Is this a factory color...?

turboale · Post by **turboale** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:57 pm

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the BMW scene but not new to car clubs and car lovers. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone knows if this is a factory color. I want to say that I remember hearing that it is, but I'm not 100% sure. As you can see the front bumper needs some love and was wondering how hard its going to be to find paint for this thing. For more info on the story of the car I started a thread in the newb section...

Thanks!

Pic:

Eddie in TO · Post by **Eddie in TO** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:10 pm

Welcome aboard Austin!

The color looks to be Topasbraun-metallic (no. 013).
BTW...I think that's a really cool E12 color.

It looks to be in great shape too.
You've come to the right place for E12 support.

Pete K · Post by **Pete K** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:25 pm

What colour does your sticker say? I'm guessing that if it says Alpineweiss, it's not original.

She's a lovely looking car that's obviously not standard (from the missing rear bumper at least).

Cheers

MikeB7 · Post by **MikeB7** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:42 am

It looks like topasbraun/topaz brown metallic. As mentioned, check the tag underhood.

turboale · Post by **turboale** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:58 am

Thanks guys!
These pictures were taken a few years ago after a good washing. I have a feeling that I'm going to want to invest in a porter cable when I see it, but hopefully not. I'm going to a wedding next week that happens to be the original owner's son so I will have plenty of time to talk about it with him. I'll check under the hood too, I'm pretty sure your right and it is a factory color. This may be a stupid question but will any body shop be able to order that color?

Thanks!

MikeB7 · Post by **MikeB7** » Fri May 22, 2009 8:02 am

Yes, just give them the 3-digit BMW paint code and name.
(013 Topasbraun Metallic )

If you're trying to do touchups or partials, though, you can't trust it to be an exact match. A bodyman with a really good eye can usually fine tune it to get it very close if it's off, though.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:50 pm

I don't know about the color being original, but I like it, a lot.

I don't like the 'no rear bumper' look though.

alotawatts · Post by **alotawatts** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:56 am

+1 for BMW Topasbraun Metalic #13

http://www.e12e28.de/BMW_e12e28/E12_Reg ... a28014.htm

No bumper looks bitchin' to me

turboale · Post by **turboale** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:42 am

Thanks for the info on the color!
Hopefully I won't find any rust and I'll only have to do the front bumper and the lower rear portion where the rear bumper used to be. I think it will also look better when its lower.

It used to have a borla exhaust on it until it was so leaky you would start to get light headed when driving. *fingers crossed* they kept it so I can send it off to borla and get a new one (lifetime warranty!) For the time being they slapped a cheap custom one on that now has haneus pipes coming out the back and is way to quiet for my liking. What is the ideal size for the exhaust on this car? I'm almost positive the car already has headers so hopefully they went with something decent but I have a feeling I'll have to junk the whole thing.

Jhallm5 · Post by **Jhallm5** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:05 am

Are you looking to buy this car??
This car has been around Asheville, NC
for many years. It was very nice the
last time that i saw it.. Very nice color,
i think.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:21 am

According to this post, he's the new owner.

turboale · Post by **turboale** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:22 am

It has been in Lake Lure since it was new and has been in Asheville for about 7-8 years parked mostly where I took that picture. I won't officially be the owner until friday when I'm down there to get the title but it is currently in my mother's garage in Asheville. There is more info on it in my introduction thread Here If you are the guy who was thinking about buying it a few years back then thats about when I took these pictures. Hopefully the last couple years have been kind to it. I'm prepping for a massive detail when I get there.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:05 am

So, you plan on driving it back to NY?

You could wait a weekend and take the scenic route through Tupelo, Mississippi. Some of us will be there.

turboale · Post by **turboale** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:11 am

I wish I could make it!
I'm only going to be in asheville over the weekend for a wedding then flying back on monday. I wish i could have the car here with me but there is no way in hell I would park it on the street and parking in a deck is over $300 a month here so its going to stay in Asheville for the time being. I'm planning on moving out of NYC in September so wherever that is I will be sure and have a garage waiting. We are considering Austin, TX and Asheville so its fine with me for it to stay there for now.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:34 am

turboale wrote: We are considering Austin, TX and Asheville so its fine with me for it to stay there for now.

Both nice, but very different, places to live.
Austin is in a beautiful part, Texas Hill Country, of the state.
P.S. No personal income tax in Texas.

We moved to Houston in 1976, we love it here, even though all the rest of our family lives in the Lexington, Louisville, Ky. area.

Speaking of Asheville, in 1974 when I was in the Marine Corps, I rode my bicycle from Lexington, Ky. through Asheville on my way back to New River Air Station in Jacksonville, NC. Thank God mountains have a downhill side.