Long-Term ownership paint colors?
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Long-Term ownership paint colors?
Can anyone help me with the following? I'm considering purchasing a new E320 CDI for long-term, high mileage ownership.
I know that Black or Grey interior is the best choice for this use. Can anyone provide feedback about exterior paint colors? How does the new Black and Black Opal hold up over the long-haul? My last "keeper" was a '88 W201 with Midnight Blue (non-clearcoat) and it was easy to maintain in perfect condition for the full 12 years of ownership.
Thanks
I know that Black or Grey interior is the best choice for this use. Can anyone provide feedback about exterior paint colors? How does the new Black and Black Opal hold up over the long-haul? My last "keeper" was a '88 W201 with Midnight Blue (non-clearcoat) and it was easy to maintain in perfect condition for the full 12 years of ownership.
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
Are you SURE you want a modern Benz for 12 years? The repairs are sure to be a killer.
Things are a bit different today because one is forced into purchasing most of the over-complicated systems except for DVD navi. Other than that, I can at least make an attempt to choose the most durable paint color!
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From: Oregon
Harley-Davidson
Magic, I know you like dark colors, but you should consider Metallic Pewter as a long term color. My '05 CDI was Pewter, and I have never had a color that hid the dirt as well during the rainy season. It looks great with a black interior.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
just good ol trustworthy silver... Charcoal interior... with normal paint maintenance it will look brand new till the day you sell it or get rid of it
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From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Long Term Maintenance
Whatever you do, make sure you get the extended maintenance to cover you to the max, ie 7 and 100,000.
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Originally Posted by lkchris
Avoid orange, yellow, and lime green.
Kent,
You're showing your age here! These were the colors that Dodge/Plymouth had back in the early 70's. I had a Duster 340 that was purple!!
Regards,
Paul....
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
With nano paint and clearcoat, does the tint of the paint have any real bearing upon its durability? The only real variables, I suspect, are how much time the car spends in the sun and whether it is washed and waxed regularly. I tend to think of silver as a not-durable color, because so many older silver cars have a flat matte finish, like a Delorean, but that's because the owner(s) haven't taken care of them, not because silver is inherently damage-prone. FWIW, I had a dark gray metallic BMW 325 for 12 years and the paint looked about as good in year 12 as in year one. The car was garaged and washed/waxed regularly. The non-metallic paint on my 33-year-old Datsun is still shiny.
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From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
paint color
I have black opal with charcoal leather in my 05 CDI. So far so good.
Perhaps the clear stuff on the front bumper would be helpful? I did not do. If it gets bad $1000 or so should get a re-spray
Perhaps the clear stuff on the front bumper would be helpful? I did not do. If it gets bad $1000 or so should get a re-spray
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Buy the color that you like..as YOU are the one that has to live with it for the term.I Have Owned My W210 Estate for Seven Years and the Paint still looks like New..Other than the door replacement (RUST) The Paint has held up great...YES Black is HIGH MAINTENCE..wash/wax Every week..But the results are worth it
The Wifes 2006 W211 With NANO still chips and swirls....Yep Black and detailed weekly.
I Would recommend to have clear bra done asap..buy a car cover..and cover it as much as possible..shopping/work etc. Yes it requires work to make the Paint last...But it CAN be done! Good Luck on YOUR choice!
The Wifes 2006 W211 With NANO still chips and swirls....Yep Black and detailed weekly.
I Would recommend to have clear bra done asap..buy a car cover..and cover it as much as possible..shopping/work etc. Yes it requires work to make the Paint last...But it CAN be done! Good Luck on YOUR choice!
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
I think the pure white is an easy color to keep for a long time. I had a white Volvo for 15 years that the paint was close to perfect when I sold it. Also, the non-metalic colors are easier to match and touch up if necessary.
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Hard for me to answer since I would probably never keep a car that long. But I do know that darker colors tend to show more blemishes such as swirl marks, chips, etc. Given the fact that my level of attention for the car would probably decline over several years, I would probably choose a silver or a white color.
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In my experience, if you are talking LONG-term, and don't think that regular waxing, the clearcoat, and keeping it in the garage (with or without a dust cover) is going to keep any modern, high-quality paint looking good...then go with Brilliant Silver or Alabaster White for the paint, and a grey for the interior, for best odds on long-term color fastness, would be my guess....
I have cars in all different colors, from all different years and makes of manufacture - and keeping them covered in the garage, and regularly waxed and conditioned, etc. keeps them looking great for decades.... I am not sure that you will have the problem which you are trying to avoid -- do you live in a very high sunshine location - is that why you are concerned?
I have cars in all different colors, from all different years and makes of manufacture - and keeping them covered in the garage, and regularly waxed and conditioned, etc. keeps them looking great for decades.... I am not sure that you will have the problem which you are trying to avoid -- do you live in a very high sunshine location - is that why you are concerned?
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by revstriker
Hard for me to answer since I would probably never keep a car that long. But I do know that darker colors tend to show more blemishes such as swirl marks, chips, etc. Given the fact that my level of attention for the car would probably decline over several years, I would probably choose a silver or a white color.
The silver is just dark enough to hide imperfections
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From: Benicia, CA
2003 E320
Originally Posted by MARK CUMMINS
Buy the color that you like..as YOU are the one that has to live with it for the term.
"Hear-Hear". If you get black you'll be waxing more than the Karate Kid.
You like silver, right? So, get the silver. The modern paints hold up really well.
Buy the color you like, maintain as necessary, and you'll be happy!
R
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Posts: 420
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From: Los Angeles
2003 E320
I'm in for the long haul. I've had my car 3 and a half years and just turned 14,000 miles. My vote went to silver with charcoal!
I had my last Mercedes 17 years--long enough to turn 100,000 miles. It was white with palomino. According to my detailer, white is the second hardest color to maintain after black. It stains easily. Silver has been a breeze!
I had my last Mercedes 17 years--long enough to turn 100,000 miles. It was white with palomino. According to my detailer, white is the second hardest color to maintain after black. It stains easily. Silver has been a breeze!
Last edited by rickyfanmdr; Jul 8, 2006 at 12:18 AM.
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From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
My new E55 is flint grey and I just love the color and it is so easy to care for. It hides dirt and scratches well and it reflects different colors under different lighting. I have a black car(5 years old) now and I will never buy another one again. The only black color I would consider is black opal or obsidian black.
John
John
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by DWP
I tend to think of silver as a not-durable color, because so many older silver cars have a flat matte finish, like a Delorean, but that's because the owner(s) haven't taken care of them, not because silver is inherently damage-prone.
If memory serves me correctly, the Delorean was never painted!! It had a buffed, polished bare metal horrible finish. I think, but am definitely not sure, but I think it was aluminium (aloooneenum??? ) I go with the posts that say buy the colour of your liking. You have already stated you are in for the long haul. Silver is as common as the $5 bill (is there one
) but if you really like it, then go with the flow.Interior
I have always been controversial here. We have a very long hair German Shepherd that believes we purchased the car for his own personal use (I'm sure we did) The rear obviously gets dirty, but a quick vacuum, dust off etc and it is as good as new. A nice, light, clean refreshing interior. We did have a protection option when the car was new, whereas our new neighbour who has EXACTLY the same car, same colour, same DOG (obviously not the very same
) but a dark interior without the protection option always comments on how nice our interior looks. My personal opinion is a light interior looks refreshing and cool
Go with what you want, go with what you like.Good luck,
John
a very sunny morning in Torquay
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From: Southern California
2016 E350, 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2004.5 C230SS
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
Are you SURE you want a modern Benz for 12 years? The repairs are sure to be a killer.
I second that.
My E500 just went into limp home mode last night. Called emergency roadside service to arrange a tow. Waited 2 hours and no tow truck showed up so I gave up and drove home in second gear.
This morning no dealer will take my car in since I don't have any appointment.
Anyway, my choice for the color will be silver on black.
Last edited by allen_7; Jul 8, 2006 at 11:31 AM.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by allen_7
My E500 just went into limp home mode last night. Called emergency roadside service to arrange a tow. Waited 2 hours and no tow truck showed up so I gave up and drove home in second gear.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by allen_7
I second that.
My E500 just went into limp home mode last night. Called emergency roadside service to arrange a tow. Waited 2 hours and no tow truck showed up so I gave up and drove home in second gear.
This morning no dealer will take my car in since I don't have any appointment.
Anyway, my choice for the color will be silver on black.
My E500 just went into limp home mode last night. Called emergency roadside service to arrange a tow. Waited 2 hours and no tow truck showed up so I gave up and drove home in second gear.
This morning no dealer will take my car in since I don't have any appointment.
Anyway, my choice for the color will be silver on black.
(I love the way my car drives, but it doesn't do me any good if its in the shop)
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Tesla Model S P100D
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
That is absolutely deplorable service by the dealers in your area. I would call MBUSA & let them know how shabby you are being treated. How are you supposed to have an appointment for an emergency breakdown? On second thought, it really isnt an emergency breakdown... its a usual failure of something on the damn car, you just didn't know what was going to fail, so you couldn't have an appointment planned in advance. Next time you should be expecting something to fail about once every 5 weeks.
(I love the way my car drives, but it doesn't do me any good if its in the shop)
(I love the way my car drives, but it doesn't do me any good if its in the shop)
