I am ready to order a JCW. I would like black with red roof and mirrors but I am concerned about the paint and it's need to be polished more frequently. Between kids and other stuff detailing it as often as I used to will be more difficult. Would you avoid black if that was the case? I like to quick detail in between washed and I imagine black would swirl really easily doing that.

I am thinking of sticking with either all pepper white or all chilli red do to these concerns. What are other peoples experience with black?

Black is high maintenance compared to any other color. I would steer clear if it were me. I have Chili red and it's much better. I have a black top as well and you can see very clearly how much more difficult to take care of black is compared to red. But if you want the ultimate, pepper white is even better then CR. My wife had PW and that color hides everything. PW would be the cats meow.

Pat

Your concern about swirling with a quick detailer is more than likely based on the use of poor quality materials. Prima and Griot's Garage have excellent micro fiber cloths that are made specifically for automobile finishes. I use Griot's speed shine with the speed shine cloths regularly and have no swirls at all except where I chased away an onlooker from leaning against the door panel in his jeans. (Some people have no respect. Polished that out, no worries) Go with the color you want, it is your MINI and you will have to live with what you order. Best to like what that is or suffer regrets.

My experience is different even with the high end materials. I use all of those brands as well and the best Microfiber. Fact is in my experience black is harder to maintain. But ultimately you need to pick what you feel is best. If u go with black be sure to post back after 6 months and tell us your experience.

Black is not hard to keep if done properly. I've had many a black car, including new '12 CM All4. I use 3Ms Imperial glaze and 1 grand carnuba wax and have had excellent results. When using Imperial glaze apply in straight lines to avoid swirls and apply in small areas at a time. Then apply wax and you should be good for months.

To the OP. Black kept up well, will look phenomenal, is does however show up more imperfections faster than a PW or a White Silver. With proper care and proper products as everyone stated, the finish on a black car can be kept for the most part clean however, as the OP stated with not much time on his hands to detail, it could be a handful. I say go with your first choice in color otherwise you'll always be asking yourself if you should've gone with your original choice.

Having owned three black cars, one brand new, black is very time consuming to take care of. Even if you have the right tools and equipment etc its still a color that needs constant attention.

Bird craps on the car and you leave it more than a couple min, nice almost permanent spot on the car. Drive on the freeway a lot, get ready for lots a paint chips and for some reason they like to primer black cars with white primer or light colored primer. If you dont want to spent lots of time cleaning the car dont by black. I was hand washing mine sometimes two and three times a week...

Thank you I have owned black before and I agree 100%. How folks get to "it does not take much to keep it good" is beyond me. If nothing else the one thing it does take is time. If you car is a garage queen and goes out for car shows black could be an ok color. I did not get the impression that the OP had that in mind.

Why not flip the color scheme. CR body and Black roof and mirrors. Black wheels red brakes. it will look great and be far easier to maintain.

Thats a cool idea!

Placed an order for a 2012 all Pepper White JCW with black challenge spokes. I would have liked either red or black as well but red attracts to much attention. Black shows swirls and scratches to easily.

Good choice, I had one black car....and it was my last.