Which black looks best?
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
Which black looks best?
Given the elegant exterior of new S class, I am thinking of ordering a black exterior with porcelain/black interior. But what black is best: Black, Obsidian Black or Magnetite Black? I know it is a matter of taste; however, what black would you or have you ordered in the past? Any pro's or cons with the different blacks? Thanx, TC
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From: Texas
2014 S550 - SOLD, 2014 GL550 - SOLD, 2014 GL63 AMG, 2015 S63 AMG Sedan, 2015 S63 AMG Coupe
I have the plain black. I originally had obsidian ordered but switched to plain. I love the look of plain black (when it's clean) - it's deep.
BadMojo has obsidian on his S550 and he can share his experience with obsidian
BadMojo has obsidian on his S550 and he can share his experience with obsidian
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
I've had both colors and I have had the porcelain/black interior.
It really is personal taste. Same color only one is metallic.
I actually love both of them. I started with the metallic because I didn't want just a plain color but plain black sure is gorgeous when it is clean.
I've attached pictures of the car with the porcelain.
It really is personal taste. Same color only one is metallic.
I actually love both of them. I started with the metallic because I didn't want just a plain color but plain black sure is gorgeous when it is clean.
I've attached pictures of the car with the porcelain.
Last edited by LovinMercedes; Dec 6, 2013 at 09:08 PM.
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
The black will always look the best when clean and kept for. However, swirls and improper waxing techniques will ruin it like no other. IMO, obsidian is the way to go. It is pretty dark except in pure sunlight when you see the metallic flecks which make it seem a bit like a dark dark charcoal. Also very elegant and most people won't be able to tell the difference. It will hide imperfections much better.
I wouldn't even call magnetite black, a black. Its more like a dark blue-ish, charcoal color
I expect all three to have excellent resale value
I wouldn't even call magnetite black, a black. Its more like a dark blue-ish, charcoal color
I expect all three to have excellent resale value
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From: NYC & Long Island
'14.5 RR LWB, '14 s63, '14 Ford Raptor Screw, '13 G63
I've seen a magnetite black s550 w211 at a dealer and I didn't like the way it looked at all.
However I owned a c63 coupe in magnetite and it was the best color in my opinion.
I think the size of the car doesn't fit with that color. I also agree that it's not really black. It's closer to a bluish gray.
I owned a 2012 s63 in plain black and loved it. What I didn't like was that every s class livery car is black and it was just a little boring. The panoramic roof just blended in with the rest of the car. The swirls also was really annoying as there is really no way to avoid it.
This time I chose iridium silver on my s63 and I think it'll be great. The panoramic roof should contrast nicely and with the black accents on the front intakes.
However I owned a c63 coupe in magnetite and it was the best color in my opinion.
I think the size of the car doesn't fit with that color. I also agree that it's not really black. It's closer to a bluish gray.
I owned a 2012 s63 in plain black and loved it. What I didn't like was that every s class livery car is black and it was just a little boring. The panoramic roof just blended in with the rest of the car. The swirls also was really annoying as there is really no way to avoid it.
This time I chose iridium silver on my s63 and I think it'll be great. The panoramic roof should contrast nicely and with the black accents on the front intakes.
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
My 221 and soon coming 222 are both plain black. Mercedes 040 is so deep, bold, and strong, it seems weird to call it the plain version, as if it is a lower grade than the other versions. To me, it's the most beautiful...
By the way.....with all of this tech we have now, it seems we should have a way to eliminate the long plaguing swirl issue...
By the way.....with all of this tech we have now, it seems we should have a way to eliminate the long plaguing swirl issue...
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From: Texas
2014 S550 - SOLD, 2014 GL550 - SOLD, 2014 GL63 AMG, 2015 S63 AMG Sedan, 2015 S63 AMG Coupe
My 221 and soon coming 222 are both plain black. Mercedes 040 is so deep, bold, and strong, it seems weird to call it the plain version, as if it is a lower grade than the other versions. To me, it's the most beautiful... By the way.....with all of this tech we have now, it seems we should have a way to eliminate the long plaguing swirl issue...
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From: London
R231 SL500
I really like the Ruby black with the Exclusive Porcelain. I am in an obsidian SL currently. Had a major self inflicted problem with swirls but my detailer sorted it but it was a lot of work. Am much more careful now!
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Impossible question!
As many answers as there are responders, depends solely on personal taste and styling (although what looks ugly to one guy is gorgeous to another).
As many answers as there are responders, depends solely on personal taste and styling (although what looks ugly to one guy is gorgeous to another).
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
My car will be driven in southern Florida, so heat is a concern with a black car. Any dark color will get hot in the sun, but the powerful air conditioner in the s class likely cools the car quickly. You do see a healthy mix of dark colors down here. The car will be garaged and I will never, ever, run it through a car wash, so swirls should be kept at bay. Hand washing and waxing only. If I don't go with black, Iridium Silver is second choice, but not sure if the porcelain/black interior would look with this combination.
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Indeed, only a few combinations are considered against general good taste. Even here MB seems to be less restrictive. There are no interior/exterior colour combinations that the factory would not accept. Previously there has been quite a few. There are still some that are not recommended. See the attached sheet (I wonder if the sheet is the same from MBUSA?).
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
I know everyone is getting the Iridium silver but when the 2003 SL previewed that year with the new body style I ordered the Diamond Silver and it was gorgeous.
I remember seeing the Diamond silver next to the Iridium and really had a preference for the Diamond. It was definitely much brighter.
Not sure if it is the same color. One would have to check paint codes.
I remember seeing the Diamond silver next to the Iridium and really had a preference for the Diamond. It was definitely much brighter.
Not sure if it is the same color. One would have to check paint codes.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Had obsidian black, "plain" black, black opal and mocha black. Not sure how magnetite black looks in real life...
Personally all blacks looks stunning when clean and detailed. Can't stay from black (BMW is sapphire black) but in real life black is just not practical, at least where we live.
In the 5 minutes before the car gets dirty, I'd rank them this way:
1. Plain Black - the most beautiful; rich and deep, shows of the lines of the car beautifully, but the paint is also the softest and subject to marks of any kind.
2. Mocha Black - Stunning in the sun with warm rich color hues; brown during the day, black at night - Not to be used with porcelain interior though, go brown.
3. Obsidian black - Sturdy paint which looks beautiful when the sun shines, but looks dusty when is doesn't (even if clean). Shows swirl marks nicely
4. Black Opal - Not sure how similar that is to magnetite black. Very blue in the sun. Had it on an M-Class and liked it at first but grew tired of it quickly.
I do like iridium silver, but also don't mind the W222 in the darker gray (not sure of the exact color). Those are very practical as well and hide dirt nicely..
Personally all blacks looks stunning when clean and detailed. Can't stay from black (BMW is sapphire black) but in real life black is just not practical, at least where we live.
In the 5 minutes before the car gets dirty, I'd rank them this way:
1. Plain Black - the most beautiful; rich and deep, shows of the lines of the car beautifully, but the paint is also the softest and subject to marks of any kind.
2. Mocha Black - Stunning in the sun with warm rich color hues; brown during the day, black at night - Not to be used with porcelain interior though, go brown.
3. Obsidian black - Sturdy paint which looks beautiful when the sun shines, but looks dusty when is doesn't (even if clean). Shows swirl marks nicely
4. Black Opal - Not sure how similar that is to magnetite black. Very blue in the sun. Had it on an M-Class and liked it at first but grew tired of it quickly.
I do like iridium silver, but also don't mind the W222 in the darker gray (not sure of the exact color). Those are very practical as well and hide dirt nicely..
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I have two Mercedes, one black and the other Obsidian Black. It most definitely is a matter of personal preference. Black is definitely beautiful and very rich. I had never gotten a metallic black before so went with Obsidian Black this go around with some apprehension.
Having had the car for a while, I think it's a great looking color - love the metallic "flakes/sparkles" when you get close up to the car. It still looks very much like the regular black car the further away you stand from the car in the sunlight. I have trouble telling when I have both my cars next to each other. It doesn't appear smoky to me in cloudy weather. Overall, I'm definitely happy with my choice although the way Mercedes does black and Obsidian, I think you can't go wrong.
Keeping either of the cars clean, however, is another story...
BTW, TwinCam, we're in Texas. For the interior, we went with the exclusive black nappa. Getting into this car after it's been out in the sun for a couple of hours isn't bad at all - the climate control and the optimized seat ventilation makes this a non-issue. I've been using the convenience opening feature (press and hold the unlock button, all windows/sunroof open and seat ventilation is turned on) when it gets really hot and that helps a lot, too.
Having had the car for a while, I think it's a great looking color - love the metallic "flakes/sparkles" when you get close up to the car. It still looks very much like the regular black car the further away you stand from the car in the sunlight. I have trouble telling when I have both my cars next to each other. It doesn't appear smoky to me in cloudy weather. Overall, I'm definitely happy with my choice although the way Mercedes does black and Obsidian, I think you can't go wrong.
Keeping either of the cars clean, however, is another story...
BTW, TwinCam, we're in Texas. For the interior, we went with the exclusive black nappa. Getting into this car after it's been out in the sun for a couple of hours isn't bad at all - the climate control and the optimized seat ventilation makes this a non-issue. I've been using the convenience opening feature (press and hold the unlock button, all windows/sunroof open and seat ventilation is turned on) when it gets really hot and that helps a lot, too.
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2013 S 550 4MATIC 2000 E55 25,000 MILES
I'm done with Black as it so difficult to keep swirl free even with the most careful of washing techniques. No argument about how beautiful it looks when detailed but keeping black "perfect " is a full time job. I am leaning toward silver or even diamond white metallic. Not sure right now. Lexus has a new silver or platinum that is simply stunning. I hope MB comes out with a colour like that in MY 15
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
If you use the right materials, don't scrub hard, and don't wash in a circular pattern but rather straight lines, you can keep the swirls down a lot. When you scrub the car hard, you press the dirt particles more into the clear coat. And circular formations cause you to return back to your starting area too much. And let's not talk about the people who still wash the car with towels. 
But indeed black is more work like torontowino said, because with other colors you don't have to think this hard. LOL
But indeed black is more work like torontowino said, because with other colors you don't have to think this hard. LOL
Last edited by Kratos-TM; Dec 9, 2013 at 09:42 AM.
