Brushed Aluminum

sygazelle · 04-10-2016, 10:14 PM

When I bought my F30, I steered way from Aluminum trim because I was afraid that it would reflect sunlight too much and cause unwanted glare.

Question: Do those of you with aluminum trim have any issues with glare?

alohasurftoad · 04-10-2016, 10:20 PM

i have brushed. doesn't bother me. i believe the aluminum hexagon trim is a bit more "glary". it is supposedly more resistant to scracthing, though.

Blubaron79 · 04-10-2016, 10:22 PM

None. My 3rd 3 series with it.

I think wood grain has no place in a 3 series. Looks so cheap.

goj · 04-10-2016, 10:41 PM

I love my ash grain wood

sygazelle · 04-10-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

None. My 3rd 3 series with it.

I think wood grain has no place in a 3 series. Looks so cheap.

Glad you aren't having problems. I'll consider it next time. The wood grain is cheap comment is really more of an opinion than an actual fact. I suppose BMW has different choices because customers like different things. I think the walnut burl looks nice but a bit out of place in my F30 with M-sport. Its the one thing I would do different.

RedKloud · 04-10-2016, 10:57 PM

Depends on your interior too. Aluminum looks great with black or red interior, but doesn't go too well with oyster, saddle or beige IMO.

Vegetable · 04-11-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

i have brushed. doesn't bother me. i believe the aluminum hexagon trim is a bit more "glary". it is supposedly more resistant to scracthing, though.

Nope.. Doesn't glare at all. But then again I have 35% tinted windows.

Versipellis · 04-11-2016, 12:27 AM

Interesting, I always thought that the metal finish was a "cheaper" look than wood.

DEANMW · 04-11-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygazelle

When I bought my F30, I steered way from Aluminum trim because I was afraid that it would reflect sunlight too much and cause unwanted glare.

Question: Do those of you with aluminum trim have any issues with glare?

I had the brushed on my last car and the hexagon on my current.

I haven't noticed any glare. It can get SUPER hot to the touch if your windows aren't tinted. But I vastly prefer it to wood.

Katin · 04-11-2016, 09:16 PM

Fineline Anthricite wood glares like crazy even with 15% tint all the way around.
I would trade for aluminum...

Billfitz · 04-11-2016, 09:36 PM

I have no problem with the aluminum. I have no major issue with the wood either, but IMO walnut doesn't go well with a black interior. A dark wood should only be used with a light colored interior. With a black interior they should use a light shade of wood, like maple or natural ash.

HFW003 · 04-11-2016, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Versipellis

Interesting, I always thought that the metal finish was a "cheaper" look than wood.

I thought the metal finish was actually plastic

DrifterX · 04-11-2016, 11:02 PM

I've never had an issue with brushed aluminum trim causing glare (both F36 and F30). Never thought it would...

Vegetable · 04-11-2016, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Versipellis

Interesting, I always thought that the metal finish was a "cheaper" look than wood.

That is interesting.......

MomoM3 · 04-11-2016, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Versipellis

Interesting, I always thought that the metal finish was a "cheaper" look than wood.

IMO, I think metal finishes pair better with sportier cars like the 3er whereas wood finishes pair better with more luxurious cars like the 5er or 7er. I wouldn't personally spec a 1, 2, 3, 4, or M anything with wood trim.

OP - I have brushed aluminum and no glare at all. Not even a concern.

JamRWS6 · 04-12-2016, 07:00 AM

I, like many, felt wood had no place in a BMW. Coming from a 535 with the Aluminum Hexagon I thought the wood looked bad in comparison. Well, until I just picked up a 340i with Fineline Anthracite. With the combo of metal finishers on the dash, air vents, and doors the wood really makes the interior look sharp. It definitely has its place.

That being said I find that I get more glare off of the shiny wood than I did off of the aluminum. It's probably a toss up so get what's available or what you like the most.

Prossx · 04-12-2016, 07:39 AM

Alum hex, zero glare, no tinted windows. Really dig the coral combo.

IndotagSwizz · 04-12-2016, 08:21 AM

Its not that the wood trims are ugly, they are actually beautiful, but kind of like chrome I think wood is a little more "old school"/"played out" than the other trims...obviously its more of an opinion, we all got different likes

rambalu80 · 04-12-2016, 08:26 AM

Second 3 series with Brushed Aluminum and no glare concerns.

RedKloud · 04-12-2016, 08:26 AM

I like my Anthracite - it's actually quite understated and goes well with the Oyster interior. Maybe I'm just getting old

.

MomoM3 · 04-12-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

I like my Anthracite - it's actually quite understated and goes well with the Oyster interior. Maybe I'm just getting old

.

Anthracite is probably the only BMW wood I like - I have it in my X5. That said, I think your color combo goes perfectly with Anthracite, so there are exceptions

Versipellis · 04-12-2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

I, like many, felt wood had no place in a BMW. Coming from a 535 with the Aluminum Hexagon I thought the wood looked bad in comparison. Well, until I just picked up a 340i with Fineline Anthracite. With the combo of metal finishers on the dash, air vents, and doors the wood really makes the interior look sharp. It definitely has its place.

That being said I find that I get more glare off of the shiny wood than I did off of the aluminum. It's probably a toss up so get what's available or what you like the most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedKloud

I like my Anthracite - it's actually quite understated and goes well with the Oyster interior. Maybe I'm just getting old

.

Post pictures?

04-10-2016, 10:14 PM	#1
sygazelle Brigadier General 12413 Rep 3,434 Posts Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport, 2019 X5 40i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Brushed Aluminum - Glare? When I bought my F30, I steered way from Aluminum trim because I was afraid that it would reflect sunlight too much and cause unwanted glare. Question: Do those of you with aluminum trim have any issues with glare?
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04-10-2016, 10:20 PM	#2
alohasurftoad Brigadier General 3315 Rep 4,511 Posts Drives: 440i gran coupe w/mppsk Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: hawaii iTrader: (0)	i have brushed. doesn't bother me. i believe the aluminum hexagon trim is a bit more "glary". it is supposedly more resistant to scracthing, though.
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04-10-2016, 10:22 PM	#3
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1437 Rep 4,728 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	None. My 3rd 3 series with it. I think wood grain has no place in a 3 series. Looks so cheap. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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04-10-2016, 10:41 PM	#4
goj Brigadier General 2252 Rep 3,622 Posts Drives: 2016 EBII 340i 6-MT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I love my ash grain wood __________________ BMW CCA Member #516012 2016 340i, Estoril Blue, Manual Transmission, MPE, MPBBK, HRE FF04 Instagram: @brandons340i
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04-10-2016, 10:57 PM	#6
RedKloud Major 753 Rep 1,266 Posts Drives: BMW i4 M50 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Depends on your interior too. Aluminum looks great with black or red interior, but doesn't go too well with oyster, saddle or beige IMO.
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04-11-2016, 12:27 AM	#8
Versipellis Captain 131 Rep 682 Posts Drives: '17 F36 440i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Interesting, I always thought that the metal finish was a "cheaper" look than wood. __________________ 2017 440i Gran Coupe xDrive MPPSK M-Sport Estoril Blue II w/ Individual Golden Brown Full Merino & Fineline Anthracite Wood Track Handling + Premium + Cold Weather + Technology + Driver Assistance Packages
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04-11-2016, 09:16 PM	#10
Katin Second Lieutenant 136 Rep 291 Posts Drives: 2015 328i XDrive Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Nowhere good iTrader: (0)	Fineline Anthricite wood glares like crazy even with 15% tint all the way around. I would trade for aluminum...
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04-11-2016, 09:36 PM	#11
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8621 Rep 16,673 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I have no problem with the aluminum. I have no major issue with the wood either, but IMO walnut doesn't go well with a black interior. A dark wood should only be used with a light colored interior. With a black interior they should use a light shade of wood, like maple or natural ash.
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04-11-2016, 11:02 PM	#13
DrifterX Major 515 Rep 1,055 Posts Drives: 2016 340i M Sport 6MT+RWD Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 Hyundai IONIQ ... [0.00] 2016 BMW 340i M Sport [0.00]	I've never had an issue with brushed aluminum trim causing glare (both F36 and F30). Never thought it would... __________________ 2016 Estoril Blue II 340i M Sport \| ///MPPSK \| 6MT \| RWD \| Fully Loaded BM3 Stage 2+ 93 \| B58TU HPFP \| VRSF v2 Catted Downpipe \| 550i Clutch
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04-12-2016, 07:00 AM	#16
JamRWS6 Captain 194 Rep 605 Posts Drives: 2022 X3M Competition Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I, like many, felt wood had no place in a BMW. Coming from a 535 with the Aluminum Hexagon I thought the wood looked bad in comparison. Well, until I just picked up a 340i with Fineline Anthracite. With the combo of metal finishers on the dash, air vents, and doors the wood really makes the interior look sharp. It definitely has its place. That being said I find that I get more glare off of the shiny wood than I did off of the aluminum. It's probably a toss up so get what's available or what you like the most. __________________ - 2022 X3M Comp - 2021 X5 xDrive 40i - 2018 F80 M3 (sold)
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04-12-2016, 07:39 AM	#17
Prossx First Lieutenant 325 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 21 G82 6MT SPY/YMB Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chiefs Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Alum hex, zero glare, no tinted windows. Really dig the coral combo.
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04-12-2016, 08:21 AM	#18
IndotagSwizz Major 532 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: F30 320i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Its not that the wood trims are ugly, they are actually beautiful, but kind of like chrome I think wood is a little more "old school"/"played out" than the other trims...obviously its more of an opinion, we all got different likes __________________
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04-12-2016, 08:26 AM	#19
rambalu80 Major 82 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Katy TX iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Second 3 series with Brushed Aluminum and no glare concerns. __________________ 2016 BMW 340i 688 \| LCL5 \| 4FT \| ZMT \| ZTP \| ZDA \| ZLP \| 494 Formula One Pinnacle 30 Tint \| Brushed Aluminum Pedals
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