[rlc]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

most metallic colors have different hues depending on light, even seeing it in person once isn't enough. On the other hand, chameleonism itself could be perceived as outward expressionism, that is, being unconventional and fluid. BMW color palette is all good, so choice is hard ...

Great looking car, congrats.

So is your car in NY or the Bay Area? Just wondering since I have yet to see one on the road or at any dealer in SoCal.

Guess which one is mine

[wavelet3000]

Thanks. It's in a Bay Area, better place for her anyways with all the mountain roads and sunshine to shine so splendidly :-) I spend half the time there and half the time in NYC. I obviously had to order and wait 1.5 months for it, but I liked the color (I was inspired by your pictures (hanks!) and have no regrets)and wanted a wagon. Having all other goodies just the way I wanted was an added benefit. Compared to Volvos I drove previous, E91 doesn't feel like a wagon.

[wavelet3000]

Do you know what percentage of new 3 series cars are Barrique Red? Should be less than 1/total number of colors, i.e less than 1/8. I read in one the threads here somewhere E91 is something like 1.9% (206 cars) of all 3-series in the US (for April), and even less in warmer climates like CA. Since introducation it's probably ~1200 cars. So upper bound on the number of barrique e91 in the US is 150. If CA is 1/10 of the US and wagons are 1% in CA instead of, and BR is only 5% of all colors (instead of 12.5%), then there would probably be only 3 Barrique Red E91s in all of CA. I wouldn't be surprized if it's the only one. I like that.

[fragra]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

Compared to Volvos I drove previous, E91 doesn't feel like a wagon.

Compared to Volvos, it doesn't look like a wagon either. (rimshot)

I've only seen one, count it, one Barrique car in my neck of the woods, and it was a sedan. And I look for e90s/e91s. Tourings are rare here too. A Barrique Touring is pretty well guaranteed to be unique. You won't be following yourself down the road any time soon.

[rlc]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

Do you know what percentage of new 3 series cars are Barrique Red? Should be less than 1/total number of colors, i.e less than 1/8. I read in one the threads here somewhere E91 is something like 1.9% (206 cars) of all 3-series in the US (for April), and even less in warmer climates like CA. Since introducation it's probably ~1200 cars. So upper bound on the number of barrique e91 in the US is 150. If CA is 1/10 of the US and wagons are 1% in CA instead of, and BR is only 5% of all colors (instead of 12.5%), then there would probably be only 3 Barrique Red E91s in all of CA. I wouldn't be surprized if it's the only one. I like that.

I have no idea what the percentages are by color - not sure if BMW even publishes it, but I'm sure they know.

Here in SD the sales reps at the two dealers closest to me both have told me the color has sold fairly well considering the low number of Barrique Red they stock. Last fall when Barrique started showing up on lots they were moving pretty fast, because I kept going by to snap pictures every day and it was always a different car. I have only seen one other Barrique E90 on the road in my area. I've seen three in Hawaii.

As mentioned before, I have not seen one E91 (in any color) anywhere in SD (Dealer or Road) or Hawaii (my home away). I'm sure you have got a very rare ride. I actually wouldn't mind them canceling Barrique Red as an option - something I'm sure the Barrique haters would second. I really like it the fact that the color makes the car rare - no modding required.


PS - I saw a Deep Green/Terra 325 the other day that looked great. It was bright sun and from a distance you'd swear it was black (like Monaco Blue) but it had a very nice dark teal color up close. I can't believe that color doesn't sell better - probably will on the 5er.

[wavelet3000]

I wonder what the statistics would be on average time it takes to sell a given color from a dealer lot, divided by total stock. My impression is that many buyers are tempted by non-standard colors, but either see them in unfavorable light conditions, or get cold feet being afraid to be different.

As I was shopping, I saw probably 1-2 BR car per dealer, but visually this would be one out of every 20. I checked out BMW dealerships in NY, none had Barrique. I guess that makes sense, it's cloudier climate and the color doesn't look so good under the grey skies.

I saw couple of tourings in NY, not a single one in CA, though I heard from dealers about some being sold - it would go like this "Oh yeah, we sold one last month", or "there was one on order picked up yesterday", or "there's one coming to another dealership next month, it's white ..."

I agree about rotating unique colors quickly. Keep the most popular ones for long time, change unique colors every year or two. This way BMW would satisfy both categories of buyers (and charge premium for both, he he).

I didn't see green e90/e91 yet, from pictures it looked a little too similar to Honda Accords of early 00s of which there are too many, I'll keep my eyes peeled for such cars though, I pay much more attention to bimmers on the road now I wish there'd be a button to change color so that you can have a color suiting the mood

[wavelet3000]

I am thinking blacklines. I like the way blacklines make the sedan more purposeful. I wonder if it'll work for a touring as well ...

[rlc]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

I am thinking blacklines. I like the way blacklines make the sedan more purposeful. I wonder if it'll work for a touring as well ...

I HATE the white plastic outline of the stock lights, so I went with blacklines. IMHO Barrique should only be sold with the blackline lights. The stock lights have that horrible white plastic and the bright red lights clash with Barrique. The blackline lines are more subdued and blend well with Barrique Red.

Get the blacklines, you won't be disappointed. Also, I think the chrome exhaust tips are worth the money and would add a more finished look to your car.

[rlc]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

I didn't see green e90/e91 yet, from pictures it looked a little too similar to Honda Accords of early 00s of which there are too many, I'll keep my eyes peeled for such cars though, I pay much more attention to bimmers on the road now I wish there'd be a button to change color so that you can have a color suiting the mood

Like all of the E90 metallic colors you can't judge them be the pictures or brochure samples. Trust me, Deep Green does not look like anything I've seen on a Honda. It is very rich looking. With Terra/Dark Burl Wood it is stunning.

[wavelet3000]

Originally Posted by rlc

I HATE the white plastic outline of the stock lights, so I went with blacklines. IMHO Barrique should only be sold with the blackline lights. The stock lights have that horrible white plastic and the bright red lights clash with Barrique. The blackline lines are more subdued and blend well with Barrique Red.

Get the blacklines, you won't be disappointed. Also, I think the chrome exhaust tips are worth the money and would add a more finished look to your car.

That white plastic piece is hideous indeed. I also agree about exhaust tips. Do you think they are the same as for sedans? E91 accessories brochure isn't out yet in the US, strangely enough...

[rlc]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

I also agree about exhaust tips. Do you think they are the same as for sedans?

I would be surprised if they were different. Give your dealer's parts dept. a call and see. Pacific BMW has them for under $23 - make sure you buy two, they don't come in a set.

[wavelet3000]

on good advice of rlc, got blackline tail lights, definitely looks better ...

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by wavelet3000

most metallic colors have different hues depending on light, even seeing it in person once isn't enough. On the other hand, chameleonism itself could be perceived as outward expressionism, that is, being unconventional and fluid. BMW color palette is all good, so choice is hard ...

Wavelet3000 - Nice car! Barique Red was on our short list when we were deciding the color for our E91. We were just too afraid of the Barney purple effect, so we scratched it off. Nice to see someone went for it though! She looks great.

[wavelet3000]

Thanks, Ledzep. In purple light, every non-black car will loook Barney-like Funny, I had Arctic as second on my list but it seemed too popular!

Here's another picture, from redwoods. See how it merges with surroundings ...

[LEDZEP]

Cool. Looks a lot more red in the diffused light.

[Nikki]

Barrique and Arctic are the most unique colors. If Barrique was available for me to see in person I may have gotten it instead with the Terra interior. I like the cool look of Arctic though. My next car will probably be a maroon/purple/burgandy/mauve color.

[rlc]

Very nice looking car.....

If you stopped by one day for a cool one we could take a picture like this...

[wavelet3000]

nice photo wizardry! may be some day it'll be real ...

[rlc]

Snapped these at BMW Honolulu - first M Sport package I've seen in person on any car. Dealer add on was $2995.

Sorry, the rear end picture is kind of cramped since the car was backed into the rack pretty tight. Also, a couple of shots for comparison - A SG 325xi E91 and a blue E46 M3.

[lmm_bimmer]

ordered the 328xi, for delivery in December.. can't wait to see the color in person...Im excited!!!

[rlc]

Originally Posted by lmm_bimmer

ordered the 328xi, for delivery in December.. can't wait to see the color in person...Im excited!!!

Welcome to our little club of daring Barrique drivers. You'll be asking yourself if they are staring because its ugly or is it that they just can't take their eyes off it? Based on comments I've gotten in the last year the latter is leading by a wide margin...

[lmm_bimmer]

Umm i'm nervous b/c the 330/335 barrique is different from the 328xi barrique...hmmmmmmm...i was gonna change my color but i was like I'll just go for it..I usually dont like taking risks like these especially on a 60k investment

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