Word of warning to Alpinweiß E30 owners.

[Doobit]

Just found out (the bad way because I didn't test it first!), that the modern BMW Alpinweiß colour is very different from the original pre-93 colour.

The new colour from a can bought in Halfords is much darker and nothing like the original E30 colour!

[KW355]

Latest one is alpine white 3

[steve_k]

i got some from my local halfords the other week & it was alpine white 2 & the right shade,

they've still got alpine white 2 on the data sheets.
most motor factors round my way still stock alpine white 2 aswell.

[ross_jsy]

Not only are there several different types if Alpine White, each one has about 5 shades.

When I pick rattle cans, I take a bit of bodywork with me if I can't take the car to compare to the colour samples

[Kos]

/\

What he said

Paint needs to be matched up, giving a pleb in halford a name isn't enough

[ah]

Learn something new every day.

[jcm325]

I've tried various alpine white 2 rattle cans none are remotely close!! Ok for internal areas like boot floor etc but outside bodywork is a different ballgame.....I've just blown it over to protect it and I'll get the whole panel painted by a professional to ensure a colour match.

[Topblag]

There were 2 paint suppliers in every factory which made E30s in Germany, and I believe a number of factories made them, that gives a number of slightly different shades of each colour.

The only way to get the right match is to take a piece of the car (fuel filler flap for example) to a proper automotive paint shop and they will match it and give you either a tin of paint or aerosols. It's always worked for me.

[Brianmoooore]

The only way to get the right match is to take a piece of the car (fuel filler flap for example) to a proper automotive paint shop and they will match it and give you either a tin of paint or aerosols.

This! The aerosol paint they supply will cover far more than the Halfords type stuff, and will likely come with a selection of spray nozzles.

[ross_jsy]

Doing it this way I've had perfect matches on Alpine White and Lachs Silver.

When you match it up, take it out into the sunlight. What might look like a match in the shop can be a million miles out outside.

[Doobit]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[DanThe]

A proper paint mixers will mix the correct shade from the colour code, numbers that is.
I always buy mixed paint from my local like this and never had a problem.
Halfrauds/motorfactors/shelf paint is just chancing it

[Jesus325iTouring]

Only time i've had paint mixed was "BT Grey" for my old Tranist, 1st batch the paint place screwed up somehow, second attempt was a 100% perfect match. Cost about £14 per can.