[Zirenz2006]

Spoke with my parts guy the other day. He gave me the part #'s for the High Gloss Balck (not the same as Piano Black) Trim. His computer hasn't been updated with the prices yet but it looks like they can be ordered since we can't get it factory installed for US models.

[Bimmer325]

to replace the trims involve quite a bit of work thought, first the window cover, then the window guide rubbers, door panels....this applies to all four doors

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

to replace the trims involve quite a bit of work thought, first the window cover, then the window guide rubbers, door panels....this applies to all four doors

I'm talking about the dash, center console and door trim pieces, not the outter window trim.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Spoke with my parts guy the other day. He gave me the part #'s for the High Gloss Balck (not the same as Piano Black) Trim. His computer hasn't been updated with the prices yet but it looks like they can be ordered since we can't get it factory installed for US models.

Do you know of any pics that would show the difference between the Piano Black and the High Gloss Black? This would be a good mod since you can sell your aluminum trim to someone with wood trim (or vice-versa) to make up some of the cost.

[canucklion]

he's not talking about the shadowline trim on the outside, he's talking about the interior trim

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

to replace the trims involve quite a bit of work thought, first the window cover, then the window guide rubbers, door panels....this applies to all four doors

[Bimmer325]

opps....

[Zeroday]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Spoke with my parts guy the other day. He gave me the part #'s for the High Gloss Balck (not the same as Piano Black) Trim. His computer hasn't been updated with the prices yet but it looks like they can be ordered since we can't get it factory installed for US models.

How much $ ?

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by Zeroday

How much $ ?

He doesn't have prices yet but should have them soon.

[canucklion]

hey zirenz, if you have pics showing the difference between the two, taht'll be great

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Do you know of any pics that would show the difference between the Piano Black and the High Gloss Black? This would be a good mod since you can sell your aluminum trim to someone with wood trim (or vice-versa) to make up some of the cost.

I don't really understand the difference between Black High Gloss and Piano Black other than Piano Black is an Individual Program part and my parts guy said he is not allowed to order it.

Piano Black I know is very expensive to buy because I had looked into it for my 5 series but obviously couldn't order it. It was more than any other trim for the 5 series. The trim pieces alone were going to cost me around $1200 just to buy!!!

Maybe Black High Gloss is just a gloss black plastic and maybe Piano Black is more of a painted and richer looking finish to warrant the high price..

I dunno

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by canucklion

hey zirenz, if you have pics showing the difference between the two, taht'll be great

Here is the Black High Gloss. There was a picture of an Individual E92 on here with Piano Black but I can't find it. w/o seeing really close up side by side shots, I can't see the difference.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Maybe Black High Gloss is just a gloss black plastic and maybe Piano Black is more of a painted and richer looking finish to warrant the high price..

I dunno

Hmm. Curious. I suppose if the Piano Black were really painted, then it would beg the question - why not just remove the Aluminum trim and paint it yourself? But thinking on it a little, it seems unlikely they'd use paint. The aluminum trim in my M3 gets abused pretty bad. I can't imagine how crappy it'd look by now if it were painted.

However, that gives me another idea. I wonder how much it would cost to have the aluminum trim anodized black? That would provide a durable finish (though still scratchable) and really cool look too, IMHO.

[Zirenz2006]

Ok, here is Piano Black from an Individual 5 series. I think it looks a little richer and deeper in color. What do you think?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Ok, here is Piano Black from an Individual 5 series. I think it looks a little richer and deeper in color. What do you think?

I agree - its definitely a deeper color. The High Gloss Black looks more gray (although certainly the picture quality could be contributing to this). But I don't think the Piano Black is painted. Probably just a different (higher quality) plastic. Piano looks a little better overall, but the High Gloss should do the trick. Anxious to see it when you have it done.

[MrSilver]

Once I know prices I may be on board for this.

[canucklion]

thanks for the pics! to be honest though, if you gave me those two pictures and asked me to pick which one looks richer, I couldnt' tell you

[sungmin]

the piano black on the 5 series is a photoshop though, so its not a good comparison.

[Zeroday]

I think the 4 trim choices they offer are all kinda lame. I mean they look ok but none are like 'wow' to me. Not sporty enough. I would've jumped all over CF or glossy dark grey ala audi a4..or even a darker gun metal than the aluminum.

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by MrSilver

Once I know prices I may be on board for this.

I'm going to be getting my 335i coupe in December. I'm getting Graphite with Saddle. I am either going to order these once I see the prices or get the Gray Poplar which I saw in person and really liked.

I am concerned about scratches on an all black trim.

When I get prices I will post them unless someone gets them first.

[KL2DC]

Isn't the high gloss trim plastic and the piano black, wood?

[SoYank]

An option, albeit possibly expensive, would be to take the wooden trim pieces to a furniture manufacturer and have them sand the wood and paint and buff five or six coats. An advantage is it would be more durable than the aluminum and less likely to show dents. However, it would certainly be more likely to show fingerprints.

Taking the aluminum to a metal finisher could get an anodized coating in just about any color you want. You've seen Maglites, right? They're anodized in blue, red, silver, and yellow as well as black. I doubt a yellow trim piece would look all that good with beige (or black or grey or terra or lemon orjust about any other color of the rainbow), though. But stranger things have been done to people's cars in the never ending quest for individuality.

They could also be plated. Imagine a gold plated trim. How about chrome? Or take them to an artist and have a mural painted on with a durable multi-layer clearcoat on top to add depth. Anything is possible when money isn't a problem.

Personally, I'll stick with my burl walnut.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by SoYank

An option, albeit possibly expensive, would be to take the wooden trim pieces to a furniture manufacturer and have them sand the wood and paint and buff five or six coats. An advantage is it would be more durable than the aluminum and less likely to show dents. However, it would certainly be more likely to show fingerprints.

Taking the aluminum to a metal finisher could get an anodized coating in just about any color you want. You've seen Maglites, right? They're anodized in blue, red, silver, and yellow as well as black. I doubt a yellow trim piece would look all that good with beige (or black or grey or terra or lemon orjust about any other color of the rainbow), though. But stranger things have been done to people's cars in the never ending quest for individuality.

They could also be plated. Imagine a gold plated trim. How about chrome? Or take them to an artist and have a mural painted on with a durable multi-layer clearcoat on top to add depth. Anything is possible when money isn't a problem.

Personally, I'll stick with my burl walnut.

Wow, you pretty much ran the gamut in possible trim options there. Well except maybe glass. Tinted glass trim anyone? Or I know - what about astro turf? Think about it - durable and functional.

Or, wait, how about edible chocolate trim? Nothing like reaching over and breaking off a piece of trim when you get the urge for a snack. Or maybe flour tortilla trim? Mmm, BMW Burrito.