[ewill858]

I'm agonizing over the choice between Alpine White and Estoril Blue II for an M-sport that is on order for a September ED. White is a safe and sharp, if not somewhat common choice. EBII seems like a more unique (though it seems 95% of M-sport folks are choosing it) option.

The problem is that I'm really confused by all the pictures I'm seeing, as they all look to be different shades of blue! I understand that digital photography is limited due to color inaccuracies, saturation, and lighting effects (as well as monitor differences!), but if anyone who has seen EBII in person can offer some perspective, I'd be much obliged!

Below are some various takes on EBII that I've seen. The first is from the UK configurator, the others are taken from the EBII thread in the F30 Photos forum.

To me, these vary from calm to obnoxious and they're all supposed to be the same color!

If anyone has seen EBII in person and can identify which photo is the closest, would you please chime in?

Also, I wonder if there's any way to see EBII in person before my car goes into production in late August? I've searched, but haven't been able to find it on another model. Would be great to see it with my own eyes in time to decide.

Thanks!

[gator15]

In person, I would say that the third and fourth pictures are closest to the actual color. The configurator picture is way off. The great part about EBII is that it really does change color with the light it is in. I loved the color when I saw it, but my 911 is a similar blue, so I chose AW for my F30.

[tony20009]

Both colors are nice. IMO, if you plan to apply cosmetic modifications, white will more easily lend itself to achieving tasteful results.

[jopa489]

I haven't seen it in person, but took a chance and ordered anyway. Configurator and second picture look washed out, I agree the third/forth show EBII best.

[ewill858]

Thanks very much for the helpful input, guys.
I guess I was somewhat hoping to hear that EB2 looked more like the more muted photos (#1 and #2), which I kind of prefer.
Can't go wrong either way I guess, and perhaps it's often best to go with one's first instinct (which was alpine white for me). Thanks again.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by gator15

In person, I would say that the third and fourth pictures are closest to the actual color.

Having seen the F30 M sport it in person multiple times, I agree with this.

[jpoet]

I currently own a '97 Estoril Blue (version 1) M3. Estoril Blue II is very close to being the same color -- main difference is that Estoril Blue II is a water-based paint. As a general rule, I find "blue" cars to be boring, but BMW's Estoril blue is the exception -- I love that color.

John

[Eric Tsang]

What about outside in direct sunlight?

[F30.ca]

I ordered arctic white but if I could have I would have ordered blue.

[Will@P]

Estoril is amazing!!!

We just sold our Estoril M Roadster because we replaced it with our new Estoril blue X5.

[rconti]

#2 looks closest to the original Estoril. I trust BMW to make Estoril II look good.

[Alpine F31]

I imagined that it looks most like this picture because it's in natural light as opposed to whatever lighting may be in the showroom.

OP, I prefer hue that you prefer but no matter what, I'm ordering Estoril. AW is awesome but white, along with silver, gray and black are WAY too common these days.

[David328M-Sport]

The white/silver metallic paint flecks really glisten and reflect off the sunshine. I had the good fortune to see an EB coloured 1 series in M-Sport a few weeks ago on a sunny day. The interaction between the blue and metallic flecks as you run your eyes across the car is just stunning!

The best way is to visit a dealer with an EB coloured car.

Looking forward to my EB coloured car.

[Howowcanigo]

In my personal experience the photo's of the EB2 F10 in the following thread are very close to real life color. But, that could just be because of my screen settings too....

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...=626957&page=3

[JustinTJ]

One thing to think of, is that we as a group are a small minority. I agree that a majority of the online members are getting EBII, but they will still be much more uncommon by a factor of 10 or more. You can't get EBII unless you get Msport, which is a tiny percentage of 3ers sold. Even still, I would estimate that only 60-70% of Msporters will take it vs every other color.

Dare to be different, if you like it, because regardless of what you see online this color will be far less common that you might believe. But make sure you like it, they're not making EBII muted.

There are enough boring colors on the wheel. Nowdays most cars on the road are "boring black", "generic white" or "middle of the road grey".

[rconti]

Originally Posted by JustinTJ

There are enough boring colors on the wheel. Nowdays most cars on the road are "boring black", "generic white" or "middle of the road grey".

Yup. Alpine White is okay -- I like white in general, I guess, I just can't get excited about it. The only reason to get a boring color, IMO, is because you couldn't get a good one. My M Coupe is silver, because I found the right car in the wrong color after many many months of searching. I love it, it's a great-looking car, but silver is boring as hell. I can't fathom why people special order brand-new cars in the most generic colors they find. Don't get me started on the godawful tan interiors BMW sells as virtually the only alternative to black (unless you get some special trim line, or individual, or..)

I wouldn't even consider a boring color when you have the option of getting a unique M- or M-sport only color. Estoril II F31 with tinted windows would look incredible.

[SD Z4MR]

As others have said, the third and fourth pictures are closest to what it looked like in person. I saw it at the NAIAS (Detroit) and it was most likely the same F30 335i M Sport that was shown at every other car show. Here's a couple of my pictures from that:



Under the bright lights of the show floor it looked brilliant! The most stunning BMW blues tend to have a lot of metal flake in them and they really sparkle in direct sunlight. The Le Mans Blue of our 335is Coupe is like that. It can look a little dark in the shade but it really shines in the sun. There's a Le Mans Blue E92 M3 in our local BMW CCA chapter that we see at most events, but other than that, sightings of Le Mans Blue BMWs are pretty rare.

Estoril Blue II with the M Sport Package is going to be pretty unique, even if more than 50% of the M Sport Packages are ordered in EB II. I'm hoping that it is available on the M4 when it is released. I'm pretty sure that I'll be ordering my M4 in EB II or whatever other "special" blue is offered on the new M.

[tony20009]

I saw an M6 at the BMW store today and it was a bright blue. If the EBII is even remotely close to that color, which given the pics above it is, most definitely get it!!! BMW must be in their "blue period," for I notice that the configurator has several blues that are quite like EBII, all of which have the same tonal value, but the depth of color varies a bit among them.

That is one slammin' shade of blue!!!

[svache]

I cannot wait to see this color in the bright Hawaiian sun.. I can only it must be awesome and make for some real great pictures with some green jungle or white sand on the background

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by tony20009

I saw an M6 at the BMW store today and it was a bright blue.......

Was it this color? (San Marino blue)

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Was it this color? (San Marino blue)

No, but it was similar to it. The one I saw was the current M6 and the blue was a tiny bit darker/deeper blue. Using a typical person's color naming, I'd call it cobalt blue. I think it's Tanzanite Blue.

[Alpine F31]

Ahhhhh, Tanzanite blue is awesome too.