Black sapphire metallic or plain old black??

[Rubber Ducky]

Still trying to figure out what I want on the 330i PP that I'm about to order. Anyone have recommendos on which black paintjob to buy? Roger the metallic costs more - what about looks? Tks.

 

[Magna]

i think the sapphire looks better with the metallic shimmery and i would think it's easier to take care of. the jet black is pure black and when new and clean looks great with the glossy black, but i don't think that would last. so in the short term jet black looks better to me, but in the long term sapphire is better and gives it an interesting looks with the metallic speaks. i came close in getting sapphire.

 

[MyHarley]

Jet Black...........

 

[recognize]

either looks good to me but here is what my black sapphire met. 330i looks like...maybe it'll help you decide..i just like the shine

 

[RuflessPhilly]

Both sweet colors, but both are very hard to maintain

"I'm Rich Biotch" -Dave Chappelle

 

[aNoodle]

No car color looks better than jet black (when clean). Problem is keeping it that way Metallic and all other colors are just pretenders to the thrown.

 

[MrElussive]

I like Jet Black because it's cheaper and the name sounds cooler.
I think Black Saphire Metallic is a shinier, darker, black, though...at least that's how it looks on bmwusa.com web site when I build a 330i.

 

[codex57]

Saphire! My friend has a Black Saphire car and it's gorgeous. I like that metallic look. Both are impossible to maintain so don't even consider that as part of the equation.

 

[MrElussive]

The Black Saphire Metallic really just looks like a deeper black. Black isn't too hard to maintain, I promise.

 

[William330]

Metallic paint better shows off the BMW's beautiful lines and curves, as they will
reflect the light back with different shades of black.

Non-metallic black tends to hide the shape of the car, especially the lower half of the car,
where there is less light and reflections.

 

[flashinthepan]

In the Long run....

I think with Black, you either

1) buy a porter-Cable and learn how to buff properly

or

2) you have your car buffed out periodically

It really is impossible to never have a swirl or scratch indefinately.

 

[paddyLV]

black vs black

Rubber Ducky,

My vote is for the metallic !

It will have a higher gloss factor with a P21S wax application.

 

[aNoodle]

Metallic paint better shows off the BMW's beautiful lines and curves, as they will
reflect the light back with different shades of black.

Non-metallic black tends to hide the shape of the car, especially the lower half of the car,
where there is less light and reflections.

I don't know about that.

Real black with a fresh coat of wax has a timeless classiness…which makes metallic look like gimmickry.

 

[e30fr3@k]

I don't know about that.

Real black with a fresh coat of wax has a timeless classiness…which makes metallic look like gimmickry.

ya but who wants "classy" when you can have "badass"

 

[e30fr3@k]

It really is impossible to never have a swirl or scratch indefinately.

that is the exact reason why i will never buy a brand new car. i would hate to be the first to scratch it.

 

[nasa43]

I spent months trying to decide on color. I went with Jet Black, nothing like a shiny black car. My 330i will be protected by a garage at night and Zaino during the day. My current car is(1998 Grand Prix GTP) Bright Red and the paint still looks almost like new. Sure, there are some swirls in it, but you only see them when you are looking within a couple of feet. Paint is still shiny, glossy, and water beads. Its like anything, you just have to take care of it if you want to keep it looking new.

 

[aNoodle]

ya but who wants "classy" when you can have "badass"

Then buy a hummer and call it a day.

 

[Big Daddy]

My 98 M roadster is Cosmos Black, has some metallic, and I polish it with Zymol by hand. I do not own a buffer and never will. Here is a link to it, tell me if I need to get a buffer or change waxes?

Big Daddy's M roadster

Here also is my 91 750iL, black Again Zymol by hand!

Big Daddy's 750iL

 

[flashinthepan]

and I polish it with Zymol by hand.

Which Zymol product do you polish with by hand ??, do you use a Microfiber hand towel & does it rub the lights swirls out ??

Both cars look great !! Swirls are a pain for owners of Black.

 

[Big Daddy]

I use Zymol Carbon on the 750iL, it is designed to be used on black cars. The wax is applied with the fingertips, no rag, using straight lines. Before the wax can glaze or dry it is removed with a 100% cotton cloth (I purchase the packages at Costco) again using straight lines. After I have waxed the entire car I go over it with another clean cotton towel.

The roadster is done the same way only I use the Zymol Z3 Glaze.

Of course I strip the wax once a year and start over, this makes it more fun.....