Terra interior..... yah or nah?

[allysmom1218]

I was just curious as to who is a fan of the Terra interior? When I first saw it. I thought it was kind of ugly, but after a few months I have become a huge fan of it. I think it is a lot more practical in the long run esp. for a daily driver with a 4 year old in a car seat. Just wanting some input from other BMW owners. Thanks!!

[Cactus1]

I voted Yeah.

[Dave95M3]

I <3 it !!

[Blue Streek]

I like Terra or Saddle Brown a lot! I have Terra and I really like how it goes with the Burl Walnut trim and how they both contrast so well with the otherwise all black interior. I actually like the look of the lemon (very light, almost white color) on black interior, but I doubt it would be able to look good after a few years and I would be very annoyed with every blemish or mark that it got as the time and wear and tear goes on. I'm very happy with the brown on black look though. It does grow on you. It's a comfortable color and it's light enough top open up the space a bit more than just all black. I absolutely HATE the all tan interiors though... that SUCKS, in my humble opinion.

[SG333E]

as you, AW/Terra. Can't wait to see it, as it was a bit of a gamble. I am just so sick of black and silver cars with black interiors I wanted something different.

[Blue Streek]

as you, AW/Terra. Can't wait to see it, as it was a bit of a gamble. I am just so sick of black and silver cars with black interiors I wanted something different.
Whoa, Dude! You've got an '87 Grand Nash? Is it in good condition? Those cars are really special and quite the collector now. What's been done to it to give it so much more power over stock? Just curious.... I know, wrong forum to ask such questions, but I've always liked those cars. A friend of mine saved up all his money for two years to buy an '87 just after high school.

[BillSD]

I like it! I have Monaco/Saddle...and it's a great combo!

[Blue Streek]

I like it! I have Monaco/Saddle...and it's a great combo!
I bet Monaco and Saddle/black would be a great combo. I like Blue and brown (and brown and black). The other thing is there's a better chance of it still looking just as nice 4 or 5 years from now (compared to light tan, plain black, white/lemon, or red).

[Majikthese42]

That's what I have, and I like it, so I'd have to say "yah".

[MrOffshore]

Too trendy in my opinion, without a doubt it will limit your resale market and even possibly the value. In 50 years or so if your car becomes one of the coveted ones you might get away with it being a bit more rare...the big questions is then do you plan on keeping it 50 years...do you think you will live that long and will you keep it pristine and low miles??

Go with a more standard color, play it safe.

[335eye]

A pillars are gray with terra or saddle. Too bad. Too busy. On the vert the A pillars are black, as they should be.

[markl53]

I just sold my '05 330i, Black Sapphire/Sand and I'm waiting for my new 335i to arrive. I wanted Black Sapphire again, but since I tend to get light beige in my vehicles, I decided to go with Terra this time. I looked at Natural Brown when I ordered the 2005, but something about the black trim pieces didn't set right with me. IMO, the integration of the black with Terra in the new interior is far more sophisticated looking than the previous versions.

I disagree about the comment regarding resale. I think the deeper brown and black combo lends a richness and sophistication, especially with black or white exteriors. I notice MB has a "Cognac" interior which is very similar to Terra. Actually, I think a trend toward different interior combinations is afoot and people will like it. Have you seen the Tobacco/Black interior in the X3? Beautiful.

[SG333E]

Too trendy in my opinion, without a doubt it will limit your resale market and even possibly the value. In 50 years or so if your car becomes one of the coveted ones you might get away with it being a bit more rare...the big questions is then do you plan on keeping it 50 years...do you think you will live that long and will you keep it pristine and low miles??

Go with a more standard color, play it safe.

No, go with what you like and don't worry too much about resale. Why kick yourself everyday for years when you go out to the garage and say "I wish I would have ordered xxx".

As for resale, I highly doubt it and would speculate the opposite way. Silver and Black will be highly commoditized on the used market, as if they aren't already.

[JD 6SPEED]

I was worried about getting Coral, but I am still trying to decide what color interior I want with Alpine white. Black, Coral, Terra.

[bimmer335i07]

I love my Terra!

[JAH7]

We just took delivery of our AW/Terra w/aluminum trim 335 this weekend. The color combo is beautiful...LOVE IT!

[MrOffshore]

No, go with what you like and don't worry too much about resale. Why kick yourself everyday for years when you go out to the garage and say "I wish I would have ordered xxx".

As for resale, I highly doubt it and would speculate the opposite way. Silver and Black will be highly commoditized on the used market, as if they aren't already.

I agree with buying what you want, especially if you don't care about something like resale, but I can assure the resale value on the Terra interior will be lower as will the number of people willing to buy it. But...if you don't care about those things jump in and get what you want.

The reason there are so many silver and black cars out there is because the demand is high...everyone wants them...so the resale value will be stronger and you will have a much larger group of people to sell to...it's that's simple.

[clintjg]

We just took delivery of our AW/Terra w/aluminum trim 335 this weekend. The color combo is beautiful...LOVE IT!

That sounds hot.

I really like the terra. Reminds me of the 'teak' in my old Touareg.

[SG333E]

I agree with buying what you want, especially if you don't care about something like resale, but I can assure the resale value on the Terra interior will be lower as will the number of people willing to buy it. But...if you don't care about those things jump in and get what you want.

The reason there are so many silver and black cars out there is because the demand is high...everyone wants them...so the resale value will be stronger and you will have a much larger group of people to sell to...it's that's simple.

Try telling that to someone selling a forest green car from the mid 90's.

[BillSD]

I agree with buying what you want, especially if you don't care about something like resale, but I can assure the resale value on the Terra interior will be lower as will the number of people willing to buy it. But...if you don't care about those things jump in and get what you want.

The reason there are so many silver and black cars out there is because the demand is high...everyone wants them...so the resale value will be stronger and you will have a much larger group of people to sell to...it's that's simple.

Not necessarily true!

[MrOffshore]

Not necessarily true!

I guess you can say that about anything...that it isn't "necessarily" true...so I can't argue that point. But I think we could or at least should agree that it is "basically" true. LOL

[JAH7]

For the original poster. Finally took pics today:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/JAH7/IMG_6102.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/JAH7/IMG_6101.jpg

[4500 RPM]

I disagree about the comment regarding resale. I think the deeper brown and black combo lends a richness and sophistication, especially with black or white exteriors. I notice MB has a "Cognac" interior which is very similar to Terra. Actually, I think a trend toward different interior combinations is afoot and people will like it. Have you seen the Tobacco/Black interior in the X3? Beautiful.

Exactly.

Terra is gorgeous, but needs wood trim.

[MrOffshore]

I won't argue that it's not a good looking interior...I think it's does lend a rich look to the interior of the car...but I will stand by my statements that it's not nearly as popular as a black interior...and the old supply and demand lesson couldn't play out any more true than here...people demand black interior so they supply many of them...people don't demand as many terra interiors, so BMW doesn't supply as many. This will hold true in the resale market....you will have a far larger group to sell to with a black interior than a terra interior.

Don't think that I'm slamming on your taste here...I've already agreed that it's a nice interior, but the fact remains that it's not in as high demand as a basic black.

I remember back in the 80's teal was a hot color for boats...both the exterior graphics and the interior vinyls...a few years went by and teal was like looking at vomit. You couldn't give it away and no one, I repeat no one would buy it used...the owners took a beating or updated their graphics and interiors to more neutral colors.

It's not uncommon for automobile companies to introduce exterior or interior colors that tend to be a bit on the trendy side...they very acceptable...today. But you never know what will prevail tomorrow. Terra may be around for a while, but it won't replace black as a safe color choice that will be easy to resell.

I'm all for buying what you like, throw caution to the wind and viva la terra...but let's not kid ourselves about what will have an easier and possibly even higher resale value because it won't be terra.

[Blue Streek]

Exactly.

Terra is gorgeous, but needs wood trim.

I agree that it looks better with wood trim instead of aluminum.

The other thing I can't stand is that strange looking shifter with the letters next to it. It says something like "P R D N S +/-". Is that some kind of computerized high tech gadget they're putting on cars now a days? Does the car just drive all by itself, because I noticed a lack of pedals on the floor too? ;) JK!!! no need to flame!

[Majikthese42]

I agree that it looks better with wood trim instead of aluminum.

The other thing I can't stand is that strange looking shifter with the letters next to it. It says something like "P R D N S +/-". Is that some kind of computerized high tech gadget they're putting on cars now a days? Does the car just drive all by itself, because I noticed a lack of pedals on the floor too?

I've heard it's increasingly popular even on BMWs because it lets you hold a cell phone or a Big Mac in your right hand while driving.

I've also heard that not buying that gizmo will make it more difficult to sell and hurts the resale value.

I have the dark walnut trim with the terra. And the complete set of three pedals. I like it, and I'm the person I bought the car for.

[SG333E]

The reason there are so many silver and black cars out there is because the demand is high...everyone wants them...so the resale value will be stronger and you will have a much larger group of people to sell to...it's that's simple.

Now that I think about it here's one to refute your statement. The other car I looked at closely was the 2004 - 2005 E55. Drove by a lot the other day that had 3 silver ones setting right next to each other. Never have a problem finding a black one either. White ones lasted maybe a day on a dealer lot. Same with Tectite Grey (about the same as our Sparkling Graphite). I guess we will agree to disagree. Good thing it is a liquid market, with something for everyone.

[markl53]

I've heard it's increasingly popular even on BMWs because it lets you hold a cell phone or a Big Mac in your right hand while driving.

I've also heard that not buying that gizmo will make it more difficult to sell and hurts the resale value.


I just sold my '05 330i 6MT for the same price I would expect to have gotten for an automatic model. At least in my area (MD), I think there are plenty of people who are looking for manuals that the price is not affected. Sold the car in 1weekend, Black Sapphire/Sand, 6MT, 39months old w/ 26Kmiles for $26500. (My new 335i should arrive next week).

[mryakan]

The other thing I can't stand is that strange looking shifter with the letters next to it. It says something like "P R D N S +/-". Is that some kind of computerized high tech gadget they're putting on cars now a days? Does the car just drive all by itself, because I noticed a lack of pedals on the floor too? ;) JK!!! no need to flame!
you should see the shifter on the5/6 series then, it looks like a joystick out of an F-15 with buttons for park, reverse and lots of the numbers and letters you like and an ergonomic look that would make any fighterjet wannabe drool.

[billyhead]

I have terra/jet black and love it. People dig the combo and it makes the car more unusal..

[JTBurn]

Nah.

[BillSD]

I guess you can say that about anything...that it isn't "necessarily" true...so I can't argue that point. But I think we could or at least should agree that it is "basically" true. LOL

Okay then...it's not true!

You put a "well maintained" terra or saddle car on craigslist (or somewhere) next to 15 silver/black cars...that terra or saddle car will sell quicker than most of the others.

Not sure why we're even thinking resale though...you should buy the combo/options you like, not what you think the next owner will like...

[MrOffshore]

Now that I think about it here's one to refute your statement. The other car I looked at closely was the 2004 - 2005 E55. Drove by a lot the other day that had 3 silver ones setting right next to each other. Never have a problem finding a black one either. White ones lasted maybe a day on a dealer lot. Same with Tectite Grey (about the same as our Sparkling Graphite). I guess we will agree to disagree. Good thing it is a liquid market, with something for everyone.

I don't disagree with what you're stating here...all of the colors you've mentioned are still pretty hot right now...and white is a standby color just like black or silver...the Tectite Gray is nothing too wild. Terra is not a standard color...it will eventually drop from the lineup and something else will come along, making it a bit more rare down the road so there may be some value in that as time passes.

Tectite Gray may change a bit, but overall they will always offer a gray version of the car. I agree with everything you're stating...I guess the fact that there are three silver cars on the lot proves my point. When there is only one of a color you're definitely going to notice it and find a buyer eventually, but I would hate to think you would argue the fact that black, white and silver outsell the other colors in the new car and used car markets. I don't have the facts to prove that, but don't think I need them either...it's almost common sense.

[MrOffshore]

Okay then...it's not true!

You put a "well maintained" terra or saddle car on craigslist (or somewhere) next to 15 silver/black cars...that terra or saddle car will sell quicker than most of the others.

Not sure why we're even thinking resale though...you should buy the combo/options you like, not what you think the next owner will like...

Again, here I think the fact that there would be 15 black/silver cars proves the old supply and demand theory...they're in higher demand and will more than likely be easier to sell and command a higher dollar...the higher dollar can be argued...that I will agree with.

I think if you read back through my posts you will see that I think it's important to buy what you want and what makes you happy...but a lot of people do think about resale value when it comes to making a major purchase...and a car, at least for most people (not me of course...LOL, just kidding) is a large purchase and they want to bet a nice return for their investment.

In the end I would state that you're pretty safe with just about anything BMW offers...they don't have bad taste, it's not like it's a butter corn yellow Corvette that looks like it drove too close to the lane striping machine one spring day. Some car colors and interiors just don't resell well after a few years. I guess this is a pretty senseless debate in the end, but it's interesting nonetheless and I hope you all realize I respect your opinions...no matter how wrong they are...LOL...again, just kidding.
:D

[BillSD]

Again, here I think the fact that there would be 15 black/silver cars proves the old supply and demand theory...they're in higher demand and will more than likely be easier to sell and command a higher dollar...the higher dollar can be argued...that I will agree with.

I think if you read back through my posts you will see that I think it's important to buy what you want and what makes you happy...but a lot of people do think about resale value when it comes to making a major purchase...and a car, at least for most people (not me of course...LOL, just kidding) is a large purchase and they want to bet a nice return for their investment.

In the end I would state that you're pretty safe with just about anything BMW offers...they don't have bad taste, it's not like it's a butter corn yellow Corvette that looks like it drove too close to the lane striping machine one spring day. Some car colors and interiors just don't resell well after a few years. I guess this is a pretty senseless debate in the end, but it's interesting nonetheless and I hope you all realize I respect your opinions...no matter how wrong they are...LOL...again, just kidding.
:D


You're right, it is a pretty worthless dabate, I'm sure we could go back and forth for a while :) I respect your opinion also, but...ahem...you're the ones who's wrong :D Kidding too...

BTW - Shame you are so far away, I'd come by and show you what a good looking car looks like :)