Question about the original color of the late-model valences

[ChrisK]

I was was getting out of my car at about 8 o'clock this morning and this guy started complimenting my 91' 325i. We started talking about how the paint was a rare color, etc. and then he said that my front valence was paint-matched. From what I know, this is how it came from BMW- but he seems to think that they only came in black. He acted like he was on something; talking a million miles a minute and also said it cost him like 4k to replace the front diff and transfer case or something on his e30 iX. Does this sound like the profile of a dumbass or was he right about any of that?

[bmwstephen]

the original valance if you order new from the factory came black and primed without the rock guard texture. cars from the factory came with their valence paint matched above the rock guard texture with and yeah the guy is full of it.

[Dominic49]

e36 was the only one that was grey valences and rockers