[seattlespeights]

Hey everyone. New to the site and all, but after giving the vehicle a mild test drive I decided to go all in. I've only seen a couple reviews of actual ownership, and I wish there was more out there. Now that I'm on the other side of everything I'm hoping I could share my progress with the vehicle as I have it and hope it helps anyone else out there.

I've had my E39 M5 for quite some time now. It's made me completely fall in love with BMW. I've moved all over the country with that car and I've always wanted a bigger vehicle to just daily drive, road trip, commute, and of course all without putting more miles on my lovely M5 and spending over $100k for the new X5M

I found out the ordering process would take about 3 months and it's hard to order a car and picture it all in your mind/pictures when it really doesn't compare to in person. So I decided not to order, and just think on it some more.

For a while I wanted the Donington with the white interior, but man I've been seeing every single combo out there. I think after searching all over the country for certain combinations that the Gray just seemed to be more and more bland the more I looked at it.

Enough time went by and I notice my Seattle BMW had a black, and the dark graphite. I was definitely curious. What was the difference, and after two months passing since I had test driven it I wanted to check it out again. Just kind of get a refresh. I looked into that dark graphite and just fell in love.

Did not test drive again. Looked at it, turned left to my salesman, to the car, and back.. "I'll take it."

Drove off in the rain smiling so so so hard.
Read a lot about a "stiff ride" but sorry no. Your roads just suck. Like yeah hit a speed bump too quick or a pothole I feel it but it's to be expected. I'm not in a Ford Explorer or a 4Runner.
It is very fast. I will put my foot down, instant traction, 2-3 seconds later I realize I need to relax before I get in trouble. So many gargles from the downshifts, but it's the perfect amount. Quick up shifts. It just sounds so beautiful. Cold start, oh man. All of it.

Funny thing the next day I went to a detail shop, Metropolitan Detail in Redmond, WA, and parked right next to another X3M doing the the exact same service as me.
With that bland, boring Donington
Thanks a ton to them by the way.

Full PPF on the front, tint to match front windows, c.quartz professional all over, and thank you to RG Sport for helping me decide on what size spacers to get for my X3M. Was just scrolling through Instagram and I saw they were building theirs and he answered every question I had and sent me spacers and longer lugbolts in a day.



Looking forward to doing plenty of minor mods and keeping you guys informed while also being up to date on what new stuff comes out aftermarket wise.

[CaptSlow27]

Certainly understand the color dilemma! I really couldn’t decide between white, donington, dark graphite or black. All have their merits in my mind. Still question my choice, but just had to pull the trigger rather than vacillating forever.

[CaptSlow27]

And of course, yours looks very sharp. Only exterior color I like those seats in.

[seattlespeights]

CaptSlow27 I really appreciate your opinion! Can't wait to see everyone's and I'm glad you understand the dilemma with the colors lol

[x3mcomp]

Looks great, I had a choice of Donington or Black. After having owned black cars I decided that this time round I would try something different. I do like the dark grey, looks great on this car!

[seattlespeights]

@x3mcomp thank ya thank ya! I also don't mean to offend any Donington owners out there either!

[r33_RGSport]

@seattlespeights Congrats!!!
Thank you for the shout out too.

Enjoy the car in a good health.

[ando]

Congrats. Dark Graphite looks great on your X3 MC.

[BMWZ4]

I had two bmw's with a similar light/dark grey like the one you chose. I definitely like it, but wanted something different. I went with the same interior as yours but with the 'boring' Donnington exterior lol...

Looks great though, congrats

[CaptSlow27]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I had two bmw's with a similar light/dark grey like the one you chose. I definitely like it, but wanted something different. I went with the same interior as yours but with the 'boring' Donnington exterior lol...

Looks great though, congrats

I guess that is why they make cars in different colors, different strokes for different folks.

[DC X3M40i]

Congrats on the new car!!! Enjoy and drive safe
I have one in donington and I’m highly offended lol

I have always been a grey / silver / charcoal car guy. My last x5 was space grey and I liked how low maintenance it was. Toyed with a darker color but don’t have as much time as I used to for upkeep

But have a great time with it. I smile everytime I hit the gas

[ParadigmDawg]

I love the color, looks hot.

I used to rotate between white and black each time I purchased a new car(about every 1.5 years) but the last 3 I purchased were all some variation of black. They are a beating to keep clean but they looks so good.

[ScottyRyan2019]

I really like that color. Would have thought seriously about it had our dealership had one in stock when we bought the new one for the wife.

[mjrennie]

Superb colour. The ambient lighting looks amazing too.

[Wills2]

I'm guessing, Dark Graphite = Sophisto grey, certainly looks like it.

[gatorfast]

Beautiful color!

[ParadigmDawg]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I'm guessing, Dark Graphite = Sophisto grey, certainly looks like it.

Looks a lot like my wife's Q5 in color. Her's is called Manhattan Grey. It looks a million different colors based on lighting. I don't actually have a good picture of it but here's the one I have.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

Looks a lot like my wife's Q5 in color. Her's is called Manhattan Grey. It looks a million different colors based on lighting. I don't actually have a good picture of it but here's the one I have.

Sorry I wasn't clear, the question was whether "Dark Graphite" was another name for "Sophisto Grey".

In US you have the same colour choice as the UK on the X3M apart from Dark Graphite vs Sophisto, but they look identical so it's probably just a name change between markets.

Edit: I've just done a quick search and yes it's the same colour just differing names.

[seattlespeights]

Hahaha sorry Donington owners 😂
Again I mean no offense, I loved the color every time it was available and even for the X3M. I'm also a little biased since I've always had a thing for a darker grey

[spta97]

I negotiated an X3Mc today and plan to purchase on Friday.

I too have been back and forth on the colors. I really want black but not all the maintenance that goes along with it. The blue didn't look as nice in person as the pics. The white looked stunning but I have never had the desire for white.

That led me to the Dark Graphite. After seeing these pics it has pretty much convinced me.

I will likely stay with the black interior though (would consider the orange if it was more red though).

Beautiful vehicle!

[spta97]

After looking at your interior again I may have to change my config again

I really like how the midrand beige (that's the name, right?) breaks up the black and is not on the entire seat.

Do you happen to have more interior pics? Also, would you say your pics are true to color? Like a mustard?

[sayemthree]

DG looks great