Am I just not patient enough to wait for a black one??

Always like the look of a clean black car so I've built a Clubman S up with the the "technology package" and black lights with 17" black rims... However found the same car in 2011 with the "connect package sans navigation" but HK stereo, same rims and wheels, same headlights for $2000 less and .9 percent financing as opposed to 2.9 percent. The pictures I've seen of the eclipse grey (with black mirrors, roof, and pillars) is very dark but still not black but for some reason there's a nice contrast between the black and gray.... OR have I simply talked myself into liking the gray because January is way too long of a time to wait...

thanks for the help and in case you're wondering the pepper white is the Mrs' and to stop fighting over who's driving, daddy is now trading in the Element SC for another clubman...

cheers.

 

Black is a gorgeous color when it is clean....unfortunately, it is NEVER clean, even 5 minutes after you completely detail the damn thing. Gray is much more forgiving, especially the farther you get away from pure black, as long as you do not get too close to complete white.

 

I have dark sliver which was replaced by E. Gray. Dark silver has been a great color for me. It hides dirt well and has rich metallic look. I have seen E. Gray and I like it. Black is also very sensitive to scratches or swirl marks. I'd take the E Gray over black but that's just my $0.02. Good luck.

 

I've owned a lot of black cars - my last one was my jet black 04 MCS. Every time I sell one I swear I will never buy buy another one..... but I always do

They just look so good you can't help yourself!!!

When I bought our new clubman in Sept. I had to stop myself - they had a black one and a hot chocolate - the only thing that saved me was that the black one was an automatic and I really wanted a manual....

Just remember - black looks great - but the cleaning will drive you nuts

Good luck !!

 

I've spent a considerable amount of time in Texas during the past 7-8 years, and black just seems like a bad automotive color choice there: it absorbs every last solar BTU, and is too difficult to keep clean-looking with all the dry, dusty conditions.

If you like the darker, neutral colors on a MINI, I think you'll be happier with Eclipse Gray.

 

my $0.02...

i love the look of a black car and have never been able to convince myself to get another color. when clean, there's not a better looking color. that's the problem.

as for heat, i've noticed that my mini doesn't get nearly as hot as i thought it would get, even with black interior. I think it's a combination of ceramic tint and the small cabin size. it may get hot, but it cools down pretty quick.

 

My last car was black and it really turned me off of the color. Unless you are extremely dedicated to keeping it clean it will always look dirty. As you can see in my sig I went with EG, I'm so much happier with this color, it hides dirt really well and still is a nice dark color.

Also, the wait for an order is hell!

 

They actually did a study of the interior temperature of black and white cars exposed for a length of time in full sun. There was no significant difference in interior temperature between a black car and a white car, with the key word being "interior temperature". But you will still not convince people that a dark color car is not hotter inside then a light color car.

 

Not sure who "they" are, but I did my own test @ the MINI dealer with a non contact laser thermometer and there was a difference between a pepper white and astro black of 4 degrees fahrenheit...I read the numbers with my own two eyes..

 

I'd also like to see the actual results of the 'study' to which you refer. The results that "Surfink" observed first-hand are consistent with the laws of thermodynamics/heat transfer: a black surface will absorb, and therefore radiate -- both toward the interior as well as the exterior -- more heat energy than a white surface.

It may be that, given a black and white car with similar (e.g., black) interiors, that they will eventually reach about the same interior temperature because of the confined volume and 'greenhouse' effect of the glass. But I would expect the white car to take a bit longer to reach that temperature because the paint color will reflect more/absorb less heat energy from the sun.

 

I would concur. Over time the peak temps would end up the same. But keep in mind the cars are also insulated with a headliner. That will offer some protection from the exterior heat of the metal.

 

My vote is for EG, but I'm biased as I ordered EG. Seriously though, having been a professional detailer in a former life I have enough OCD to care for black but to keep it looking it's best you're realistically looking at 3 washes per week with the proper technique so at least 90 minutes per wash. If you're not prepared for AT LEAST that much effort, go with EG.

 

I like EG so much, that is what my car is! I had 2 black cars when I lived in Wisconsin - road salt is mighty ugly on a black car! I'm not OCD about my car really and with the EG, it's more the brake dust that get's me out the washing supplies. EG hides the dirt fairly well.

 

No matter what color you want, just make sure you see it in the sunlight. MINI colors are so different on paper vs indoors vs in sunlight. We traveled to another MINI dealer or two, just to select our color. There were three colors we had considered True Blue, Royal Grey and Light Coffee. It was the sunlight that helped us. Indoors or on paper, we would still be deciding. Have fun!!!!

 

The photos I've seen make this eclipse gray look very dark and I like it... I spent some time on different photos sites and although the clean black cars look wet because they are so shiny, I do like the advantage and look of the eclipse gray so I'll go with that... couldn't stand the wait either!!

Best regards.

 

You've made a GREAT choice. My last car was black and everyone is right: when a black car is clean it looks sooooooooooo good. The problem is they are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much work to keep clean all the time. Been there, done that. I've had the eclipse grey now for just under 6 months...what a world of a difference! I love it!

 

I'm thrilled with what we've worked out... tentative trade-in value of $14,500 for my '08 Element SC 63,000 miles with brand new nice tires...

Car in question is an '11 Eclipse Gray Cluban S with black roof, mirrors, and pillars. 17" Black conical rims with matching Continetal rubber. 79 miles on the odometer and it includes the same features of the 2012 technology package (Mini connect, arm rest and HK sound system) with black Xenon headlights... They've come off more than $2400 MSRP and I get tinting and rubber matts at their cost!!

Guess I'm bragging more than asking for input because it's a done deal and I'm ecstatic to have my own Mini!!! Anyone in Houston want to have me over Sunday morning to install the Curt trailer hitch receiver ; )

Now I'm going to have to change my signerature line and get some photos up!!!


Cheers!!

 

You can always ask, the worst they can do is say no and at that point you are not any worse off then before you asked. But if they do balk at free, ask if you can have it at cost.

 

Congrats on your Eclipse Grey Clubbie! I love mine!!

 

Wow you got THAT right! I ordered my Clubbie because the dealer didn't have any with a 6-speed manual. Every time they got one in, someone swooped in and nabbed it. I gave up and placed an order. I ALMOST considered a dark color but finally decided on Pure Silver because I was astounded by how many silver cars still looked mostly clean no matter how many puddles they hit! The irony of that is my freakin wheels get dirty so fast that it drives me up the wall. I've tried several kinds of wheel wax and none seem to work. The brake dust and dirt seem to be ATTRACTED to the wheels!