No-one can deny that colours have an enormous influence on the way we view the world around us. Every season has a colour with which it is associated. Many artists have become famous for their unmistakable combination of colours. Almost everyone has a favourite colour.
So it’s hardly surprising that paint finishes play a major role in shaping the image of a car. So much so, in fact, that they can significantly define the way we see and remember it. This is why BMW M offers a whole range of M specific paint finishes that vividly express the character of each respective model. Over time, some of these colours have become so iconic that it is hard to imagine life without them – so let’s take a look at some of BMW M’s most classic paint finishes.
Red cars have always been an eye-catcher. Besides representing heat and fire, the colour radiates charisma and implies performance. With BMW Individual Imola Red, BMW M has a paint finish in its range that’s closely linked to all these characteristics. The colour made its debut in 2000 on the BMW M3 E46 – a much sought-after classic that many collectors are passionate about. The sporty red paintwork remains widely popular and is available for many M models, from the BMW M135 to the luxury class.
BMW M3 Coupé E46 in Imola Red
Back in 1992, a paint finish captured the hearts of many M enthusiasts; today it represents BMW M perhaps more than any other: BMW Estoril Blue metallic. Cool and elegant in its effect, this colour conveys the deep blue surf of the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast. Well, either that or the perfect blue sky above Estoril’s famous racetrack.
BMW M3 E36 in BMW Estoril Blue metallic
With BMW Individual Dakar Yellow non-metallic, even a road trip under cloud is brightened by rays from the West African sun. This M specific paint finish made its debut on the body of the BMW M3 E36 and henceforth became an integral part of the BMW Individual colour range.
BMW M3 Coupé E36 in BMW Individual Dakar Yellow
BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic is an M specific paint finish which has been a style-defining feature of M cars for over three decades. Debuting on the BMW M3 E30 in 1986, the colour made its big comeback in 2016 with the BMW M3 30 Years edition.
BMW M3 Convertible E30 in BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic
BMW Individual Silver Grey metallic used to be one of BMW M’s most popular special paint finishes without affceting its exclusive character. Timless elegance remains the hallmark of this colour.
BMW M3 CSL E46 in BMW Individual Silver Grey metallic
Legendary racing drivers, traditional manufacturers, emotional motorsport: everything closely associated with racing from Great Britain comes to life with this paint finish. Subtle, alluring and highly individual – that’s BMW Individual British Racing Green.
BMW M3 GT E36 in BMW Individual British Racing Green
Carbon fibre is a high-tech, performance-oriented material like no other in motorsport. CFRP, as the material is often called, is extremely torsion-resistant, particularly light and has an attractive appearance due to its special composition – an attribute that also applies to BMW Individual Carbon Black metallic. More than 20 years after its introduction, this paint finish has become a true classic which is still catching the eye.
BMW M3 Competition Touring G81 in BMW Individual Carbon Black metallic
CLASSIC COLOURS, PROGRESSIVE M DESIGN.
When they were launched, these M specific paint finishes – now considered classics – significantly added to the inimitable character conveyed by BMW M cars. And they still do today, which is why so many of them are still available in the BMW Individual range. On current M models, they blend the company’s strong tradition with its progressive design. A piece of history, interpreted in a modern way.
