In Canada MB charges $850 for the metallic paints.

Dealer tells me the 040 Black is not as durable as the metalic 197.

BS? or not?

..jack

PS: I like the Iridium Silver too but boring no? Plus it's $850, why on earth would they charge for paint in this day and age :-)

Because they can.

I agree with you that paint is just paint, and with sufficient volume, it shouldn't cost more just because it's metallic. Especially $850 more for one car.

But they can.

You might be able to negotiate ....

At the same time I have heard from many that the metallic paints hold up much better to fading because of the reflective properties. But who knows...

Yes, the silvers are all boring and Honda-like. All metallics are extra cost on all German cars. You think MB's is expensive? Try Porsche's.

Anyhow, all the MB colors are clear coated so the surface is the same.

I say take care of your paint with clay, cleaner, polish, and wax.

I'd make the color decision based on looks.

040 black is durable... it will scratch and swirl easily. Even tho it does have PPG ceramiclear paint, swirl marks will still happen

Obsidian is not more durable, infact if anything it is LESS durable. Paint makers used to have issues with clear coats bonding to metallic paints due to the different materials in the paint. Now that is not really an issue but flat black and clear will still have a stronger bond.

040 will swirl quite easy...but so will the Obsidian just won't see it as easily. If you would have asked about Obsidian Black back when I first got mine I would have talked it all up like it was the best color to get....but after having owned it now for 9 months I can say don't waste the money on the Obsidian Black. The only time it looks good is when its super clean, other wise it just looks like 040 Black thats dirty.

I have 040 Black and yes it shows everything but when it's clean it looks great. Also if you ever have body work done 040 will match much better then any metallic.

just get the 040...you would have the 197 door handle anyway. LMAO.

197 all the way.

^+1

Ya, I have a 040 on order ( just like the last car and the one before that and the one before that), I wanted a change but ..... can't seem to realy like another colour .. almost went for a white one , but no ...

I personally prefer obsidian black, I always thought non-metallic colors, especially black were lacking something.

$850 + tax + finance costs = $1060

I highly doubt it, they all have clearcoat anyway.


I am not sure metallics are the same as pearl colors but I had a car with pearl white paint and it was 3 coats (isntead of 2 on flat colors) to add that "pearl" to it, and faded unevenly on sheetmetal vs plastics. It also costs more to repair if it ever gets scratched.

I have 040 and I think it looks great...the dealership had me bring it in for some type of protecterant spray outside and inside and was told not to wash it for 3 days afterward. Now when I wash it it looks like it was just waxed every time... I couldn't be happier with the color...

Whats up with the door handle, I've noticed it on my black C. They only make metallic black door handles or what? Weird.

hhmmm...maybe it's because it is more durable...just a thought

+2

Obsidian looks much better than (boring) black IMO. Plus, it does hold up better in appearance, and if you get regular black, your door handles will not match anyway.

At our AMG meets, everybody has Obsidian Black except me. Mine is the 040 Black, and it is so much "blacker" that it's not even funny. If you want there to be no mistake you're driving Darth Vader's car, get the Black!

I've been to several w204 meets and the 040 Black is exceptional when its clean and detailed. I heard the obsidian black has some 'self-healing properties' but I haven't tested that yet ;P. But yeah, 040 is really nice.

Don't know about self-healing properties, Brian, but carrying a bottle of Meguiar's Scratch-X around never hurt anybody!

**edit: I think Nissan did the 'self-healing paint', I got confused for a second, I think I was just referring to the scratch resistant clear coat...

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cfm?NewsID=141&id=611

Scratch-X eh? I've heard good stories, perhaps I shall pick some up next trip to Lordco