MSport anthracite headliner.... urgh...

[RiccardoG]

Hi All,

I'm looking at getting a relatively recent G21 3 series and the vast majority on sale are MSport models. Have to say, I'm more of a "SE" or "Sport" type customer, standard bumpers and chrome grille & window surrounds all the way!

One question I was hoping to get feedback on is the black roof lining. This feels very dark to me coming from cars with white/light grey lining.

Is there any advantage to having it black? Doesn't it make the car feel too claustrophobic? Is this a case of just getting used to it? I'm really not that keen on the coalmine look and feel it gives and I'm even thinking about severely limiting my choices to only non-MSport cars because of this.

Just wanted to see what others' experience has been. Thanks in advance!

[Mr Tidy]

RiccardoG said:

Hi All,

I'm looking at getting a relatively recent G21 3 series and the vast majority on sale are MSport models. Have to say, I'm more of a "SE" or "Sport" type customer, standard bumpers and chrome grille & window surrounds all the way!

One question I was hoping to get feedback on is the black roof lining. This feels very dark to me coming from cars with white/light grey lining.

Is there any advantage to having it black? Doesn't it make the car feel too claustrophobic? Is this a case of just getting used to it? I'm really not that keen on the coalmine look and feel it gives and I'm even thinking about severely limiting my choices to only non-MSport cars because of this.

Just wanted to see what others' experience has been. Thanks in advance!

A G21 is much newer than any BMW I've had, but when I was looking for E86 Z4s I wanted a Sport model for the M-Sport seats, which meant they had the black roof lining. Thankfully both of mine had Pearl Grey seats which lifted the cabin no end!

I really don't like black, black, black and more black.

[ukpolak]

I had to unfortunately have black on black in my F36 however only because I have two very young children and in an effort to keep it looking reasonably clean, especially as on raised car seats it means sand and footprints appear despite seat protectors etc etc.

I specced a sunroof and permanently keep the sun blind part (the inside sliding part) retracted which does help allow light in even if the sunroof isn’t open.

It was a £1k option or so but may be a way of overcoming the issue, if you’re happy with it.

PS my last (z4) had read leather seats and dash trim (on black car) but whilst it suited back then, I don’t know if I’d ever go back to a red interior but it looked great.

Good luck with search!

[MikeM6]

I'm sue you would get used to it if needed. I quite like dark cabins as it gives a more cocooned sense, but in reality it's never that dark. I had an all black interior in my old e90 and it wasn't that dark inside during the day.

I'm sure in a Bentley or Rolls Royce a light interior would be preferred though.

[Court_S]

I’m the opposite to you OP always preferring the M Sport cars because I think they’re usually much better looking. I personally like the black headlining and don’t really notice it whereas. Choose a lighter leather to break it up.

[Pica-Pica]

Coming from a light headlining on an E36 to a black headline on a F30 335d was strange at first, don’t notice it at all now. ‘Cocooned’ and ‘focused on the road’ would describe it better than ‘claustrophobic’ to me now. I am sure you will not find it an issue after a short while.

[4rephill]

Pica-Pica said:

Coming from a light headlining on an E36 to a black headline on a F30 335d was strange at first, don’t notice it at all now. ‘Cocooned’ and ‘focused on the road’ would describe it better than ‘claustrophobic’ to me now. [b]I am sure you will not find it an issue after a short while[/i].

+1 on the part in bold.

My previous two BMW's were an E30 325i Sport, and an E36 328i Sport, both of which had black headlining (naturally) - Never really noticed it in the combined 20 years I owned both cars.

It works both ways:

Currently driving an E46 330ci SE with a grey headlining - In seven years of owning it, I can't say I've paid the colour of the headlining any attention whatsoever.

All three cars have had grey interiors, which might help the situation I suppose, but when I'm driving, the last thing on my mind is the colour of the headlining.

[RiccardoG]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I think the plan might be to go for the MSport after all, simply as there are so many more to choose from. As this will come with the black roof, to counterbalance we're getting a light interior (Oyster) and the panoramic roof.

I've also found a couple of "Sport" models with decent spec and white headliners in case the above doesn't work out.

[Olivergt]

A bit more perspective.

I have an E46 325i Saloon, it's silver with black leather and silver trims.

I've had it for about 2-3 years at this stage and I could not tell you, without going out to take a look what colour the headlining is, although I think it is a light colour?

No sunroof and i've never noticed it being anything other than quite light and airy, even with the black leather.

EDIT: It's light coloured.

Edited by Olivergt on Tuesday 6th July 15:13

[SD_1]

Pica-Pica said:

Coming from a light headlining on an E36 to a black headline on a F30 335d was strange at first, don’t notice it at all now. ‘Cocooned’ and ‘focused on the road’ would describe it better than ‘claustrophobic’ to me now. I am sure you will not find it an issue after a short while.

I agree with this, I have an F31 M Sport with black headling, black carpets, and black leather and I really like it. Obviously a very subjective thing, but I would recommend trying one as it really isn't an issue from my experience.

[sortedcossie]

Like a couple of other have said, worth trying one - My F31 is black, with black leather and black pretty much everything else.

It does have a pan roof, makes a huge difference to how airy the car feels. Mine also has blue stitch on the seats and door cards, that also breaks up the amount of black.

[Pica-Pica]

SD_1 said:

Pica-Pica said:

Coming from a light headlining on an E36 to a black headline on a F30 335d was strange at first, don’t notice it at all now. ‘Cocooned’ and ‘focused on the road’ would describe it better than ‘claustrophobic’ to me now. I am sure you will not find it an issue after a short while.

I agree with this, I have an F31 M Sport with black headling, black carpets, and black leather and I really like it. Obviously a very subjective thing, but I would recommend trying one as it really isn't an issue from my experience.

Hello, again. Mine is black throughout and no sunroof, and as I said, fine to live with.
OP, I would concentrate more on the other options on the car, Sat Nav, sound system etc. Electric seats were rare on F30/31, I would very much have liked to have them, not sure what G21s have.

[Court_S]

Pica-Pica said:

Hello, again. Mine is black throughout and no sunroof, and as I said, fine to live with.
OP, I would concentrate more on the other options on the car, Sat Nav, sound system etc. Electric seats were rare on F30/31, I would very much have liked to have them, not sure what G21s have.

This.

My 140i had black leather with the dark headlining, originally it had the brushed aluminium trim which broke it up a bit but I ended up changing it for the open carbon trim. I’d far rather better tech and speakers than stressing about the colour of the headlining.