Jet Black vs Black Saphire Metallic

Hey guys,

I've read the comments on the e90 website and viewed the pics of Jet Black and Black Saphire Metallic... but I'm telling you... I was at the dealer lot yesterday and had two 325i's side by side... one was jet black and other the black saphire metallic... and even in the sunlight it was hard for me to tell a big difference!! The Jet Black was definitly the darker of the two... but I didn't see the sparkle-shine in the Black Saphire metallic as prominently as I thought I would given the fact that the paint job is nearly $1500.00 more!!

Have others had a hard time noticing the difference? I was going to pay the extra for the metallic paint... but in black I'm wondering if it's worth it. So far my gut says no.

]d

The Sapphire is a $475 option so I'm not sure about your $1,500 figure. When the sun is very bright (it's a big deal in the southwest) you can really see the metal flakes when you're less than 10 feet or so from the car. Maybe Minnie-hopeless doesn't have such strong sunlight.

I love the black sapphire! It actually hides some dust because of the flex in the sunlight I feel. Although I have noticed that it captures the sunlight while parked and makes you think you have streaks in your car at certain spots until you inspect closely. Skard the heck out of me. And it isn't a 1500 option as previous posters pointed out, 475.

Invoice is $430.....

My bad on the price. I thought the metallic paint upgrades were more.

Glad to hear others can notice the difference and feel that it's worth it.

Schely --> I appreciate your comment: " Although I have noticed that it captures the sunlight while parked and makes you think you have streaks in your car at certain spots until you inspect closely"

Do you think this is the tendancy of all metallic paints, or just the black in particular?

]d

Originally Posted by Jeff Dubois

My bad on the price. I thought the metallic paint upgrades were more.

Glad to hear others can notice the difference and feel that it's worth it.

Schely --> I appreciate your comment: " Although I have noticed that it captures the sunlight while parked and makes you think you have streaks in your car at certain spots until you inspect closely"

Do you think this is the tendancy of all metallic paints, or just the black in particular?

]d

dark metallics yes

my opinion is that black saphhire is not worth it if u really can't tell the difference. jet black definitely looks darker and when it's clean, it looks totally awesome. most of the time sapphire black just reminds me of a dirty, faded jet black..just my 2 cents.

I was hesitant to buy electric red, not becuase of any problem with the color (I love red) but because it wasn't "metallic." Now that I have it, I am very happy that it isn't metallic. I really appreciate the purity of the nonmetallic paint. To me, the color apears deeper without the metal flakes. If I had gone with black, I would have gone with Jet Black. I say, just look at the two cars and get the one that looks best to you.

I used to have a Jet Black X5 and now a Black Sapphire X3. Immediately after a car wash under normal daylight, it is very easy to tell the difference at a close distance. Jet black is deeper, darker, and look like a mirror. Sapphire is a little washed-out and not as mirror-like. But after 30min, Jet Black will start to look like Sapphire Black as dust particles are accumulated. After a short drive, you won't notice much difference.

Under very bright sunlight (also at close look), Black Sapphire begins to show its glory. The metal flakes have a colorful layer underneath the black that makes it look like a very expensive paint job, not like the monochrome Jet Black. At 20ft or more, there is no difference between the two.

Another benefit of Black Sapphire is for hiding swirl marks and slight scratches. Jet Black is absolutely intolerant of any blemishes. Black Sapphire is much more forgiving in this regard.

In conclusion:

Cloudy days with a perfectly clean car - Jet Black
If you are a detail freak - Jet Black
Sunny days and a not-so-clean car - Black Sapphire
If you are not a detail freak - Black Sapphire

Originally Posted by billgti

my opinion is that black saphhire is not worth it if u really can't tell the difference. jet black definitely looks darker and when it's clean, it looks totally awesome. most of the time sapphire black just reminds me of a dirty, faded jet black..just my 2 cents.

Agree. black sapphire look dirty like a layer of grey under dim light
I ordered a color code 668 pure black ( or you call jet black here )
Here , we do not pay extra for metallic paint because everyone will take metallic
so the price is including the metallic paint.
But I get no refund for not getting a metallic paint
Anyhow, I admit that black sapphire is a pretty unique BMW color if that is
what we want to remember we are driving a BMW.
cnt

Originally Posted by mkh

I used to have a Jet Black X5 and now a Black Sapphire X3. Immediately after a car wash under normal daylight, it is very easy to tell the difference at a close distance. Jet black is deeper, darker, and look like a mirror. Sapphire is a little washed-out and not as mirror-like. But after 30min, Jet Black will start to look like Sapphire Black as dust particles are accumulated. After a short drive, you won't notice much difference.

Under very bright sunlight (also at close look), Black Sapphire begins to show its glory. The metal flakes have a colorful layer underneath the black that makes it look like a very expensive paint job, not like the monochrome Jet Black. At 20ft or more, there is no difference between the two.

Another benefit of Black Sapphire is for hiding swirl marks and slight scratches. Jet Black is absolutely intolerant of any blemishes. Black Sapphire is much more forgiving in this regard.

In conclusion:

Cloudy days with a perfectly clean car - Jet Black
If you are a detail freak - Jet Black
Sunny days and a not-so-clean car - Black Sapphire
If you are not a detail freak - Black Sapphire

I agree with you 100%
Thanks for your experience shared

cnt

Originally Posted by mkh

In conclusion:

Cloudy days with a perfectly clean car - Jet Black
If you are a detail freak - Jet Black
Sunny days and a not-so-clean car - Black Sapphire
If you are not a detail freak - Black Sapphire

I agree completely! I think it depends on how much you will be cleaning your car yourself. I am not a detail freak...so I needed to have some flexibilty and the Black Sapphire is more forgiving in that respect.

I agree with some of the earlier comments. I have blk sapphire and now that I think about it, I would ralther have jet black, especially for $475 or whatever it was. It kind of looks grey or even dirty to me but it does have a nice sparkle if clean and you look closely enough. Don't get me wrong, I am a metallic paint fan, but I think it works better the lighter the color is. For me, when I order black, I want it a dark, dark black. Something to think about.

If you must have black, go for metallic.

The Jet Black looks fantastic when new and clean, but shows every finger print and dust particle, and as with all non-metallics, doesn't age well (swirl marks etc).

I disagree. I think Jet Black is the way to go. If you get your car detailed at your BMW dealership twice a year (once in spring, once in fall) and drive it through a good touchless car wash every other week or so, it stays looking pristine... Much more dark and intense than the black saphire metallic.

What?!?! Somebody suggesting taking a black car throught a car wash?!? Heresy I say!