Interior Preferences

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Shailen
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Interior Preferences

Post by Shailen » Tue Feb 09, 2021 4:29 pm

When I was looking for my perfect Alpina, I had a good idea of what I was after.

Dark exterior colour (preferably blue), light leather colour, regular wood trim (i.e. not black), and Classics.

I found my Montego Blue/Champagne leathered car after two years of searching.

There are many cars with the full black treatment inside which isn't really to my taste.

Am I a bit out of touch with what the 'typical' Alpina owner wants for their interior? Or is there any love out there for my choice.

Would light leather or wood be a deal-breaker if you were looking to buy a car? Or is it a positive?

If you were speccing your ideal car, what kind of interior would you go for?

ST

Bob
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Bob » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:30 pm

I would say it's a fairly even split in the UK between the lovers and haters of light colour interiors. The biggest differentiator is whether its a daily/family taxi or not.

If you're shopping on the secondhand market, depending on which models are on the wish list, you might be very limited in terms of options and ultimately would need to settle for whatever you can find.

Personally, I'm in the "any colour except black" camp, preferably with proper wood. If I am ever in a position to order a new ALPINA and could spec Lavalina, I'm currently tempted by a dark blue or green leather with piping, but if it was limited to the standard palette then probably a tan (or off-white shade)
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Shailen
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Shailen » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:37 pm

Is the Lavalina not too much of a soft grade of leather? Or is it hard wearing enough for a daily?

I'm spending far too much time daydreaming about my next car and how I'd want it to look.

I'm thinking Alpina Blue or Green, with a light interior and wood.

I'm not sure I'm ready to take the depreciation hit on a new car, so I guess that it's about compromises with the pre-loved market.

ST

Wellsy
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Wellsy » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:39 pm

I think like you said, its horses for courses, mine is my daily driver so darker color definitely works for me. I also have the piano black trim as it's much better looking than the silver trim. I do agree though that a full set of Alpina wood trim would be amazing.
If I were to have a second Alpina for weekends and shows I would go for a lighter color interior.
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Charles
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Charles » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:56 pm

When I specified my B3S 18 years ago, Nick Godfrey - the Sytner Sales Manager at the time - described it as "an English country gentleman's Alpina ...

... Dark Green (as close to BRG as I could get), beige interior (Leather, carpets and headlining) and wood trim.

The great thing about specifying a new car is that you get it just the way you want it and the challenge of buying a used model is that you can only choose what someone else has already chosen.

I should add that this car has been my "daily" for all that time, has covered almost 350,000 miles and the interior still looks pretty good - depends on how you look after it, I guess!
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churchie386
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by churchie386 » Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:01 pm

Charles wrote:
Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:56 pm
When I specified my B3S 18 years ago, Nick Godfrey - the Sytner Sales Manager at the time - described it as "an English country gentleman's Alpina ...

... Dark Green (as close to BRG as I could get), beige interior (Leather, carpets and headlining) and wood trim.

The great thing about specifying a new car is that you get it just the way you want it and the challenge of buying a used model is that you can only choose what someone else has already chosen.

I should add that this car has been my "daily" for all that time, has covered almost 350,000 miles and the interior still looks pretty good - depends on how you look after it, I guess!
What are your tips for looking after that beige interior?
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by JCC » Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:02 pm

Until about 5 years ago my ideal car would be black interior and headlining - now I am completely the other way! My G30 D5S #009 was all black inside (and out) no sunroof so a bit gloomy (although the alcantara headlining was lovely) - my G31 #340 is smoke white merino (with piano black) but anthracite headlining that I have provisionally arranged to have changed to an ivory alcantara in April.
Apart from the cost and hassle I now think that because of the panoramic roof this might be a step too far as the light from above makes a big difference inside but I do miss the alcantara.
I don’t think I would be brave enough to spec the bright wood on a new Alpina but it wouldn’t put me off buying a used one as I love the look especially with light leathers.

simon13
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by simon13 » Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:37 pm

Grey interior is the worst, should be banned as bland and looks dreadful in old age. Black is safe if a little boring but it ages well normally and hides alot of sins


the hero's order beige, champers, red, blue, brown interiors with the correct exterior shades to match it

grey trim with silver paint - what are people thinking?
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hap
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by hap » Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:41 pm

Charles you are our hero !!

B10BRW
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by B10BRW » Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:46 am

simon13 wrote:
Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:37 pm
Grey interior is the worst, should be banned as bland and looks dreadful in old age. Black is safe if a little boring but it ages well normally and hides alot of sins
Rubbish :no :wink: Grey interior is great especially with purple piping :D
Worst colour combination is Silver with black interior :sick
Worst interior is Black leather, carpets, head lining and black trim with no sun roof, like getting in to a coal hole :shock:

Metrics
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Metrics » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:07 am

Shailen I have pics of your car from Ace Cafe meet two years ago. I loved your car’s spec, to my eye the perfect spec for Alpina.

This topic will of course split opinions, but if you were to look at the signature Alpina spec it would be Blue or agree with a light interior and wood. Certainly the majority of the launch cars are specd this way. And I love this spec.

Here’s the interior on my D5:

Image

To answer some the questions raised in this thread.

Lavalina is a very soft, fine leather but this does not make it weak. My car is a daily driver and it’s in Ivory Lavalina. As long as you keep the seats clean then they will stay perfect. Little and often gentle cleaning is the way here. My car has done 117k and the seats still look great.

Does colour impact on values? I don’t believe so as these cars are so few they get snapped up by those looking. Of course there will always be an individual preference, but on the whole cars are taken in whatever spec they are.
Perhaps what I have noted is the latest cars very rarely have wood trim these days, piano black tends to be the default. A shame in my eyes, but I guess I’m old school!

My thoughts, go with what you love. These cars are super special and highly individual, so be as individual as you like!
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Charles
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Charles » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:20 am

hap wrote:
Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:41 pm
Charles you are our hero !!
Shucks!
churchie386 wrote:
Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:01 pm
What are your tips for looking after that beige interior?
TBH - it's fairly bullet proof as it is Dakota leather. I even transported the kids to and from rugby and just wiped it down with a damp cloth!
Charles
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Frosty » Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:03 am

Metrics wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:07 am
Shailen I have pics of your car from Ace Cafe meet two years ago. I loved your car’s spec, to my eye the perfect spec for Alpina.

This topic will of course split opinions, but if you were to look at the signature Alpina spec it would be Blue or agree with a light interior and wood. Certainly the majority of the launch cars are specd this way. And I love this spec.

Here’s the interior on my D5:

Image

To answer some the questions raised in this thread.

Lavalina is a very soft, fine leather but this does not make it weak. My car is a daily driver and it’s in Ivory Lavalina. As long as you keep the seats clean then they will stay perfect. Little and often gentle cleaning is the way here. My car has done 117k and the seats still look great.

Does colour impact on values? I don’t believe so as these cars are so few they get snapped up by those looking. Of course there will always be an individual preference, but on the whole cars are taken in whatever spec they are.
Perhaps what I have noted is the latest cars very rarely have wood trim these days, piano black tends to be the default. A shame in my eyes, but I guess I’m old school!

My thoughts, go with what you love. These cars are super special and highly individual, so be as individual as you like!
Love this combination - I would struggle to keep the leather looking that good, but at least my mini & youth rugby days are over;-)
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pf64
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by pf64 » Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:02 pm

Metrics wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:07 am
Shailen I have pics of your car from Ace Cafe meet two years ago. I loved your car’s spec, to my eye the perfect spec for Alpina.

This topic will of course split opinions, but if you were to look at the signature Alpina spec it would be Blue or agree with a light interior and wood. Certainly the majority of the launch cars are specd this way. And I love this spec.

Here’s the interior on my D5:

Image

To answer some the questions raised in this thread.

Lavalina is a very soft, fine leather but this does not make it weak. My car is a daily driver and it’s in Ivory Lavalina. As long as you keep the seats clean then they will stay perfect. Little and often gentle cleaning is the way here. My car has done 117k and the seats still look great.

Does colour impact on values? I don’t believe so as these cars are so few they get snapped up by those looking. Of course there will always be an individual preference, but on the whole cars are taken in whatever spec they are.
Perhaps what I have noted is the latest cars very rarely have wood trim these days, piano black tends to be the default. A shame in my eyes, but I guess I’m old school!

My thoughts, go with what you love. These cars are super special and highly individual, so be as individual as you like!
Wow - 117k - have you done many of them yourself ??
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Metrics
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Re: Interior Preferences

Post by Metrics » Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:00 pm

I bought the car at 80k. The PO looked after the car really well and had it valeted ever week, so the little and often approach has really helped it stay so fresh. It does have a few signs if wear, but a bit of TLC and it’ll be perfect.

A few other observations on light interiors in my experience:

In the past I’ve had 2 other BMWs with Oyster Dakota leather. Ironically these were harder to keep mint due to the more pronounced grain. So dirt would build up in the grain and prove pretty hard to get out.

So ironically I think the finer leathers with little or no grain are easier to maintain, like nappa, merino and lavalina.
The caveat though is these finer leathers needed to be treated carefully, hence why I say little and often works so well. If dirt is left on too long the approaches to remove it become more aggressive and ultimately this erodes the surface and finish and contributes to the leather looking tired.

I’ve found Dr Leather wipes are great for the regular clean/wipe down and then used Gliptone Liquid Leather for a through clean. I’ve not used conditioners in the past but do wonder given age if I should be to keep the leather supple and protected.

I saw an interesting video on a product called Leatherique recently which works in a very different way to the norm, and could be a good option for older leather that perhaps hasn’t had OCD care in the past!
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
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