After a 4 month wait, I finally took delivery of a Midnight blue/Cocoa C4. I would like to thanks all those who directly or indirectly helped me during the process. Just as few thoughts on my decisions:

Alternative choices- I previously owned (and traded in) a 996 C2 but had been on the E60 M5 waiting list for almost 3 years. I went to local BMW and Porsche dealerships on the same day with approx. 85K to spend. Test drove the M5 first and I was relatively disappointed. Extremely fast, but lacked the "soul" that I found in previous "lesser" BMW's that I had owned. SMG frustrating, interior mediocre, Idrive unnecessarily complicated. Next, I drove C2S and C4. Needless to say, the Porsches were substantially more involving and viscerally more connected than the M5.

C2S vs. C4: I've read the endless previous posts about the 30 more horsepower on the C2S, the "training wheels" on the C4 etc. Subjectively, the performance difference was less impressive than I expected. Certainly, the C2S felt faster, but the difference didn't knock my socks off. I drive predominantly in the city and do not intend to track the car (where I'm sure the differences would be more noticeable). In addition, I drive the car year round and the thought of having 4WD and snow tires (mounted after the pictures were taken) was appealing.

Options: The discussion on this board of "must have" options is a mystery to me. The only "must have" options for me were the ones that I actually wanted, not what someone else may want years down the road when I sell the car. I picked a price point that I wanted to end up at and chose the combination of options that I thought would best suit my driving needs and desires. The Porsche option list is endless and extremely appealing, but I had a budget. I ended up with power seats, heated seats, bixenon, cocoa interior/mats, leather sport steering wheel (by accident)

Color combination: Solely personal preference. I loved the cocoa interiors that have been posted on this board and had decided long ago to purchase midnight blue. I know that the combination is unusual but I think that it adds a richness to the car. Not as sporty as black or grey but I'm ok with that.

 

Congratulations.
I still don't see the appeal of the Cocoa brown, don't like the 'marbled' look of the leather - although at the same time I'm strangely attracted to it. Regardless, it looks quite good paired with the blue, something I never would have thought of!
Enjoy it in good health!

 

Easy for me to say: I like the interior. Interesting.. Vanc83 and I view the same thing 180out. I found most of the other leathers lacked 'leather' character. They remind me of the "Leather" in my Ford SUV. The marbling, which is quite minimal, allows the leather to look like a hide vs. the matching color vinyl trim. Even a plastic saddle we own seems to pretend better than most auto interiors..

Having a C4, particularly as a daily driver, in Chicago seems logical. I'd prefer a 4WD F-150, with railroad track for bumpers, for a Winter commuter on Edens but what-the-hell. Congrats.

 

Very nice looking combo. As for the explination I don't think anyone would tell you........... you should have bought the....... why didn't you get the....... at least I hope they wouldn't. You are correct it is your choice, you need to enjoy it, and I'm sure you will.

 

It is indeed a very unique combo. Congradulations on a real nice choice.

The rear center counsole would look better in midnight blue with your cocoa interior. But that's easy to do laterif you get bored of the current look. Its the one interior part that looks a little cheap (all colors) to me. But in body color it looks right.

 

That really looks GREAT!!!

 

very nice combo, even working at a dealership for a short period I have never seen this combo. Sharp! thanks for sharing the pics.

 

I like it a great deal, did you consider the supple leather?

 

Very nice! Reminds me of my Carbon Black (blue)/ Cinnamon interior M3.

 

Beautiful - Very classy combo. Enjoy it!!

 

Nice. Personally, I like something like your combo that you don't see every day.

 

I absolutely Love that combo - I have a 996 Lapis blue with gray interior. My next will be your color combo - thanks for posting!

 

I love the MIdnight Blue!!!

Here's to many many happy miles of Porsche driving fun!

 

Wonderful combo. Like you, I find it very rich looking. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the feedback.

In reference to supple leather: I didn't have a strong feeling either way, but I preferred the greater amount of stitching that was present on the non-supple leather interior. I had supple leather Savannah beige on my previous car and wanted a change of pace. In truth, I really wanted deviated stitching with cocoa/beige stitching but it isn't offered on anything but the Turbo or GT3 (despite the inaccurate info on the 2007 997 order guide)

In reference to Carbon Black: I've always wanted a Carbon Black M, absolutely my favorite car color. Midnight was a close second. In fact, there are two Individual E60 M5's on the "M5board" that inspired my selection. One was Sepia exterior with Amarone interior, the second was Carbon Black with a reddish brown interior.

Once again, thanks for the input.