Moonlight Top versus Standard Black Top

shark715 · 03-25-2015, 07:51 AM

The 235 xdrive convertible is scheduled to start production in July (BMW showed one at the recent Geneva Car Show) and when they are available for order here in the U.S. (assumedly soon) I'm going to be ordering one in Black Sapphire with black leather. What I'm undecided about is which black top to go with. I'm leaning toward the standard black under the assumption that the "triple black" color scheme will look rich, but the moonlight top sounds interesting. I saw one on a blue 235 at the dealer the other day, but the car was in the shade, not in the direct sun. I've been trying to envision what the moonlight top would look like against the black metallic body paint. I like the idea of the sparkle effect, but I'm concerned it's going to look too "silvery", and I'm thinking the standard black will look richer. Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your input.

SmoWilly · 03-25-2015, 08:09 AM

I saw both at my dealer (plain on estoril blue) and my car has the moonlight black (on mineral white).

Of course it is up to you but with the metallic black the moonlight may compliment it better. In my opinion, the plain black looked cheaper in person whereas the moonlight has a 3-D effect from several angles. The moonlight is a coversation piece for sure.

A side benefit is the moonlight does't show dust and lint as easy too.

Overall it adds a touch of class vs the plain top.

Either way, you'll love the car so any choice will make you happy.

gaijin · 03-25-2015, 08:10 AM

I cannot speak for the Moonlight Top you are speaking of but I've owned my share of black sports coupes and sports cars. Some had been black convertibles. I prefer the timeless look of the triple black automobiles. I once deviated from triple black with a convertible that had beige cloth top. Only once!

shark715 · 03-25-2015, 09:35 AM

I agree that black body, black interior, and beige top would be weird (although I've seen other black convertibles with beige tops and beige interiors that looked fine).

SmoWilly made a couple of good points...that the plain black looks cheaper (I was thinking that the $100 upcharge for Moonlight might be a dirt cheap way to upgrade the look of the car), and that the moonlight won't show dust and lint as much...of course I could use that point to talk myself out of buying a black car altogether :-)

But to turn to Gaijin's point, is a silvery looking to going to look out of place with the black body and black interior?

Wish I could see examples in person, or at least clear photos in good light. Someone posted good photos of a white car with moonlight on another thread, but it's tough to envision how the moonlight would look against a black metallic body.

Kiwi · 03-25-2015, 02:38 PM

The top should be down when driving so it will not be seen much. For me black top with a back car.

ellincali · 03-25-2015, 09:49 PM

This is purely a matter of personal taste. I have the brown top with the silver threads, but before I got it and after seeing pictures of the black moonlight top I was nervous it would be too shiny/sparkly. Seeing it in person, I love it.

I don't think the moonlight top photographs particularly well--it definitely has a shinier appearance in photos than in person.

The optimal thing is to see one in person and make your decision based on that.

BMW-49 · 05-08-2021, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellincali

This is purely a matter of personal taste. I have the brown top with the silver threads, but before I got it and after seeing pictures of the black moonlight top I was nervous it would be too shiny/sparkly. Seeing it in person, I love it.

I don't think the moonlight top photographs particularly well--it definitely has a shinier appearance in photos than in person.

The optimal thing is to see one in person and make your decision based on that.

Can you please share the picture your car with brown top?

Mogki · 05-08-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW-49

Can you please share the picture your car with brown top?

Thread is over 5 years old

dradernh · 05-08-2021, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mogki

Thread is over 5 years old

Thread is over 6 years old

John in VA · 05-08-2021, 08:42 PM

Here's a newer thread: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1776345

Brobeav · 05-08-2021, 09:08 PM

He asked for pictures with a brown moonlight top. Those are so rare that it might take 5 - 6 years! Here's mine:

BMW-49 · 05-09-2021, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brobeav

He asked for pictures with a brown moonlight top. Those are so rare that it might take 5 - 6 years! Here's mine:

Thanks much

Been searching all over internet to see a picture of Brown soft top with Blue. No luck!

My order just got scheduled for the build. I chose Long Beach Blue Metallic exterior color with Cognac interiors.

I selected Brown soft top and been wondering if it looks good with the above combination or if I should go with the black soft top. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for sharing the picture..

jzeiler4 · 05-09-2021, 09:08 PM

Mine is Estoril Blue and I went with the Moonlight Black top, very happy with it.

BMW-49 · 05-10-2021, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

Mine is Estoril Blue and I went with the Moonlight Black top, very happy with it.

Thanks a lot for sharing the picture.

I have made up my mind now.. will go with Moonlight black. Was wondering how it would look in combination with Cognac interior. Your picture helped me.

jzeiler4 · 05-10-2021, 09:27 AM

Up close it almost looks like a pair of black denim pants.

nickgsa60 · 05-10-2021, 10:51 AM

The picture a few posts back from jzeiler4 is one of the best photo representations I've seen. Moonlight can change quite a bit depending on the lighting. In most circumstances, it just looks black. However, in some lighting, it takes on a very cool 3D effect that in my mind makes it look more premium (shown in the jzeiler4 photo). In direct sunlight it can also look like metallic carbon -- some photos can overemphasize this aspect making it look silver and scare people away from selecting it.

Overall, I'd say it's fun and interesting and never really detracts from the car. The only time I'd advise against it would be for those going for a fully blacked-out spec.

Here's a picture I took with the top up, it just looks black: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1809337

I think you are making a good choice staying away from the brown top. It is very polarizing and I'd only recommend it if you are certain you love it.

Rocky58 · 05-10-2021, 11:58 AM

This review has a black m240i vert with a black exterior, cognac and brown top. I think it looks OK with the cognac interior.

TAZ007 · 05-15-2021, 06:31 PM

The moonlight top is the way to go. Holds up well and has a distinctive look. Still enjoy seeing it after 6 years.

BMW-49 · 05-18-2021, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky58

This review has a black m240i vert with a black exterior, cognac and brown top. I think it looks OK with the cognac interior.

Wow! Thanks for sharing.. I did watch this video on youtbube long time ago..forgot it had that combo.

BMW-49 · 05-18-2021, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAZ007

The moonlight top is the way to go. Holds up well and has a distinctive look. Still enjoy seeing it after 6 years.

03-25-2015, 07:51 AM	#1
shark715 Captain 166 Rep 860 Posts Drives: '11 X5 50i, '16 M235xi vert Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Moonlight Top versus Standard Black Top The 235 xdrive convertible is scheduled to start production in July (BMW showed one at the recent Geneva Car Show) and when they are available for order here in the U.S. (assumedly soon) I'm going to be ordering one in Black Sapphire with black leather. What I'm undecided about is which black top to go with. I'm leaning toward the standard black under the assumption that the "triple black" color scheme will look rich, but the moonlight top sounds interesting. I saw one on a blue 235 at the dealer the other day, but the car was in the shade, not in the direct sun. I've been trying to envision what the moonlight top would look like against the black metallic body paint. I like the idea of the sparkle effect, but I'm concerned it's going to look too "silvery", and I'm thinking the standard black will look richer. Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your input.
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03-25-2015, 08:09 AM	#2
SmoWilly Private 25 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Parker, CO USA iTrader: (0)	I saw both at my dealer (plain on estoril blue) and my car has the moonlight black (on mineral white). Of course it is up to you but with the metallic black the moonlight may compliment it better. In my opinion, the plain black looked cheaper in person whereas the moonlight has a 3-D effect from several angles. The moonlight is a coversation piece for sure. A side benefit is the moonlight does't show dust and lint as easy too. Overall it adds a touch of class vs the plain top. Either way, you'll love the car so any choice will make you happy.
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03-25-2015, 08:10 AM	#3
gaijin Mess Deck Commando 244 Rep 807 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (4)	I cannot speak for the Moonlight Top you are speaking of but I've owned my share of black sports coupes and sports cars. Some had been black convertibles. I prefer the timeless look of the triple black automobiles. I once deviated from triple black with a convertible that had beige cloth top. Only once! __________________ ///Sursum Ab Ordine
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03-25-2015, 09:35 AM	#4
shark715 Captain 166 Rep 860 Posts Drives: '11 X5 50i, '16 M235xi vert Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I agree that black body, black interior, and beige top would be weird (although I've seen other black convertibles with beige tops and beige interiors that looked fine). SmoWilly made a couple of good points...that the plain black looks cheaper (I was thinking that the $100 upcharge for Moonlight might be a dirt cheap way to upgrade the look of the car), and that the moonlight won't show dust and lint as much...of course I could use that point to talk myself out of buying a black car altogether :-) But to turn to Gaijin's point, is a silvery looking to going to look out of place with the black body and black interior? Wish I could see examples in person, or at least clear photos in good light. Someone posted good photos of a white car with moonlight on another thread, but it's tough to envision how the moonlight would look against a black metallic body.
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03-25-2015, 02:38 PM	#5
Kiwi Captain 145 Rep 917 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M Sports Convertible Join Date: May 2005 Location: Auckland New Zealand iTrader: (0)	The top should be down when driving so it will not be seen much. For me black top with a back car. __________________ 2015 220i M Sport convertible. 2016 225xe M Sport.
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03-25-2015, 09:49 PM	#6
ellincali Private First Class 116 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2015 228i Convertible Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	This is purely a matter of personal taste. I have the brown top with the silver threads, but before I got it and after seeing pictures of the black moonlight top I was nervous it would be too shiny/sparkly. Seeing it in person, I love it. I don't think the moonlight top photographs particularly well--it definitely has a shinier appearance in photos than in person. The optimal thing is to see one in person and make your decision based on that.
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05-08-2021, 08:42 PM	#10
John in VA Colonel 983 Rep 2,193 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	Here's a newer thread: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1776345 __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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05-08-2021, 09:08 PM	#11
Brobeav New Member 8 Rep 13 Posts Drives: M240ix vert, Estoril Join Date: May 2018 Location: Northeast USA iTrader: (0)	He asked for pictures with a brown moonlight top. Those are so rare that it might take 5 - 6 years! Here's mine: Attached Images
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05-09-2021, 09:08 PM	#13
jzeiler4 Lieutenant 319 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2021 M240i xDrive vert Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Hazel Green, AL iTrader: (0)	Mine is Estoril Blue and I went with the Moonlight Black top, very happy with it. Attached Images
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05-10-2021, 09:27 AM	#15
jzeiler4 Lieutenant 319 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2021 M240i xDrive vert Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Hazel Green, AL iTrader: (0)	Up close it almost looks like a pair of black denim pants.
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05-10-2021, 10:51 AM	#16
nickgsa60 Private 51 Rep 70 Posts Drives: BMW M240i BMW 328i Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	The picture a few posts back from jzeiler4 is one of the best photo representations I've seen. Moonlight can change quite a bit depending on the lighting. In most circumstances, it just looks black. However, in some lighting, it takes on a very cool 3D effect that in my mind makes it look more premium (shown in the jzeiler4 photo). In direct sunlight it can also look like metallic carbon -- some photos can overemphasize this aspect making it look silver and scare people away from selecting it. Overall, I'd say it's fun and interesting and never really detracts from the car. The only time I'd advise against it would be for those going for a fully blacked-out spec. Here's a picture I took with the top up, it just looks black: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1809337 I think you are making a good choice staying away from the brown top. It is very polarizing and I'd only recommend it if you are certain you love it.
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05-10-2021, 11:58 AM	#17
Rocky58 Second Lieutenant 121 Rep 201 Posts Drives: m240xi Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	This review has a black m240i vert with a black exterior, cognac and brown top. I think it looks OK with the cognac interior.
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05-15-2021, 06:31 PM	#18
TAZ007 Colonel 1845 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Z4 M40 [5.00]	The moonlight top is the way to go. Holds up well and has a distinctive look. Still enjoy seeing it after 6 years.
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