brushed aluminum trim

[RPM90]

Has anyone seen these in person?
Does anyone in the US have this trim through special order?
Can we get this in the US?
If so, how much for the set?

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/acc...=aluminum+trim

This is the trim I would have chosen if it were available.
I wonder if I could have ordered this anyway as a special item, like some paint colors and leather colors?

[UdubBadger]

See if Tischer carrys it...

[BrokenVert]

Better hurry. BMW is About to stop allowing Americans to import eourope spec parts

[FazerBoy]

Hi,

I had this as stock and found that it marks and scratches really easily so I got the carbon fibre trim instead.

Jack

[Lexington]

Saw this in a M3 and didn't think it looked that good. Not nearly as good as the carbon leather trim.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Has anyone seen these in person?
Does anyone in the US have this trim through special order?
Can we get this in the US?
If so, how much for the set?

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/acc...=aluminum+trim

This is the trim I would have chosen if it were available.
I wonder if I could have ordered this anyway as a special item, like some paint colors and leather colors?

I had a loaner 116i hatch... it had that brushed aluminum trim.

It looked really BAD. As in el cheap-O!!! It looks like plastic until you touch it and realize its cold metal. Plus it doesn't even match the other trim parts of the car like the steering wheel inserts and ashtray cover! Here are a few pics I took back in the winter time.









and the dirt power plant!



I think you are in the Grass is always greener... mode! This loaner car was so bad. Not just in power... but in trim and feel quality. I would much rather drive/have a new VW Golf than this 1-er! The doors felt really thin (1/3 the feel of our 135i's) and the suspension was really bad, in cornering and feed back.

I have driven 316Ti's and 316i sedans before... this was really bellow them in quality and feel. I have driven another 116d and it was the same story... except that deisel engine was really quite decent.

After driving a euro 1er you really appreciate how luxo our cars are. When BMW says near Luxo trim... that is exactly how our cars feel. The way our doors feel when you close them... the way our suspension feel... steering... it is on a whole other level than the 1er hatches.

I would be interested in driving a 130i or even a 120d to see how they "feel".

- David -

[allies_jh]

One of my friends has this in his M3. Its not that great. It actually feels weird. It's like it's fuzzy or something...really strange. But if you like that kind of thing...go for it.

[Alext]

I have brushed aluminium on my car and its the best trim in my opinion. Hasnt scratched yet and looks fantastic. It isnt 'fuzzy' either. It is basically as described...brushed aluminium that has been coated with a clear coat so is smooth to touch. The other trim options look a bit cheap and plasticky.

[TPLSM3]

I originally wanted brushed aluminum when I ordered my 135i, but they only offered the glacier trim in the US. After seeing a 3 series with the brunshed aluminum trim after a few years of use, I'm glad they only offered the glacier trim! The brushed trim doesn't seem to age very well. Saw a used 3 series and the trim was scratched up and dented.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by FazerBoy

Hi,

I had this as stock and found that it marks and scratches really easily so I got the carbon fibre trim instead.

Jack

Marks and scratches? Is it not real brushed aluminum then?
I had the real stuff in my S-line A4. Never scratched, looked great after 3yrs.
Is this some painted trim that just looks like aluminum?

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by TPLSM3

I originally wanted brushed aluminum when I ordered my 135i, but they only offered the glacier trim in the US. After seeing a 3 series with the brunshed aluminum trim after a few years of use, I'm glad they only offered the glacier trim! The brushed trim doesn't seem to age very well. Saw a used 3 series and the trim was scratched up and dented.

Maybe it's the clear cost they use. Seems from the descriptions it's real metal but it's coated.
Also, in those pictures, there doesn't appear to be much "brush" in the brushed aluminum. I'm guessing it's something like the metal trim around the start button?

In my A4 the trim was very nice and great quality. It didn't feel coated at all, although I'm sure it has something. I guess that's what I was expecting, but it seems that's not what it is.

I didn't care for the glacier trim. In some spots it looks like dimpled aluminum foil. I'm not a fan of traditional wood stains either, and the gloss black looked like it would be a swirl scratch catcher. I opted for the gray poplar and it's actually very nice, nice accent with the red leather, and everyone compliments it.

I guess I'll drop my want for this.
Thanks for the info.

[MOCKBA]

I agree, if it gets scratched and aged quickly, then it is more likely painted plastic.

[Texan Engineer]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I had a loaner 116i hatch... it had that brushed aluminum trim.

It looked really BAD. As in el cheap-O!!! It looks like plastic until you touch it and realize its cold metal. Plus it doesn't even match the other trim parts of the car like the steering wheel inserts and ashtray cover! Here are a few pics I took back in the winter time.

I think you are in the Grass is always greener... mode! This loaner car was so bad. Not just in power... but in trim and feel quality. I would much rather drive/have a new VW Golf than this 1-er! The doors felt really thin (1/3 the feel of our 135i's) and the suspension was really bad, in cornering and feed back.

I have driven 316Ti's and 316i sedans before... this was really bellow them in quality and feel. I have driven another 116d and it was the same story... except that deisel engine was really quite decent.

After driving a euro 1er you really appreciate how luxo our cars are. When BMW says near Luxo trim... that is exactly how our cars feel. The way our doors feel when you close them... the way our suspension feel... steering... it is on a whole other level than the 1er hatches.

I would be interested in driving a 130i or even a 120d to see how they "feel".

- David -

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but I'm trying to get a bit of clarification.

Dackleone: Are you sure that's the brushed aluminum trim? I hoped onto the BMW UK configurator (E82 coupe) and it shows that they have available both satin silver and brushed aluminum. Judging from the pictures on this thread:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236333

What you got is satin silver? I'm only asking because I just ordered my 128i and upon seeing the Glacier aluminum (also shown in that thread) I hate the fish scales look. I agree that the pictures you posted three years ago look crap-tastic, but it just doesn't feel like brushed aluminum, considering that brushed is an option in the UK (and presumably the rest of Europe?). Thoughts?

I'm going to try and get my hands on some brushed alu trim. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to matching things, and it does bother me that the ugly glacier alu trim doesn't match the start button bezel or the door handles. I'm not worried about the steering wheel or shifter, since I've got the M-Sport Package

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Texan Engineer

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but I'm trying to get a bit of clarification.

Dackleone: Are you sure that's the brushed aluminum trim? I hoped onto the BMW UK configurator (E82 coupe) and it shows that they have available both satin silver and brushed aluminum. Judging from the pictures on this thread:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236333

What you got is satin silver? I'm only asking because I just ordered my 128i and upon seeing the Glacier aluminum (also shown in that thread) I hate the fish scales look. I agree that the pictures you posted three years ago look crap-tastic, but it just doesn't feel like brushed aluminum, considering that brushed is an option in the UK (and presumably the rest of Europe?). Thoughts?

I'm going to try and get my hands on some brushed alu trim. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to matching things, and it does bother me that the ugly glacier alu trim doesn't match the start button bezel or the door handles. I'm not worried about the steering wheel or shifter, since I've got the M-Sport Package

I am not sure what the trim was called in my old loaner car. I guess it could have been satin silver and not brushed. ???

In my own 135i I have Glacier aluminum - and I must say I really love it.

[Texan Engineer]

Thanks, guess I'll take the plunge and see if I can get my hands on some brushed alu trim.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Texan Engineer

Thanks, guess I'll take the plunge and see if I can get my hands on some brushed alu trim.

Best thing would be to order a small trim piece(or ask your dealer to show you the trim) and see how you like it. Maybe order it from one of the EU mail order dealers.

[gregthegr8]

In the original 2008 1-series brochure, all the pictures of the car had the brushed aluminum trim, which looked great and what I thought I ordered 2 months before the car came out. Nothing like finding out while it's on a boat that it has a completely different trim, though I ended up liking the glacier aluminum but was hesitant at first.

The brushed aluminum appeared to match the aluminum trim on a 2008 non sports package steering wheel. I should try to take a picture of the brochure when I get home as I still have it. Or if you look at pictures of the non sports package steering wheel, I think it'd then match that and the door handles, start/stop bezel, etc.

[cvandenhaute]

My brother had it in his former 118d (Europe) and I think it is bland and does not look as good as the glacier silver aluminum that is available in the US.
Not sure about BMW's brushed alu but I had a Volvo S40 with it and that thing was way too easy to dent. I am very picky but I had a few dents caused by my watch buckle on the driver door and a dent caused by my cell phone on the console.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by FazerBoy

I had this as stock and found that it marks and scratches really easily so I got the carbon fibre trim instead.

My Infiniti has what they call "Shodo" brushed aluminum trim. It seems very durable, looks good, and doesn't have a single scratch in it. When it came time to order my 135is, I was not a fan of the Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, partly because I wanted to lighten up the cabin and get the Oyster interior accents and the Glacier doesn't really go with it. I might get the carbon fiber interior trim kit sometime down the road.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by rikMsport

My Infiniti has what they call "Shodo" brushed aluminum trim. It seems very durable, looks good, and doesn't have a single scratch in it. When it came time to order my 135is, I was not a fan of the Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, partly because I wanted to lighten up the cabin and get the Oyster interior accents and the Glacier doesn't really go with it. I might get the carbon fiber interior trim kit sometime down the road.

Rik - someone on the forum might be willing to swap for their trim if you had an interest say in the high gloss black perhaps. That BMW carbon fiber trim is expeeeensive. I wonder what high gloss black costs if you bought that as a new set vs carbon fiber. I also know someone in the midwest who might want to swap their I forget the name of that new dark dark something-line wood trim from the limited edition 135 for glacier aluminum.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Rik - someone on the forum might be willing to swap for their trim if you had an interest say in the high gloss black perhaps. That BMW carbon fiber trim is expeeeensive. I wonder what high gloss black costs if you bought that as a new set vs carbon fiber. I also know someone in the midwest who might want to swap their I forget the name of that new dark dark something-line wood trim from the limited edition 135 for glacier aluminum.

I think the Anthracite or high gloss black would be a better match with Oyster interior than the Glacier Silver Aluminum. I'll stick with the Glacier for at least a couple of months to see if it grows on me... then probably decide to use the money I would have spent on carbon fiber bits on winter wheels and tires (it stays at/near/below freezing for a large part of the winter season here where I live). Swapping is a great idea though... I'm sure someone with black seating surfaces would love to trade their gloss black or anthracite trim for Glacier.

[Southjersey128]

You can always wrap your trim with vinyl. brushed aluminum. I did mine in black brushed aluminum and it came out great. Best part is its cheap and removable if you don't want it anymore.