What is this paint color

[CharlesJ]

Need some BMW paint color expertise. My ‘74, which was originally Natchblau, is apparently not anymore. I always noticed it was a bit off from my actually Nachtblau ‘73, but was not untill I went to touch up a paint area that I see it is completely different. The car was repainted a close, but different color at some point that is a little darker, little less saturated and has obvious silver metallic.

I believe it is almost definitely a BMW color, just not the right one, maybe not even an e9 color. See pictures below with comparisons to my ‘73.

My thoughts are that it could be 045 Arktisblau, 198 Royalblau (e28), or 294 Lazurblau (e32). Any thoughts?

 

[TodB]

could be nachtblau (040) with a bit too much sparkle.

 

[HB Chris]

Your 73 looks like Baikal to me or a two stage Riviera.

 

[CharlesJ]

Your 73 looks like Baikal to me or a two stage Riviera.

I think it is just the lighting as it is definitely Nachtblau confirmed by independent paint samples and some of the original parts that match perfectly. It also matches some of the hidden spots that were not repainted on the '74 like under the door cards. The '74 has less saturation, darker, more silver sparkle. I have considered it is just completely a custom or different make color, but knowing some of the history of the car, I would be surprised if it was not a BMW color. I do not think it is 045 as I believe that is lighter than 040, so my current thinking is 198. I looked at this e28, which from the pictures looks spot on: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-535is-38/

 

[BarneyT]

It looks like Baikal blue to me…
Here’s our Baikal blue coupe.