[jcal65]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Would you use that on other trim as well, or just the piano black?

Yes, other trims as well, I have the aluminum rhombicle. It works great on the instrument cluster screen which usually gets very dusty. The anti-static properties keep the dust to a minimum for a long time. It's not an inexpensive product, but one can lasts years.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by jcal65

To each his own, which is why I prefer the cognac Dakota on my M550i. I would have gotten the Nappa, but I could just not get another black interior, did not want the ivory again, and I’m just not a fan of the mocha. I find the Dakota to be just fine, and I like the grey pinstripe finish, it looks classy. No one has ever been in my car and asked why I didn’t get the Nappa, your Dakota seats look cheap. I'm pretty sure only those of us who hang out in these forums know the difference anyway. If BMW offered the cognac in Nappa or Merino, I probably would have splurged.

A tip for your piano black trim: Spray some Plexus on a microfiber towel and apply to the trim. Lightly buff off with a dry microfiber cloth. This product creates an anti-static invisible film that will repel dust. I have used this for years and it is also great on the touchscreen and instrument cluster.

Thanks for the tip! I am on it, although I am the guy that has a korean micro fiber on my passenger seat who put the car in stop and go cruise in traffic and wipes down the dash.

You are spot on with regard to people thinking Dakota is cheap. No one knows the differences in the leathers but us, but after many years of BMW ownership, you get to know what you want because you didn't have it and now you do so it becomes a staple.

No offense on the Dakota comments, completely agree with you on the lame color choices for Nappa. I went black, I am not a fan of mocha and the white could be challenging. My favorite color is Cognac or something in that color spectrum.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks for the tip! I am on it, although I am the guy that has a korean micro fiber on my passenger seat who put the car in stop and go cruise in traffic and wipes down the dash.

You are spot on with regard to people thinking Dakota is cheap. No one knows the differences in the leathers but us, but after many years of BMW ownership, you get to know what you want because you didn't have it and now you do so it becomes a staple.

No offense on the Dakota comments, completely agree with you on the lame color choices for Nappa. I went black, I am not a fan of mocha and the white could be challenging. My favorite color is Cognac or something in that color spectrum.

One of my favorite bmw interior colors is actually the beige (which I have in Dakota) but it's not even offered in Dakota for a 5, currently. Only sensa.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

One of my favorite bmw interior colors is actually the beige (which I have in Dakota) but it's not even offered in Dakota for a 5, currently. Only sensa.

My all time favorite is caramel in the E39. Not to be confused with vanilla beige.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

My all time favorite is caramel in the E39. Not to be confused with vanilla beige.

Had to look it up, but yes that is awesome. I guess the coffee and mocha colors do well, or they wouldn't have them. I like them fine, I just can't ever figure out what trim to pair them with (I like wood trims).

The all caramel interior looks splendid and would be versatile to match.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Had to look it up, but yes that is awesome. I guess the coffee and mocha colors do well, or they wouldn't have them. I like them fine, I just can't ever figure out what trim to pair them with (I like wood trims).

The all caramel interior looks splendid and would be versatile to match.

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23989028

[pepitko]

I have cognac Dakota with the Aluminium Rhombicle Smoke Grey trim on my 540i. I think it goes together really nicely. I didn't want wood in a modern car. Happy to send you some more pictures if you want. I didn't find too many on my phone, but you can see more of the detail of the Aluminium trim.

[JMP14]

Originally Posted by pepitko

I have cognac Dakota with the Aluminium Rhombicle Smoke Grey trim on my 540i. I think it goes together really nicely. I didn't want wood in a modern car. Happy to send you some more pictures if you want. I didn't find too many on my phone, but you can see more of the detail of the Aluminium trim.

Thanks for sharing. Nice close up pic and good to hear you are happy with this combo. If you have another pic or 2 that give a less close up view so you can see a fuller scope of the door and then the dash that would be great.

I have found a few additional videos that have helped provide good examples too. I am going to stick with it.

It does look like the smoke gray is darker than the previous version which I think offers a better contrast to the aluminum trim.

The tough part now is just being patient through the build process!

[jcal65]

Originally Posted by JMP14

Thanks for sharing. Nice close up pic and good to hear you are happy with this combo. If you have another pic or 2 that give a less close up view so you can see a fuller scope of the door and then the dash that would be great.

Here are some cognac photos of my car. I am happy with this interior choice.

I had a hard time deciding between the aluminum rhombicle and fine wood open-pored ash trim. I could not find an actual example of the ash anywhere in dealer stock so I went with the aluminum. It is very good quality and I really like the gray pinstripe stitching/piping in the seats, both offer nice contrast with the cognac.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by jcal65

Here are some cognac photos of my car. I am happy with this interior choice.

I had a hard time deciding between the aluminum rhombicle and fine wood open-pored ash trim. I could not find an actual example of the ash anywhere in dealer stock so I went with the aluminum. It is very good quality and I really like the gray pinstripe stitching/piping in the seats, both offer nice contrast with the cognac.

That does look really nice.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by jcal65

Here are some cognac photos of my car. I am happy with this interior choice.

I had a hard time deciding between the aluminum rhombicle and fine wood open-pored ash trim. I could not find an actual example of the ash anywhere in dealer stock so I went with the aluminum. It is very good quality and I really like the gray pinstripe stitching/piping in the seats, both offer nice contrast with the cognac.

That looks awesome. I would also really like to see the open pore ash in person. It seems intriguing for a beige/white/tan interior.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

That looks awesome. I would also really like to see the open pore ash in person. It seems intriguing for a beige/white/tan interior.

I've seen it and not a fan. Looks like balsa wood or something that came off a barn. Also reminds me of the crap Tesla uses in the model 3 and X. Just looks unfinished to me, but I'm a gloss and shine kind of guy.

[JMP14]

Originally Posted by jcal65

Here are some cognac photos of my car. I am happy with this interior choice.

I had a hard time deciding between the aluminum rhombicle and fine wood open-pored ash trim. I could not find an actual example of the ash anywhere in dealer stock so I went with the aluminum. It is very good quality and I really like the gray pinstripe stitching/piping in the seats, both offer nice contrast with the cognac.

That combo looks awesome...thanks for posting these! I was considering the open-pored ash too, but felt the aluminum was a safer bet and these pics continue to confirm it was the way to go (for my preference anyway).

Never thought of it before but you make a great point on how the grey piping on the cognac seats does compliment the trim well. Now I may need to rethink my sensatec vs. dakota decision!

The low inventory sucks for a lot of reasons, but a big one is not being able to see many, if any, of these combos in person to help make your build choices.

[jcal65]

My wife has similar black ash trim in her Mercedes. It looks great and does not look like plastic. I spent a lot of time searching photos from BMW dealer inventory across the US and only found two examples of the ash trim. I am sure it is nice, but I was afraid to take a chance without seeing an actual example. This trim doesn’t seem to be one of the more popular choices, at least for dealer stock.

I have not seen the sensatec seats in person yet. Many reviewers I have watched praise them. It was not an option on my car, so I ended up with Dakota, since nappa or merino cognac were not available.

[BrewsterGreenM550]

Aluminum Rhombicle is definitely among the best options to go with cognac in terms of color contrast and sporty aesthetic, imo.

I ended up going with the grey ash, mostly because I do prefer wood grain texture in the cabin, also to reduce glossy surfaces. Does kinda look like some rental apartment kitchen cabinetry though 😂 Probably will swap out for the dark carbon structure M5 trim kit sooner than later!

The grey poplar I think also looks good with cognac, as does piano black. The matte cove is super nice but probably better suited to mocha or black interiors.

Recently found an example of cognac/ash on yt. Also has leather dash, alcantara headliner and ceramic controls:

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by str8face

Aluminum Rhombicle is definitely among the best options to go with cognac in terms of color contrast and sporty aesthetic, imo.

I ended up going with the grey ash, mostly because I do prefer wood grain texture in the cabin, also to reduce glossy surfaces. Does kinda look like some rental apartment kitchen cabinetry though 😂 Probably will swap out for the dark carbon structure M5 trim kit sooner than later!

The grey poplar I think also looks good with cognac, as does piano black. The matte cove is super nice but probably better suited to mocha or black interiors.

Recently found an example of cognac/ash on yt. Also has leather dash, alcantara headliner and ceramic controls:

The poplar wood trim is my favorite trim, in a vacuum. I think it would look good on a black car with white/beige interior. I'd love to actually see it with cognac. If they look good together, that might be go to choice.

I also think the gray poplar wood might look good with mocha, but again I would need to see it.

[BrewsterGreenM550]

Originally Posted by NGT2

The poplar wood trim is my favorite trim, in a vacuum. I think it would look good on a black car with white/beige interior. I'd love to actually see it with cognac. If they look good together, that might be go to choice.

I also think the gray poplar wood might look good with mocha, but again I would need to see it.

Found a couple examples attached below.

And yeah, lot of love for beige! I had been thinking beige/poplar would be absolutely classic inside Aventurin Red. Might well have specced it myself if it were available, would be very nice in the green

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by str8face

Found a couple examples attached below.

And yeah, lot of love for beige! I had been thinking beige/poplar would be absolutely classic inside Aventurin Red. Might well have specced it myself if it were available, would be very nice in the green

That looks good. I think that's a cool trim. Kind of a different look.

I've got beige Dakota in my 2018 540 with the burl walnut trim. It looks great. I'm surprised they don't still have the burl walnut on the menu. It's a very nice and versatile look. I guess they replaced the beige with white Dakota because it's more popular or maybe viewed as nicer. But the beige seems really versatile and easy on the eyes.