What ambient lighting setting do you use (if any)?

[Pelo Cat]

I've tried most colours and intensities but find I prefer the blue (upper and lower) for most conditions and times of day with the default intensity but set to dim at night...however, for longer, darker conditions (where no street lights are present for example for quite a stretch) I then switch to orange as I find it far easier on the eyes and less distracting.

Can't stand the green, like the lilac but also find it a bit too bright...

Seems like most pics I see of the ambient lighting show people using the blue (at least with light interior colours), not really noticed if those with black or dark brown interiors are using orange as the base colour?

What do you use (or do you dislike it and have it turned off completely?) Some examples below:

[Nivarox]

I do use blue and white, not a fan of other colors. I like the bottom of the images you posted

[Pelo Cat]

Thanks for replying Nivarox, ^ good to hear other people's choices and maybe see if there are points one is missing that are useful (in terms of practicality or use, etc...)

(besides being an excuse to post more car porn pics! )

It does seem blue is hugely popular and I find it the most striking colour of the available ones on the 7 as well. Not tried white / blue for more than a minute or two, may have to give that a go and see what it is like at night, maybe helping it by turning down the intensity a bit so I don't have to change to orange if driving in complete darkness (besides other road users).

Do you mind me asking if you use the default (mid) level of intensity or have you turned it down? Or do you not find it too bright at night? I can definitely feel my eyes relaxing more if I switch to orange when there is no other street lights or ambient light, as they don't keep trying to focus or look at the rather bright blue inside the car then and stay focussed on the road ahead...maybe it is just me!

Other thoughts anyone? Curious if this is strictly a personal choice / mood type setting or if people have chosen a specific colour as it helps visibility or other reasons at night...Thanks in advance! Please do post some pics of your interior setup with that colour as would be good to see the combos as well! (didn't think blue would look that good with black interior for example but LZR's post shows this matches quite well for example!)

[325_bucks]

I think blue will look better against the black interior that I'm getting, I remember back in my old 3 series, or 5 series, I can't remember which one, it had ambient lighting but it was almost invisible against black. I think the new lighting is a lot brighter than before

[Pelo Cat]

Definitely brighter than in the past, even on default middle settings and with dimming at night...

The settings are via iDrive. I've not tried them at full whack to be honest, only 'standard' intensity...and dimmed at night...

Following the settings pics is a picture to show the intensity at night when the car is not 'on' but not locked yet (hence why A/C controls and such are not on): the colour you choose is not only on the two strips around the wood trim but also as spots from the roof onto the middle of the respective seating areas (so illuminating the shifter and iDrive controller area for example and also in the foot wells):

As a last point, even with seat heaters on and it warm in the cabin I have to admit that the blue does make me 'feel' colder than using orange on very dark cold mornings...so colour can make you feel more comfortable as well...

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by 325_bucks

I think blue will look better against the black interior that I'm getting, I remember back in my old 3 series, or 5 series, I can't remember which one, it had ambient lighting but it was almost invisible against black. I think the new lighting is a lot brighter than before

Yeah the ambient lighting is hardly noticeable on my M5. It's so much better on the 7. Nice that you can switch it all down if needed but can dial it up if required.

Really adds to the feel of the car if you ask me.

[vivalaReagan]

Good thread, Pelo Cat!

I also prefer the blue, top & bottom. I don't find the ambient lighting to be distracting, even at night, so I keep the brightness at maximum & I don't opt for the dimmed at night option. I also keep the speaker lighting, rear door pillar ambient highlight, and sky lounge at maximum brightness. Love the interior at night, as it really gives the seven a high-tech, classy look & feel.

One oversight by BMW is the inability to change the color of the door jam kick plate lighting. Mine is always a reddish-pink, and seems out of place with the ambient lighting choices.

By the way, Pelo Cat, beautiful interior on your seven. Is that Ivory or Smoke White?

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by vivalaReagan

Good thread, Pelo Cat!

Thanks! ^ Always good to learn and hear what others do in case one learns something new!

Originally Posted by vivalaReagan

I also prefer the blue, top & bottom. I don't find the ambient lighting to be distracting, even at night, so I keep the brightness at maximum & I don't opt for the dimmed at night option. I also keep the speaker lighting, rear door pillar ambient highlight, and sky lounge at maximum brightness. Love the interior at night, as it really gives the seven a high-tech, classy look & feel.

Yeah, it does look stunning with the blue and red of the controls. ^ Must be even more so with yours due to the extra long sunroof and lighting on them (the G11 smaller sunroof is not illuminated)

Originally Posted by vivalaReagan

One oversight by BMW is the inability to change the color of the door jam kick plate lighting. Mine is always a reddish-pink, and seems out of place with the ambient lighting choices.

By the way, Pelo Cat, beautiful interior on your seven. Is that Ivory or Smoke White?

Agree, the door sills look good in orange but it would have been a nice touch to have them follow the rest of the ambient light colour scheme.

Thanks, I love it but it is hard to keep clean, thankfully the wife is quite good and no kids to worry about! Its ivory white with the black floor area to help make it liveable. My last F01 had all tan interior and after a few years, even with being careful it looked quite worn and 'dirty' so made sure to have black on the foot area.

Anyone else have any comments on the ambient lighting colour and why they like that one? (other than simple colour preference?)

[major one]

i have mine set to the all-red/orange hue. and maximum intensity with no reduction for night driving (save for the white vertical light pillars in the rear cabin - i leave those at medium setting). i chose the red/orange colours as 1/that is classic bmw and am used to seeing that over the years; 2/there were studies years ago that the red/orange colour is easier on the eyes at night (think submarine and fighter jet lighting); and 3/i have the cognac leather and the red/orange complements the leather colour quite well imo.

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by Pelo Cat

Thanks, I love it but it is hard to keep clean, thankfully the wife is quite good and no kids to worry about! Its ivory white with the black floor area to help make it liveable. My last F01 had all tan interior and after a few years, even with being careful it looked quite worn and 'dirty' so made sure to have black on the foot area.

I'm hoping I don't regret my light interior choice and can keep it clean. The kids are old enough that they shouldn't really be an issue at least. It'll probably be more simply dye transfer on days where you end up getting wet, etc I imagine.

[325_bucks]

Dye transfer has been the biggest pain in the neck for me, seemingly every pair of jeans I have leave my seats completely blue. I really wanted a light interior this time but I couldn’t be dealing with cleaning it literally every other day, hence why I went for black.

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by 325_bucks

Dye transfer has been the biggest pain in the neck for me, seemingly every pair of jeans I have leave my seats completely blue. I really wanted a light interior this time but I couldn’t be dealing with cleaning it literally every other day, hence why I went for black.

Maybe I'll just have to stock up on white trousers

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by major one

i have mine set to the all-red/orange hue. and maximum intensity with no reduction for night driving (save for the white vertical light pillars in the rear cabin - i leave those at medium setting). i chose the red/orange colours as 1/that is classic bmw and am used to seeing that over the years; 2/there were studies years ago that the red/orange colour is easier on the eyes at night (think submarine and fighter jet lighting); and 3/i have the cognac leather and the red/orange complements the leather colour quite well imo.

Agree that the orange (which is indeed nice for the historical reasons as well) is easier on the eyes, if you switch over at night you can definitely see and feel the reduction in eye strain (at least I can) so I tend to do that, may see if I can make that a short cut button to save me the hassle going from well lit areas (mostly urban) where I prefer the blue to unlit areas where I switch to orange.

Good point about the interior colours and matching. Thanks, appreciate the feedback. ^

Originally Posted by FastLaneJB

I'm hoping I don't regret my light interior choice and can keep it clean. The kids are old enough that they shouldn't really be an issue at least. It'll probably be more simply dye transfer on days where you end up getting wet, etc I imagine.

Strange, I was worried about this myself when I got the car but (knocks on wood) I haven't had any issue with dye transfer yet and have plenty of dark blue jeans and have sat in it when wet, etc...not had to do any extra cleaning (besides the odd vacuum) and a leather clean every second month or so...I have been watching this to see if it would take on colours but so far I've been either very lucky or they have improved this?

Safe travels everyone.

[2006bmw750li]

I have oyster and black interior and use all white ambient lighting set to brightest.

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by 2006bmw750li

I have oyster and black interior and use all white ambient lighting set to brightest.

Thanks, interesting, that is actually something I haven't yet tried and will have to give a go to see what it looks like! I can imagine it looking very good...think I'll find it too bright but one never knows...

Why is it that one is always away from home when one wants to check something!

Any other combinations/opinions on ambient lighting?

[major one]

i switched it to “all white” once (on a previous s-class), and it reminded me of the hospital operating room. awwwwwwful.

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by Pelo Cat

Strange, I was worried about this myself when I got the car but (knocks on wood) I haven't had any issue with dye transfer yet and have plenty of dark blue jeans and have sat in it when wet, etc...not had to do any extra cleaning (besides the odd vacuum) and a leather clean every second month or so...I have been watching this to see if it would take on colours but so far I've been either very lucky or they have improved this?

No idea if they've improved it, will be my first light interior car to be honest. Never risked it before but then kids where younger but now old enough to give it a shot.

Is your leather the Nappa option or Merino? I believe that might make a bit of a difference as well but not sure. There's some posts talking about the differences and so on but not sure if it's accurate as there's people disagreeing. Clearly Merino costs more but is it more / less or the same with regards to durability? I don't know.

If I had to pay for it, I would have just gone for the Nappa to be honest. However Merino is a no cost option on the M760Li where as on the normal cars it's like a £5k option. No way I was going to give up my free £5k leather upgrade

They don't do a black Merino otherwise I might have taken that. Hence in taking my free £5k upgrade I'm forced to a light colour. I think it looks awesome, just hope it's not a pain to maintain but your post gives me some confidence.

Still I've not really done anything with my black leather in my M5. It doesn't really need any effort at all.

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by major one

i switched it to “all white” once (on a previous s-class), and it reminded me of the hospital operating room. awwwwwwful.

Interesting, thanks for the feedback! I also imagine it being too bright or clinical but have to give it a try to be honest as we're all individuals and each have our own preferences! Can't see me liking it but worth a try to make sure! Good to hear other opinions though, long may diversity live. ^

Originally Posted by FastLaneJB

Is your leather the Nappa option or Merino? I believe that might make a bit of a difference as well but not sure. There's some posts talking about the differences and so on but not sure if it's accurate as there's people disagreeing. Clearly Merino costs more but is it more / less or the same with regards to durability? I don't know.

If I had to pay for it, I would have just gone for the Nappa to be honest. However Merino is a no cost option on the M760Li where as on the normal cars it's like a £5k option. No way I was going to give up my free £5k leather upgrade

They don't do a black Merino otherwise I might have taken that. Hence in taking my free £5k upgrade I'm forced to a light colour. I think it looks awesome, just hope it's not a pain to maintain but your post gives me some confidence.

Still I've not really done anything with my black leather in my M5. It doesn't really need any effort at all.

Just the bog standard leather. Agree about taking the freebie, I'd have done the same, silly not to. Hope it is as carefree as mine has been so far! ^

Safe travels.

[roho3323]

I generally swap between all Blue (when I use Eco mode) and all orange. Lately I?ve been using white/orange as it really matches the digital dash very well. Here is a pic with sport display.

[Pelo Cat]

thanks roho3323, that does look good and I'm going to try that (blue white, red white) out next...it may be a perfect combo for me as well.

On my drive home last night I gave the all white a go and was really surprised when I found it quite good!

I couldn't get it out of my head before trying it that it would be too bright and a big distraction but actually, it is like having soft lighting on (when dimmed at night is ticked, and default intensity) and actually reduced the contrast of a dark interior cabin with the illumination of the road in front. (and therefore easier than expected for my eyes to relax and stay focussed on the road)

I still think orange is the easiest on the eyes personally at night, but did like the white so maybe the half and half will be a good balance, imagine the red / white being better for this but one never knows until one tries it (and we're all different in our preferences and opinions!)

The wife is going to start thinking I'm having an affair if I keep saying I'm just going out to the car or for a short drive though!

Anyone else?

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by Pelo Cat

The wife is going to start thinking I'm having an affair if I keep saying I'm just going out to the car or for a short drive though!

She's not realised she's second choice to a BMW yet?

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by FastLaneJB

She's not realised she's second choice to a BMW yet?

She's German, so I'm probably second choice to the BMW...