New Paint - Help me decide (or don't!)

[ncsubowen]

Alright PNW - I have a painter lined up but I'm really struggling to decide what shade of blue. Right now it's some Maaco color, most similar I think to VW Jazz Blue. Original color is Arktisblau Metallic (engine bay still is that color), which would be the correct OEM choice - but I actually really like the in your face blues.

Car as it stands;


Choices!
Arktisblau Metallic (boring)


Santorini Blue (current favorite)



Avus Blue (the car is getting an e36 m3 driveline......)


Estoril Blue


LeMans Blue


Thoughts? I'm really leaning towards Santorini, with blacked out trim and probably powdercoated black e39 style 5's.

[BraveUlysses]

Lemans

IMO if you want a really wild color you really have to have a car that's in pristine condition. not saying yours is in bad shape but are you really going to drop 5k or more on paint and getting every panel perfect?

[DER E30]

Lemans pretty sick of those choices

[ncsubowen]

Lemans

IMO if you want a really wild color you really have to have a car that's in pristine condition. not saying yours is in bad shape but are you really going to drop 5k or more on paint and getting every panel perfect?

I totally agree, and smart or not this car was a rescued ETA automatic from a garage in Florida and rebuilt basically from the bottom up (thanks e30Josh!). There's a fresh (0 mile fully rebuilt) S52 on a stand in his garage getting prepped for install, and every other bushing, bearing, you name it has been replaced. I've got euro bumpers, MT1 valence, and everything else, plus OEM Pacific Sport Houndstooth interior. This car has basically everything else that I can think of done to it, and the final step is fixing up the body and painting.

So, yea, it'll get the full workover, made minty everywhere possible, and fresh paint. This is a full resurrection and I want a color choice to reflect it ;)

[spiDmang]

I feel like LeMans or Interlagos would be sweet!!

[car_gal_jenni]

Avus!! 😎

[LateFan]

As much as I love Arktisblau, that LeMans Blue would look good. Dark blues look really good on these.

I think Santorini looks too Audi.

[bmwm42]

Lemans or Estoril

[Nesset]

I think in the end a blue like Estoril or LeMans would look goofy on an older body style car that's quite boxy... My vote is the "boring" color of them all.

Maybe I'm boring..

[RainRider]

Arktisblau Metallic is a solid ass color.

[delamaize]

LeMans blue all day long.....

[LateFan]

Some really dark ones I've saved...can't tell you the colors, other than Alpina Blue on the top one maybe.

[DER E30]

I feel like LeMans or Interlagos would be sweet!!

Yes

[Best_name_available]

i think all but the first color would look way out of place on a early sedan like that...

[ncsubowen]

i think all but the first color would look way out of place on a early sedan like that...

Do keep in mind the car is going to have body-color euro bumpers instead of driving boards, and will probably be on E39 style 5's (and is already lowered).

After poking around some more, I am kinda leaning towards the Avus/Estoril, though LeMans does look awesome with the Blue/Black motif. I want to keep it on the lighter side because that's where I'm at now.

Might have to post to the photoshop thread and see if anyone can get a decent render.

Avus on an e30 Sedan


Interlagos


LeMans (on DB)



I am actually really digging the LeMans now that I'm seeing it....