Brushed Aluminium No Longer Available

AidenL · 10-12-2005, 08:24 AM

My dealer just called me to say that he has a Bulletin from BMW confirming that Brushed Aluminium will no longer be available on ANY E90 from Week 43 production.

I had ordered a 325i M Sport Pack in Le Mans Blue with Black leather and of course brushed aluminium trim.

Now though, seems the standard trim will be Matt Titan, which is basically a matt finish grey plastic trim.

I’m thinking I’ll now have to go with Walnut at extra cost, but I’m thinking walnut with black leather might not be for me.

So, Im thinking, should I change to Le Mans Blue / Lemon leather / Walnut, or is that too much ?

Perhaps Sapphire Black / Leather / Walnut ??

I’d be grateful for opinions, as I’d like to confirm any change asap, preferably by tomorrow morning, just in case the car might drift through to production all of a sudden.

I’m amazed that Brushed Aluminium is gone……..

JamieA · 10-12-2005, 08:30 AM

I wonder if they are going to bring out another trim option, or whether they didn't sell enough of it.

AidenL · 10-12-2005, 08:33 AM

Dunno, I thought it would have been quite popular, and based on it being standard in the M pack, it would have become more popular?

I suspect they may have been selling it too cheaply comppared to the wood trims...

LEDZEP · 10-12-2005, 08:35 AM

Make him show you the bulletin. I think it's

Seems every month there is a rumor of some material shortage. Highly unlikely. I heard there is also a shortage of compressed air and they are halting production because they can't inflate the tires.

JamieA · 10-12-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Make him show you the bulletin. I think it's

Seems every month there is a rumor of some material shortage. Highly unlikely. I heard there is also a shortage of compressed air and they are halting production because they can't inflate the tires.

LOL @ Ledzep

I would tell the dealer that ther is a shortage on shortages and after Week 43 there will be no more buying from him.

LEDZEP · 10-12-2005, 08:40 AM

shortage on shortages!

That's funny... and I know funny!

AidenL · 10-12-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Make him show you the bulletin. I think it's

Seems every month there is a rumor of some material shortage. Highly unlikely. I heard there is also a shortage of compressed air and they are halting production because they can't inflate the tires.

He faxed it to me, I have read it, its true unfortunately - he did say they could bring it back later without warning, which would annoy some of his customers who won't now be able to get it - or it may never come back - they just don't say much in the bulletins....

LEDZEP · 10-12-2005, 08:45 AM

Wood is better anyway (boy am I going to get blasted now). They're doing you a favor.

Still think it's bullshit though.

rebelfocus · 10-12-2005, 08:52 AM

Hi Aiden,

Seems very, very odd that brushed Aluminium is not going to be available in the future. I would confirm that with BMW Group in Dublin if I were you as I have found many of the Irish dealers to be fairly hopeless. By the way, I have seen the Ti plastic trim and it looks good. If you are really set on the Alu trim and it is not available to order as an option it might be worth seeing if the dealer can order the trim as a part and fit it for you.

For the look you seem to be trying to achieve, not sure if wood would work with black leather. However, I have seen the lemon + walnut interior on a car in Cork and it looked super (but a bitch to keep clean probably). It was a tiny bit too flashy for me so I ended up going with a classic combo of Sapphire Black with Beige Leather and Walnut Burl. I have hated beige leather for years but when I saw it in the E90 I really fell for it as it is a very warm shade.

Try to get a look at a lemon+walnut interior if you can - it might work for you. If not I would explore buying Al trim separately and if all else fails go with the Ti plastic trim.

Hope this helps...

Tony

AidenL · 10-12-2005, 09:00 AM

Thanks Tony - that must have been in Kevin O'Learys? I know Owen in sales there, might give him a call.....

I kinda trust my dealer, bought a lot of cars from him, BMs and MINIs - he approached me this morning , apparently trying to warn me this was upcoming, cos he didnt want any hassle on delivery.

JamieA · 10-12-2005, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Wood is better anyway (boy am I going to get blasted now). They're doing you a favor.

Still think it's bullshit though.

I have to agree with you there. I didn't like the aluminium trim, so went walnut instead with the black, looks classy IMO where as their aluminium has something missing.

e90fanatic · 10-12-2005, 09:21 AM

it really depends what age you are. Please list your trim preferences with your age. Perhaps that can explain why you prefer wood. LOL. If you wait, I'm sure they're probably bringing out another style of aluminum trim (the patterns always change)

thd13 · 10-12-2005, 09:22 AM

I still see the Aluminum trim on BMWUSA.com as an option.

afocoryw20 · 10-12-2005, 09:42 AM

If you want Aluminum I would tell them you'll wait till it's available . I have aluminum and think it's great.

AidenL · 10-12-2005, 09:51 AM

The possibility is that it may be gone for good though.......

Jakobzara · 10-12-2005, 10:00 AM

It depends what look you want for your BMW, I wanted a sporty look, I have black leather, with aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals. It is very sporty, the aluminum adds 20 horsepower.

JamieA · 10-12-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

it really depends what age you are. Please list your trim preferences with your age. Perhaps that can explain why you prefer wood. LOL. If you wait, I'm sure they're probably bringing out another style of aluminum trim (the patterns always change)

Oh you biatch!

I am 35 for the record.

I actually wanted Aluminium because I hate wood. But I was too polite to say - so I will say it bluntly now that you have called me a grandpa - that BMW aluminium and titanium finishes look cheap and tacky and have no style. Unlike Audi aluminium trim which looks gorgeous, and is what I have in my current Audi and would have had in the new one.

I don't like wood as a rule and didn't want to get it in the BM but it was the lesser of two evils.

lemon_dakota · 10-13-2005, 01:00 PM

Its true Brushed Aluminium is longer available as an option on the 3 and 1 series in the UK.

It looks good I had it on my 325i but it doesn't wear very well, the trim on the door was pock-marked where the seatbelt buckle had hit it when the belt was undone. I wonder if that is the reason why it has been withdraw.

SCA · 10-13-2005, 01:01 PM

No fair! I want Le Mans Blue! :mad:

northerncalguy · 10-13-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Wood is better anyway (boy am I going to get blasted now). They're doing you a favor.

Still think it's bullshit though.

Ha! Got wood? No, seriously wood is for benches, table-tops, golf clubs, police batons, arrows, wagons, barns...machines and metal are like Peaches & Cream, Starsky & Hutch, Miami & Vice...

mc68386 · 10-13-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakobzara

It depends what look you want for your BMW, I wanted a sporty look, I have black leather, with aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals. It is very sporty, the aluminum adds 20 horsepower.

Maybe, but it drops your mileage by 6 mpg.
Black + Burl walnut for me. Although, if I had gone with Terra, I would have gotten Aluminium.

carl_d · 10-14-2005, 03:01 AM

Aiden

Got this from my dealer...

The standard trim on 3 Series Saloon and Touring M Sport models will change from 4AD Brushed Aluminium Trim to 4AG from production week 43

4AB Burr Walnut and 4AC Light Poplar will continue as alternative interior trims for M Sport models.

I'm not sure why they have done this and as yet I have not seen the Matt Titanium finish although I would imagine it will be quite similar.

My 2p worth...

Wood with black leather is not for all but remeber you can always change the trim later if you do not like it!!!

If you want lemon leather then wood is better.

I would go for beige leather with wood as its great with any blue.

Hope this helps

10-12-2005, 08:24 AM	#1
AidenL Driving ! 69 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 530e XDrive Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Brushed Aluminium No Longer Available - Help Needed ! My dealer just called me to say that he has a Bulletin from BMW confirming that Brushed Aluminium will no longer be available on ANY E90 from Week 43 production. I had ordered a 325i M Sport Pack in Le Mans Blue with Black leather and of course brushed aluminium trim. Now though, seems the standard trim will be Matt Titan, which is basically a matt finish grey plastic trim. I’m thinking I’ll now have to go with Walnut at extra cost, but I’m thinking walnut with black leather might not be for me. So, Im thinking, should I change to Le Mans Blue / Lemon leather / Walnut, or is that too much ? Perhaps Sapphire Black / Leather / Walnut ?? I’d be grateful for opinions, as I’d like to confirm any change asap, preferably by tomorrow morning, just in case the car might drift through to production all of a sudden. I’m amazed that Brushed Aluminium is gone…….. __________________ 2021 530e M Sport XDrive- Phytonic Blue - M Tech - 20" Wheels - Ivory / Black - Ash Trunkwood - Tech Pack - Laserlights - Sun Protection - Advanced Parking
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10-12-2005, 08:30 AM	#2
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	I wonder if they are going to bring out another trim option, or whether they didn't sell enough of it. __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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10-12-2005, 08:33 AM	#3
AidenL Driving ! 69 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 530e XDrive Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Dunno, I thought it would have been quite popular, and based on it being standard in the M pack, it would have become more popular? I suspect they may have been selling it too cheaply comppared to the wood trims... __________________ 2021 530e M Sport XDrive- Phytonic Blue - M Tech - 20" Wheels - Ivory / Black - Ash Trunkwood - Tech Pack - Laserlights - Sun Protection - Advanced Parking
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10-12-2005, 08:35 AM	#4
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Make him show you the bulletin. I think it's Seems every month there is a rumor of some material shortage. Highly unlikely. I heard there is also a shortage of compressed air and they are halting production because they can't inflate the tires. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-12-2005, 08:40 AM	#6
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	shortage on shortages! That's funny... and I know funny! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-12-2005, 08:45 AM	#8
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Wood is better anyway (boy am I going to get blasted now). They're doing you a favor. Still think it's bullshit though. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-12-2005, 08:52 AM	#9
rebelfocus Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 520d SE Touring Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cork, Ireland iTrader: (0)	Hi Aiden, Seems very, very odd that brushed Aluminium is not going to be available in the future. I would confirm that with BMW Group in Dublin if I were you as I have found many of the Irish dealers to be fairly hopeless. By the way, I have seen the Ti plastic trim and it looks good. If you are really set on the Alu trim and it is not available to order as an option it might be worth seeing if the dealer can order the trim as a part and fit it for you. For the look you seem to be trying to achieve, not sure if wood would work with black leather. However, I have seen the lemon + walnut interior on a car in Cork and it looked super (but a bitch to keep clean probably). It was a tiny bit too flashy for me so I ended up going with a classic combo of Sapphire Black with Beige Leather and Walnut Burl. I have hated beige leather for years but when I saw it in the E90 I really fell for it as it is a very warm shade. Try to get a look at a lemon+walnut interior if you can - it might work for you. If not I would explore buying Al trim separately and if all else fails go with the Ti plastic trim. Hope this helps... Tony
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10-12-2005, 09:00 AM	#10
AidenL Driving ! 69 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 530e XDrive Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	Thanks Tony - that must have been in Kevin O'Learys? I know Owen in sales there, might give him a call..... I kinda trust my dealer, bought a lot of cars from him, BMs and MINIs - he approached me this morning , apparently trying to warn me this was upcoming, cos he didnt want any hassle on delivery. __________________ 2021 530e M Sport XDrive- Phytonic Blue - M Tech - 20" Wheels - Ivory / Black - Ash Trunkwood - Tech Pack - Laserlights - Sun Protection - Advanced Parking
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10-12-2005, 09:21 AM	#12
e90fanatic Absolute0 165 Rep 5,079 Posts Drives: Has a Roundel Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TO/HK/NJ iTrader: (6)	it really depends what age you are. Please list your trim preferences with your age. Perhaps that can explain why you prefer wood. LOL. If you wait, I'm sure they're probably bringing out another style of aluminum trim (the patterns always change) __________________ To procede or not to procede......
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10-12-2005, 09:22 AM	#13
thd13 Major 46 Rep 1,445 Posts Drives: A07 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Murrland iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I still see the Aluminum trim on BMWUSA.com as an option. __________________ My other ride is your mom.
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10-12-2005, 09:42 AM	#14
afocoryw20 Lieutenant 12 Rep 456 Posts Drives: X3 + 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jerz iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325XI [0.00] 2005 X3 [0.00] 1990 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00]	If you want Aluminum I would tell them you'll wait till it's available . I have aluminum and think it's great.
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10-12-2005, 09:51 AM	#15
AidenL Driving ! 69 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 530e XDrive Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	The possibility is that it may be gone for good though....... __________________ 2021 530e M Sport XDrive- Phytonic Blue - M Tech - 20" Wheels - Ivory / Black - Ash Trunkwood - Tech Pack - Laserlights - Sun Protection - Advanced Parking
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10-12-2005, 10:00 AM	#16
Jakobzara Enlisted Member 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW 2006 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	It depends what look you want for your BMW, I wanted a sporty look, I have black leather, with aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals. It is very sporty, the aluminum adds 20 horsepower.
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10-13-2005, 01:00 PM	#18
lemon_dakota New Member 1 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 330i M Sport E91 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Its true Brushed Aluminium is longer available as an option on the 3 and 1 series in the UK. It looks good I had it on my 325i but it doesn't wear very well, the trim on the door was pock-marked where the seatbelt buckle had hit it when the belt was undone. I wonder if that is the reason why it has been withdraw.
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10-13-2005, 01:01 PM	#19
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	No fair! I want Le Mans Blue! :mad:
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10-14-2005, 03:01 AM	#22
carl_d General 38 Rep 683 Posts Drives: E90 335i M-Sport N55 6SP Nov10 Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Aiden Got this from my dealer... The standard trim on 3 Series Saloon and Touring M Sport models will change from 4AD Brushed Aluminium Trim to 4AG from production week 43 4AB Burr Walnut and 4AC Light Poplar will continue as alternative interior trims for M Sport models. I'm not sure why they have done this and as yet I have not seen the Matt Titanium finish although I would imagine it will be quite similar. My 2p worth... Wood with black leather is not for all but remeber you can always change the trim later if you do not like it!!! If you want lemon leather then wood is better. I would go for beige leather with wood as its great with any blue. Hope this helps
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