Classic BMW M paint finishes

No-one can deny that colours have an enormous influence on the way we view the world around us. Every season has a colour with which it is associated. Many artists have become famous for their unmistakable combination of colours. Almost everyone has a favourite colour.
So it’s hardly surprising that paint finishes play a major role in shaping the image of a car. So much so, in fact, that they can significantly define the way we see and remember it. This is why BMW M offers a whole range of M specific paint finishes that vividly express the character of each respective model. Over time, some of these colours have become so iconic that it is hard to imagine life without them – so let’s take a look at some of BMW M’s most classic paint finishes.

THE 7 COLOURS AT A GLANCE:

BMW Individual Imola Red II non-metallic
BMW Estoril Blue metallic
BMW Individual Dakar Yellow non-metallic
BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic
BMW Individual Silver Grey metallic
BMW Individual British Racing Green non-metallic
BMW Individual Carbon Blick metallic

#1 IMOLA RED

BMW M3 Coupé (E46) in BMW Individual Imola Red II non-metallic

BMW M3 Convertible (E46) in BMW Individual Imola Red II non-metallic

Red cars have always been an eye-catcher. Besides representing heat and fire, the colour radiates charisma and implies performance. With BMW Individual Imola Red, BMW M has a paint finish in its range that’s closely linked to all these characteristics. The colour made its debut in 2000 on the BMW M3 E46 – a much sought-after classic that many collectors are passionate about. Since summer 2020, Imola Red has once again adorned an iconic M model: the BMW M5 Competition.

BMW M5 Competition in BMW Individual Imola Red II non-metallic

#2 ESTORIL BLUE

BMW M3 (E36) in BMW Estoril Blue metallic

Back in 1992, a paint finish captured the hearts of many M enthusiasts; today it represents BMW M perhaps more than any other: BMW Estoril Blue metallic. Cool and elegant in its effect, this colour conveys the deep blue surf of the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast. Well, either that or the perfect blue sky above Estoril’s famous racetrack.

BMW M140i (F20) in BMW Estoril Blue metallic

#3 DAKAR YELLOW

With BMW Individual Dakar Yellow non-metallic, even a road trip under cloud is brightened by rays from the West African sun. This M specific paint finish made its debut on the body of the BMW M3 E36 and henceforth became an integral part of the BMW Individual colour range.

BMW M3 Coupé (E36) in BMW Individual Dakar Yellow non-metallic

#4 MACAO BLUE

BMW M8 Competition Coupé in BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic

BMW M3 Edition 30 Jahre (F80) in BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic

BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic is an M specific paint finish which has been a style-defining feature of M cars for over three decades. Debuting on the BMW M3 E30 in 1986, the colour made its big comeback in 2016 with the BMW M3 30 Years edition.

Start BMW Individual Visualizer

BMW M3 Convertible (E30) in BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic

#5 SILVER GRAY

BMW Individual Silver Grey metallic is one of BMW M’s most popular special paint finishes. However, this does not detract from its exclusive character; timeless elegance remains the hallmark of this colour. It has been part of the BMW Individual portfolio since 1992.

BMW M3 CSL (E46) in BMW Individual Silver Gray metallic

#6 BRITISH RACING GREEN

BMW M3 GT (E36) in BMW Individual British Racing Green non-metallic

Legendary racing drivers, traditional manufacturers, emotional motorsport: everything closely associated with racing from Great Britain comes to life with this paint finish. Subtle, alluring and highly individual – that’s BMW Individual British Racing Green uni.

BMW M6 Convertible (F12) in BMW Individual British Racing Green non-metallic

#7 CARBON BLACK

BMW X5 M50d in BMW Individual Carbon Black metallic

Carbon fibre is a high-tech, performance-oriented material like no other in motorsport. CFRP, as the material is often called, is extremely torsion-resistant, particularly light and has an attractive appearance due to its special composition – an attribute that also applies to BMW Individual Carbon Black metallic. The paint finish, which has developed into a true classic since its introduction on the BMW M5 E39, is still attracting attention 20 years after its debut.