Buy a Black or Sparkling Graphite 1 series

[mr_z4mc1m_oz]

As the title says, should I buy a Black or Sparkling Graphite 130i?

[tock172]

Sounds like a very personal and subjective question. My first choice would be Sparkling Graphite, but Space Grey and Meteorite Grey are even better. Keeping dark colored cars clean is difficult. I don't see myself owning anything darker than my current 1 series. Even my Techno Violet M3 was too dark to keep up to my standards.

[champignon]

We don't/didn't get that model over here. If it has electric steering, neither . . . .

[Esteban]

Since you're looking for an opinion, I'd pick the Sparkling Graphite. Beautiful color. Don't know if they make the 130i in Mineral Grey, but if they did, I'd pick that (my favorite grey).

[Simonnn]

Funnily enough I've owned both a Black Sapphire Metallic 135i and now one in Sparkling graphite.

Initially I preferred the black, but I'm finding as I spend more time with the Sparkling graphite it is definitely my pick over the black. The paint is much more unique in that it seems to change colour depending on the lighting conditions (dark/light grey, graphite.. sometimes it even looks a bit purple!)

The sparkling graphite also gives you more flexibility in terms of wheel choice as there are more colours available for contrast against the paint of the body. And in Australia at least its a lot rarer to see a 1 series in sparkling graphite than black!

[Adam135]

I'll never do black. I like my car looking clean longer than 2.3 seconds

[Josh (PA)]

I had black sapphire on my 335 and sterling grey (similar to sparkling graphite) on my M5. I personally much preferred the grey.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Simonnn

Funnily enough I've owned both a Black Sapphire Metallic 135i and now one in Sparkling graphite.

Initially I preferred the black, but I'm finding as I spend more time with the Sparkling graphite it is definitely my pick over the black. The paint is much more unique in that it seems to change colour depending on the lighting conditions (dark/light grey, graphite.. sometimes it even looks a bit purple!)

I had an '08 BSM 135i and loved the color. When it was clean, shiny, and swirl free it was striking! Took work to keep it that way, though.

Also had an '06 Mustang GT in Tungsten Grey. In certain lights I could see a little purple in it.

[TheCaptain]

Don't forget there are two different blacks, Jet Black and Black Sapphire Metallic, and they look quite a bit different especially up close and in direct sunlight.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

Don't forget there are two different blacks, Jet Black and Black Sapphire Metallic, and they look quite a bit different especially up close and in direct sunlight.

Some people swear by Jet Black. Personally, I like Black Sapphire Metallic better. From a distance, it's hard, if not impossible, to tell the difference. Both very beautiful.

[PA135i]

I'm biased on Sparkling Graphite. Mine has the terracotta brown leather also which sets it off. Sparkling Graphite is also more rare on the 1er as it was only available for model year 2008.