Aluminum trim -- blade vs. hex?

[tgb1974]

Opinion question here. My F83 has the carbon trim, and I am thinking of changing it up just for something new to look at. So I am considering swapping in the aluminum trim. I found both the aluminum "blade" (which was an option on the F8x) and the aluminum "hex" (which I believe was an option on the F3x).

I have read that the hex version is more resistant to scratching than the blade version. And it arguably looks better, though that's obviously a matter of opinion.

Any thoughts re putting the aluminum hex trim in an F8x, even though it's F3x trim?

[alex2364]

Carbon fiber > everything else

[tgb1974]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Carbon fiber > everything else

I recognize that this is the majority view, but I am not really on team carbon fiber

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

I recognize that this is the majority view, but I am not really on team carbon fiber

Aren’t you going to have mismatch? The carbon fiber trim also has black chrome and that’s also on the doors and rear passenger area. Not the CF, just the black chrome trim where the ambient light comes out from.

[tgb1974]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Aren’t you going to have mismatch? The carbon fiber trim also has black chrome and that’s also on the doors and rear passenger area. Not the CF, just the black chrome trim where the ambient light comes out from.

Good question -- I will go look. I haven't found a trim set that includes anything for the doors or rear passenger area.

[tgb1974]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

Good question -- I will go look. I haven't found a trim set that includes anything for the doors or rear passenger area.

It looks like the aluminum blade trim has the same black chrome along the bottom, so that would not be a mismatch. There is no CF trim in the rear that I could see. The aluminum hex trim, on the other hand, appears to have gloss black trim along the bottom that would be a mismatch. Awesome catch. Thank you!

[M3SQRD]

I thought I’d love the aluminum trim so I ordered it on my ‘09 e92 M3. After six months I was tired of it. I find it to be too bright compared to the rest of the interior. Basically, too much contrast. On my ‘12 e92 M3 I ordered the carbon leather trim. I found it to be too dark and non-reflective. So I replaced the trim with the actual oem CF trim and it’s perfect - not too dark and the right amount of reflective-ness. I’ve had the CF trim for 8 years and still love it. I’m certain the same thing would happen with Aluminum trim in the F8x - too much contrast and it’ll always be “screaming” at you. However, I do agree, interior trim is a personal choice. I hope you enjoy the Aluminum trim if you do the swap. FYI, I did a quick search for Aluminum trim and all of the trim I found had this strange dark staining and spotting on the surface, in particular on the largest central dash trim piece. I’d be concerned about this showing up eventually on all Aluminum trim. Perhaps it’s due to a specific cleaning product but you wouldn’t know until it’s too late.

[tgb1974]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I thought I’d love the aluminum trim so I ordered it on my ‘09 e92 M3. After six months I was tired of it. I find it to be too bright compared to the rest of the interior. Basically, too much contrast. On my ‘12 e92 M3 I ordered the carbon leather trim. I found it to be too dark and non-reflective. So I replaced the trim with the actual oem CF trim and it’s perfect - not too dark and the right amount of reflective-ness. I’ve had the CF trim for 8 years and still love it. I’m certain the same thing would happen with Aluminum trim in the F8x - too much contrast and it’ll always be “screaming” at you. However, I do agree, interior trim is a personal choice. I hope you enjoy the Aluminum trim if you do the swap. FYI, I did a quick search for Aluminum trim and all of the trim I found had this strange dark staining and spotting on the surface, in particular on the largest central dash trim piece. I’d be concerned about this showing up eventually on all Aluminum trim. Perhaps it’s due to a specific cleaning product but you wouldn’t know until it’s too late.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with me. I am not getting rid of my OEM CF trim; I am just swapping it out for a while. Like wearing a different hat....?

[brody8877]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

Opinion question here. My F83 has the carbon trim, and I am thinking of changing it up just for something new to look at. So I am considering swapping in the aluminum trim. I found both the aluminum "blade" (which was an option on the F8x) and the aluminum "hex" (which I believe was an option on the F3x).

I have read that the hex version is more resistant to scratching than the blade version. And it arguably looks better, though that's obviously a matter of opinion.

Any thoughts re putting the aluminum hex trim in an F8x, even though it's F3x trim?

I have the aluminum hex trim on my F30 and that got scratched. I have the aluminum blade on my F80 and its holding up well.

[NSX2M4]

I used to have the aluminum blade trim, swapped it for carbon.
The blade trim is nearly indestructible. You can really feel the weight of it.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with me. I am not getting rid of my OEM CF trim; I am just swapping it out for a while. Like wearing a different hat....?

Understood. The blade version, imo, is the better looking of the two.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by tgb1974

Opinion question here. My F83 has the carbon trim, and I am thinking of changing it up just for something new to look at. So I am considering swapping in the aluminum trim. I found both the aluminum "blade" (which was an option on the F8x) and the aluminum "hex" (which I believe was an option on the F3x).

I have read that the hex version is more resistant to scratching than the blade version. And it arguably looks better, though that's obviously a matter of opinion.

Any thoughts re putting the aluminum hex trim in an F8x, even though it's F3x trim?

I don't see how you could even scratch the trim. Fuck you doing with your hands?

Door handles are leather so the only trim you would change are on the instrument panel and middle console, and you never touch them.

I have the Alu blade. It is just a classic BMW look with the black interior and cold bright trim. It has got a nice texture to it. Looks like new.

[Blocke]

I had the F3x hex, it never scratched. Have you considered the dark walnut trim? Looks classy

[wishbone]

In my glacier silver metallic (titansilver) over black leather f30 i went from burl walnut to aluminum hex and in my Alpine White (aplineweiss III) over black merino leather f80 i have the CF.

I opted for the hex because i think it looks way more modern and sporty than the blade. If I were more patient I would have also tried for the blue accent hex trim instead of piano black however, now that I have the hex installed I would choose the piano black since I don't have any other blue accents.

I really like the complementary scheme in the f30 and contrast in my f80.

I will say that the aluminum hex does show marks pretty easily. It's a little harder to see anything in the darker CF. I am buying up some back up pristine hex interior bits because I really like it and am afraid that I will eventually have to replace some of the door handles due to wear/ tear.