how critical stock color

[isamemon]

so I have a black e30 and it needs a repaint
I really liikek the super dark midnight blue
this car will never be a concours winner
so im really thinking this respray might be .....not black

but to stay "bmw " would be cool so what is the darkest blue that bmw did
and is it uncool to not go back to black
I had a triumph tr-3 wiht non stock paint...in one light it was black...in another super dark blue...it was a custom mix.....loved it

thoughts ???????

[Vivek]

I would personally never paint a car a non stock color, except maybe if it was originally black. A black bay wouldn't look too bad and as long as you properly do all the door jambs and under the trunk you may be able to pull it off. It'd be much much better than midnight blue on a car that was originally red or white. If you really like the color and you don't have plans for the car to be a show car you might as well go for it.

[ButtJuice]

I would personally never paint a car a non stock color, except maybe if it was originally black. A black bay wouldn't look too bad and as long as you properly do all the door jambs and under the trunk you may be able to pull it off. It'd be much much better than midnight blue on a car that was originally red or white. If you really like the color and you don't have plans for the car to be a show car you might as well go for it.

So.. is your car a stock color?

[Vivek]

Yes it is, Mauritiusblau.

[89AlpineM3]

Depends on the car. Most e30's I say go for it. An M3 or something rare I say no. My 2002 DINAN S2 M3 was a custom mix of BMW carbon black, and my 2002 estoril blue, but my E30 M3 was redone alpine white

[oliver.r]

if its a regular non m paint it whatever color you want.
M- has to be stock.
i delt with this already

[isamemon]

the color I had in mind is so dark blue it is black unless the light hits just right, then its got a hint of blue
doorjambs etc wont be a problem to shoot. engine compartment, trunk inside etc....a person would be hard pressed to see a difference

my old tr-3 was this color and everyone called it black, but when you waxed it and the sun hit it....it was not black

but then again, just respray stock black, lot less work

[89AlpineM3]

Sounds like BMW carbon black... When I redid mine we took the factory carbon black and took out some of the Brown hue and added more blue too make it a true midnight blue, BMW also had a midnight blue

[Kozworth]

so I have a black e30 and it needs a repaint
I really liikek the super dark midnight blue
this car will never be a concours winner
so im really thinking this respray might be .....not black

but to stay "bmw " would be cool so what is the darkest blue that bmw did
and is it uncool to not go back to black
I had a triumph tr-3 wiht non stock paint...in one light it was black...in another super dark blue...it was a custom mix.....loved it

thoughts ???????

This is my lapisblau sedan, its pretty dark. Darker then a royalblau

I am thinking the same thing. Since ive only seen two other cars posted as lapisblau, I figured the car would be worth more being it was a rarer color.

However, once i get to a respray I would much prefer a lighter flat blue, or estoril.

Eithorway, black is relatively common on e30s. If your respraying with the thought in mind that you can sell the car for more down the road, guess again. It will probably cost you money. If this car is your pride, make yourself like the look of it and do a color that suits what you want.