SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: black or silver 05 sl55?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
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Having owned two black trucks prior to my Silver ML, I have to vote for Silver. All mercedes look good in black or silver, but silver is much easier to maintain. Cooler in summer, less work involved, less worry with swirls and such.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Vancouver, BC
SL55, Aston Martin DB7
Silver
I have had black cars all my life, recently I changed to silver and white.
I love black but it is hard to keep in shape and the scratches are all ways present.
Suggest silver .
Alican1
I love black but it is hard to keep in shape and the scratches are all ways present.
Suggest silver .
Alican1
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Joined: May 2002
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Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Hate to be controversial, but there is nothing more boring than yet another silver Mercedes...In my opinion a very underwhelming color as it is too bland. Darker colors can emphazise the contours much better.
A good compromise is Pewter; practical, yet a bit more refined, looks good in the sun and shows of the car very well...
Wolfman
A good compromise is Pewter; practical, yet a bit more refined, looks good in the sun and shows of the car very well...
Wolfman
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Colour combonations I noticed in posted pictures that have been interesting to me:
Exterior Interior Trim
Silver Red Black Ash
Black Red Black Ash
Pewter Silver Charcoal Black Ash
Black Stone Chestnut
Exterior Interior Trim
Silver Red Black Ash
Black Red Black Ash
Pewter Silver Charcoal Black Ash
Black Stone Chestnut
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 271
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From: West Toluca Lake, CA.
2004 SL55 AMG
jb71:
Silver became popular in the first place because out of all colors available, it shows the contours, character lines and surface nuances of a vehicle best without a question. Conversely, Black, without a doubt, hides the most and diminishes the size of the vehicle visually, let alone being a detailer's continous aficionado project. I've owned numerous silver & black vehicles. Black is strikingly classy and beautiful for an MB with the chrome/silver highlights while Silver is the same though in a different manner, moreso in an artistic perspective. Regardless, the most popular and appealing colors historically are black and silver (as evidenced by resale value and demand over the years) so you can't go wrong either way. It's preference!
As far as preference, yes, there are "brilliant silver" equivalents everywhere and that color has become highly common on the streets. That's why I especially like Pewter Silver for MBs or the Diamond Graphite (dark silver) you see from other manufacturers. These colors add a touch of class in a darker tone yet have the metallic silver qualities that still show the lines well enough while adding contrast to chrome/silver trim, wheels and dark woods. Plus they stand out from the common bright silvers that abound.
Btw, it's funny and interesting how significantly different all (3) silvers (different manufacturers) are in my sig, especially in comparison standing next to each other. None of them are the same as MB's typical "Brilliant Silver" which I had on a 2002 ML55 AMG.
Just my thoughts..................
Silver became popular in the first place because out of all colors available, it shows the contours, character lines and surface nuances of a vehicle best without a question. Conversely, Black, without a doubt, hides the most and diminishes the size of the vehicle visually, let alone being a detailer's continous aficionado project. I've owned numerous silver & black vehicles. Black is strikingly classy and beautiful for an MB with the chrome/silver highlights while Silver is the same though in a different manner, moreso in an artistic perspective. Regardless, the most popular and appealing colors historically are black and silver (as evidenced by resale value and demand over the years) so you can't go wrong either way. It's preference!
As far as preference, yes, there are "brilliant silver" equivalents everywhere and that color has become highly common on the streets. That's why I especially like Pewter Silver for MBs or the Diamond Graphite (dark silver) you see from other manufacturers. These colors add a touch of class in a darker tone yet have the metallic silver qualities that still show the lines well enough while adding contrast to chrome/silver trim, wheels and dark woods. Plus they stand out from the common bright silvers that abound.
Btw, it's funny and interesting how significantly different all (3) silvers (different manufacturers) are in my sig, especially in comparison standing next to each other. None of them are the same as MB's typical "Brilliant Silver" which I had on a 2002 ML55 AMG.
Just my thoughts..................
Last edited by RU_MATRX; Nov 11, 2004 at 05:48 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 271
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From: West Toluca Lake, CA.
2004 SL55 AMG
1999 SL 500 (smoke silver, java interior, java soft top, panorama roof)
Speaking of "silvers," would you happen to have digital pics of your SL500 with the "smoke silver?" What's the closest MB offering to that color today, if it's available? It'd be nice to see!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: West Toluca Lake, CA.
2004 SL55 AMG
Thanks for the efforts ChrisB.
It seems that smoky silver is a little lighter with more gold than my Pewter Silver. It looks like a lighter version of the current Desert Silver. Nice color!
It seems that smoky silver is a little lighter with more gold than my Pewter Silver. It looks like a lighter version of the current Desert Silver. Nice color!
Last edited by RU_MATRX; Nov 12, 2004 at 12:16 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
From: No specific place
SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by mick1
i would pick silver 
the salesman told me silver was the official color for german racing cars, like red was for italian cars and green was for british cars.
the salesman told me silver was the official color for german racing cars, like red was for italian cars and green was for british cars.
yes , but actually AMG cars and silver arrow legend was white, check the thread in the SLK 55 AMG forum, and click on SLK 55 pictures owner from swiss. i have wrote the story there.... cheers!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
From: No specific place
SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by jb71
can't decide, black or silver 05 sl55? both have charcoal with black birdseye maple.
get obsidean black! you wont regret it, but dont get just black!
silver doesnt really looks good on SL, and its damn too common....
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally Posted by ro0zy
anyone have red photo's of the SL
Plenty of nice pics though (scroll down), not an angle missed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6338
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 67
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From: San Diego
SL65, 05' & Ford GT, 06'
Graphite is the "bomb"
Spend a few extra bucks and get Graphite, a Designo color with additional metalic flake in it. It is the same color as the wheels on the SL65. Best color I have had on a car and very rare. That's my two cents.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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sl55
Originally Posted by RonG
Spend a few extra bucks and get Graphite, a Designo color with additional metalic flake in it. It is the same color as the wheels on the SL65. Best color I have had on a car and very rare. That's my two cents.
do you have a pic of the graphite?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 271
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From: West Toluca Lake, CA.
2004 SL55 AMG
Originally Posted by OzSL55
Black, no question. Silver is an old person's colour, boring 
.
.
