Once BMW’s go-to department for crazy high-end options and wild interiors, BMW Individual now largely serves the same purpose as Porsche’s Paint to Sample program, but at a lower cost. Instead of the standard German rainbow you typically see on the lot, the Individual program lets you choose from a huge variety of amazing colors for those who dare to pay a little bit extra and wait a little bit longer for a truly unique car. It’s been a bit of a hidden gem for a while, but with wild colors gaining popularity, BMW has revamped its Individual Visualizer to entice new customers.
Previously, BMW’s Individual Visualizer was a fairly basic affair with a few static studio shots of various models that you could apply color swatches to. While it definitely worked as a visual aid, it lacked a certain depth that would let you really imagine what these fancy colors would look like. I’ve been lucky enough to see several Individual colors in person and they looked a bit different from in the visualizer. BMW’s attempted to correct this by making things a bit more lifelike. Instead of perfect, evenly-lit shots, you get a chance to see how various colors interact with light and shadow. It’s still not the same as actually being in front of the colors, but it’ll do nicely. So, shall we pick a BMW or two and roll with things?
First, a little caveat: Not every BMW factory is configured for the Individual program, and not all colors are available from all factories that permit Individual orders. As a result, some models like the new M2 just don’t appear in the visualizer. Weirdly, the regular 3-Series sedan also doesn’t appear, but the M3 does. I say weirdly because among a selection of several global locations, BMW’s Munich plant both builds the 3-Series and is configured for the Individual program. Since most current-generation 3-Series sedans sold in North America come from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, ordering an Individual color was a surefire way to get a German-built example.
No matter, the 3-Series Touring is an option, and a tasty one we can’t have at that. Imagine all of the current 3-er’s goodness with more cargo space and you’ve basically nailed the recipe for the ideal do-it-all car. Oh, and since I’m a sucker for heritage, let’s try one of my favorite colors to appear on a 3-Series, Boston Green. This lovely deep metallic green appeared on the much-revered E36 generation from the ‘90s, and it has incredible depth. Although painting processes have generally evolved (read: cheapened) over the past 30 years, this color still looks almost navy blue in heavy shadow but pops into a lively green with blue undertones in direct sunlight.
However, maybe Boston Green isn’t extroverted enough for you. How about Santorini Blue II, a sear-your-eyeballs bright solid blue that Smurfs would order if they could drive? While there is a little bit of a Superman theme going on with the blue paint and red calipers, I reckon this bold blue works on this compact wagon.
Switching gears, how about making the new 7-Series look like a big Checker cab by speccing it in Speed Yellow. Normally a bold paint scheme like this clashes with the sensibilities of a big, understated luxobarge, but the new 7-Series completely missed the “understated” part of the briefing. If you really want to go wild, you can spec it in either black-and-yellow two-tone or silver-and-yellow two-tone, but I’ll spare your eyes from that.
Even BMW’s SUVs are now part of the Individual program, thanks to upgrades at the plant in South Carolina. You’ve been able to order larger SUVs with special paint for several years now, and some options on deck are absolutely outrageous. I’m going to call this Daytona Violet Metallic X7 Barney, the big purple SUV.
It shouldn’t be surprising that matte colors are also on offer through the Individual program, but there’s way more on tap than just black, grey, and white. Here’s an M8 Competition Cabriolet in Frozen Tampa Bay Green Metallic. Weirdly enough, I reckon this color fits the Ultimate Posing And Teeth-Jiggling Machine that is the M8 Competition Cabriolet, plus it makes the whole car look like an enormous mint.
Oh, and just because this is the internet, here’s a 5-Series Touring in Macadamia Metallic. Proof that big auto is withholding brown diesel wagons from America, presumably because only one person would actually buy one.
So, what Individual color would you order a BMW in? Hop this link to try out the new Individual Visualizer and then let us know in the comments what model and color you’ve chosen. Please, dear god, don’t be a BMW XM.
(Photo credits: BMW)
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While having a choice in colors is great and all, I would much rather have any touring model (preferably a 5 series if I’m being picky, which I am) brought to the US and a more attractive looking product (ie. get rid of the new grill or provide an option to never be able to view the car from the front, whichever is easier).
i4 in Frozen Orange. Matte copper rules OK?
ooooh, purple! Most of my cars have been blue, but purple would get me if it had been available.
LOL yeah, I’ve been eyeing the M2 since it’s probably the last of its kind, but the currently available colors on the M2 kinda suck. The purple that is available on the M240i is awesome, there is no excuse to not make it available for the new M2 since they are built in the same factory (San Luis Potosí).
The 3-Series Touring in Malachite Green II looks good to me. If I had unlimited funds, I’d paint my old Subaru Legacy wagon that color.
I’d have trouble deciding between purples, but I adore that 3-Series Touring in Boston Green, too. Coincidentally quite close to the color of my Rhinehart in GTA Online.
You can still get models in Techno Violet and Avus Blue. Those are two of the best colors ever used by BMW.
Here’s a 4 series cabrio in Avus Blue
https://individual.bmw-m.com/G23-51AT-276
My top two.
Signal Green is nice 🙂
BMW individual paint colors have been available for a long time where for about $5k they would do almost any imaginable color. Will have to check and see how my champagne quartz metallic looks in the config, it looks so much different from many angles and light. The high price was for exclusivity, for most colors it didn’t cost them any more, the paint robots can mix and apply almost everything, only frozen or really crazy colors need manual intervention.
I have a manual M3 on order to replace my daily so I looked into these colors when I configured my spec. I was most tempted by Santorini Blue II, but I just couldn’t justify the price for a car I’m just going to use for family duties in all weather conditions, so I settled for one of the launch colors, Isle of Man Green. Plus, it adds weeks to delivery time and it grows more and more painful every day that I’m driving the automatic of my current daily driver.
You’re braver than I am being willing to look at those beaver teeth up front every day, but I assume it’ll be a hoot to drive.
I park nose-in in my garage, so I won’t have to see the front too often 😉
Nice, best of luck with the allocation and delivery process! I ordered a base (6MT) M3 last year and picked it up a couple months back. Went with San Marino Blue. For 2023 builds, certain Individual colors were discounted if you also got the (no cost optional) 50th anniversary badges, so that ultimately persuaded me.
Thanks! Yours sounds great!
…it’s not available on their two most desirable models, the 2 and 3 series? That’s lame as hell…although I saw the new M2 in Zandvoort Blue last weekend and that color is spectacular in person. Honestly it kind of looks like Hyundai’s performance blue but that’s not a bad thing. I think it’s THE color to get that car in at this stage.
Anyway the Daytona Violet Metallic is epic. I’ve been banging the table for more purple cars for a while now. I’m not sure if I like it as much as the Thundernight Metallic the 2 series gets but it’s pretty damn close. There’s a non zero chance that an X3 M40i is going to be my strongest play for a new car in a few years (look dear it’s an SUV!) and I’d absolutely order a purple one with the cognac Vernasca leather and the shadow line package.
Now that would be a mean looking machine. Hopefully BMW doesn’t screw up and slap a comically large grille on it before I get to that point…eh who am I kidding they’re absolutely going to screw it up. Hopefully the B58 will stay alive a little longer…
Nice colors, but they highlight the hog ugly front fascia’s even more.
Is the grille of that 7-Series even finished?
What’s going on there?
It looks like a model car that’s missing some pieces.
It’s BMW’s homage to Space Invaders.
https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Space-Invaders-Window-Outdoor/dp/B00Y3AV7F0
https://individual.bmw-m.com/G31-71BM-299
5-Series Touring in Techno Violet
I’d drive that.
Still ugly. Lipstick on a pig etc etc.
Interesting colors, still though, Beauberry would look good. Beauberry makes any vehicle look good. Even a Yugo!!
YES. Can I have one of my Smarts in Beauberry?