540i M Sport : Aluminium rhombicle or piano black ??

w4termelon · 03-16-2017, 05:01 PM

Hi,

I just placed an order for a 540i M sport Bluestone with 20' 759, interior in black nappa with confort seats. During the configuration, I couldn't really decide if i go for the standard interior trim with aluminium rhombicle; or if i replace it with piano black..

Alu :
pros
- less prone to scratch (well, not sure about that because I currently have aluminium hexagon on my X5 F15 and it has scratches on it..)
- I like the finish on door and uper side of the center console

cons:
- I find it too much of aluminium on the lower part of the center console
- Something we might see more often than piano black on m sport 5 series ?

piano black :
pros
- I will have exterior m performance black kidney grille, so it would match perfectly the outside with only 2 colors : full black and bluestone ; interior also black with minimal touches of aluminiums parts
- other parts of center console and AC are already in piano black, so there is already area for potential scratches

cons:
- more scratches ??
- too much black ??

I still have time to change my order, so I wanted to know what you guys think about this choice ??
Ty !

w!zard · 03-16-2017, 10:05 PM

I ordered an 540xi in december and will get it in the end of march. I have the same setup, bluestone+20' wheels+ black nappa comfort but I choosed piano black.

So +1 for piano, which is better than rhombicle I guess...

phefner · 03-16-2017, 10:09 PM

+2 on the Piano Black.

Jdubya · 03-16-2017, 10:15 PM

I just got it in my Bluestone/ivory, piano black looks amazing.

w4termelon · 03-17-2017, 04:23 AM

Thanks for your feedback, looks like a 100% winrate for piano black so far ^^

And what would be your opinion concerning scratches ??

remmib · 03-17-2017, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4termelon

Thanks for your feedback, looks like a 100% winrate for piano black so far ^^

And what would be your opinion concerning scratches ??

Get ready to buy one of these.

[IMG]http://bilnerden.no/media/catalog/pr...ano-ln-fix.jpg[/IMG]

Bandiano · 03-17-2017, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4termelon

Thanks for your feedback, looks like a 100% winrate for piano black so far ^^

And what would be your opinion concerning scratches ??

Get ready to buy one of these.

[IMG]http://bilnerden.no/media/catalog/pr...ano-ln-fix.jpg[/IMG]

100% win rate for piano black with money no object.....
Price too much to swallow for some of us, would have gone as far as the other trim upgrades but that price ? Just too much beer

thomam · 03-17-2017, 09:39 AM

I've got the standard Alu on my Bluestone / Black and I very much like it, especially around the dash area - posible less so on the lower console. Thought all-black looked too dark both on the configurator and on sitting in a dealer model.

jedpause · 03-17-2017, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4termelon

Thanks for your feedback, looks like a 100% winrate for piano black so far ^^

And what would be your opinion concerning scratches ??

I'm thinking fingerprints... the already existing shiny black finish around the aircon and control cluster, plus the area around the gear stick is a finger print magnet, and it does not look pretty!

I went for default rhombicle and I think it is fine for scratches, it looks tough to me... and sporty without being overpowering... my examples here https://goo.gl/photos/vkEL8aVLf88r5rRv8

black993s · 03-17-2017, 03:03 PM

My F10 M5 had the dark gloss wood trip (not piano black). Lot of glare in bright sun. I really like the Rhombicle. Technical. Matte-like finish. Darker steel grey in color. Not the bright aluminum color from past. Unfortunately Rhombicle is not currently available on the M550iX.

All look great. Personal taste in the end.

ajfoggy · 03-17-2017, 03:18 PM

Piano Black! You could try what I did. Complain to the dealer that you are having to make the decision without seeing all the trims, I said I hate the aluminium rhombicle but can I have the piano black for the same price as the wood trim

It worked! I have seen my car once once on the day it was delivery and the trim was already scratch near the gear stick. They said they would fix it..... I bet it's not been touched.

Pick up on Monday and i'll fix is myself.

BiGFather · 03-17-2017, 03:18 PM

Hi there.

My opinion is Pianoblack for sure. I love it - I have seen it in many cars and its awesome.
Well I am against all alu because for me it looks so cheap especially in 5er and higher.. its only my personal opinion I understand that somebody thinks the opposite or has other opinion.

BiGFather · 03-17-2017, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

Get ready to buy one of these.

[IMG]http://bilnerden.no/media/catalog/pr...ano-ln-fix.jpg[/IMG]

OT : Does this work? How is this thing called and should I use it with some kind of paste?

remmib · 03-17-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGFather

OT : Does this work? How is this thing called and should I use it with some kind of paste?

It's a small polisher from Rupes called the Nano iBrid. I haven't got it myself (it's quite expensive), but I read lots of good things about it.

BiGFather · 03-17-2017, 03:49 PM

wow seems more expensive then pianoblack option itself

midwest 340xi 6sp · 03-17-2017, 05:41 PM

My problem with aluminum is that there is just too much of when you get to the center console between the seats. I like the appearance on the dash and doors though. Its sporty, clean and contemporary.

I also think the rhombicle is a nice step-up from what I have seen in previous aluminum trims in bmw's - which looked cheap to me.

Personal preference for sure. But for me? I'd probably go piano black at the end of the day...

I actually think some of the wood veneers look mighty fine and upscale as well.

w4termelon · 03-18-2017, 07:06 AM

Polishing makes swirls. Even worse than doing nothing to clean a piano black finish..

w4termelon · 03-18-2017, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

My problem with aluminum is that there is just too much of when you get to the center console between the seats. I like the appearance on the dash and doors though. Its sporty, clean and contemporary.

I also think the rhombicle is a nice step-up from what I have seen in previous aluminum trims in bmw's - which looked cheap to me.

Personal preference for sure. But for me? I'd probably go piano black at the end of the day...

I actually think some of the wood veneers look mighty fine and upscale as well.

I agree with you, except for the wood trims in a m sport. It would fit nicely in a luxury line though.

remmib · 03-18-2017, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4termelon

Polishing makes swirls. Even worse than doing nothing to clean a piano black finish..

Eh no, and if so, you're not polishing properly.

w4termelon · 03-18-2017, 05:18 PM

I'm not polishing at all. Any mechanical action on a surface will end up doing marks, swirls or micro scratches. Then you want to remove this, you use the kind of tool you where talking about, but what you actually do is removing a thin part of the clear coating on your surface (if you do it perfectly well on a perfectly cleaned surface which most of the time won't be the case).
But that s another story..

w4termelon · 03-21-2017, 04:55 PM

Finally took my decision: will be piano black !

ajfoggy · 03-21-2017, 05:09 PM

Well the piano black trim is as I suspected a bit of a nightmare!

Pick up yesterday and the drivers door trim, centre trim (around handbrake) and main dash trim all have scratches at point of collection.

I know for a fact that some of them were not there are point of delivery and have been done at the dealership but they are saying it arrived like that.

All will need replacing.

So this afternoon I thought for future reference i'd try a little polish on them

as no doubt they will get scratched again in the future. I only had a little time and there was a difference in the visibility of the scratch, i'll try again at the weekend to see if I can get rid of them.

Apart from this is issue though they look really good. I recommend one of these clothes for carefully wiping them down:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dodo-Juice-.../dp/B002OHTMGU

03-16-2017, 05:01 PM	#1
w4termelon Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M sport 40d Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: France iTrader: (0)	540i M Sport : Aluminium rhombicle or piano black ?? Hi, I just placed an order for a 540i M sport Bluestone with 20' 759, interior in black nappa with confort seats. During the configuration, I couldn't really decide if i go for the standard interior trim with aluminium rhombicle; or if i replace it with piano black.. Alu : pros - less prone to scratch (well, not sure about that because I currently have aluminium hexagon on my X5 F15 and it has scratches on it..) - I like the finish on door and uper side of the center console cons: - I find it too much of aluminium on the lower part of the center console - Something we might see more often than piano black on m sport 5 series ? piano black : pros - I will have exterior m performance black kidney grille, so it would match perfectly the outside with only 2 colors : full black and bluestone ; interior also black with minimal touches of aluminiums parts - other parts of center console and AC are already in piano black, so there is already area for potential scratches cons: - more scratches ?? - too much black ?? I still have time to change my order, so I wanted to know what you guys think about this choice ?? Ty !
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03-16-2017, 10:05 PM	#2
w!zard New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: G30 540i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Budapest, Hungary iTrader: (0)	I ordered an 540xi in december and will get it in the end of march. I have the same setup, bluestone+20' wheels+ black nappa comfort but I choosed piano black. So +1 for piano, which is better than rhombicle I guess...
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03-16-2017, 10:09 PM	#3
phefner Lieutenant 369 Rep 416 Posts Drives: F30 340, F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	+2 on the Piano Black. __________________ Quietly Effective
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03-16-2017, 10:15 PM	#4
Jdubya Second Lieutenant 67 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2014 550i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I just got it in my Bluestone/ivory, piano black looks amazing.
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03-17-2017, 04:23 AM	#5
w4termelon Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M sport 40d Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your feedback, looks like a 100% winrate for piano black so far ^^ And what would be your opinion concerning scratches ??
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03-17-2017, 09:39 AM	#8
thomam New Member 4 Rep 8 Posts Drives: G30 520d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Edinburgh, UK iTrader: (0)	I've got the standard Alu on my Bluestone / Black and I very much like it, especially around the dash area - posible less so on the lower console. Thought all-black looked too dark both on the configurator and on sitting in a dealer model.
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03-17-2017, 03:03 PM	#10
black993s Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 - Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (0)	My F10 M5 had the dark gloss wood trip (not piano black). Lot of glare in bright sun. I really like the Rhombicle. Technical. Matte-like finish. Darker steel grey in color. Not the bright aluminum color from past. Unfortunately Rhombicle is not currently available on the M550iX. All look great. Personal taste in the end.
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03-17-2017, 03:18 PM	#11
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Piano Black! You could try what I did. Complain to the dealer that you are having to make the decision without seeing all the trims, I said I hate the aluminium rhombicle but can I have the piano black for the same price as the wood trim It worked! I have seen my car once once on the day it was delivery and the trim was already scratch near the gear stick. They said they would fix it..... I bet it's not been touched. Pick up on Monday and i'll fix is myself.
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03-17-2017, 03:18 PM	#12
BiGFather Captain 154 Rep 637 Posts Drives: G30 540i xDrive Mperformance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Czech Republic iTrader: (0)	Hi there. My opinion is Pianoblack for sure. I love it - I have seen it in many cars and its awesome. Well I am against all alu because for me it looks so cheap especially in 5er and higher.. its only my personal opinion I understand that somebody thinks the opposite or has other opinion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2017, 03:49 PM	#15
BiGFather Captain 154 Rep 637 Posts Drives: G30 540i xDrive Mperformance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Czech Republic iTrader: (0)	wow seems more expensive then pianoblack option itself
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03-17-2017, 05:41 PM	#16
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 360 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	My problem with aluminum is that there is just too much of when you get to the center console between the seats. I like the appearance on the dash and doors though. Its sporty, clean and contemporary. I also think the rhombicle is a nice step-up from what I have seen in previous aluminum trims in bmw's - which looked cheap to me. Personal preference for sure. But for me? I'd probably go piano black at the end of the day... I actually think some of the wood veneers look mighty fine and upscale as well. __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
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03-18-2017, 07:06 AM	#17
w4termelon Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M sport 40d Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Polishing makes swirls. Even worse than doing nothing to clean a piano black finish..
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03-18-2017, 05:18 PM	#20
w4termelon Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M sport 40d Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: France iTrader: (0)	I'm not polishing at all. Any mechanical action on a surface will end up doing marks, swirls or micro scratches. Then you want to remove this, you use the kind of tool you where talking about, but what you actually do is removing a thin part of the clear coating on your surface (if you do it perfectly well on a perfectly cleaned surface which most of the time won't be the case). But that s another story..
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03-21-2017, 04:55 PM	#21
w4termelon Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M sport 40d Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Finally took my decision: will be piano black !
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03-21-2017, 05:09 PM	#22
ajfoggy Brigadier General 1517 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: C63s - S205 - Brilliant Blue Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Warrington iTrader: (0)	Well the piano black trim is as I suspected a bit of a nightmare! Pick up yesterday and the drivers door trim, centre trim (around handbrake) and main dash trim all have scratches at point of collection. I know for a fact that some of them were not there are point of delivery and have been done at the dealership but they are saying it arrived like that. All will need replacing. So this afternoon I thought for future reference i'd try a little polish on them as no doubt they will get scratched again in the future. I only had a little time and there was a difference in the visibility of the scratch, i'll try again at the weekend to see if I can get rid of them. Apart from this is issue though they look really good. I recommend one of these clothes for carefully wiping them down: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dodo-Juice-.../dp/B002OHTMGU
	Appreciate 0 Quote