Sparkling Graphite

Luongo · 08-08-2005, 01:00 AM

My current vehicle is an Infiniti FX35 in "Diamond Graphite" color and that's my favorite color for a car. When I was ready to place an order for a 330i, I chose "Sparkling Graphite" without any hesitation, only looking at the brochures (the dealer didn't have any SG in stock). I just assumed it to be similar to my Infiniti.

The following day, I drove by the dealership and noticed a purple E90 325i sitting in the parking lot. The first thought that came to my mind was "...I don't remember seeing purple color in the brochure..." It took me a while to realize that the purple color was actually sparkling graphite! It reminded me of the chameleon color that was a fad in the 90's. I ran into the dealership and changed my order immediately.

People ordering SG should see the actual car in person under all possible lighting conditions BEFORE placing an order. You might be shocked when your car arrives!!! I wish BMW made E90's with more traditional "dark metallic grey" color.

E90Fleet · 08-08-2005, 04:49 AM

You should always see a color first if you are not shure

many many people love the Sparkling Graphite color

llaroo · 08-08-2005, 06:33 AM

BMW needs to have their ass kicked for marketing Sparkling Grahpite the way they do. It Looks NOTHING like the brochures or websites. And they can't just have a disclaimer that protects them. The SG that they show is a cool blue grey when in fact the SG is a warm brownish plum colour. That is complete BS. - Still not a bad colour but not what you'd expect for the standard gray colour

E90Fleet · 08-08-2005, 07:34 AM

Our color charts here look very much like the real car

But anyway any metallic color doesnt look correct in a printed book
Just go to the dealer and look at their color panels

If they dont have panels at your dealer you should take it up with them, because they are all supposed to have

ldpantoja · 08-08-2005, 07:47 AM

I think that it looks like it on the brochure. Also, look at it on this pic. It kind of shows both colors b/c of the sun.

llaroo · 08-08-2005, 08:55 AM

there you go, I'm full of shit! Your SG looks great, how come it never looked like that when I saw it?

E90Fleet · 08-08-2005, 10:14 AM

Did you go and look at it from different angles or just one ?

It changes depending on how the sun or shade is on it

cosby · 08-08-2005, 10:51 AM

The fact that it "sparkles" at different angles is one of the things I like most about the color. Otherwise, probably would have gotten black.

Bertuzzi: what did you change the color to?

charln · 08-08-2005, 11:24 AM

While my car (SG) was on order, I saw a new SG E90 parked in the sun at the golf club. I almost had heart failure - this car appeared purple!

I immediately called to try and change my order, but it was too late the car was already in production.
For the next few weeks I seriously regretted my decision. In my mind the colour was getting uglier every time I thought about it.

Allow me to now lay any fears to rest - SG is really awesome. I have never seen my car look purple in any light conditions, and here in Durban (South Africa) the sun always shines brightly, even in winter. Apart from the few rainy days of course...

Nevertheless, the colour certainly does change in different light conditions, but it merely shows a subtle variation in the hue. Yes, it can have a mild purple glow at certain angles, but it is most definately sparkling graphite colour and can't be confused for anything else.

So don't worry, SG really does look awesome in any light!

JVFan · 08-08-2005, 12:36 PM

My wife has an 02 Honda CRV that is a bluish metallic. It does the exact same thing in bright light on certain angles...cool...matching cars..

Luongo · 08-08-2005, 12:54 PM

I ended up changing the order to Black Sapphire. The car is being transported to the port and I still have to wait another month for delivery.
Now that I have changed to Black Sapphire, I am worried about having to wash it frequently and possible swirl marks appearing on the finish.

I am very lazy when it comes to washing a car. I seriously only wash my diamond graphite Infiniti once a month... I guess I can't do that any more.
I would have gone with Titanium Silver if my wife's Acura wasn't silver. That car gets washed once in three months!!!

Still looks darn clean most of the time.
I've owned a white car before. Fairly low maintenance color, until you start accumulating the specks of tar on the side of the car. Impossible to get rid of!!!:mad:
I guess all colors have pros and cons. I just wish E90's come in standard dark grey metallic color, as that would be my color of choice.

llaroo · 08-08-2005, 01:21 PM

Bertuzzi, I feel your pain. All I wanted was a nice metallic grey with no other colour. Too much to ask for? The BS will have to be washed once a week and avoid brushes on the car so get a plan in action before you get the car! BS needs the respect of a clean surface to show off its lustre too.

JVFan · 08-08-2005, 02:11 PM

You related to Todd, Bertuzzi?

Luongo · 08-08-2005, 02:28 PM

I am a HUGE Vancouver Canucks fan. Only if we had Bertuzzi in the line-up, we would have beaten Calgary Flames and moved on to win the Stanley Cup!!!

I think he will serve another 10~20 games and come back, but I doubt he will be very effective.

BTW, I think sparkling graphite will look great in the pacific northwest. The color looks good under cloud cover. Definately not the case in Chicago.

CC 330i · 08-08-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzi

I am a HUGE Vancouver Canucks fan. Only if we had Bertuzzi in the line-up, we would have beaten Calgary Flames and moved on to win the Stanley Cup!!!

I think he will serve another 10~20 games and come back, but I doubt he will be very effective.

.

Yeah, it was kind of a "bad year" for Todd last season... Him and Steve Moore...

acetner · 08-09-2005, 04:13 PM

I'm having the same problem. Ordered SG, then noted the purplish hue, then debated a lot over changing to TiAg. Now my car is almost in... I ordered a pretty common combination (premium, auto, cold weather), and the dealer actually has or could easily get me an alternative in silver. Not sure what to do. My brother/girlfriend/friend/and even a random person at the dealer both like the SG better, but the purple seems to be gnawing at me (even saw it in a parking garage once, and the fluorescent lights made it seem truly violet)

F32Fleet · 08-09-2005, 04:29 PM

SG looked BadA@@ when it was on the front cover of Roundel a few months ago.

itznin · 08-10-2005, 09:56 AM

Get over this purple nonsense.

The SG looks great, and what better than having your car react differently to lighting conditions!

It's not always the same OLD plain look. I am not trying to offend anyone just simply say it's a great color, and for everyone to get over this PURPLE nonsense!

llaroo · 08-10-2005, 11:20 AM

its awefully purple don't you think? - ok I'm a shit disturber

itznin · 08-10-2005, 02:56 PM

lol what an instigator

billgti · 08-10-2005, 03:02 PM

i spent some time thinking about sparkling graphite too because it really is quite purple under the sunlight (like most ppl, i thought it was dark metallic gray as potrayed in the brochure). i realized that if u have to THINK about whether or not u like the color, then the color really isn't for u. now i am set on looking for a jet black e90.

Kao BMW · 08-10-2005, 03:05 PM

it's an awesome color. i've been loving it seen i got it... :rocks:

08-08-2005, 01:00 AM	#1
Luongo Lieutenant 134 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2018 Porsche Carrera T Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (2)	Sparkling Graphite My current vehicle is an Infiniti FX35 in "Diamond Graphite" color and that's my favorite color for a car. When I was ready to place an order for a 330i, I chose "Sparkling Graphite" without any hesitation, only looking at the brochures (the dealer didn't have any SG in stock). I just assumed it to be similar to my Infiniti. The following day, I drove by the dealership and noticed a purple E90 325i sitting in the parking lot. The first thought that came to my mind was "...I don't remember seeing purple color in the brochure..." It took me a while to realize that the purple color was actually sparkling graphite! It reminded me of the chameleon color that was a fad in the 90's. I ran into the dealership and changed my order immediately. People ordering SG should see the actual car in person under all possible lighting conditions BEFORE placing an order. You might be shocked when your car arrives!!! I wish BMW made E90's with more traditional "dark metallic grey" color.
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08-08-2005, 04:49 AM	#2
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	You should always see a color first if you are not shure many many people love the Sparkling Graphite color
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08-08-2005, 06:33 AM	#3
llaroo Private First Class 15 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	BMW needs to have their ass kicked for marketing Sparkling Grahpite the way they do. It Looks NOTHING like the brochures or websites. And they can't just have a disclaimer that protects them. The SG that they show is a cool blue grey when in fact the SG is a warm brownish plum colour. That is complete BS. - Still not a bad colour but not what you'd expect for the standard gray colour
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08-08-2005, 07:34 AM	#4
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Our color charts here look very much like the real car But anyway any metallic color doesnt look correct in a printed book Just go to the dealer and look at their color panels If they dont have panels at your dealer you should take it up with them, because they are all supposed to have
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08-08-2005, 07:47 AM	#5
ldpantoja Lieutenant 15 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 330i (E90) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	I think that it looks like it on the brochure. Also, look at it on this pic. It kind of shows both colors b/c of the sun. __________________ P's Little Ride 2006 330i / SG / SP / NAV
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08-08-2005, 08:55 AM	#6
llaroo Private First Class 15 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	there you go, I'm full of shit! Your SG looks great, how come it never looked like that when I saw it?
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08-08-2005, 10:14 AM	#7
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Did you go and look at it from different angles or just one ? It changes depending on how the sun or shade is on it
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08-08-2005, 10:51 AM	#8
cosby Private 0 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 325i SG Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: emerald city iTrader: (0)	The fact that it "sparkles" at different angles is one of the things I like most about the color. Otherwise, probably would have gotten black. Bertuzzi: what did you change the color to?
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08-08-2005, 11:24 AM	#9
charln Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	While my car (SG) was on order, I saw a new SG E90 parked in the sun at the golf club. I almost had heart failure - this car appeared purple! I immediately called to try and change my order, but it was too late the car was already in production. For the next few weeks I seriously regretted my decision. In my mind the colour was getting uglier every time I thought about it. Allow me to now lay any fears to rest - SG is really awesome. I have never seen my car look purple in any light conditions, and here in Durban (South Africa) the sun always shines brightly, even in winter. Apart from the few rainy days of course... Nevertheless, the colour certainly does change in different light conditions, but it merely shows a subtle variation in the hue. Yes, it can have a mild purple glow at certain angles, but it is most definately sparkling graphite colour and can't be confused for anything else. So don't worry, SG really does look awesome in any light!
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08-08-2005, 12:36 PM	#10
JVFan Lieutenant 36 Rep 515 Posts Drives: Very Well Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lloydminster, AB CANADA iTrader: (1)	My wife has an 02 Honda CRV that is a bluish metallic. It does the exact same thing in bright light on certain angles...cool...matching cars..
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08-08-2005, 12:54 PM	#11
Luongo Lieutenant 134 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2018 Porsche Carrera T Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (2)	I ended up changing the order to Black Sapphire. The car is being transported to the port and I still have to wait another month for delivery. Now that I have changed to Black Sapphire, I am worried about having to wash it frequently and possible swirl marks appearing on the finish. I am very lazy when it comes to washing a car. I seriously only wash my diamond graphite Infiniti once a month... I guess I can't do that any more. I would have gone with Titanium Silver if my wife's Acura wasn't silver. That car gets washed once in three months!!! Still looks darn clean most of the time. I've owned a white car before. Fairly low maintenance color, until you start accumulating the specks of tar on the side of the car. Impossible to get rid of!!!:mad: I guess all colors have pros and cons. I just wish E90's come in standard dark grey metallic color, as that would be my color of choice.
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08-08-2005, 01:21 PM	#12
llaroo Private First Class 15 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Bertuzzi, I feel your pain. All I wanted was a nice metallic grey with no other colour. Too much to ask for? The BS will have to be washed once a week and avoid brushes on the car so get a plan in action before you get the car! BS needs the respect of a clean surface to show off its lustre too.
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08-08-2005, 02:11 PM	#13
JVFan Lieutenant 36 Rep 515 Posts Drives: Very Well Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lloydminster, AB CANADA iTrader: (1)	You related to Todd, Bertuzzi?
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08-08-2005, 02:28 PM	#14
Luongo Lieutenant 134 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2018 Porsche Carrera T Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago, Illinois iTrader: (2)	I am a HUGE Vancouver Canucks fan. Only if we had Bertuzzi in the line-up, we would have beaten Calgary Flames and moved on to win the Stanley Cup!!! I think he will serve another 10~20 games and come back, but I doubt he will be very effective. BTW, I think sparkling graphite will look great in the pacific northwest. The color looks good under cloud cover. Definately not the case in Chicago.
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08-09-2005, 04:13 PM	#16
acetner Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	confused over SG I'm having the same problem. Ordered SG, then noted the purplish hue, then debated a lot over changing to TiAg. Now my car is almost in... I ordered a pretty common combination (premium, auto, cold weather), and the dealer actually has or could easily get me an alternative in silver. Not sure what to do. My brother/girlfriend/friend/and even a random person at the dealer both like the SG better, but the purple seems to be gnawing at me (even saw it in a parking garage once, and the fluorescent lights made it seem truly violet)
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08-09-2005, 04:29 PM	#17
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3570 Rep 10,351 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	SG looked BadA@@ when it was on the front cover of Roundel a few months ago.
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08-10-2005, 09:56 AM	#18
itznin Captain 26 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North NJ iTrader: (2)	Get over this purple nonsense. The SG looks great, and what better than having your car react differently to lighting conditions! It's not always the same OLD plain look. I am not trying to offend anyone just simply say it's a great color, and for everyone to get over this PURPLE nonsense!
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08-10-2005, 11:20 AM	#19
llaroo Private First Class 15 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 06 325i MonacoBlue Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	its awefully purple don't you think? - ok I'm a shit disturber
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08-10-2005, 02:56 PM	#20
itznin Captain 26 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North NJ iTrader: (2)	lol what an instigator
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08-10-2005, 03:02 PM	#21
billgti Lieutenant 26 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	i spent some time thinking about sparkling graphite too because it really is quite purple under the sunlight (like most ppl, i thought it was dark metallic gray as potrayed in the brochure). i realized that if u have to THINK about whether or not u like the color, then the color really isn't for u. now i am set on looking for a jet black e90.
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08-10-2005, 03:05 PM	#22
Kao BMW iLOVE90 64 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (0)	it's an awesome color. i've been loving it seen i got it... :rocks:
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