BMW M Colors Inspired by Race Tracks and Racing

[SickFinga]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

As some of you probably have noticed, BMW names some of their M colors after racing circuits, racing events or prominent racing locations. Some are quite known and obvious, some not so much. Here is a list I compiled so far. Let me know if I missed anything or if you spot any mistakes.

Another BMW website actually did an article on this, but I only discovered it when I was looking for the Kalyami photo. It is missing some colors though.

The discontinued date and used on section only apply where those colors were offered as a non-special order color. A lot of those colors were used by special editions, but according to BMW the colors were special orders and therefore are not included.

Full-sized images can be downloaded

View post on imgur.com

1. Sebring Grey metallic (229)

• Named after: Sebring International Raceway

• Introduced: In 1988 on the E34 M5

• Also used on: E30 325i Convertible Last Edition

• Discontinued: 1992

• Notes: Even though it is named after a US based racetrack, the color was not available on the US-spec M5.

2. Misano Red metallic (236)

• Named after: Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

• Introduced: In 1988 on the E30 M3 Evolution II

• Also used on: E34 M5, E24 M635CSi Motorsport Edition, E30 M3 Ceccotto/Revaglia and E30 325i Convertible Special Edition

• Discontinued: 1990

3. Nogaro Silver metallic (243)

• Named after: Circuit de Nogaro

• Introduced: In 1988 on the E30 M3 Evolution II

• Also used on: E24 M635CSi Motorsport Edition, E30 M3 Ceccotto/Revaglia and E30 325i Convertible Special Edition

• Discontinued: 1990

4. Macao Blue metallic (250)

• Named after: Macau Grand Prix

• Introduced: In 1988 on the E30 M3 Evolution II

• Also used on: E34 M5, E24 M635CSi Motorsport Edition, E30 M3 Ceccotto/Revaglia and E30 325i Convertible Special Edition

• Discontinued: 1991

5. Dakar Yellow (267)

• Named after: Dakar Rally

• Introduced: In 1992 on the E36 M3

• Also used on: E36 318is Sedan Class II

• Discontinued: End of 1995

6. Mugello Red (274)

• Named after: Mugello Circuit

• Introduced: In 1992 on the E36 M3

• Also used on: E34 M5

• Discontinued: Fall of 1994

7. Avus Blue metallic (276)

• Named after: Automobil-Verkehrs- und Uebungsstrasse or simply as AVUS

• Introduced: E34 M5 in the late 1991

• Also used on: 850CSi, various E34, E36 models and E39 M5

• Discontinued: August 2000

8. Daytona Violet metallic (283)

• Named after: Daytona International Speedway

• Introduced: E34 M5 in the late 1991

• Also used on: 850CSi and various E34 and E36 models

• Discontinued: End of 1997

9. British Racing Green (312)

• Named after: National racing color

• Introduced: E36 M3 GT

• Also used on: South African built E36 M3

• Discontinued: September 1998

• Notes: Not exactly sure if this should be on the list, but I decided to include it anyway.

10. Estoril Blue metallic (335)

• Named after: Autodromo do Estoril

• Introduced: Mid 1995 on the E36 M3

• Also used on: E36/7 M Coupe/Roadster, E46 Clubsport, various E53 models

• Discontinued: Summer of 2006

11. Dakar Yellow 2 (337)

• Named after: Dakar Rally

• Introduced: Late 1995 on the E36 M3

• Also used on: Various E36 and E36/7 models

• Discontinued: Mid 2002

• Notes: The first "come back" color. This time Dakar Yellow comes with a clear coat.

12. Kyalami (351)

• Named after: Kyalami Racing Circuit

• Introduced: Never. Used on some pre-production E36/7 M Roadster built in 1997

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: This color actually never went into the series production. Only 3 pre-production M Roadsters were built in this color. Interestingly enough, the Kyalami interior color went into production.

13. Imola Red (366)

• Named after: The town where the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is located.

• Introduced: Never. Used on some pre-production E36/7 M Roadster built in 1996

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: Ever wondered why your Imola Red is Imola Red 2? Well, that is because just like Kyalami, the original Imola Red never went into production. BMW built 18 pre-production Imola Red E36/7 M Roadsters

14. Le Mans Blue metallic (381)

• Named after: 24 Hours of Le Mans

• Introduced: At the end of 1999 on the E39 M5

• Also used on: Too many to list

• Discontinued: Mid 2015

15. Imola Red 2 (405)

• Named after: The town where the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is located.

• Introduced: End of 1997 on the E36/7 M Coupe/Roadster

• Also used on: Too many to list

• Discontinued: February 2015

16. Silverstone metallic (425)

• Named after: Silverstone Circuit

• Introduced: Spring of 1998 on the E39 M5

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: September 2001

17. Phoenix Yellow metallic (445)

• Named after: Phoenix street circuit

• Introduced: Late 1999 on the E46 M3

• Launch color on: E46 M3 Convertible

• Also used on: E36/7 M Coupe/Roadster, E85/E86

• Discontinued: July 2007

18. Laguna Seca Blue (448)

• Named after: Laguna Seca Raceway

• Introduced: Late 1999 on the E46 M3

• Launch color on: E46 M3 Coupe

• Also used on: E36/7 M Roadster/Coupe

• Discontinued: August 2004

19. Silverstone 2 metallic (A29)

• Named after: Silverstone Circuit

• Introduced: In 2004 on the E60 M5

• Launch color on: E60 M5, E90 M3

• Also used on: Most M models

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: Another "come back" color.

20. Interlagos Blue metallic (A30)

• Named after: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace which was originally known as Autodromo de Interlagos

• Introduced: Spring of 2003 on the E46 M3 Competition Package

• Launch color on: E46 M3 Competition Package, E61 M5

• Also used on: E63/4 M6, E9x M3 and E85/6 M

• Discontinued: September 2013

21. Indianapolis Red metallic (A31)

• Named after: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• Introduced: In 2004 on the E60 M5

• Launch color on: E63 M6

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: Summer of 2010

22. Sepang Bronze metallic (A32)

• Named after: Sepang International Circuit

• Introduced: In 2004 on the E60 M5

• Launch color on: E64 M6

• Also used on: E85/E86 M

• Discontinued: Summer of 2010

23. Jerez Black metallic (A73)

• Named after: Circuit of Jerez

• Introduced: In 2007 on the E9x M3

• Launch color on: E93 M3

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: 2013

24. Melbourne Red metallic (A75)

• Named after: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit

• Introduced: In 2007 on the E9x M3

• Launch color on: E71 X6 M

• Also used on: Too many to list

• Discontinued: -

25. Monte Carlo Blue metallic (B05)

• Named after: The location of the Circuit de Monaco

• Introduced: E70 X5 M and E71 X6 M

• Launch color on: E70 X5 M

• Also used on: F12/F13 M6

• Discontinued: End of 2016

26. Singapore Grey metallic (B41)

• Named after: Singapore Grand Prix

• Introduced: In 2011 on the F10 M5

• Also used on: F06/F10/F12 M6, G11/G12

• Discontinued: -

27. Valencia Orange metallic (B44)

• Named after: Valencia Street Circuit

• Introduced: In 2010 on the E82 1 Series M Coupe

• Launch color on: E82 1 Series M Coupe

• Also used on: On many Leipzig built models. Not available on any M cars.

• Discontinued: -

28. Estoril Blue 2 metallic (B45)

• Named after: Autodromo do Estoril

• Introduced: F30 M Sport

• Launch color on: F30 M Sport

• Also used on: Too many to list

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: After a 6 year hiatus, Estoril Blue is back, but this time it's not available on the M models.

29. Sakhir Orange metallic (B50)

• Named after: Named after the desert where the Bahrain International Circuit is located

• Introduced: Late 2011 on the F06/F12/F13 M6 and F10 M5

• Launch color on: F13 M6

• Also used on: F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4

• Discontinued: June 2017

30. San Marino Blue metallic (B51)

• Named after: San Marino Grand Prix

• Introduced: Late 2011 on the F06/F12/F13 M6

• Launch color on: F12 M6 and M4 CS

• Also used on: F80, F82, F83

• Discontinued: -

31. Austin Yellow metallic (B67)

• Named after: Named after Austin, Texas which is a home of the Circuit of The Americas

• Introduced: In 2013 on the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4

• Launch color on: F82 M4

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

32. Yas Marina Blue metallic (B68)

• Named after: Yas Marina Circuit

• Introduced: In 2013 on the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4

• Launch color on: F80 M3

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

33. Long Beach Blue metallic (C16)

• Named after: Grand Prix of Long Beach

• Introduced: In 2014 on the F85/F86

• Launch color on: F86 and F87

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

34. Donington Grey metallic (C28)

• Named after: Donington Park

• Introduced: In 2014 on the F85/F86

• Launch color on: F85, F97

• Also used on: F90

• Discontinued: -

35. Sakhir Orange 2 metallic (C1H)

• Named after: Named after the desert where the Bahrain International Circuit is located

• Introduced: In 2016 on the F80 M3, F82/F83 M4

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: Due to a supplier issue BMW created a new formula for the F80 M3, F82/F83 M4 models. For a short period of time Sakhir Orange 2 and the original Sakhir Orange were available at the same time. However, they were not offered on the same model at the same time.

36. Marina Bay Blue metallic (C1K)

• Named after: Marina Bay Street Circuit

• Introduced: In 2017 on the F90

• Launch color on: F90

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

37. Misano Blue metallic (C1D)

• Named after: Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

• Introduced: In 2017 on X2 M Sport

• Launch color on: F39 X2 M Sport, G29 M40i, F40 M135i, F87 M2 CS

• Also used on:

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: After 30 years Misano Worlds Circuit gets a second. This is the first time a race track gets a second color. This is the second color that is introduced on the M Sport / M Performance model rather than a full M car

38. Hockenheim Silver metallic (C33)

• Named after: Hockenheimring

• Introduced: In 2018 on F87 M2 Competition

• Launch color on: F87 M2 Competition

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

39. Portimao Blue metallic (C31)

• Named after: Algarve International Circuit which is commonly referred to as Portimão Circuit

• Introduced: In 2018 on G20 3 Series M Sport

• Launch color on: G20 3 Series M Sport

• Also used on: G80 M3, G82 / G83 M4

• Discontinued: -

40. Toronto Red metallic (C3G)

• Named after: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park which is located in the Greater Toronto Area

• Introduced: In 2019 on F97 X3 M

• Launch color on: F98 X4 M

• Also used on: F97 X3 M, F95 X5 M, F96 X6 M, G80 M3, G82 / G83 M4

• Discontinued: -

41. Motegi Red metallic (C3K)

• Named after: Twin Ring Motegi

• Introduced: In 2019 on F91 and F92 M8

• Launch color on: F91 M8

• Also used on: F90

• Discontinued: -

42. Brands Hatch Grey metallic (C17)

• Named after: Brands Hatch Circuit

• Introduced: In 2019 on F91 and F92 M8

• Launch color on: -

• Also used on: F90

• Discontinued: -

43. Isle of Man Green metallic (C4G)

• Named after: Isle of Man TT Mountain_Course

• Introduced: In 2020 on G80 M3, G82 / G83 M4

• Launch color on: -

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

44. Sao Paulo Yellow (C4H)

• Named after: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace which was originally known as Autodromo de Interlagos is located in the city of São Paulo

• Introduced: In 2020 on G80 M3, G82 / G83 M4

• Launch color on: -

• Also used on: -

• Discontinued: -

• Notes: First new non-metallic M color since Laguna Seca Blue which was released over 20 years ago. This is the second color that Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace gets.

[SickFinga]

Here how the individual countries stand. The list doesn't include the "come back" (Dakar vs Dakar II) colors, but includes all new colors (Misano Red vs Misano Blue)

USA - 7
Italy - 5
UK - 4
Brazil - 2
France - 2
Germany - 2
Portugal - 2
Singapore - 2
Spain - 2
Australia - 1
Bahrain - 1
Canada - 1
Isle of Man - 1
Japan - 1
Macao - 1
Malaysia - 1
Monaco - 1
South Africa - 1
Senegal - 1
UAE - 1

[SunnyD]

Interlagos is my fav M color

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Interlagos is my fav M color

Mine, too.
That was the color of my M6. It was awesome. I am partial to blues.

[mkoesel]

Some form of Macao Blue was recently used for the M3 30 Jahre. I didn't see it mentioned in the Macao blue section, which may be because it is a "II" or is in any case not the same as the original. Either way, it seems it deserves a mention here, but perhaps there is some criteria I've missed under which it "doesn't count" for some reason.

[ShocknAwe]

Ooo Interlagos. Glad to see it.

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Some form of Macao Blue was recently used for the M3 30 Jahre. I didn't see it mentioned in the Macao blue section, which may be because it is a "II" or is in any case not the same as the original. Either way, it seems it deserves a mention here, but perhaps there is some criteria I've missed under which it "doesn't count" for some reason.

Well, a lot of those color were available on special editions. Laguna Seca Blue, Dakar Yellow 2, Imola Red 2 were all available on E9x M3 for example. However, the list only includes colors that were not listed as Special Paint on the build sheets. It would really be impossible to figure out all the special editions since a lot of them are undocumented.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by SickFinga

However, the list only includes colors that were not listed as Special Paint on the build sheets.

Ah, ok. So it is basically what I said about some colors/cars being excluded for a specific reason.

It would really be impossible to figure out all the special editions since a lot of them are undocumented.

I understand. At the same time, it might be worth making a specific note about this fact in the OP. While some of these special runs are no doubt obscure, many are pretty well known. It seems to me that, in the long term, a short explanation about what is/isn’t included and why would perhaps help avoid repeated posts to the affect of “hey you forgot this car” or “why isn’t my ‘color XXX’ M3/M4 edition YYY on your list?” I suppose that’s perhaps what you meant by the comment in your second post “The list doesn't include the ‘come back’ colors.” But if so, it may make sense to clarify that more and move it to the top of the first post. Just a thought.

And by the way, thanks for putting together this document. It’s a good read and a useful resource.

[Maynard]

Cool trivia about the names, thanks for putting it together. Can't help but think it is a bit of the classic //Msnobbery to suggest that Monaco Blue isn't named after a racetrack just because it isn't an //M-color - WTH else is there in Monaco? (but perhaps I'm going all McCarthy-era on the //Msnobs, seeing them under every post? ).

[TodmordenLad]

Great compilation, thanks, and love the Jerez Black metallic

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Cool trivia about the names, thanks for putting it together. Can't help but think it is a bit of the classic //Msnobbery to suggest that Monaco Blue isn't named after a racetrack just because it isn't an //M-color - WTH else is there in Monaco? (but perhaps I'm going all McCarthy-era on the //Msnobs, seeing them under every post? ).

See post #6 for the explanation. As for WTH else is there? A big body of water most likely

[SpenceRx]

This is an awesome list. I've never seen some of those colors. Estoril Blue Color Code 335 is my favourite.

[RPiM5]

Awesome post!

Can't decide which is my least favorite: Dakar Yellow or Indianapolis Red, but both make me want to

My favorites are:

San Marino Blue
Donnington Grey
(Can't wait to see what Hockenheim Silver looks like, I think it'll be a standard color on the F90 M5 too)
Le Mans Blue

I also feel Sepang Bronze is one of the most under-appreciated colors of them all.

Im still waiting for my Nurburgring HellGrun!! Lol!

Also, I'm pretty sure Macao Blue was used on the F80 M3 30 Jahre Edition as a limited color again.

[Laserdude]

So whenever a color has a II after it it's the same color as the original and it's just being reintroduced? Or do some of them differ in color?

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Le Mans and Avus.

[goj]

Estoril Blue 2

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by Laserdude

So whenever a color has a II after it it's the same color as the original and it's just being reintroduced? Or do some of them differ in color?

It's a different formula. So they are not exactly the same, but pretty close. For example, the difference between Dakar Yellow and Dakar Yellow II is that the original Dakar Yellow came without a clear coat.

[AwesomeM3]

Great post!

I'm partial to Interlagos Blue and Donington Grey

[m3forme2016]

There is an Atlanta Blue? I thought Atlantic Blue and Atlantis would cause enough confusion.

Originally Posted by SickFinga

There is clearly a pattern with the M colors. They all started out as an M exclusive color. The four colors above not only are not M exclusive, they were never offered on the M models.

Therefore, those are simply named after a location, just like Mauritius Blue, Barbados Green, Boston Green, Maldives Blue, Atlanta Blue, Madeira Violet, Santorini, Oxford Green, Mojave Brown, Aspen Silver and many more.
Navarra is clearly not named after the circuit since the curcuit was built about a decade after the color was offered.

[cbertels]

Mine is LSB or YMB

[Silververtu]

Isn't Silver Gray a M3 CSL color and put on E46 M3 and E85/86 M roadster/coupe in 2006-2008?

[someMoreMplease]

Thanks for this awesome post!