[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by quackman

Yeah, it's just plastic.
The brushed aluminum, however, is actually real metal.
Does anyone know for sure if the brushed aluminum trim is the same type found on the E46? My dad has it on his M3, I'm wondering if the new 3 has the same kind, cause it looks really nice. From the pictures it looks like it's the same.

E46 aluminum is different from E90. While the material and colour are similar, the texture is different. The E46 had very visible swirled brushing marks (on purpose, of course). The E90 aluminium has very slight horizontal lines.

[frothboy]

Currently leaning towards dark wood.

[roburado]

The metal trim, whatever it is ("Ti" or "Al"), feels like metal. Doesn't feel like plastic. I think it's metallic-feeling stuff on plastic. Don't remember where I read that.

[Athos]

I originally thought I would like the aluminum trim the best. I certainly like the idea of aluminum trim and it suits my preference for contemporary design on contemporary objects (like brand new cars!)But it looked a little cold and plain when I saw it in a car on the dealer's lot. I also thought it looked better in cars with navigation/idrive than cars without. I'll probably end up getting a black interior with the burl trim. I'm still pining away for that lemon leather that we can't get in the U.S. I think the aluminum would probably also look great with lemon. Oh well.

[frothboy]

Getting Titanium Silver, Black Leather, and.... Burl/ Dark Wood Trim....

[quackman]

On my E46 I had dark wood with my black interior, but now that the "metal" trim is actually metal I had to get it on my new E90 with black interior.

I was finally able to see the new brushed aluminum trim in person. Compared to the previous brushed aluminum trim it's a bit different, as mentioned above. As far as I can tell, it LOOKS very similar, perhaps a tad less cut looking, whereas the E46 trim looks sharp.
The real difference is in the way they feel. They both feel metallic, but the new Al trim is MUCH smoother as you run your hand against it. The old trim was very rough and the lines felt like deep cuts.

[weytie]

ALU trim for sure, in combination with black leather, really smooth, just like mine

[drkeng]

Have the E46 black leather w/ the brushed aluminum and love it. Sportier look than wood, esp in coupes/cabrios.

[cosmosblau]

I went with the Burl Walnut with the Black Leather. Ti Silver on the outside.

Soothing.

[marcus330i]

No question...aluminum trim is the best and most rare. I would have gotten Alum in my 5er but they dropped that option before final production.

Wood is for Jaguars.

[cosmosblau]

Originally Posted by marcus330i

...

Wood is for Jaguars.

I think aluminum trim is for Mazdas.

[CnoteMD]

The last car I test drove had the Burl Walnut trim with Black leather and it looked very nice. However, I still went with Black and Aluminum to get a nice contrast (and it also looks great with the Titanium Silver exterior). The poplar wood seems to look better with beige interiors.

I was really going after a sporty look, so I decided against the wood.

Michael

[es1]

...sorry but had to say it

[pharding]

With the Titanium Silver Exterior and Black Leather the clear, hands down winner for interior trim is .................................... Brushed Aluminum. Why? It pulls the exterior color to the interior for a beautiful look. Innovative, non-traditonal look.

This color scheme was used on a 330 in the 3 Across America Show. Ultra-cool.

That is the opinion of this Architect.