My first build-to-order -- 2018 340i in Ruby Red II

RubyRabbit · 08-04-2018, 05:10 PM

New to the forum! (Sort of.) Have been browsing threads on here since a while back, either looking into car-shopping tips or just admiring everyone's lovely rides, but finally decided to join today.

My previous car was a tidy black 328i that I purchased as certified pre-owned from my local BMW dealer, and she has served me well for the past 7 years. However, with a younger family member now planning to "inherit" her as their first car, it came time to figure out what I wanted next for myself. First and foremost in that decision-making? The color. (Superficial, I know.)

It was a nice run with black, but it gets toasty very quickly in southern California summers, and the dust and dirt start showing again within 3 days after a wash. Red is my favorite color, but the available Melbourne Red just wasn't what I was looking for. That's when I started digging through the Individual paint choices, and - in good part thanks to owner photos like rjberry's - Ruby Red II captured my heart. Fast forward a few months, and here we are:

Just arrived at the dealership -

Gleaming and picture-perfect -

Instant love. Haven't had a chance to take some good pics at home yet, but hopefully those will be coming soon, including the interior.

EDIT: Adding updated photos to the top, for browsing convenience.

A few pics of the interior as well:

obert · 08-04-2018, 05:12 PM

Wow cangrats

cfm56d7b · 08-05-2018, 04:25 PM

Gorgeous color! How long did you wait for the car because of individual color option?

dzaborn · 08-05-2018, 08:20 PM

Congrats! It's beautiful. I've always been intrigued by Ruby Red. Please post more pics when you can.

RubyRabbit · 08-05-2018, 11:24 PM

@obert: Thank you!

@cfm56d7b: I ordered the car at the end of March. At that time, the factory's next production period for the special order Individual paints was scheduled for the 3rd week of May. The car arrived at the dealership on 7/19/18, so from start to finish the waiting time was just a little under 4 months. (Also heyyyy, Orange County?

I work in the Orange/Anaheim area, maybe we'll spot each other in passing!)

@dzaborn: Thanks, I'm hoping to take some photos tomorrow, weather permitting. I see you have an Estoril Blue incoming, congratulations! Also a stunning color.

Speedwell-Industries · 08-06-2018, 12:07 AM

Awesome, congrats!!!

Would love to see more pics! Beautiful color!

cfm56d7b · 08-06-2018, 10:37 AM

@RubyRabbit I have no doubt there will be an opportunity to see your car soon in OC. The color could not possibly find a more appropriate home base. :-). Thanks by the way for sharing the order timeline. I've always liked San Marino Blue and followed another forum member's experience eventually getting this color for F80 M3. I don't think BMW would have agreed to offer this color on my 2017 F36 GC. So Glacier Silver it is instead with Coral Red interior.

RubyRabbit · 08-06-2018, 08:45 PM

It was blazing hot through the whole day, but I finally snapped some photos later in the day, when the sun was no longer beating down directly overhead.

RubyRabbit · 08-06-2018, 08:46 PM

A few pics of the interior as well:

RubyRabbit · 08-06-2018, 09:05 PM

@Speedwell-Industries: Thanks! Had fun taking pictures today, but already want to take some more ... Maybe when I find a good spot as a backdrop.

@cfm56d7b: Oh man, San Marino Blue is gorgeous, but you're right that BMW seems very hit-or-miss about which Individual colors they'll approve for their non-M vehicles at any given time. For a while I thought they wouldn't approve the Ruby Red II on my F30 either, since it took almost a full week to hear back from them about the request. With that said, Glacier Silver with Coral Red sounds spectacular. (Would love to see pictures, if you have any.) White or pale silver exterior with red interior has always been one of my favorite color combos to see.

perryo91 · 08-07-2018, 08:43 AM

Gorgeous car man, I want to have the cojones one day to order an individual car, maybe do a euro-trip to make it extra special. Congrats on your ride!

.BMW. · 08-07-2018, 02:11 PM

Beautiful color!

Congrats.

RubyRabbit · 08-09-2018, 08:59 PM

@perryo91: Oh man, share with us here on the forum if you ever do! I've always wanted to visit the factory and museum in Munich.

@.BMW.: Thanks!

RubyRabbit · 11-07-2018, 04:16 PM

Just received my Legacy plates! Not sure about the safety of showing the actual license plate number in an online forum post, but the black plates really do complete the look of the car itself, so I'm getting the itch to take pictures again ...

mike@x-ph.com · 11-14-2018, 06:02 PM

Congrats!

08-04-2018, 05:10 PM	#1
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	My first build-to-order -- 2018 340i in Ruby Red II New to the forum! (Sort of.) Have been browsing threads on here since a while back, either looking into car-shopping tips or just admiring everyone's lovely rides, but finally decided to join today. My previous car was a tidy black 328i that I purchased as certified pre-owned from my local BMW dealer, and she has served me well for the past 7 years. However, with a younger family member now planning to "inherit" her as their first car, it came time to figure out what I wanted next for myself. First and foremost in that decision-making? The color. (Superficial, I know.) It was a nice run with black, but it gets toasty very quickly in southern California summers, and the dust and dirt start showing again within 3 days after a wash. Red is my favorite color, but the available Melbourne Red just wasn't what I was looking for. That's when I started digging through the Individual paint choices, and - in good part thanks to owner photos like rjberry's - Ruby Red II captured my heart. Fast forward a few months, and here we are: Just arrived at the dealership - Gleaming and picture-perfect - Instant love. Haven't had a chance to take some good pics at home yet, but hopefully those will be coming soon, including the interior. EDIT: Adding updated photos to the top, for browsing convenience. A few pics of the interior as well: Last edited by RubyRabbit; 11-07-2018 at 04:05 PM..
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08-04-2018, 05:12 PM	#2
obert Brigadier General 1781 Rep 4,456 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Seattle Wa iTrader: (49)	Wow cangrats
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08-05-2018, 04:25 PM	#3
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Gorgeous color! How long did you wait for the car because of individual color option?
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08-05-2018, 08:20 PM	#4
dzaborn Private First Class 24 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Florida iTrader: (0)	Congrats! It's beautiful. I've always been intrigued by Ruby Red. Please post more pics when you can.
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08-05-2018, 11:24 PM	#5
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	@obert: Thank you! @cfm56d7b: I ordered the car at the end of March. At that time, the factory's next production period for the special order Individual paints was scheduled for the 3rd week of May. The car arrived at the dealership on 7/19/18, so from start to finish the waiting time was just a little under 4 months. (Also heyyyy, Orange County? I work in the Orange/Anaheim area, maybe we'll spot each other in passing!) @dzaborn: Thanks, I'm hoping to take some photos tomorrow, weather permitting. I see you have an Estoril Blue incoming, congratulations! Also a stunning color.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2018, 12:07 AM	#6
Speedwell-Industries 434 Rep 884 Posts Drives: 2017 YMB M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Awesome, congrats!!! Would love to see more pics! Beautiful color!
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08-06-2018, 10:37 AM	#7
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	@RubyRabbit I have no doubt there will be an opportunity to see your car soon in OC. The color could not possibly find a more appropriate home base. :-). Thanks by the way for sharing the order timeline. I've always liked San Marino Blue and followed another forum member's experience eventually getting this color for F80 M3. I don't think BMW would have agreed to offer this color on my 2017 F36 GC. So Glacier Silver it is instead with Coral Red interior.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-06-2018, 08:45 PM	#8
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	It was blazing hot through the whole day, but I finally snapped some photos later in the day, when the sun was no longer beating down directly overhead.
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08-06-2018, 08:46 PM	#9
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	A few pics of the interior as well:
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08-06-2018, 09:05 PM	#10
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	@Speedwell-Industries: Thanks! Had fun taking pictures today, but already want to take some more ... Maybe when I find a good spot as a backdrop. @cfm56d7b: Oh man, San Marino Blue is gorgeous, but you're right that BMW seems very hit-or-miss about which Individual colors they'll approve for their non-M vehicles at any given time. For a while I thought they wouldn't approve the Ruby Red II on my F30 either, since it took almost a full week to hear back from them about the request. With that said, Glacier Silver with Coral Red sounds spectacular. (Would love to see pictures, if you have any.) White or pale silver exterior with red interior has always been one of my favorite color combos to see.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2018, 08:43 AM	#11
perryo91 Captain 373 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Gorgeous car man, I want to have the cojones one day to order an individual car, maybe do a euro-trip to make it extra special. Congrats on your ride! __________________ Hi
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08-07-2018, 02:11 PM	#12
.BMW. Major General 1863 Rep 5,140 Posts Drives: BMW F11/F31 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Beautiful color! Congrats.
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08-09-2018, 08:59 PM	#13
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	@perryo91: Oh man, share with us here on the forum if you ever do! I've always wanted to visit the factory and museum in Munich. @.BMW.: Thanks!
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11-07-2018, 04:16 PM	#14
RubyRabbit New Member 9 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2018 340i (Ruby Red II) Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Just received my Legacy plates! Not sure about the safety of showing the actual license plate number in an online forum post, but the black plates really do complete the look of the car itself, so I'm getting the itch to take pictures again ...
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11-14-2018, 06:02 PM	#15
mike@x-ph.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 24178 Rep 190,767 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Congrats! __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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