Metallic black vs Obsidian black
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
Metallic black vs Obsidian black
Hello everyone.
I am debating which black exterior paint will look better. Planning for a Euro delivery in August.
My local MB dealer does not currently display metallic black nor obsidian black on S class and it has proven difficult to compare those two paints. Looking at photos on google search really has proven useless.
Car is for my wife who currently drives a metallic black 750Li and likes it.
She definitely wants her car to be black again.
Can some of you help me distinguish the difference? Your input will be greatly appreciated.
I am debating which black exterior paint will look better. Planning for a Euro delivery in August.
My local MB dealer does not currently display metallic black nor obsidian black on S class and it has proven difficult to compare those two paints. Looking at photos on google search really has proven useless.
Car is for my wife who currently drives a metallic black 750Li and likes it.
She definitely wants her car to be black again.
Can some of you help me distinguish the difference? Your input will be greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 265
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
04 Lexus LS430
I saw a 2014 S550 with the Magnetite Black Metallic at the car show here in San Diego. It was just a dark gray...see my attachment. I was kind of disappointed with it. I would hope Obsidian Black Metallic would be darker under bright light but I haven't seen it in person.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
I saw a 2014 S550 with the Magnetite Black Metallic at the car show here in San Diego. It was just a dark gray...see my attachment. I was kind of disappointed with it. I would hope Obsidian Black Metallic would be darker under bright light but I haven't seen it in person.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 265
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
04 Lexus LS430
If you notice, they throw around the word "black" liberally on a lot of their colors when they are anything but black. "Ruby Black", "Magnetite Black", "Obsidian Black" and "Black". Ruby is a deep red/violet. Magnetite is like the mineral, gray. Obsidian is what I think you are looking for...black with a sparkle to it.
Attached is a pic of actual magnetite.
Autotrader.com also has a lot of these colors on actual cars up for sale so you can kind of get an idea for the various shades. Here's one in Obsidian Black -
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...65312066&Log=0
Last edited by aypues; Mar 16, 2014 at 01:22 AM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
If you notice, they throw around the word "black" liberally on a lot of their colors when they are anything but black. "Ruby Black", "Magnetite Black", "Obsidian Black" and "Black". Ruby is a deep red/violet. Magnetite is like the mineral, gray. Obsidian is what I think you are looking for...black with a sparkle to it.
Attached is a pic of actual magnetite.
Autotrader.com also has a lot of these colors on actual cars up for sale so you can kind of get an idea for the various shades. Here's one in Obsidian Black -
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...65312066&Log=0
Attached is a pic of actual magnetite.
Autotrader.com also has a lot of these colors on actual cars up for sale so you can kind of get an idea for the various shades. Here's one in Obsidian Black -
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...65312066&Log=0
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Had a couple of MB's in obsidian black and a 750li xDrive I sapphire black. Obsidian black is lighter than the BMW black and looks more dusty, as stated. Very nice close-up and when freshly washed, otherwise it is a bit underwhelming.
While Ruby black looks ok with the body style I think it will drop the resale value as badly as the Almadine Black (same thing) on the W220.
If you don't like plain black, go for a Designo color (I used to have a mocha black, stunning color). Otherwise magnetite is actually very nice; just not a deep black.
While Ruby black looks ok with the body style I think it will drop the resale value as badly as the Almadine Black (same thing) on the W220.
If you don't like plain black, go for a Designo color (I used to have a mocha black, stunning color). Otherwise magnetite is actually very nice; just not a deep black.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
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2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
Had a couple of MB's in obsidian black and a 750li xDrive I sapphire black. Obsidian black is lighter than the BMW black and looks more dusty, as stated. Very nice close-up and when freshly washed, otherwise it is a bit underwhelming.
While Ruby black looks ok with the body style I think it will drop the resale value as badly as the Almadine Black (same thing) on the W220.
If you don't like plain black, go for a Designo color (I used to have a mocha black, stunning color). Otherwise magnetite is actually very nice; just not a deep black.
While Ruby black looks ok with the body style I think it will drop the resale value as badly as the Almadine Black (same thing) on the W220.
If you don't like plain black, go for a Designo color (I used to have a mocha black, stunning color). Otherwise magnetite is actually very nice; just not a deep black.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
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2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Obsidian is the closest choice to sapphire black. I do recommend looking at any MB model you can find in that color before pulling the trigger though as it is a bit dustier looking than the BMW.
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2013 458 Italia, 2014 X5
And I thought the opposite was true. Metallic being less scratch prone that is..
I confess that my knowledge on cars is very limited.
Went to a local dealership this afternoon. This time, they've only had magnetite blacks and basic blacks. Last time I visited, they only had Obsidian blacks and basic blacks. I do not mind the magnetite black. It's actually pretty. Now, if I can find some Obsidian black cars to look at, I think I am ready to submit the order.
Thanks for all the help guys.
I confess that my knowledge on cars is very limited.
Went to a local dealership this afternoon. This time, they've only had magnetite blacks and basic blacks. Last time I visited, they only had Obsidian blacks and basic blacks. I do not mind the magnetite black. It's actually pretty. Now, if I can find some Obsidian black cars to look at, I think I am ready to submit the order.
Thanks for all the help guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
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From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
Regarding scratches, on at least GLKs and Es, the black cars have obsidian black door handles because obsidian is more forgiving with scratches.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
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From: Maryland
2011 C300 Sport 4Matic, 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Ultrasport, 2010 Subaru Forester
I'm currently considering a Magnetite Black car as well. Still waiting on a test drive, but this color is hard to find online. Here are a few shots posted back when the color first came out courtesy of Benz Blogger.
http://www.benzblogger.com/2010/10/n...011-sl550.html
It's definitely a dark gray metallic. I wouldn't call it black at all. I could see how on a cloudy day that it may look black, but it really isn't. Still looks amazing from what I have seen thus far.
http://www.benzblogger.com/2010/10/n...011-sl550.html
It's definitely a dark gray metallic. I wouldn't call it black at all. I could see how on a cloudy day that it may look black, but it really isn't. Still looks amazing from what I have seen thus far.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1
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MB E400 Cabriolet
We had same debate
We took delivery of our 2015 E400 Cabriolet last December, and faced the same dilemma. We opted for a red convertible top, so the Obsidian Black (197) looks best for our car; it makes for less of a contrast between red & black. In your case however, I would surely recommend regular Black (040) based on your wife wanting the car "black"...suggesting a deep, shiny black. The Obsidian Black is more of a very dark charcoal / almost black base with subtle gold/copper/pewter specks (my choice of terms, not MB). OB (197) is a bit visually busy but still very classy. Black (040) is the classic shiny black that I believe your wife will like best. Disclaimer: Like every other husband, I couldn't predict anything to save my soul.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
there s a lot of good advice here, krudy is bang on. so is the poster who said obsidian is dusty looking. i've had mostly 040 black (standard non-metallic black) on my s-classes and to me always looks the best. ive had obsidian on my cls63 and from afar looked like 040 black but up close had that gold metallic flake mentioned upthread as well as that aforementioned dusty look. i thought obsidian hid the scratches better than 040 black.
the magnetite black is a dark grey, which actually looks like it has hues of green in it (see post above #5) in person. which leads me to the conclusion tht you should see the color in person in multiple lighting settings before deciding. these cars are too expensive to have buyer's remorse. can you imagine agreeing to a color, buying it to drive it home and admiring it in the the drive only to hate the color. ugh. do your research in person. more fun that way, too!
[full disclosure: my current '13 221 is lunar blue. and i think my next 222 (in the next month or two?) will be lunar blue as well. love navy blue. i really wanted to like magentite but cant get past the greenish hue. finally, imo, 040 black is always the best fall back position on a s class sedan.]
the magnetite black is a dark grey, which actually looks like it has hues of green in it (see post above #5) in person. which leads me to the conclusion tht you should see the color in person in multiple lighting settings before deciding. these cars are too expensive to have buyer's remorse. can you imagine agreeing to a color, buying it to drive it home and admiring it in the the drive only to hate the color. ugh. do your research in person. more fun that way, too!
[full disclosure: my current '13 221 is lunar blue. and i think my next 222 (in the next month or two?) will be lunar blue as well. love navy blue. i really wanted to like magentite but cant get past the greenish hue. finally, imo, 040 black is always the best fall back position on a s class sedan.]
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
From: NYC
S550
Hello everyone.
I am debating which black exterior paint will look better. Planning for a Euro delivery in August.
My local MB dealer does not currently display metallic black nor obsidian black on S class and it has proven difficult to compare those two paints. Looking at photos on google search really has proven useless.
Car is for my wife who currently drives a metallic black 750Li and likes it.
She definitely wants her car to be black again.
Can some of you help me distinguish the difference? Your input will be greatly appreciated.
I am debating which black exterior paint will look better. Planning for a Euro delivery in August.
My local MB dealer does not currently display metallic black nor obsidian black on S class and it has proven difficult to compare those two paints. Looking at photos on google search really has proven useless.
Car is for my wife who currently drives a metallic black 750Li and likes it.
She definitely wants her car to be black again.
Can some of you help me distinguish the difference? Your input will be greatly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 391
'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I have Obsidian Black on my '14 S550. It does not have a blue tone to it. Now on my '08 S550 I had a Majestic Black. Majestic Black has a blue tone in the sun light. But Obsidian is like the "normal" black but has metallic flakes in the paint. That is the only difference from the normal black to the Obsidian Black.
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 70
From: NYC
W223 S580, Range Rover LWB, BMW 740i, Porsche 911 Carrera S (997), Maserati QP GTS, W124 250D
Obsidian is the closest to BMW's sapphire black. I had it on my (sold, thankfully) '14 750.
However, in my opinion, 040 black on the mercedes is a more practical and better looking color. The obsidian comes off as a bit dirty if not properly detailed and washed.
However, in my opinion, 040 black on the mercedes is a more practical and better looking color. The obsidian comes off as a bit dirty if not properly detailed and washed.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
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2017 S550
Car color
Hi, I just took delivery of a 2017 S550, color magnetite black. Was debating between obsidian and magnetite. Beige interior. Magnetite appears more or less black at first glance but it is more of a deep charcoal black-gray color. If you look at color of car compared to the black of the tires, it is slightly lighter vs obsidian black which basically matches the tires in terms of color.
I saw both colors on different MB models at dealer before I ordered mine. Both are beautiful, obsidian a true black, magnetite has more gray in it. Both very dark.
I saw both colors on different MB models at dealer before I ordered mine. Both are beautiful, obsidian a true black, magnetite has more gray in it. Both very dark.
