[BossBeamer]

Whats the difference? Which do you like better? I am looking at a 2011 535i m sport in jet black

[ezmaass]

I'm on my 3rd jet black BMW... so, you can assume I like jet black better. It's a non-metallic finish, so it doesn't have the sparkle/glitter look to it, which is more sporty IMHO. The sapphire black is metallic and has little flecks that seem to sparkle in the sun-light. It's more "showy" in that way, I guess, but it doesn't look as deep black as a result.

Go look at them in person - it's really a personal taste. If you want the deepest-looking black, I think jet black is the way to go. If you want a black car that looks a bit more sparkly in the sun-light, the sapphire may be a better choice. But honestly, the difference isn't enough to write home about. If you're buying a used car and have found the RIGHT car, and it all comes down to these two paint options, I wouldn't think twice about it. They're both black, and they both look nice.

[Boulder Bill]

Personal preference will obviously dictate your choice. Try to see them both in similar lighting. This shouldn't be hard, as both are pretty common choices.

Both are black cars, which show dirt readily. But I think Jet Black does so to an even greater degree. Also, I have heard anecdotely that Jet Black is a "softer" paint, more subject to dings. I don't know this personally. I owned a Black Sappphire 5 series for quite a while and never had a paint job hold up so well. I'd be curious if Jet Black owners have experienced the same.

I'm sure you will be happy with either.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

Personal preference will obviously dictate your choice. Try to see them both in similar lighting. This shouldn't be hard, as both are pretty common choices.

Both are black cars, which show dirt readily. But I think Jet Black does so to an even greater degree. Also, I have heard anecdotely that Jet Black is a "softer" paint, more subject to dings. I don't know this personally. I owned a Black Sappphire 5 series for quite a while and never had a paint job hold up so well. I'd be curious if Jet Black owners have experienced the same.

I'm sure you will be happy with either.

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't think either paint is "harder" than the other - I believe they're both applied with the same clear-coat finish and would have the same durability from a pure material perspective?

That said, I HAVE heard some people make the argument that metallic black holds up better simply because it hides blemishes and issues better. Since it already has various little metallic pieces reflecting light in all different directions, it's a bit better at hiding dirt and dust, and maybe a minor scratch or swirl. Jet black (non-metallic) on the other hand is pure, deep black - no metallic pieces, nothing... just black. As such, it looks fantastic (IMO) when clean and well maintained. However, if you don't maintain it, it'll show swirls and small scratches easier than a metallic black.

This is obviously really subjective, though, and your personal taste will need to dictate your choice. I've chosen Jet Black, regardless of the upkeep, because I wanted the deepest, most pure black - and I felt the metallic black, with the slight "sparkle" to them, didn't quite look as deep. I believe any metallic paint, not just the black, is going to reflect more of the surrounding ambient light, and that'll cause it to look lighter/brighter in color than the same paint without metallic flecks. If you polish both cars, you'll REALLY see the difference. The jet black will look like a super dark ocean (best way I can describe it)... while the black sapphire, and the embedded sparkly metallic bits, will make it look more like a very, very deep gunmetal color... or slightly greyish black with lots of glimmer/sparkle to it... not sure how to best describe it, but it doesn't look "pure" black. Add a bit of dust to each, and the Jet Black will show it much worse.

So, after 13, almost 14, years of owning Jet Black... I can say, it's not terrible. I don't wash my car like a fanatic. It gets pretty dirty, especially now in the winter. But when you DO wash it up, polish it, etc... it's extremely rewarding. I've also found that the paint holds up well. I've owned two Jet Black BMWs (prior to my 5), both for 6.5 years, and neither had a paint issue ever.

I think you really just need to decide what look you're going for. Some people just want deep, pure black (like me), while others find it a bit boring and want some sparkle to their ride when the sun hits it. Metallic paints have historically been more complex to manufacture and apply, and that's why several manufacturers have charged extra for it - including BMW. So, technically it's a more "advanced" paint from that perspective. Now you have BMW's matte "frozen" paints, which just look really sweet - velvety. But after watching a video on how they need to be maintained, I decided I could never do it!

Either black will look great - you just need to make a decision based upon your preferences. Get two cars side by side and take a look.

[snj1013]

As someone that has worked in an automobile assembly plant's paint department, I would be extremely surprised if the Clear coat was different for the Jet Black compared to the Sapphire Black. I think exmassee's comments are right on the money. Maybe the sapphire hides imperfections better, but the clear is the same, so no difference in the durability of these 2 colors.

[Boulder Bill]

I don't doubt it. As I said, I had only heard such "soft paint" claims. I suspect it was an inarticulate way of stating what ezmaass observed. With little time for car washing fanaticism, I'll take whatever hiding of imperfections from the paint I can get.

My current car is Carbon Black Metallic. It came with the car I ended up buying, and while I wouldn't perhaps have built it this way, it is a very interesting color. Far more light variable than either Jet or Sapphire Black.

To the OP, have the dealer move two cars with your options side by side. One will surely jump out at you. Have fun.

[nal13]

Our 528 is sapphire black and it is absolutely beautiful. That being said, jet black is much sportier.
Like boulder bill, our 550 is carbon black and the color is outstanding. You get the sparkling metallic but at the same time it is much sportier then the sapphire.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by nal13

Our 528 is sapphire black and it is absolutely beautiful. That being said, jet black is much sportier.
Like boulder bill, our 550 is carbon black and the color is outstanding. You get the sparkling metallic but at the same time it is much sportier then the sapphire.

+1

Carbon Black is a really awesome color as it can look deep black or even bluish depending upon the light... very classy and sporty. I was on the fence about trying carbon black on the 550 and... well, old habits die hard. I may get more brave with my next BMW, but now jet black is becoming a tradition for me!

[BossBeamer]

Thank you everybody! Damn this forum is a bunch of help! U guys are all great!!

[elitex]

I've owned a jet black 550i and I now own a sapphire black M5. Get the sapphire black as the jet black paint surface scratched very very easily.

In only 8 mos, my 550i looked like someone went over it with a sand paper.

[Mbbrewer]

As a detailing enthusiest, I'd avoid Jet Black like the Black Plague. It is very tempermental and very difficuly to keep free of swirls and scratches. I'd go with Saphire black.

[Boulder Bill]

Man, this post has circled back around.

[3rd party]

I am a fan of the appearance of flat colored paints, but never owned a black vehicle so I'd have to go with the experience of others and say the metallic will be more forgiving.

[Mtechnique]

Black Sapphire Is Not Available With Msport In 2014

[3rd party]

Originally Posted by Mtechnique

Black Sapphire Is Not Available With Msport In 2014

The OP is referring to a 2011.

[ezmaass]

Guys... I'm on my 14th year of owning Jet Black BMWs. The paint is just as sturdy as any other BMW paint - it doesn't scratch any easier than any OTHER color would scratch. The only difference is the lack of metallic flecks (found in colors like black sapphire) that cause that glimmer effect.

If you want a very dark, deep black, jet black is your only option. The Black Sapphire hides dirt and scratches better because it has a bunch of little light-reflecting metal flecks in it. But the price of that is a lighter color... the more light reflected by the paint, the lighter in color it'll appear to your eye. Black Sapphire, side by side with Jet Black, doesn't look nearly as dark or deep.

It's not all that hard to maintain either. You wash and wax it like any other car. And when it's perfectly clean, it looks downright amazing... like you're starring into a deep, black ocean. It's extremely classy and sporty at the same time.

The question here is... "Do I want a real deep, true black.... or do I want a lighter black with glimmer effect?" I think BMW answered the question for you on the M Sport cars for 2014 - Black Sapphire is no longer an option.

[elitex]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Guys... I'm on my 14th year of owning Jet Black BMWs. The paint is just as sturdy as any other BMW paint - it doesn't scratch any easier than any OTHER color would scratch. The only difference is the lack of metallic flecks (found in colors like black sapphire) that cause that glimmer effect.

If you want a very dark, deep black, jet black is your only option. The Black Sapphire hides dirt and scratches better because it has a bunch of little light-reflecting metal flecks in it. But the price of that is a lighter color... the more light reflected by the paint, the lighter in color it'll appear to your eye. Black Sapphire, side by side with Jet Black, doesn't look nearly as dark or deep.

It's not all that hard to maintain either. You wash and wax it like any other car. And when it's perfectly clean, it looks downright amazing... like you're starring into a deep, black ocean. It's extremely classy and sporty at the same time.

The question here is... "Do I want a real deep, true black.... or do I want a lighter black with glimmer effect?" I think BMW answered the question for you on the M Sport cars for 2014 - Black Sapphire is no longer an option.

Black sapphire was never an option with m-sport. At least 2012 forward.

My Audi flat black held up better than my BMW jet black. My opinion. I will never buy flat black if a metallic option is offered.

[0_steve]

While I've only owned sapphire black BMWs, I've had a flat black Lexus and both metallic and flat black Porsches. The metallic is MUCH easier to maintain at the cost of not being as dark or shiny close up. From a few feet away you can't tell the difference.

The only thing holding me back from trading in my sapphire X5 and getting a black 550i is that the M Sport only comes in flat. I can't decide if it's worth the challenge.

I love my black 911 but it's a weekend car and I still feel the need to wash it every time it's driven.