Do the 09 Coupes not have Aluminum Exterior trim?

DrGP · 05-26-2009, 10:09 AM

Got an 09 328xi Coupe for a loaner today. To my surprise, the exterior trim was black not aluminum. Car did not seem to have any special packages on it. BUT, the black trim did not look to great. I'm not talking about the overall visual affect. But the trim itself had some type of blue iridescent discoloration or look to it. The car has EXACTLY 2k miles on it.

Noc57 · 05-26-2009, 10:14 AM

Yep, 09 models have the shadowline trim....though I'm pretty sure the convertibles still have the aluminum.

I think it looks better to be honest. My last e46 had the aluminum trim and it would get splotchy, dull, and spotted with age.

There's also a few other minor upgrades, like more chrome on the interior. (cup holders, headlight switches, etc......)

335e92tx · 05-26-2009, 11:22 AM

I think the exterior color is a big factor in whether shadowlines work or not (and if tint looks good).
Dark colors -1 (-2 if tinted)

Light colors +1

There is really no definition or contrast around the A/C pillars with shadowlines on a dark car - especially if tinted.

Coldviking · 05-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

Got an 09 328xi Coupe for a loaner today. To my surprise, the exterior trim was black not aluminum. Car did not seem to have any special packages on it. BUT, the black trim did not look to great. I'm not talking about the overall visual affect. But the trim itself had some type of blue iridescent discoloration or look to it. The car has EXACTLY 2k miles on it.

Here's my '09 e92 with shadowline on black Sapphire and I like the look of it. Plus, as someone else posted, I had an e46 with the aluminum trim and it looked terrible after just three years and nothing was able to clean it properly.

Jimmeh · 05-26-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

Got an 09 328xi Coupe for a loaner today. To my surprise, the exterior trim was black not aluminum. Car did not seem to have any special packages on it. BUT, the black trim did not look to great. I'm not talking about the overall visual affect. But the trim itself had some type of blue iridescent discoloration or look to it. The car has EXACTLY 2k miles on it.

shadowline trim comes w/ Sports package

3er858 · 05-26-2009, 11:50 AM

335i non-sport should have aluminum trim...
335i sport should have shadowline
328i should be matte black
not sure about 328i with sport...

DrGP · 05-26-2009, 12:05 PM

I am just old school. Not that I don't like the black trim , but in some instances, I think the metal trim accents the car and will complement the wheels

edb5020 · 05-26-2009, 01:45 PM

If I want the sports package, but do not want the shadowline trime, is there a delete option? I only think the shadowline trim looks good with lighter colors. The aluminum trim looks good with all colors especially dark ones.

GregL · 05-26-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

Got an 09 328xi Coupe for a loaner today. To my surprise, the exterior trim was black not aluminum. Car did not seem to have any special packages on it. BUT, the black trim did not look to great. I'm not talking about the overall visual affect. But the trim itself had some type of blue iridescent discoloration or look to it. The car has EXACTLY 2k miles on it.

That strange discolouration is quite common to Mercedes with their equivalent of shadowline trim. I can't say since I haven't seen your particular loaner, but it usually happens from being under the sun with a dirty car, or more commonly the strong detergents used at the car wash. 2k miles seems way too early for this to happen though, IF it is the same thing, plus it'll usually show all sorts of different colours and not just blue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

I am just old school. Not that I don't like the black trim , but in some instances, I think the metal trim accents the car and will complement the wheels

My goodness...that looks like you're scary close to the Lexus infront of you.

NoMods · 05-26-2009, 02:18 PM

the front fenders are plastic

GregL · 05-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

the front fenders are plastic

?

NoMods · 05-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

?

sorry i mis-read the title, but it really is -

GregL · 05-26-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

sorry i mis-read the title, but it really is -

Oh I know, just couldn't figure out what it had to do with window trim

VTECaddict · 05-26-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3er858

335i non-sport should have aluminum trim...
335i sport should have shadowline
328i should be matte black
not sure about 328i with sport...

true for E90. 328i sport also has shadowline.

for E92 they all get aluminum standard and shadowline for sport.

floot_roops · 05-26-2009, 02:34 PM

I normally would have liked the aluminum on black combo, but my sister has a black G35 and now seeing that combination reminds me of her car. Not that there's anything wrong with her car, it just feels less distinctive to me now.

Craig@SupremePower · 05-26-2009, 05:30 PM

+1...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmeh

shadowline trim comes w/ Sports package

ETS Michael · 05-26-2009, 05:54 PM

That's a tough one. The silver looks good, but so does the black. The more I look at the black one... I think sporty. The silver is more refined in my opinion.

Thanks!

Michael

srcstc · 05-26-2009, 06:42 PM

It's a loaner, what do you care if it looks good or not?

I love the glossy black trim on my ZMP.

DrGP · 05-26-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

That strange discolouration is quite common to Mercedes with their equivalent of shadowline trim. I can't say since I haven't seen your particular loaner, but it usually happens from being under the sun with a dirty car, or more commonly the strong detergents used at the car wash. 2k miles seems way too early for this to happen though, IF it is the same thing, plus it'll usually show all sorts of different colours and not just blue.

My goodness...that looks like you're scary close to the Lexus infront of you.

You're exactly right about seeing other colors as well. Sort of like an oil slick thin film. As for being close to the Lexus. It just seems that way from the angle of the picture. No need to be concerned that my BMW might actually catch some unwanted Lexually Transmitted Disease from unprotected Lexual contact!

DrGP · 05-26-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srcstc

It's a loaner, what do you care if it looks good or not?

I love the glossy black trim on my ZMP.

Because MY 07 has Alum trim and I like it. I was surprised to see the dark trim on the new model. Secondly, my lease is up in less than a year so perhaps my next BMW will have this trim (and the subsequent discoloration) which might not be attractive to me.

05-26-2009, 10:09 AM	#1
DrGP Lieutenant Colonel 137 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Sapphire 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE, PA iTrader: (0)	Do the 09 Coupes not have Aluminum Exterior trim? Got an 09 328xi Coupe for a loaner today. To my surprise, the exterior trim was black not aluminum. Car did not seem to have any special packages on it. BUT, the black trim did not look to great. I'm not talking about the overall visual affect. But the trim itself had some type of blue iridescent discoloration or look to it. The car has EXACTLY 2k miles on it.
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05-26-2009, 10:14 AM	#2
Noc57 Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Yep, 09 models have the shadowline trim....though I'm pretty sure the convertibles still have the aluminum. I think it looks better to be honest. My last e46 had the aluminum trim and it would get splotchy, dull, and spotted with age. There's also a few other minor upgrades, like more chrome on the interior. (cup holders, headlight switches, etc......)
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05-26-2009, 11:22 AM	#3
335e92tx ahat 1036 Rep 2,592 Posts Drives: Was '07-335e92 - Now '13-335IS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (6)	I think the exterior color is a big factor in whether shadowlines work or not (and if tint looks good). Dark colors -1 (-2 if tinted) Light colors +1 There is really no definition or contrast around the A/C pillars with shadowlines on a dark car - especially if tinted. __________________ '13 335IS N54 (1 of 373 LeMans Blue out of 3597 total production e92)- Grey interior (1 of 24 in LMB with any trans- 1 of 14 with DCT)-MODS -MFactory LSD/MHD-BQ custom Tune/ATM-IC/AFE Momentum GT Intake/Konis/Mfront&HeimJoint Rear rods&arms/Brembos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lo6aHZRo7XqtPkhL8
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05-26-2009, 11:50 AM	#6
3er858 First Class Privates 44 Rep 616 Posts Drives: AW F10, CW Mk6, 1299S Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SCV SoCal iTrader: (0)	335i non-sport should have aluminum trim... 335i sport should have shadowline 328i should be matte black not sure about 328i with sport... __________________ F10 M-Sport \| xdrive LTMW \| Velgen VBM6\| V12's \| CKS coilovers \| wrapped roof \| wrapped mirror caps \| wrapped door handles \| Gloss Black Grills \| M5 rear Lip
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05-26-2009, 12:05 PM	#7
DrGP Lieutenant Colonel 137 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Sapphire 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE, PA iTrader: (0)	I am just old school. Not that I don't like the black trim , but in some instances, I think the metal trim accents the car and will complement the wheels Attached Images
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05-26-2009, 01:45 PM	#8
edb5020 Private First Class 17 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	If I want the sports package, but do not want the shadowline trime, is there a delete option? I only think the shadowline trim looks good with lighter colors. The aluminum trim looks good with all colors especially dark ones. __________________ 2011 BMW 328i X-drive Deep Sea Blue Metallic/Oyster Leather/Light Burl Walnut Trim/Step/Premium Package/Sport Package/NAV/Harman Kardon Sound/Heated Steering Wheel/Xenon
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05-26-2009, 02:18 PM	#10
NoMods Colonel 1108 Rep 2,326 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (10) Garage List 2022 M5 [10.00]	the front fenders are plastic
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05-26-2009, 02:34 PM	#15
floot_roops 181st Imperial Pilot 11 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 09 e92 335xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I normally would have liked the aluminum on black combo, but my sister has a black G35 and now seeing that combination reminds me of her car. Not that there's anything wrong with her car, it just feels less distinctive to me now.
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05-26-2009, 05:54 PM	#17
ETS Michael Major 76 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (4)	That's a tough one. The silver looks good, but so does the black. The more I look at the black one... I think sporty. The silver is more refined in my opinion. Thanks! Michael
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05-26-2009, 06:42 PM	#18
srcstc Major 82 Rep 1,365 Posts Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (9)	It's a loaner, what do you care if it looks good or not? I love the glossy black trim on my ZMP.
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