4.6is Carbon Black spec.

[gmc15]

Dpes anyone know it the Carbon Black 4.6is has a different spec to the 4.6is?
I have been looking at a couple of 4.6's on autotrader but the Carbon Black one does not give much spec.

Thanks.

Graeme.

These are the cars I'm looking at.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

[AW8]

I am yet to find a definitive list of the std spec on the carbon edition but for certain any carbon car will be carbon black and not black spahhire or solid black.

Carbon editions had champagne leather & as far as I know full comms with DSP plus sunroof.........it takes more than black paint to make a carbon edition though many advertise same.

The comparison table on this clicky shows spec list of a launch 4.6is plus 2003 4.6is, plus carbon edition. Sadly this fails to mention the champagne interior essentially colour scheme inside. Fyi champagne interior is similar to an E39 "champagne edition" interior - Champagne Nappa and black carpets IIRC. It was £9.5k over list price of a standard 4.6is so spec was essentially most if not all boxes ticked afaik.

Hopefully someone with one will be able to comment in more detail........failing that maybe ask BMW customer services via their info line.

Apologies I cant be more help - this gap in my E53 knowledge has frustrated me for some while.

[gmc15]

Thanks for that AW8. The car I am looking at is advertised as a Carbon Black, but the Evans Halshaw advert does not have much detail of spec and the picture shows the car having a black interior. From the link you posted the champagne interior looked like it was an option so I need to go and have a look at the car and get some more details, or as you mentioned contact BMW.

Thanks.

Graeme.

ps Did you look at the link I posted for the other 4.6is? Any opinions on why anyone would paint the calipers red? Apart from that it looks like a nice motor.

[AW8]

Firstly I have edited my post to include a prior missing link.

As I said before dont take the lists as gospel, (these cars are 7 yrs old now so info not exactly current).

I dont know if champagne interior was a zero cost delete option.

I would ask the seller, (in this case Evans Halshaw), why they regard it as a Carbon Black edition, (other than the paint).

The red calipers & ipod connection indicate the car has been owned by an enthusiast at some point. Some choose to do this to mimic aftermarket performance calipers & others for purely cosmetic purposes. For some it screams "cheap" or "boy racer". We shouldnt forget that many prestige badged cars get driven hard in standard form & buy 1st or 2nd owners. I painted my calipers silver, (as well as the non friction central areas of my discs)............IMO it's better than looking at dust or corrosion. Personally I wouldnt reject the car on red calipers & would simply re-paint the calipers silver. My advice - Look beyond the calipers but look properly - Bear in mind the blue car isnt a bargain price.

[AW8]

Re Carbon Black Edition If you look at this link you will see one with the the champagne nappa. Also note black mats with champagne piping to edges. That car has sold but I called & spoke to Autobahn re same as unusually they had made reference to a ceiling cap of 400 models. I was told that this was legitimnate as a member of staff used to work for BMW & knew this. The ex bmw staff meber spoke to me but then said I think it was 400 or something similar. I discussed Carbon Black Edition Spec & pretty much ended up with same conclusions I prior had outlined re trim & spec. It's not an complete tick of all boxes as double glazing and rear slide out tray not usually metioned for example.

[gmc15]

Thanks for all the info, but I phoned up about the Carbon Black one today and it has just beed sold

Ah well, I'll just keep looking

Graeme.

[AW8]

No probs.......Good Luck in the hunt.

As I am curious re definitive specs I just sent this to bmw press office :



Sir/Ma'am,

I am a BMW enthusiast & own a 2002 X5 4.4i Sport plus a 2001 Z3 2.2i.

I am intersted in finding PDF press release info  for discontinued BMW cars and including limited or special editions.

One particular "Special edition" I would like to find more info is the 2003 BMW X5 4.6is "Carbon Black Edition"

I am also interested in other bmw special edition X5's & other BMW cars. (I understand Alipnas are catered for on the Alpina Register).

Please  can you provide press release information or even better an internet link where I may be able to find old PDF press releases for BMW cars & such as this one for bikes <!-- m -->http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/pressreleases.htm<!-- m -->

Many people would like to be able to make sure they only buy proper "special editions" & others who have bought "special editions" would like to put their car back to factory specification.

Please remember that many new model repeat customers are also enthusiasts of older models.


Regards

NAME EDITED