[rgmichell]

IMO BSM is the classiest, most refined color in the BMW paint box. Yes, it requires upkeep, but when clean and after two coats of Pinnacle Souveran paste wax...WOW!!!

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by kpgray

Put on the Black Grills, a window tint and you will double take every time. Good luck on what ever choice you make.

That's exactly what I'm looking into. Also make my exhaust tips and wheels black. Stealth blacked out look.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

There is a full kitted out 435i with all the M packs, RWD and 6 speed a real gem but it's black sapphire mettalic.

I don't really dig black, more white or dark grey but the pics I looked at were nice and the car still looks good.

The thing is it's in Toronto 5 hours away so I wanted to know from other members how exactly BSM looks like in person? Is there a noticeable color tint in sunlight? Like, I'm getting a black car I don't want it to look blue right.

It looks like metallic black.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

That's exactly what I'm looking into. Also make my exhaust tips and wheels black. Stealth blacked out look.

A "murder car", lol

[Tribalpinoy911]

First time owning a black car and boy is it tough to keep clean. I enjoy washing and am even a little ocd about it. But sheesh.

Oh well drives the passion eh?

[jgoens]

Another BSM fan here--have had two of them. As far as looks, you get the best of having a black car with a metallic character in sunlight. Really it's cool and makes it different. At night or in no sun it looks just like a glossy black car.

As said, you also get the maintenance of a black car.

Here is mine this week without sun shining.

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[TCZ4]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Another BSM fan here--have had two of them. As far as looks, you get the best of having a black car with a metallic character in sunlight. Really it's cool and makes it different. At night or in no sun it looks just like a glossy black car.

As said, you also get the maintenance of a black car.

Here is mine this week without sun shining.

[ATTACH]Attachment 1829961[/ATTACH]

Can you show some alternate angles on the grill? I can't decide if I want to get the blacked out grills. I have BSM F33, and it's and m sport, so it already has shadowline trim, the grill gives it a little bit of pop. I'm thinking with black grills, it will simply be too dark. I already tinted the car at 20% all around.

[BEM-S4]

Black grilles. I have everything blacked out but wheels...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Black grilles. I have everything blacked out but wheels...

Looks nice.

Just a sidenote because I noticed this and just curious... why are people with 2 series on the 4 series forum?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Looks nice.

Just a sidenote because I noticed this and just curious... why are people with 2 series on the 4 series forum?

I have a 2 series, 3 series both sedan and wagon (which shares forum with 4) and an X5.

I posted the convertible pic be that's the one I have that's BSM w black grilles.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I have a 2 series, 3 series both sedan and wagon (which shares forum with 4) and an X5.

I posted the convertible pic be that's the one I have that's BSM w black grilles.

Ah okok gotcha haha.

[rlmesq]

My last car was a BSM 435i. As others said, it was tough to keep clean... and it also got insanely hot in the Northern California sun. My current 440i is MGM and I'm surprised at how much cooler it is.

Gotta say one thing, though... it was gorgeous. The rear windows were dark tinted and when my motorcycle mechanic saw it, his first comment was, "Damn! That thing is GANGSTER!"

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

There is a full kitted out 435i with all the M packs, RWD and 6 speed a real gem but it's black sapphire mettalic.

I don't really dig black, more white or dark grey but the pics I looked at were nice and the car still looks good.

The thing is it's in Toronto 5 hours away so I wanted to know from other members how exactly BSM looks like in person? Is there a noticeable color tint in sunlight? Like, I'm getting a black car I don't want it to look blue right.

Carbon Black has a bluish tint to it BSM does not.
In sunlight BSM looks more charcoal than a deep jet black. I didn't want a jet black car but I'm okay with BSM. Can still see slight marks but probably hides it a bit better than jet black

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Jet Black shows scratches because it’s so soft.

Black shows scratches because it's essentially a mirror and it makes the scratches pop. Same with any sort of dent or crease. It explodes and highlights the damage. I've owned two black cars for a total of 14 years. Never again. Black generally hides body lines and contrast, makes wheel gaps appear larger, makes tires look brown, highlights all damage, looks like crap in direct sunlight, and is a pain to keep clean.

OP - If you aren't in love with black, DO NOT GET IT.

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Black shows scratches because it's essentially a mirror and it makes the scratches pop. Same with any sort of dent or crease. It explodes and highlights the damage. I've owned two black cars for a total of 14 years. Never again. Black generally hides body lines and contrast, makes wheel gaps appear larger, makes tires look brown, highlights all damage, looks like crap in direct sunlight, and is a pain to keep clean.

OP - If you aren't in love with black, DO NOT GET IT.

+1
I probably wouldn't get a black car again. Silver, grey or dark blue are the colours to get.

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by kingmonkey8

+1
I probably wouldn't get a black car again. Silver, grey or dark blue are the colours to get.

+1

I had a black car once.

Once.

[TCZ4]

Originally Posted by JamesWWIII

+1

I had a black car once.

Once.

Haha. I've had my BSM for a little over a month now. While I love the look of BSM with Coral Red Leather. I too will probably not get another black car again... Although I did just buy a foam gun to help with maintenance washes.

The pollen. The scratches. Dust. Dirt. Etc. EVERYTHING, just shows up. Like a day after you wash it. I also live in CA, where it generally never rains.

My last car was a dark metallic grey, and it was awesome. I think that will be my color of choice...

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by rlmesq

My last car was a BSM 435i. As others said, it was tough to keep clean... and it also got insanely hot in the Northern California sun. My current 440i is MGM and I'm surprised at how much cooler it is.

Actually, most of that is your imagination.

I went to a Car Dealer that had the same model, every color car lined up and facing the same way in the middle of Summer on a cloudless day at 2PM in South Florida and using a Fluke IR temp sensor measured the exterior temp on the hood (cars had not been driven that day) and found from 120F degrees for white paint to 130-140F for most colors and 160F for black.

Shockingly, the interiors showed only a few degrees variation if same interior color. These were in the 118-121F range.

The interior color of the car played a bigger factor, but then again, this was less than 10 degrees (116-124F). Black and Grey were almost identical.

I would also note this was the IR measured on the driver’s side seat, not ambient temp. The interior material was all the same type.

It was measured through the Drivers side window as opening the door would allowed heat to escape and skew results.

Again, this was without the car being started or AC been on all day.

Now, I would also note that different models *might* have different internal results with square footage of glass, amount of insulation etc. However, it was enough to show me exterior color made very little difference INTERNALLY.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by JamesWWIII

+1

I had a black car once.

Once.

Black shows EVERYTHING more than any other color.

It shows all the good.

Especially the lines.

It shows all the bad.

Jet Black is even worse than BSM.

If you cannot properly deal with maintaining a Black Car, then do not get a Black Car.

If you can maintain a car and want to see all the good in your car, get a Black Car.

[Ikester19]

I have a BSM F30 and had Opti Coat applied to it. It really lifted the glossiness and I get compliments all the time. Depending on lighting conditions the colour crosses between BSM and Mineral Grey, IMO it is one of the best colours the the BMW paint lineup.

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

If you cannot properly deal with maintaining a Black Car, then do not get a Black Car.

If you can maintain a car and want to see all the good in your car, get a Black Car.

I can maintain a car just fine, but I’ve also got a pretty busy life, so I don’t feel like spending quality leisure time every weekend detailing my ride. Maybe I’ll try black again in my retirement years.

I fully agree, when a black car is freshly washed and waxed, they are stunning. But better take a picture right after you get finished, because they don’t stay that way for long.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by JamesWWIII

I can maintain a car just fine, but I’ve also got a pretty busy life, so I don’t feel like spending quality leisure time every weekend detailing my ride. Maybe I’ll try black again in my retirement years.

I fully agree, when a black car is freshly washed and waxed, they are stunning. But better take a picture right after you get finished, because they don’t stay that way for long.

Everybody has a different interpretation of what is quality leisure time. Some people like to lay on the couch eating Cheetos and other's like to get the polisher out and polish...and stand back and look at the car for a while after.