Regular Black vs. Obsidian Black (Metallic)?
#2
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Both are nice colors. The Obsidian has the benefit of the metal flake to help conceal some of the swirls that exist in all colors but that are more visible in the darker colors such as black. It being worth the extra $720 is a matter of personal preference.
#3
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2012 CLS63
I have the plain black, thought about the obsidian, but just went with regular.....
no regrets here..........
love the plain black, if they were side by side, I guess I'd want the 'sparkly' one hehe,
but I think they'd both look fine.........
good luck
no regrets here..........
love the plain black, if they were side by side, I guess I'd want the 'sparkly' one hehe,
but I think they'd both look fine.........
good luck
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Or you could spend $2700 more and get Designo platimun black!!! That's my new favorite black. Stunning!! I have a 2001 Obsidian e55. I could go either way on standard black or obsidian. Some days I happy with my obsidian, other days wish I got the standard, which Mercedes does as well as anyone. Regards. Ned.
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2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I considered both the Obsidian and standard Black. They both show the swirls equally. To my eye, the Obsidian Black was just not black enough. Both look very nice, but, I find that the standard black is very nicely done by Mercedes. I would go with the one you like the best. They are both great colors. Standard black is definitely faster than the other colors
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#9
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I have owned only one black car, a 2004 SL500 Obsidian black. Never,ever again!!! The car looks great for about 31/2 min and then needs to be cleaned again.
#10
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I ordered my car with Obsidian Black. It is much more unique than plain black, which is all I could find on the local MB lot. You can only see the true difference of Obsidian on a bright sunny day, though. When overcast, it looks just like plain black. I think both colors are good choices. As noted, they are both HIGH MAINTENANCE!
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2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
I like the Obsidian Black, but as mentioned, the MB regular black is nice too. My preference would be the Obsidian, too bad it costs extra.
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'14 911S (garage queen) '13 X3 (family hauler)
One more thing to consider is 040 black is the easiest color to touch up.
If and when you get rock chips the metallics are hardest to touch up nicely.
Just thought I add my .02
If and when you get rock chips the metallics are hardest to touch up nicely.
Just thought I add my .02
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#17
There is absolutely no reason to have swirl marks. With proper care and maintenance they are not a problem. Yes, significant effort and some detailing knowledge is required. But it can make for a fun hobby...maintenance of black cars. Trust me I know. I have two black cars. Oh, it also helps to be retired. More time.
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There is absolutely no reason to have swirl marks. With proper care and maintenance they are not a problem. Yes, significant effort and some detailing knowledge is required. But it can make for a fun hobby...maintenance of black cars. Trust me I know. I have two black cars. Oh, it also helps to be retired. More time.
extraordinary......
it is a hobby, hehe......good for a stay home father too
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I have a 2001 e55 in obsidian black. Looks especially great after a wash on a nice sunny day. That's when it earns it's "metal" against straight up black!! Enjoy. Ned.
#20
Just picked up my 2011 e350 coupe.. its deffinately worth it.. however when i got to the dealership and my salesrep said this is your car.. at first glance i was like umm no my car is supposed to be metallic, but once we drove it outside i could see the metallic in effect not much since it was kinda cloudy see what it looks like tomorrow morning. I guess you have best of both worlds.. normally it looks black and in the sun should have a glow!!
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2014 E350 4Matic; 2016 GL350 Bluetec; 2005 F430 Spider
Go standard black as it is so much easier to match should you need to re-spray the bumpers or if you get in any kind of accident. Metallics are never right after any paint work. We got tapped in back at a light and had to have bumper re-sprayed for the 2 license plate holes that got in their from the jerk behind us' bumper. Then I had to have the bumper replaced 1 month later when a young kid in a low front car tapped me as I stopped for a bus in front of me. Glad it was only pure black both times.
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2018 C300 4 Matic
There is absolutely no reason to have swirl marks. With proper care and maintenance they are not a problem. Yes, significant effort and some detailing knowledge is required. But it can make for a fun hobby...maintenance of black cars. Trust me I know. I have two black cars. Oh, it also helps to be retired. More time.
DIY detailer (retired ) who has owned and sold 3 CLKs cars because they were black (I'm a slow learner). Any insights would be greatly appreciated as I think I'm going to buy another one
Last edited by abqhudson; 05-19-2024 at 07:56 PM. Reason: clarify