Space Gray vs Sparkling Graphite - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

scawacs · 04-02-2009, 04:16 PM

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about getting a 1. I'm just confused between space gray and sparkling graphite. I'm assuming that they're not the same, but the option of sparkling graphite is not available on the bmw website. Can anyone help me out?

Thanks.

gyrfalcon · 04-02-2009, 04:19 PM

Sparkling Graphite is a much darker grey than Space Grey but was only available for 2008 models. It was discontinued and replaced with Space Grey for 2009.

ptack · 04-02-2009, 05:05 PM

Sparkling Graphite Metallic was recalled to heaven by God for being to beautiful. It is no longer available on this world.

adrean8j · 04-02-2009, 06:12 PM

^^^Amen brother! You have to be one of the lucky few to get SGM! I just think it was probably a cost-cutting thing for BMW. The base paint is the same for Space Gray, but the difference is in the metallic flaking. I think SG has only silver flecks while the SGM had silver, blue, and purple metallic flakes.

Space Gray:

Sparkling Graphite Metallic (my car!)

gtaday51 · 04-02-2009, 06:14 PM

SGM is amazing...but im a bit biased.

Here are some good SGM pics. If you can get it used...get it.

My car is SGM on a black interior. But I have seen pics of SGM on Coral Red and that looks awesome too.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243550

M3R1 · 04-02-2009, 06:23 PM

Like others have mentioned, Sparkling Graphite is much darker. I will add that in some light it appears to have an purple hue. Space grey is like the OEM color Silver Grey available on the E46 ///M3 from 2003.5-2006.

Both are nice though...

Storm · 04-02-2009, 06:45 PM

Space Grey pwns! It contrasts light/dark shadows on the car depending on the intensity of the light. Check it!: http://www.joeltaubel.com/135/

scawacs · 04-02-2009, 06:52 PM

ah...that explains a lot. space gray is a tad too light for my taste, i really wish they bring back sgm!

AlBel1214 · 04-02-2009, 07:31 PM

Everyone at the track loved my SGM... It is def a unique/awesome color...

gtaday51 · 04-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Now if only I could find myself an SGM helmet to match the car when I track.

and yes some courses let you track a vert.

Dr_Jones · 04-02-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scawacs

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about getting a 1. I'm just confused between space gray and sparkling graphite. I'm assuming that they're not the same, but the option of sparkling graphite is not available on the bmw website. Can anyone help me out?

Thanks.

Im glad i got in under the wire for SGM but space grey with coral is stunning.

Bullitt · 04-02-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

Sparkling Graphite Metallic was recalled to heaven by God for being to beautiful. It is no longer available on this world.

LOL.

Amen indeed.

Pol · 04-03-2009, 01:38 AM

Here some differences depending of the intensity of the light :

TP 135i · 04-03-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrean8j

^^^Amen brother! You have to be one of the lucky few to get SGM! I just think it was probably a cost-cutting thing for BMW. The base paint is the same for Space Gray, but the difference is in the metallic flaking. I think SG has only silver flecks while the SGM had silver, blue, and purple metallic flakes.

Sorry...I couldn't resist. This is my macro pic of SGM showing all the fun colors that it contains.......

sunking420 · 04-03-2009, 08:43 AM

Does anyone know how many SGM 135i coupes and how many SGM 135i verts were sold in America, globally even? I'm glad I went with the SGM coupe. Limited number of them and dirt is negligible if you just detail the wheels when they start getting dark. I'd like to know how many were produced before the switch to Space Gray................

Lester · 04-03-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunking420

.....and dirt is negligible if you just detail the wheels when they start getting dark. ...............

Just becasue the dirt, crap and acid rain pollution isn't noticeable - doesn't mean it isn't there eating away at your finish. Strongly suggest regular paint protection and washing with a good carnuba based gel car wash product. If you wash the wheels regularly and coat them with wheel wax, there is no need to wait until they 'get dark' - when you can rinse them right off.

adrean8j · 04-03-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TP 135i

Sorry...I couldn't resist. This is my macro pic of SGM showing all the fun colors that it contains.......

Yes it was your picture that prompted me to make the comment I did! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

Just becasue the dirt, crap and acid rain pollution isn't noticeable - doesn't mean it isn't there eating away at your finish. Strongly suggest regular paint protection and washing with a good carnuba based gel car wash product. If you wash the wheels regularly and coat them with wheel wax, there is no need to wait until they 'get dark' - when you can rinse them right off.

Always ONE in every group that must gently chastise us on what we should do with our cars..

I am sure the majority of us DO wash our cars. We are just saying if we can't get to it right away it doesn't look near as bad as with AW, BSM, or JB......period.

creepy coupe · 04-03-2009, 10:31 AM

Space grey is just class, it makes the car look like it's machined from a solid block and the way the light bounces off the surfaces is stunning.

DTR · 04-03-2009, 11:10 AM

Space gray is beautiful

but ive always had a bias for silver/grey cars

TP 135i · 04-03-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTR

Space gray is beautiful

but ive always had a bias for silver/grey cars

True....Space Gray is beautiful

Sparkling Graphite Metallic is LIQUID METAL

That being said, and the fact that I am totally in love with SGM, I haven't met a 1-Series color that doesn't look beautiful in it's own right. It's great that we all have colors to chose from and that we all like ours "the most".

adrean8j · 04-03-2009, 11:23 AM

The thing for me is that I have traditionally LOATHED grey/silver cars...the color is just TOO common....until you see SGM up close...it has that satiny sheen too it...first grey colored car that I have ever liked...

pit1 · 04-03-2009, 11:37 AM

They are both terrific colors. Personally, I'm really happy I snagged the SGM. I don't think I would have purchased Space Grey, though I drool over Space Grey 5ers and X5s, and I like how the front air intakes and rear apron are more visible on lighter colors.

None the less, I get more comments on the color than anything else. The best part...under different light, it never looks the same.

04-02-2009, 04:16 PM	#1
scawacs New Member Drives: 1 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 11 iTrader: (1)	Space Gray vs Sparkling Graphite Hi guys, I'm thinking about getting a 1. I'm just confused between space gray and sparkling graphite. I'm assuming that they're not the same, but the option of sparkling graphite is not available on the bmw website. Can anyone help me out? Thanks.
	Tweet

04-02-2009, 04:19 PM	#2
gyrfalcon Ninja Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 330 iTrader: (0)	Sparkling Graphite is a much darker grey than Space Grey but was only available for 2008 models. It was discontinued and replaced with Space Grey for 2009. __________________ SGM/Coral

04-02-2009, 05:05 PM	#3
ptack Brigadier General Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 4,066 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [3.00]	Sparkling Graphite Metallic was recalled to heaven by God for being to beautiful. It is no longer available on this world. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Forgestar F14s, PPK Stage II

04-02-2009, 06:14 PM	#5
gtaday51 gone but not forgotten Drives: gone 135 - Hello 1M! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 986 iTrader: (0)	SGM is amazing...but im a bit biased. Here are some good SGM pics. If you can get it used...get it. My car is SGM on a black interior. But I have seen pics of SGM on Coral Red and that looks awesome too. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243550 __________________ Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration don't fail me now.

04-02-2009, 06:45 PM	#7
Storm Private Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canyon Country, CA Posts: 55 iTrader: (0)	Space Grey pwns! It contrasts light/dark shadows on the car depending on the intensity of the light. Check it!: http://www.joeltaubel.com/135/ __________________ 135i space grey/black leatherette, sport package, 6MT, navi, comfort access

04-02-2009, 06:23 PM	#6
M3R1 Captain Drives: 09' Space Grey 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 852 iTrader: (3)	Like others have mentioned, Sparkling Graphite is much darker. I will add that in some light it appears to have an purple hue. Space grey is like the OEM color Silver Grey available on the E46 ///M3 from 2003.5-2006. Both are nice though...

04-02-2009, 06:52 PM	#8
scawacs New Member Drives: 1 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 11 iTrader: (1)	ah...that explains a lot. space gray is a tad too light for my taste, i really wish they bring back sgm!

04-02-2009, 07:31 PM	#9
AlBel1214 Major Drives: past 135i, now c6, future M3?? Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly Posts: 1,118 iTrader: (0)	Everyone at the track loved my SGM... It is def a unique/awesome color... __________________ -----LS3 C6----- *z51 suspension,* *NPP dual mode exhaust(wild2mild),20% tint,* zr1 replica wheels, gloss black fender stripes** R.I.P SGM 135i w/ some mods

04-02-2009, 07:36 PM	#10
gtaday51 gone but not forgotten Drives: gone 135 - Hello 1M! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 986 iTrader: (0)	Now if only I could find myself an SGM helmet to match the car when I track. and yes some courses let you track a vert. __________________ Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration don't fail me now.

04-03-2009, 01:38 AM	#13
Pol Nobody is perfect ! Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 396 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i Coupe [5.00]	Here some differences depending of the intensity of the light :

04-03-2009, 08:43 AM	#15
sunking420 First Lieutenant Drives: '08 SGM 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagler Beach, Florida Posts: 335 iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know how many SGM 135i coupes and how many SGM 135i verts were sold in America, globally even? I'm glad I went with the SGM coupe. Limited number of them and dirt is negligible if you just detail the wheels when they start getting dark. I'd like to know how many were produced before the switch to Space Gray................

04-03-2009, 10:31 AM	#18
creepy coupe Major General Drives: 8 year old Mondeo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 7,576 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 335i [0.00]	Space grey is just class, it makes the car look like it's machined from a solid block and the way the light bounces off the surfaces is stunning.

04-03-2009, 11:10 AM	#19
DTR 1 day... Drives: Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	Space gray is beautiful but ive always had a bias for silver/grey cars __________________

04-03-2009, 11:37 AM	#22
pit1 Lieutenant Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: It's always Sunny... Posts: 580 iTrader: (0)	They are both terrific colors. Personally, I'm really happy I snagged the SGM. I don't think I would have purchased Space Grey, though I drool over Space Grey 5ers and X5s, and I like how the front air intakes and rear apron are more visible on lighter colors. None the less, I get more comments on the color than anything else. The best part...under different light, it never looks the same. __________________ '08 135i Coupe (sold) SGM/Coral

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