[Mooney6959]

This is going to sound like such a novice question, but hear me out.

I'm looking for a new car, 435i Convertible. I seem to be greatly limiting my selection by ruling out black interiors. I don't have a problem at all with black as a color for interior (it's out for exterior).

My concern is, especially being a convertible, will the black seats get uncomfortable hot in the summer, or in the sun?

I've never owned a car w\ black interior (white with tan leather seems to be my thing), so I really don't know if the BMW leather will be too hot.

Any input is appreciated.

[Icarium81]

If you get leather, it will be hot to touch, likely uncomfortably so. Might be marginally better with white, but damn that'd be a cleaning nightmare as every speck of dirt would show.
I bet youtube could answer your question better though

[Billfitz]

I don't find my black seats any hotter than other colors. But that's with ceramic tint on my windows. Leave your car in the sun with the top down and you'll fry your ass.

[Pauloxxi]

Yes. Black interior is hot. Could not be any different.

[HarryTee]

All kind of interior will be similarly hot in the sun. This is the simplest answer.

[alohasurftoad]

dark colors absorb light and converts it to heat, black being the hottest. light colors reflect light, white being the coolest.

regardless of the material, all things equal, black(darkest) is hottest, white(lightest color) is coolest.

if you're going to have the top down in the sun, a light colored interior will be coolest. consider white, light grey or (never been a fan of) beige.

vantablack is the darkest and probably the hottest black color in the sun...https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M9jZ3mnTDl4

[eluded]

Yes

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by HarryTee

All kind of interior will be similarly hot in the sun. This is the simplest answer.

Not at all. black is always hotter for the physical reasons described above. White would be the coolest.
Never entered a black car in the summer? It's a sauna!

[Fliplegend]

I have all black leather and I would never leave it with the top down in the middle of the summer unless it's in the shade. Aside from the seats, the steering wheel and trim start to cook. Previous owner did this and the burl wood faded.

[heifetz17]

Yes the black leather does get exceptionally hot in the summer. Especially on triple digit days.

[Wires]

Here you go:
https://www.usedvwaudi.com/blog/2019...han-white-cars

Yes, but enough to deter a person from choosing one color over another, probably not.

[couch000]

Just get your windows tinted = problem solved. I have a 2013 with black pleather seats (or whatever they call them) and tinted windows and I don't think it's that bad.

[Fliplegend]

Originally Posted by couch000

Just get your windows tinted = problem solved. I have a 2013 with black pleather seats (or whatever they call them) and tinted windows and I don't think it's that bad.

It's a must. Just got mine done last week. That and a good thick proper fitting sun shade makes a world of difference.

[Mooney6959]

Man, lots of great input here.
All in all, I gather my instinct was correct in that black interior won't be that fun to jump into in the summer.

As for tint, I'm not much a fan of darker tint. If I do tint, I'd probably get a fairly clear tint w\ UV block.

Thanks for all the input!

[AllaVodka]

I have a black interior and had no issue in Houston TX where the temps were regularly 85-100.

[whatevs]

I have/had cars with different interior colors, and all of them got equally hot in summer. Dont think the color would make such a noticeable difference that I would choose one over the other for that reason.

[ctdriver320i]

I had a 14 F30 with sensa tech in black and it was hot. I now have a 17 F30 with Dakota beige real leather and its cooler and more comfortable. Side note the retractable armrest has save my elbow.

[Mooney6959]

Originally Posted by ctdriver320i

I had a 14 F30 with sensa tech in black and it was hot. I now have a 17 F30 with Dakota beige real leather and its cooler and more comfortable. Side note the retractable armrest has save my elbow.

Retractable armrest?
You have a pic? Is this new to a specific year?

[ctdriver320i]

Originally Posted by Mooney6959

Retractable armrest?
You have a pic? Is this new to a specific year?

I am not sure when it became an option - code S4A Armrest Front, Retractable

[Opie55]

Some important distinctions need to be made here. Because you emphasized this is a convertible, I assume your question mostly pertains to the top being down. If so, then comments by people with roofed cars about all colors being hot are mostly irrelevant. On a roofed car parked in the sun light passes easily through the glass as short-wave uv energy. Some gets reflected back (which is why you can see your interior through the windows) but much is absorbed by all the interior surfaces. Once absorbed, it gets released as long-wave infrared (heat) energy. Long wave energy passes slowly through glass. You thus have a net buildup of energy inside the car (fast in and slow out). That's why it gets hotter inside the car than the outside temperature. Although black seats will absorb more light and release more heat, the greenhouse effect will make an interior with any color hot eventually, especially with a black dash, etc.

With the top down, the greenhouse effect is not present. All you have is the greater absorption of energy of black over white. In that scenario the black seats will be much hotter. White seats will not really be hot at all. However, once you sit down and shade the black seats with your own body, they cool down pretty quickly. I have driven convertibles since 1978 and have had both white and black, so I have some experience on the subject.

[SeanFitz335]

Yes, it will be hot but manageable with some effort on your side. I have Black Sapphire Metallic exterior and black Dakota Leather interior. Bonus points for living in Arizona! Car stays in the garage at home but when I am out and parked I put up a windshield shader and on scorcher days (115+) with no shade I'll cover the seat with a towel.