of the woods. I ordered Anthracite Maple wood trim for my car because BMW NA would not let me order anything but dark Poplar Wood and Anthracite wood. I lived with it for a year and then replaced it with the ALU Shadow brushed trim.

As far as I'm concerned the wood trims fall into two categories (these are my opinions, so don't get mad. I didn't get mad when you guys called my ALU trim "awful", "cheap looking", and "loud" ):

Catagory 1: These are wood trims that look good but I just would not have them in my car because I think the more modern Aluminum trims match my personality better. The Anthracite, Bamboo, and BMW Individual trims fall into these category. The matte wood trim on the E65 also looks good and falls into this category (I can't remember what it's called....Cherry??).

Category 2: These are the ones that IMO really do look bad. I wouldn't be caught dead with these trims in my car, and don't like them when I see them in other's cars. These are usually the burly mid to dark brown woods. They look too much like trims found in Jags, MB's, etc. I think the dark Poplar wood trim on the E60 is a prime example of this. I can't understand why BMW came up with this trim in the first place, they have so many other nicer wood trims that they could have used instead of the dark Poplar. There are many people who like this trim, but I think had BMW used some of the trims that they use on other models it would have looked better.

I would even pick the painted plastic trims over that hideous Dark Poplar stuff.

Again, these are just my opinions, so if you have the Poplar trim......no offense intended.

Originally Posted by rodybmw' post='405570' date='Mar 22 2007, 01:09 AM

I prefer Aluminum to wood. I think some wood trims look much better than others, but overall I would take any of the Aluminum trims (ALU Shadow brushed, ALU Feinschliff brushed, ALU Cube, etc.) over any of the woods. I ordered Anthracite Maple wood trim for my car because BMW NA would not let me order anything but dark Poplar Wood and Anthracite wood. I lived with it for a year and then replaced it with the ALU Shadow brushed trim.

As far as I'm concerned the wood trims fall into two categories (these are my opinions, so don't get mad. I didn't get mad when you guys called my ALU trim "awful", "cheap looking", and "loud" ):

Catagory 1: These are wood trims that look good but I just would not have them in my car because I think the more modern Aluminum trims match my personality better. The Anthracite, Bamboo, and BMW Individual trims fall into these category. The matte wood trim on the E65 also looks good and falls into this category (I can't remember what it's called....Cherry??).

Category 2: These are the ones that IMO really do look bad. I wouldn't be caught dead with these trims in my car, and don't like them when I see them in other's cars. These are usually the burly mid to dark brown woods. They look too much like trims found in Jags, MB's, etc. I think the dark Poplar wood trim on the E60 is a prime example of this. I can't understand why BMW came up with this trim in the first place, they have so many other nicer wood trims that they could have used instead of the dark Poplar. There are many people who like this trim, but I think had BMW used some of the trims that they use on other models it would have looked better.

I would even pick the painted plastic trims over that hideous Dark Poplar stuff.

Again, these are just my opinions, so if you have the Poplar trim......no offense intended.

Originally Posted by dohboydds' post='405668' date='Mar 22 2007, 04:46 PM

Judging by the results of the poll so far there is clearly high demand for aluminum based trims.

Originally Posted by bargamon' post='405763' date='Mar 22 2007, 11:02 PM

my take is BMW are sport cars, but not the 5 and 7 series.

I would do "Tin" on a 3 or a z series, but the 5 is touring car.

Not a luxury car? I think this is a great car and handles great for its size, but its no "Sport", unless you prefer to think "sport" is bigger tires and an artificial suspension. Steering assist the same.

The "sport" on a 5 series is very "japanese" like to add technology to stiffen a ride to simulate a driving charactoristic!

When I read how some say its the "real" BMW to me its a poser! Not much different than the M45, or GS430 with its artificial do dads. And anyone with a Automatic tranny is especially prone to being a poser if they have a "sport".

Blackend trim is really sporty??? The trim in the 5 is too prevelent. ANd ALuminum sticks out too much.

The 5 series is a very quiet, true tracking "tourning sedan" made to go long distances with a fine mix of luxury and performance. Thus, in my opinion, loading it up with technology masks its real character or like the Japanese makers do is use Tech to mask its inadiquate infrastructure.

But, Anyway you do them, they are great machines and very nice to look at and be in!

Originally Posted by Aeroresh' post='405791' date='Mar 23 2007, 12:21 AM

Piano wood trim all day long. The quality of this stuff is exceptional, worth every penny:-

Originally Posted by Aeroresh' post='405791' date='Mar 22 2007, 11:21 PM

Piano wood trim all day long. The quality of this stuff is exceptional, worth every penny:-