what color???????

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new2bmw
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Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:00 pm

Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:28 am

I was really hoping to paint my 84 318i a jet black color, i found out the colour it is now is called graphite metallic, i have been told a color change is major work, not sure if graphite metallic is a sporty color or not, i just dont want it to look like a business car lol. i want it to look sporty. any opinions out there? what should i do guys??????
mrLEE30
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Location: Sweating buckets in Bahrain

Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:00 am

Firstly welcome to the zone!!! :D

the factory black for the E30 is diamond black metallic(or Diamont Schwartz Metallic) and the paint colour code is 181. I have seen E30's with other variations of black (such as jet black or the newer BMW colours Schwartz 1 and Schwartz 2 seen on E39's) and they look very nice, but bear in mind a unique colour will result in difficulties if you ever need to respray a panel in the future

a respray is a major job even if you keep the same colour, but to change the colour is an entirely different ball game, as the interior needs to be painted, as does the engine bay, boot, door areas etc etc, if your car is not already black then the cost and work involved to spray such an old car would be more then going out and buying a black 318!!!

this is my car in diamond black (and resprayed a week before this picture, and it took several weeks just to respray in the same colour!!)

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new2bmw
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:05 am

wow beautiful car, i can only dream. it will definately need to be resprayed, and it sounds like sticking to original is easier. just wondering what you guys think of graphite mettalic? sporty or businesslike? i want to install a body kit and spoiler and tint the windows, opinions please. and if anyone in canada knows of used or inexpensive body kits or parts for my 318i let me know.
thanks all!