[TonyS]

I'm speccing out my new F30 335i and I find I'm being pushed towards the Modern Line with Breeze cloth/Leather because I like light interiors and I'm not keen on full leather.

With the F30 range that leaves me little choice but to go with the Modern Line & Oyster, which probably wouldn't be my first choice although I have to say that it looks better in the 2013 spec with the dark pearl trim rather than the 2012 model's light pearl trim.

One thing that concerns me is how easy it is to keep clean with it being such a light colour. Does anyone have any real-life feedback on what it's like to live with?

Also, I've seen one post here that mentioned that the dials weren't very readable due to the oyster colour on the instrument cluster reducing the contrast. Anyone like to comment on that as well?

Thanks.

[arnsbrae]

Originally Posted by TonyS

I'm speccing out my new F30 335i and I find I'm being pushed towards the Modern Line with Breeze cloth/Leather because I like light interiors and I'm not keen on full leather.

With the F30 range that leaves me little choice but to go with the Modern Line & Oyster, which probably wouldn't be my first choice although I have to say that it looks better in the 2013 spec with the dark pearl trim rather than the 2012 model's light pearl trim.

One thing that concerns me is how easy it is to keep clean with it being such a light colour. Does anyone have any real-life feedback on what it's like to live with?

Also, I've seen one post here that mentioned that the dials weren't very readable due to the oyster colour on the instrument cluster reducing the contrast. Anyone like to comment on that as well?

Thanks.

I saw the comments about the dials too. All I can say is that I test drove a 328i Modern for a day and it never even occurred to me for a moment that there was any issue looking at the dials. If you decide not to choose a Modern, don't make that decision based on the dials!

[Frankisme]

Originally Posted by TonyS

I'm speccing out my new F30 335i and I find I'm being pushed towards the Modern Line with Breeze cloth/Leather because I like light interiors and I'm not keen on full leather.

With the F30 range that leaves me little choice but to go with the Modern Line & Oyster, which probably wouldn't be my first choice although I have to say that it looks better in the 2013 spec with the dark pearl trim rather than the 2012 model's light pearl trim.

One thing that concerns me is how easy it is to keep clean with it being such a light colour. Does anyone have any real-life feedback on what it's like to live with?

Also, I've seen one post here that mentioned that the dials weren't very readable due to the oyster colour on the instrument cluster reducing the contrast. Anyone like to comment on that as well?

Thanks.

I drive a modern with a Oyster interior and have no problems at all with reading the dials.

[Spikey]

Originally Posted by TonyS

I like light interiors and I'm not keen on full leather.

One thing that concerns me is how easy it is to keep clean with it being such a light colour. Does anyone have any real-life feedback on what it's like to live with?

I have light beige colored leather in my e92.... and let me tell you first hand, it's a bitch to keep clean. I wear standard suits mon-fri and shorts/denim jeans on the weekends and over the years the nice pretty light beige color has been worn out and looks like a dirty mixture of blue & grey colors...

It's easy enough to maintain but still over time it'll lose that pure light color... just be prepared to clean the seats on a very regular basis

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by arnsbrae

I saw the comments about the dials too. All I can say is that I test drove a 328i Modern for a day and it never even occurred to me for a moment that there was any issue looking at the dials. If you decide not to choose a Modern, don't make that decision based on the dials!

That's what I was hoping to hear - thanks.

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by Frankisme

I drive a modern with a Oyster interior and have no problems at all with reading the dials.

Great, that's a relief. Thanks.

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by Spikey

I have light beige colored leather in my e92.... and let me tell you first hand, it's a bitch to keep clean. I wear standard suits mon-fri and shorts/denim jeans on the weekends and over the years the nice pretty light beige color has been worn out and looks like a dirty mixture of blue & grey colors...

It's easy enough to maintain but still over time it'll lose that pure light color... just be prepared to clean the seats on a very regular basis

What sort of time period and mileage are you talking about here? I don't do massive mileage these days.

I've been using a local specialist company to look after my E46 330i for several years and they do a fantastic job of keeping the grey cloth interior looking like new, so I'm budgeting on needing them on a regular basis.

[HighlandPete]

I have lemon leather in my E91, and after six years it still looks like new. I've had grey interiors (leather, trim and carpets) and sure you need to keep on top of it, to keep lighter trims looking pristine, but to be frank so do you with black trim, if you want it in A1 condition.

Answer is to keep it clean, rather than let it get dirty and look shabby. Light trim would never put me off a car, prefer it, as I always keep my car clean anyway.

HighlandPete

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I have lemon leather in my E91, and after six years it still looks like new. I've had grey interiors (leather, trim and carpets) and sure you need to keep on top of it, to keep lighter trims looking pristine, but to be frank so do you with black trim, if you want it in A1 condition.

Answer is to keep it clean, rather than let it get dirty and look shabby. Light trim would never put me off a car, prefer it, as I always keep my car clean anyway.

HighlandPete

That's very useful info - thank you. I also prefer light trim (must be getting old, as I used to go for black), and with the Imperial Blue I reckon it'll look great.

[aarslan]

I have 3.20i Modern Line, Mojave with oyster interior.

First off, and as everyone has said, there is no problem whatsoever regarding the dials. Whoever has said that should visit an optometrist!

Regarding keeping the interior clean; I own the car for 2 months. It doesn't easily get dirty. The leather parts are less of a concern. The textile may start to darken in time, we will see. Yet still, there are cleaning facilities and they will take care of this in case it happens after some time.

[Spikey]

Originally Posted by TonyS

What sort of time period and mileage are you talking about here? I don't do massive mileage these days.

I've been using a local specialist company to look after my E46 330i for several years and they do a fantastic job of keeping the grey cloth interior looking like new, so I'm budgeting on needing them on a regular basis.

It's been around 3.5 yrs (approx 39000 miles)...

It's true, regardless of the color you need to always stay on top of the maintenance but I've just found the light color harder to keep looking like new compared to grey/black.

[OrangeDeep]

I had a chance to drive a modern line for a loaner a couple of weeks ago. Personally I think the oyster gauges look tacky and cheap; however, they are not hard to read.

[KneeDragr]

Ive had cars with light grey leather before and you are going to need to clean and protect the drivers seat every time you wash the car. Its better to use something mild on a regular basis then let it get bad and have to take APC and a brush to it.