BMW’s Got A Secret Menu Of Extra Colors. What’s Your Favorite?

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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