[Seaz]

So im about to place my order and I'm it seems Phytonic Blue Metallic can look either very dark or light. I have a feeling most pictures are photoshopped I personally don't like a very dark navy blue. Any ideas on what to expect in real life ?

[mcc3456]

Saw it in person. Was not impressed. Just another BMW medium blue. Nothing remarkable.

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by Seaz

So im about to place my order and I'm it seems Phytonic Blue Metallic can look either very dark or light. I have a feeling most pictures are photoshopped I personally don't like a very dark navy blue. Any ideas on what to expect in real life ?

I think I read that the top photo is not Phytonic Blue, but a Carbon Black under blue lights.

[shemazar]

The bottom pic is much more representative of the color as you’ll see it in person

[sor]

Your first photo is called Carbon Black under the bright show lights at the Frankfurt auto show that bring out the metallic blue. The second photo is a phytonic.

Phytonic is a great blue. It doesn’t photograph well, I was quite surprised when I saw it for the first time this weekend. I saw it on a cloudy day and I’d say there was just the slightest hint of green and a dark smokiness to it, for lack of a better description that goes great with the titanium silver accents. I’m interested in seeing it in full sun too.

I really like it. I was expecting something like a Monte Carlo or Mediterranean blue but there’s something extra going on. Blues can be pretty polarizing though, so hopefully you can see one in person.

[Slalom]

I have seen it and I was surprised that it was darker than I expected. I saw it on an overcast day and it looked more like the top photo than the bottom one.

[sor]

This is probably the most accurate depiction I’ve seen so far. It still seems a tad dark compared to reality, but you can see the very slight green leaning that I’m talking about vs your advertising shot above. Not a teal (thank goodness), but just the slightest leaning in that direction.

I expect it to come to life a bit and be brighter in the light. You really do need to see it in person, but many of us who took a chance on it without being able to see it have been pleasantly surprised.

[tyranimo]

As a person who likes blue, I really like how it turned out.

I saw one in the showroom today and I think it's the best color haha

[sor]

Originally Posted by bwcooper

I think I read that the top photo is not Phytonic Blue, but a Carbon Black under blue lights.

Carbon black does have a blue flake tint in it that shows similar to this photo when in sunlight. I believe this is just what it looks like under bright white light.

Here’s a carbon black F15 in sun.

[JSY]

When I first saw photos of it the Phytonic Blue, I thought it was going to be somewhat brighter than my Deep Sea Blue, but then when I saw it at the Ultimate Drive Event, the blue didn't seem all that different from my Deep Sea Blue. I am sure I might feel differently under different lighting conditions, but it didn't stick out to me as being so different to me. Sunlight brightens anything especially if the reflection is that of a blue sky in the first place.

The first pic is the Phytonic Blue that I saw at the UDE. The second pic is my current Deep Sea Blue. Under partial sunlight it doesn't look all that different. Then look at the third pic of the same Phytonic Blue from the other side with the sun beaming down on it. It looks so much brighter.

[sor]

Originally Posted by JSY

When I first saw photos of it the Phytonic Blue, I thought it was going to be somewhat brighter than my Deep Sea Blue, but then when I saw it at the Ultimate Drive Event, the blue didn't seem all that different from my Deep Sea Blue. I am sure I might feel differently under different lighting conditions, but it didn't stick out to me as being so different to me. Sunlight brightens anything especially if the reflection is that of a blue sky in the first place.

The first pic is the Phytonic Blue that I saw at the UDE. The second pic is my current Deep Sea Blue. Under partial sunlight it doesn't look all that different. Then look at the third pic of the same Phytonic Blue from the other side with the sun beaming down on it. It looks so much brighter.

Are your shots from the same event/car as the video I posted?

I guess part of the difference as you indicate in photos is that the Phytonic in shade is about as dark as your Deep Sea is in direct sunlight. I’m not really too familiar with Deep Sea blue but it seems like there’s a slightly different tint going on as well. Did you pick up on that in person or was it similar?

[JSY]

Originally Posted by sor

Are your shots from the same event/car as the video I posted?

I guess part of the difference as you indicate in photos is that the Phytonic in shade is about as dark as your Deep Sea is in direct sunlight. I’m not really too familiar with Deep Sea blue but it seems like there’s a slightly different tint going on as well. Did you pick up on that in person or was it similar?

Yes, I took those pictures yesterday (Friday) when I was there. It was sunny vs it being cloudy in that video.

I don't notice any extra tint on my current Deep Sea Blue, but I do know that at night it looks very dark and in the sunlight it looks pretty bright. lol Not very scientific, I know. However, none of that Carbon Black business going on - at least to my eyes. Now I wonder if I haven't been paying attention.

But I wonder if that Carbon Black effect with the blue tinge outdoors isn't affected more so because of the blue sky too.

[sor]

Originally Posted by JSY

Yes, I took those pictures yesterday (Friday) when I was there. It was sunny vs it being cloudy in that video.

I don't notice any extra tint on my current Deep Sea Blue, but I do know that at night it looks very dark and in the sunlight it looks pretty bright. lol Not very scientific, I know. However, none of that Carbon Black business going on - at least to my eyes. Now I wonder if I haven't been paying attention.

But I wonder if that Carbon Black effect with the blue tinge outdoors isn't affected more so because of the blue sky too.

Maybe. I do know that there are some colors where they do interesting things with the paint, like add metallic flake that is quite different from the base paint, making a stark difference when it is well lit. I’ve read some posts where people break down the formulas, like Moonstone might be a silver paint with gold flake added, or Carbon black might be black paint with a blue flake. Phytonic might be a deep blue-green with a fairly bright, Monte Carlo style metallic flake.

[bwcooper]

Here's some pics of my Phytonic Blue M40i sitting next to a Mediterranean Blue car on the dealer's lot. Looked more similar to each other than I expected, but the photo makes them seem even more alike. Agree that the bright blue sky seems to change its look.

[chrischen0511]

Originally Posted by bwcooper

Here's some pics of my Phytonic Blue M40i sitting next to a Mediterranean Blue car on the dealer's lot. Looked more similar to each other than I expected, but the photo makes them seem even more alike. Agree that the bright blue sky seems to change its look.

Guys, kindly need your advice. I am about to place my new x3 order, and want to confirm whether the Phytonic Blue is Metallic paint? This is not mentioned in BMW X3 brochure. Couldn't find any official information telling it is metallic paint. Any advice?

[Rbrown]

Yes, it’s metallic!

I find mine is darker than I thought it would be, but love it! Quite a few people have said how much they like the colour.

[JimS]

Originally Posted by shemazar

The bottom pic is much more representative of the color as you’ll see it in person

I agree

[chrischen0511]

Thanks mate for confirming, mine hasn't been built yet..lol. But look forward to it, darker blue gives more serious presence, not like those fast-small-hatchback blues.

[Rbrown]

Here is mine.

[chrischen0511]

Absolutely gorgeous. Under different level of lights, somehow this blue also gives different feelings

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by chrischen0511

Absolutely gorgeous. Under different level of lights, somehow this blue also gives different feelings

Different angle....slightly darker.

[Rik762]

In poor light it looks a fairly dull med to dark blue but in the sun it is superb.