How much black is too much?

[elbweb]

I just bought a 2010 Black on Black 135i convertible.

It already has a black exhaust (tips?), I don't know if this came from BMW or if it is an aftermarket thing.

I am thinking about replacing the front grille, the '135i' emblem on the back, and the rims/wheels with something black.

Wondering if anyone has pictures of this done on a 1 series convertible? I'm wondering if it just ends up being too much that it looks silly?

I haven't been able to find many good examples, but I am sure you guys will have some opinions.

Thanks in advance!

[ken1137]

i dont have a vert but my coupe is blacked out with exception to the tires. Some like the all black (including tires) but I prefer to have silver or gunmetal for a black car. Although, I do admit my Winter set up is black

[igzekyativ]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256923

this is from a for sale thread...

[szcyxzh]

Mine will be black on black. But i prefer silver or gunmetal for the rims, adding more contrast to it. Black grills, of course. To each's own.

[elbweb]

Originally Posted by ken1137

i dont have a vert but my coupe is blacked out with exception to the tires. Some like the all black (including tires) but I prefer to have silver or gunmetal for a black car.

Thanks! I'm trying to see at what point does it just become too much, maybe leaving the rims gunmetal or something similar (or maybe stock - cheaper that way ).

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256923

this is from a for sale thread...

Thanks for this, just what I was looking for.

[elbweb]

Originally Posted by szcyxzh

Mine will be black on black. But i prefer silver or gunmetal for the rims, adding more contrast to it. Black grills, of course. To each's own.

Will be? Any pictures? When will this happen?

[szcyxzh]

Originally Posted by elbweb

Will be? Any pictures? When will this happen?

I am supposed to get delivery next Thursday. So will update photo later.

[Allencic]

I'm probably the oldest guy on this forum. My 2011 128i crimson red convert is around my 30th new car and I've been driving since 1955. I've driven well over one million miles. So this old fart perspective is from lots of car experience.

Even before I started driving cars often came in two versions a DeLuxe and (in the case of Chevys) a Special. What was the difference? Trim. The special had black rubber around the windows, black wheels with cheesy little hubcaps, black rubber floor instead of carpet, etc. Everything about the car shouted, "CHEAP".There wasn't anything sporty or racy or anything attractive about them they just looked "CHEAP". They were often thought of as traveling salesman's cars.

I thing that look is still true today. Even a Lambo, Lotus, or Porsche looks dreary and ugly with black alloy wheels. The extra cost black trim on BMWs simply looks cheap and tacky.

I'm not advocating slathering a car with chrome trim but a little bit around windows, grille, etc., adds a touch of contrast and class.

I'm not trying to tell anyone what their car should look like but when I see something like an all black on black BMW especially with oversized black wheels with low aspect ratio tires I don't think, Wow! That guy has a cool car. I think, how could you F... Up a nice car so badly and make it look so stupid.

[szcyxzh]

Originally Posted by Allencic

I'm probably the oldest guy on this forum. My 2011 128i crimson red convert is around my 30th new car and I've been driving since 1955. I've driven well over one million miles. So this old fart perspective is from lots of car experience.

Even before I started driving cars often came in two versions a DeLuxe and (in the case of Chevys) a Special. What was the difference? Trim. The special had black rubber around the windows, black wheels with cheesy little hubcaps, black rubber floor instead of carpet, etc. Everything about the car shouted, "CHEAP".There wasn't anything sporty or racy or anything attractive about them they just looked "CHEAP". They were often thought of as traveling salesman's cars.

I thing that look is still true today. Even a Lambo, Lotus, or Porsche looks dreary and ugly with black alloy wheels. The extra cost black trim on BMWs simply looks cheap and tacky.

I'm not advocating slathering a car with chrome trim but a little bit around windows, grille, etc., adds a touch of contrast and class.

I'm not trying to tell anyone what their car should look like but when I see something like an all black on black BMW especially with oversized black wheels with low aspect ratio tires I don't think, Wow! That guy has a cool car. I think, how could you F... Up a nice car so badly and make it look so stupid.

Plus black rims look CHEAP AND UGLY when it becomes dirty.

[elbweb]

Originally Posted by Allencic

I'm probably the oldest guy on this forum. My 2011 128i crimson red convert is around my 30th new car and I've been driving since 1955. I've driven well over one million miles. So this old fart perspective is from lots of car experience.

Even before I started driving cars often came in two versions a DeLuxe and (in the case of Chevys) a Special. What was the difference? Trim. The special had black rubber around the windows, black wheels with cheesy little hubcaps, black rubber floor instead of carpet, etc. Everything about the car shouted, "CHEAP".There wasn't anything sporty or racy or anything attractive about them they just looked "CHEAP". They were often thought of as traveling salesman's cars.

I thing that look is still true today. Even a Lambo, Lotus, or Porsche looks dreary and ugly with black alloy wheels. The extra cost black trim on BMWs simply looks cheap and tacky.

I'm not advocating slathering a car with chrome trim but a little bit around windows, grille, etc., adds a touch of contrast and class.

I'm not trying to tell anyone what their car should look like but when I see something like an all black on black BMW especially with oversized black wheels with low aspect ratio tires I don't think, Wow! That guy has a cool car. I think, how could you F... Up a nice car so badly and make it look so stupid.

Thank you for that. I think I might slowly be leaning towards what you're saying, it might be a bit too much to go all out.

My car is currently at the shop. When I get it back, I'll have to look a little harder to see what exactly would come of what I'm thinking. I don't think I'm going to replace the rims. The other (little) changes are still up in the air though - mainly the grille and the lettering (135i) on the back.

[scott135i]

Originally Posted by igzekyativ

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256923

this is from a for sale thread...

This is my car for sale


Black on Red, with Black/Red striped wheels, Black Grills, and 50/35% tint.

Nothing but compliments, honestly. The red stripe on the wheels isn't for everything, but you can beat a freshly washed/waxed black car. Nothing compares.

[scott135i]

Originally Posted by szcyxzh

Plus black rims look CHEAP AND UGLY when it becomes dirty.

Disagree and feel 100% opposite. With black/grey wheels, when dirty, you can barely tell. With silver/oem color wheels when dirty, it makes the car seem that much dirtier.

[szcyxzh]

Originally Posted by scott135i

Disagree and feel 100% opposite. With black/grey wheels, when dirty, you can barely tell. With silver/oem color wheels when dirty, it makes the car seem that much dirtier.

I have seen a friend's car (NISSAN GTR) equipped with Matter black rims, absolutely ugly after a typical usa road trip. Glossy black, i bet the SAME.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Allencic

They were often thought of as traveling salesman's cars.

Hey, I take offense to that comment and I do have black wheels for Winter Heading to Alabama, Windsor, and San Diego soon

[elbweb]

Originally Posted by scott135i

This is my car for sale

Black on Red, with Black/Red striped wheels, Black Grills, and 50/35% tint.

Nothing but compliments, honestly. The red stripe on the wheels isn't for everything, but you can beat a freshly washed/waxed black car. Nothing compares.

I LOVE that look, and wish I had it. I love the two tone interior, and wish mine was that way (but I'm not going to spend the extra $15k to get a new car).

I love being able to accent the rest of the car with little bits of red and have it all flow together. I'll give you another compliment about it

[christopherkriens]

I'm not advocating slathering a car with chrome trim but a little bit around windows, grille, etc., adds a touch of contrast and class.

I agree, I think it depends on what you're going for. If you're going for a luxury look, silver accents are the way to go. If you want a more aggressive look, go dark.

Personally, I feel like the one series really is more of a drivers car than a luxury car; leave that silver shit for the suits and their 5 series.

Quote:
Originally Posted by szcyxzh
Plus black rims look CHEAP AND UGLY when it becomes dirty.

There's a strange truth to this. When my silver wheels were dirty, you thought "hey those are some dirty silver wheels". When my gunmetal wheels are dirty, you think "those are some ugly wheels", because you don't know they're caked in break dust.

[JCampea]

I have a black 135 cab...black rims, and black kidneys waiting for install...the rims look great when they are dirty because you can barely tell

I've had chrome on previous cars...but flat black is the new chrome as far as I'm concerned...and I'm 37 and use my 135i as a baby wagon...and am dressed in a suit most days...

[Allencic]

Are these wheels dirty or clean? Either way they just look dull and dreary. Makes the car look pretty low rent.

[JCampea]

They are dirty in the picture...in person it looks incredible IMHO

[djpeetur]

Black rims just screams look at me I want attention. I rather go subtle and go silver.

[JCampea]

"Look at me" was what I was going for...it being a 300+ hp convertible BMW...if I wanted subtle they have those beige appliances called Camry's

[elbweb]

Originally Posted by scott135i

those beige appliances called Camry's

And thanks for another opinion/picture! Well on my way to figuring out what to do