[Smithy2014]

Looks like my next X3 is going to be black but I am unsure which one to go for, will be visiting dealer over the next week or so that has both colours in stock but whats the general verdict? Does Carbon Black look funny in different light with its blue tint? The only reason i ask is that I once had a metallic dark blue Land Rover which was stunning in sunlight but on a cloudy day it turned purple and looked vile

[Kugaman1]

Ive gone for carbon, purely because I had a sapphire black 3 series a few years ago and it didnt really do much for me!

[Tjalle]

Yes, it takes sun to bring out the best in my Carbon Black. Unfortunately there are limited days of sunshine in Sweden - like in Midlands.

CB looks bland when no sun.

Still - I believe I would go for CB again- looking for the sunny days.

[nickb3]

Both are great colours. I have Carbon Black.

On a dull day it looks black, whereas in direct sunlight it looks very dark (ink) blue. Definitely no hint of purple!

[nyalpine90]

carbon black is unique color and it looks great day and night.

[Kugaman1]

Looking at the voting so far......looks like carbon is the favourite!

[Andy_o]

I have a sapphire black 3 tourer .. It looks grey an hour after washing it and it shows every little mark/swirl/dink and scratch ... And sapphire black is everywhere !

Carbon black is far rarer .. And in my mind looks far better

I have no idea whether it is as much a pain to keep as sapphire though

[Tjalle]

Andy, yes it is a pain, and yes it turns grey in dusk, but I still would buy CB again.

I have a black MY-97 9000 Turbo and a MY-14 Carbon Black X4, both in good condition. Luckily I have garage for both

[nyalpine90]

yes its a pain the ass to keep it clean so i went back to alpine lol
its a beautiful color and received many compliments.

[jcgohan326]

Carbon Black

[Smithy2014]

Was originally considering white but when I saw one in the flesh at the dealers I went off it - for me white suits smaller cars better

[atrueb]

I think carbon black is a stunning color when the car is clean and the sun is intense; it then sparkles dark blue while the shaded areas are an intense black. However without sun or when dirty, it CAN look somewhat blunt dark blue-ish black.

Personally I chose the saphire black, because 1) ist looks amazing when clean and sunny (it sparkles in different shades of grey with a subtle dark greenish-blue shimmer). 2) a dirty saphire black looks better than a dirty carbon black (and unfortunatly my car is not sparkling clean the majority of the time). 3) Black is black and is timeless, elegant while still badass and 4) I think the saphire black matches the darkgrey accents on the m-sport rear bumper much better than the carbon black does.

Both saphire and carbon black unfortunately are highly sensitive towards abrasion. Tiniest scratches or swirls can become visible very quickly:-(

This point in time - eventhough I love saphire black - i would perhaps choose space-grey: 1) not as sensitive regarding scratches or dirt 2) it doesn't aborb the sun/heat as much and 3) it contrasts amazingly with the dark grey and black accents from the m-sport kit.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by atrueb

This point in time - even though I love saphire black - i would perhaps choose space-grey: 1) not as sensitive regarding scratches or dirt 2) it doesn't absorb the sun/heat as much and 3) it contrasts amazingly with the dark grey and black accents from the m-sport kit.

I agree. I was lucky enough to find one of that colour that came from UK BMW management system and had so many options it was unbelievable.

In my view one of the best colours available for the X3.

I have seen several X5's and X3's in white recently and the colour does not do these cars justice. Still each to his own!!

[CESIUM]

I just got my first Carbon after having 2 Sapphires. Carbon all the way. I think it still looks good with a bit of dust on it!

[Smithy2014]

Decision made, viewed a Carbon Black on Saturday on an overcast day and it looked nice, viewed another one on Sunday in the sun and it was amazing!!!

[Tjalle]

I treated my 2 year old Carbon Black car with "fast wax" yesterday - you just spray wax on wet car and then dry off. Gives a bit of a slightly greasy surface- for final shine you need to polish when absolutely dry- easiest in sunshine. Stunning shine - like new!