How MUCH Does Color Matter On BIG BODY Autos? Do BRIGHT Colors FAIL To Deliver?

In the world of autos, we've been seeing in recent years a greater emphasis on the personalization of vehicles. This is a good thing. Now, more than ever, owners are taking it upon themselves to purchase vehicles in the exact specification they desire.

There's just one thing: They don't always look their best.

But every now and then, someone really knocks it out of the park. Everything, soup to nuts, is perfect about a delivered vehicle.

And as BMW has made its Individual program a bit more widespread, I've noted that many 7-Series owners are taking advantage of it. Long story short, I've been spying a lot of Individual 7-Series with custom exterior paints and interiors with unique colors.

Recently, Agent 001 snapped a 750i in his local shopping center. Painted what appears to be San Marino Blue, which is a color that debuted on the current-gen M6, this 750i is unlike any other I've seen.

The more I look at it, however, the more I start to wonder, however: Are bright colors not a good idea on big body autos? Is it me, or does it not "fit" the vehicle?

What say you, Spies?

t_bone - 7/29/2018 1:19:00 AM

0 Boost

That's pretty sad that medium blue is considered a radical choice. A similar shade was very common on Subaru's about 15 years ago.

PUGPROUD - 7/29/2018 6:01:03 AM

+1 Boost

More and more I am a fan of non metallic colors particularly on larger vehicles. Nardo Grey for example looks fabulous on the Audi A7 and everything else. BMW showed a non metallic British Racing Green 7 series at NY Auto Show that blew people away. The non metallic colors of today are softer, appear different in different light and have visual depth. Jeep and Subaru at the other end have some excellent non metallic colors in grey, blue and green. Like the saying goes "Whatever is old is new again!"

TomM - 7/29/2018 7:06:01 AM

0 Boost

As is said - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
THe brightest color - white - is very popular and looks fine in large cars.
However - over the years different colors come and go. THere was a time for REd Brick like colors - and later there was green - and for a while no green at all - a big selling color eventually wanes when people tire of seeing it on every other car.

Virtually all of my Large cars have been Navy Blue(some metallic) or Black. WHen Metallic paints first came out - they did not last as long - but today - with clear coat - they are pretty much the same for that. However - with todays new crop of sealers - it is easier than ever to keep a car looking new. Maybe more expensive - but they do work very well.

carloslassiter - 7/29/2018 9:19:45 AM

+4 Boost

No.

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 9:24:18 AM

-1 Boost

Too bad the close ups weren't even more close up so as to have even less of a chance to be able to see the color properly.

I happen to think that's a very appealing color for the 7 Series. The problem is that it looks purposeful like an M7 would be, but we know it's the same German Buick under the paint.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/29/2018 10:25:08 AM

0 Boost

I think there was an article on the Lamborghini Urus sales and resulting paint colour choices made by new clients. They were surprised that 14% of buyers had chosen yellow. I wonder if other will choose lime green or other classic Lamborghini colours, perhaps to match their car(s).

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 10:31:03 AM

-2 Boost

Oddly yellow works on the Uterus

mre30 - 7/29/2018 11:30:58 AM

-3 Boost

BMW has the best color (inside and outside) selection of any mainstream automaker (save Bentley, RR, Ferrari, etc.)

There are some stunning BMW color combos - though there are some that will be hard to resell later as they tend to be very taste-specific. Then again you don't buy a BMW if you are worried about residual/resale value.

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 12:41:38 PM

-1 Boost

I take it you prefer beige?

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 2:21:44 PM

-2 Boost

I guess I'm still young enough to have a pulse. A big, bad-ass BWM 7 Series bruiser is precisely what the 7 Series needs to have it stand out. It's an utter failure trying to be a Mercedes S Class, so being the anti-Mercedes S Class would be the thing to do because sales couldn't get any worse. Throw in a big booming V12 and make the exhaust throaty and I'd wander over for a look.

vdiv - 7/29/2018 2:05:33 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah, I'm rather partial to this color, but at the end of the day it is just that. Not sure people really buy BMWs for their visual appeal, and if that is at the top of their criteria they are missing the more important factors.

carloslassiter - 7/29/2018 3:55:13 PM

-5 Boost

"Oddly yellow works on the Uterus"

— MDarringer
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cool. More idiotic grade school humor from the guy who believes he is an expert on global economic policy.

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 5:20:25 PM

-7 Boost

Cool. More easily triggered, psychotic obsession from you.

carloslassiter - 7/29/2018 8:53:53 PM

-5 Boost

Got it.

In your world, everyone here is psychotic, except you. And if anyone calls you on one of your frequent juvenile comments, they are "triggered".

OK, probably time for you to go on another rant.

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 10:23:40 PM

-8 Boost

I can assure you the love I bear you can afford no better term than this: you are a villain.

MDarringer - 7/29/2018 10:29:54 PM

-8 Boost

@xjug1987a, @ricks0me, @coch, (partial list) I don't think you're psychotic.
@CC, @Truthy, I don't think you're psychotic--maybe misguided--but not psychotic.

TomM - 7/30/2018 7:21:36 AM

-5 Boost

Your personal experience wins out!