[davemk]

For the new car, I ideally wanted grey but I'm not sure about the new Meteor Grey. I seriously think that black is the best colour on most cars so that's one my list but how hard is it to keep clean?

I'm expecting that it's going to be harder than light colours (currently I've got a canyone red Mk4 which is quite dark) but what concerns me more than anything is the risk of swirling - it's supposed to be quite easy to get swirling on Phantom Black.

The other options are Monza Silver (unique to S-line) or Lava Grey.

Any opinions?

Dave.

 

[damianmkv]

Dave, our A4 in Phantom black and it scraches really easily - i mean its almost a case of look at it in the wrong way and...[] - loads of swirls too. One other thing that I have noticed is that the paint blemishes easily too - eg if bird poo is not wiped off within an hour, a leaves a nasty mark. I'm NOT impressed []

 

[davemk]

That's such a shame Damian - it's such a great colour but if it's that bad it would just drive me mad. Now you mention it, I have seen posts about bird poo damaging the paint.

I think Monza silver is probably going to be the easiest of the options as I'd guess that Lava Grey is going to suffer from similar troubles to black.

 

[damianmkv]

I clean our cars alot and they look fantastic when done but I'm tempted by silver [Y]

 

[Sem]

[quote user="damianmkv"]

Dave, our A4 in Phantom black and it scraches really easily - i mean its almost a case of look at it in the wrong way and...

- loads of swirls too. One other thing that I have noticed is that the paint blemishes easily too - eg if bird poo is not wiped off within an hour, a leaves a nasty mark. I'm NOT impressed

[/quote]

It's not the paint that's blemished but the clear coat which is no different to the clear coat on a Silver or White car. The imperfections are more visible on dark coloured cars.

I haven't really had problems looking after Black cars, i'm not a detailing freak but do clean mine weekly with a Megs wash mit. The only thing that annoys me about Black cars are stonechips, they are more visible than any other colour, but nothing can beat the look of a clean black car IMO.

 

[davemk]

I agree Sem, black is the best colour when clean. But really, "I'm not a detailing freak", don't forget I've seen your car at Himley meets and it's immaculate!!

Damian, I think silver is becoming more appealing to me.

 

[damianmkv]

decision made then..its a silver 170...or 140...or a black 140...or 170

 

[davemk]

you missed Lava grey Damian. []

At least I'm sure on the options and the model!!! Well, saying that, there's one option I'm not sure on.

 

[damianmkv]

the colour you mean ?

 

[Sem]

I think a Phantom Black with the black grille would look awesome, I just can't find any pics of an S-line facelift with this combination.

Anyone fancy photoshopping the White A3 I posted in the other thread?

 

[davemk]

Damian, no I meant the auto lights / wipers as the other option I hadn't fully decided on. To be honest, for £325, I think I can live with switching them on myself! It was only the auto dimming mirrors that were tempting me.

 

[davemk]

[quote user="Sem"]

I think a Phantom Black with the black grille would look awesome, I just can't find any pics of an S-line facelift with this combination.

Anyone fancy photoshopping the White A3 I posted in the other thread?

[/quote]

So you want the white A3 chopping to black?

 

[damianmkv]

the auto-wipers and lights on the A6 I had actually worked properly. Not like the ones in the Golf...the lights make like a bloody disco and the wipers don't come on in a monsoon but go into hyperdrive when it spits...

 

[davemk]

Having looked on AS, I think there's mixed opinions on it. Some say they'd had exactly as you experienced with the Golf. In all honesty, it's an expensive option for what it is. Think I'll give it a miss. The xenons have the Daytime Running Lights anyway and I'm happy enough to switch on the wipers when needed so the only thing I'd benefit from is the auto dimming mirrors. That would make them expensive mirrors!

I bet the dimming RVM could be retrofitted if I really wanted it. []

 

[davemk]

Have you decided what you're having Damian?

 

[damianmkv]

i'm a bit like you...a 170 would be nice...but a 140 would enable me to get a few more options. I should have a budget of £23500..hang on, just checked and a 170 s-line, metalic, bose, heated front seats, alu roof rails, parking comes to £22300..leaving my £1200 for a decent navigation..

But then again, the tax would be lower on the 140...

hmmm....

 

[damianmkv]

damn - missed of xenons...that leaves me £700 for nav

 

[damianmkv]

a 140 with the above AND xenons comes in at £22000

 

[davemk]

retro fit it.

 

[damianmkv]

I need a VAT receipt...am thinking of http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/10/20/241/AVIC-F900BT/index.html or http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/10/20/241/AVIC-F700BT/index.html