[hayabusa55]

I know, I know: "Nothing looks as good as a black car when properly cleaned."

It's such a hassle, though. Often, I see E90's in dark gray, blue, gold and the lines look so nice and the cars look clean even if they're not spotless.

With black, the lines and creases of the car are not as noticeable and keeping it clean is a bitch. In addition, I need to get some paint correction done that I can't afford to do right now.

The other thing that pisses me off is when I see older black cars on the road that didn't age well. It makes me worry about mine a few years down the road

Tell me I'm just being neurotic.

[Verbiage]

You're being neurotic

Black cars are beautiful. You are going to have to keep her maintained, though. There is no question about that.

[EZ_TUR90]

Monoco Blue is equivalent to Jet Black. Both are horrible. I feel your pain bud, I switched up from a JB e90 hoping that the color difference would make my life a tad bit easier, it backfired. Monoco Blue is just as bad.

[Vertigo//SD]

I've owned four black cars and there's a reason my current car is silver.

[aront]

Originally Posted by hayabusa55

I know, I know: "Nothing looks as good as a black car when properly cleaned."

It's such a hassle, though. Often, I see E90's in dark gray, blue, gold and the lines look so nice and the cars look clean even if they're not spotless.

With black, the lines and creases of the car are not as noticeable and keeping it clean is a bitch. In addition, I need to get some paint correction done that I can't afford to do right now.

The other thing that pisses me off is when I see older black cars on the road that didn't age well. It makes me worry about mine a few years down the road

Tell me I'm just being neurotic.

Not to be mean, but who buys a black car without expecting to wash it every weekend?

I have Montego blue and it looks great two weeks out except for the damn brake dust on the wheels.

[Edward]

I had a E36 JB and then a ti sil E46. Let me tell ya....you'll miss black. I'm back in black. (sapphire lol).

There is just nothing more masculine than black for a guy and it also helps the already feminine looking coupe.

[smack]

If you need to get some paint correction done, pick up a buffer and do it yourself.

[skiernan36]

i had a montego blue 328 and now have black sapphire 335. i loved the montego but i think the black looks so much better. i also enjoy cleaning my car and do so once a week. theres something relaxing about wiping it with a microfiber towel and seeing every inch of the car and really looking at the paint and lines. just beautiful

[MrDummy]

Originally Posted by hayabusa55

I know, I know: "Nothing looks as good as a black car when properly cleaned."

It's such a hassle, though. Often, I see E90's in dark gray, blue, gold and the lines look so nice and the cars look clean even if they're not spotless.

With black, the lines and creases of the car are not as noticeable and keeping it clean is a bitch. In addition, I need to get some paint correction done that I can't afford to do right now.

The other thing that pisses me off is when I see older black cars on the road that didn't age well. It makes me worry about mine a few years down the road

Tell me I'm just being neurotic.

Unfortunatly I am in the SAME situation as you, My car NEEDS paint correction BADLY right now and it looks decent as is, but when the sun hits it I see swirls, scratches, scuffs, etc...

And PLEASE dont get a buffer and try it yourself UNLESS you know what the heck you are doing, because more than likely you will cause More damage than you have now.

My car looks Sick on cloudy or partly sunny days, but not when its a clear sky, at least upclose.

I would keep black as I love the color, and save up for a reputable detail shop in your area or a small garage one that has a good rep. See autopia.org to help locate a close by detailer.

Also how is your interior? Mine the plastic over the wood is all scratched and scuffed up and looks like crap, so I need the interior detailed as well.

[ShowTime12]

I love my black sapphire e90. I try to wash it ever weekend but I'll wash it at least every other weekend. I used to have a white car but its just no fun. You wash it and it just doesn't shine or look as wet after waxing or anything like a black car. I've even gone 4-5 weeks without washing my car once in winter and it didn't look that bad other than the brake dust build up.

Just buy a buffer and polish the car yourself twice a year. Once before summer and once before winter and you'll be fine.

One bad thing about black cars is that the dealer really knows how to mess up the paint when you take the car in for service and they give you courtesy wash. I have to tell them not to wash it now.

[Baldur Abendroth]

I had a black e90 before, I had to wash it every 3 or 4 days to maintain the look that my current spacegrey e92 has after 3 weeks. Such a bitch to maintain.

[JayReplay]

I have a black sapphire e90 and love everything about it. It really doesnt bother me to have to wash it every week since you get so much joy in seeing how shiny and deep the black paint really is. The only thing that I dislike is being able to see all the little rock chips so easily when the sun is out.

[GoKimiGo!]

Originally Posted by smack

If you need to get some paint correction done, pick up a buffer and do it yourself.

With all due respect I wouldn't advise that at all if the owner does not have previous experience doing it.

I have seen cars badly damaged even by people that claim to know what they are doing. My dealership buffed my car before I picked it up and made the finish look worse than it was.

Taking it to a pro that knows what he is doing and cares about the final product is going to cost me a little bit of change but it is well worth it.

I went from silver to black and it sucks but when clean and maintained right black does look great.

[ianbiz]

i hate having black (esp in FL), but i will admit it is SSSOOOO rewarding to clean minus seeing the light swirls i have.

[ShowTime12]

Originally Posted by GoKimiGo!

With all due respect I wouldn't advise that at all if the owner does not have previous experience doing it.

I have seen cars badly damaged even by people that claim to know what they are doing.

The only way to get experience is by actually doing it yourself. As long as you don't start out with a rotary you should be fine if you just use common sense. I picked up a 7424 last year and thought it was really easy to polish my black car. Granted I wasn't trying to do 100% paint correction but I was still happy with the 80% or so paint correction.

[akack79]

Originally Posted by hayabusa55

I know, I know: "Nothing looks as good as a black car when properly cleaned."

It's such a hassle, though. Often, I see E90's in dark gray, blue, gold and the lines look so nice and the cars look clean even if they're not spotless.

With black, the lines and creases of the car are not as noticeable and keeping it clean is a bitch. In addition, I need to get some paint correction done that I can't afford to do right now.

The other thing that pisses me off is when I see older black cars on the road that didn't age well. It makes me worry about mine a few years down the road

Tell me I'm just being neurotic.

On your next time maybe try getting a lighter color car. I will never own another dark color car again, too much hassle.

[positiveions]

listen man, I have a black Jetta. I work out of it. It gets dusty, dirty, and water splashes all over. Two things I use to keep it dust free and water spots clean: California duster, and Quick detail by Chemical guys. Some people might argue, and disagree with me but, the reality is I used the same method for over 10 years. My very first black car was an E36 M3. I did the same thing, but at the time I used Meguiare's Quick detail. On top of this, I polish and wax the car every 6 month; that is claying, polishing, more polishing, waxing and then sealing it. And then on a day to day basis, dusting and quick details. Every Saturday or Sunday the baby gets a bath . You have to keep in mind that nothing will last forever. You are challenging nature; do the best to protect it and keep it clean. I hope this help.

[hayabusa55]

Originally Posted by ShowTime12

Just buy a buffer and polish the car yourself twice a year. Once before summer and once before winter and you'll be fine.

I don't know about that. I just recently figured out how to properly wash and dry (that's the part that always got me) a car.

Originally Posted by ShowTime12

One bad thing about black cars is that the dealer really knows how to mess up the paint when you take the car in for service and they give you courtesy wash. I have to tell them not to wash it now.

Actually, the last time I took it in and got the car back, the car appeared to be a bit deeper black. Either that or absence made the heart grow fonder.

Originally Posted by GoKimiGo!

With all due respect I wouldn't advise that at all if the owner does not have previous experience doing it.

I have seen cars badly damaged even by people that claim to know what they are doing. My dealership buffed my car before I picked it up and made the finish look worse than it was.

The car was pretty dirty in the dealer parking lot. At pickup it was clean, but you could see the buffing marks. You can still see it. That kills me.

Originally Posted by ShowTime12

Taking it to a pro that knows what he is doing and cares about the final product is going to cost me a little bit of change but it is well worth it.

I have a minor problem here. A buddy of mine is doing detailing now, but I'm not sure how experienced he is with that kind of stuff. His car looks great, plus I know he's detailed some Ferraris and stuff, but he just started. I don't want to deny him the business, but at the same time, I really want this done 100% right. Dilemma.

Originally Posted by ShowTime12

I went from silver to black and it sucks but when clean and maintained right black does look great.

My E46 was silver. Loved the car, but I thought the color was a bit too light.

Originally Posted by akack79

On your next time maybe try getting a lighter color car. I will never own another dark color car again, too much hassle.

See above. Maybe metallic paint would have been a bit forgiving.

Originally Posted by eatrach73

listen man, I have a black Jetta. I work out of it. It gets dusty, dirty, and water splashes all over. Two things I use to keep it dust free and water spots clean: California duster, and Quick detail by Chemical guys. Some people might argue, and disagree with me but, the reality is I used the same method for over 10 years. My very first black car was an E36 M3. I did the same thing, but at the time I used Meguiare's Quick detail. On top of this, I polish and wax the car every 6 month; that is claying, polishing, more polishing, waxing and then sealing it. And then on a day to day basis, dusting and quick details. Every Saturday or Sunday the baby gets a bath . You have to keep in mind that nothing will last forever. You are challenging nature; do the best to protect it and keep it clean. I hope this help.

Encouraging words. Thanks!

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

You're being neurotic

Black cars are beautiful. You are going to have to keep her maintained, though. There is no question about that.

of course, Bavarian has to put his two pennies in to help

[Delta0311]

Oh suck it up I been dealing with keep my baby clean since August of 07.

[benny90]

Welcome to the downside of having a black car. The BMW's in particular, especially the Jet Black does not age very well. It definitely needs constant upkeep. I've noticed that the clear coat on them are very thin and easily scratched. Wax is your friend and pretty much the one thing that you can do to fill in the scratches and make it look new again!

[Quick6EF]

Space Grey all day!

I've had two other black cars - I don't think I'll go back.


So that goes against the saying "once you go black....", right?