MBTC

Recently when I was in for service, I was given a loaner that was the same year as mine, same options, and the mileage was the same within a couple of hundred miles. The difference was it was black with cream interior instead of SGM with black interior. Some observations while driving it for a couple of days:

1. The light colored leather felt noticably softer than mine, for example on the tops of the seats. Could have been manufacturing variation unrelated to color, but I know in materials science that sometimes there is a lot more to color differences than what meets the eye, with regard to thickness of material and such.
2. Despite the difference to the touch, I was really glad I have black interior and wouldn't have it any other way if I ordered today, because the light colored interior picked up every little black shoe scuff or mark and looked like a cleaning nightmare (well remember this is a loaner with a different driver every couple of days). I remembered what I hated about the light grey interior of my prior vehicle.
3. I was enjoying the black exterior paint, almost wishing my SGM was that color. On one hand, there were all kinds of little visible scratches and swirls on the black paint, but from 10 feet away or beyond it looked really nice. I think it was a "grass is always greener" effect, and to be honest I think if I ordered a new one today it would be SGM again, but the lines of the 2IS body definately looks good in black if you can learn to live with the scratches, and there's something about black exteior and cream interior that is appealing even if a little high maintenance.
4. I missed my XM radio service BADLY.
5. I missed my Huper Optik window tint BADLY (it was about a 100 degree day).
6. It was interesting that the tire wear pattern was pretty much identical to mine -- it shouldn't be surprising given the miles and tire make were the same, but when you consider the wide variety of drivers in a loaner, I would have expected to see some differences, and I could not.
7. I thought I would feel a difference in learned shift points with the tranny, considering the variety of drivers it must have had, but I detected no difference in how it drove.

That's about it, not the most informative post in this group but I thought I would capture the thoughts while they were still in my mind for posterity maybe.

raywest

I have the Starfire pearl with ecru interior, and yes it is easy to get it dirty. But after having a black/black for years, switching to a lighter interior really makes a difference. It may get dirty easier, but I get compliments on the color of the interior from everyone that's been inside. I would choose ecru again if I had to!

Thanks for shaing!

iRock

iTrader: (12)

interesting observations

Ap1_Alan

iTrader: (1)

you could eliminate scratches on a black car with a detail and good washing techniques will prevent them from coming back

I have a SGM GS, and while it hides the scratches a little better than black you can still notice them

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

I like light color interior. I know it easy to get dirty but driving with window close all the time is not that bad - plus clean up at least once a week.

NorCalIS

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like you got my car as a loaner haha, I have obsidian black with ecru interior and ya it can be pain with the scuff marks inside but I don't get to many, if you own a cream interior you definitely are more aware, and obviously it's not a loaner. I do like that the interior also doesn't get to hot, especially with the obsidian exterior color. On the outside though I definitely hear your on the black being a love/hate type thing. I love the way it looks but damn does it annoy me sometimes how dirty it gets so fast, and not to mention cleaning it once a week isn't exactly fun, but when it's clean I think it looks waaaaay better than the silver one I almost bought. But to each his own, I drove a silver Subaru and loved it just think black is so sexxxy on the 2IS.

Fizzboy7

Good report. I too like the light interior. When it's taken care of and clean, it looks very expensive and classy. My last A4 had a very light beige. When you learn to how to get in and out of the car a certain way, it becomes second nature and is quite easy.
As far as the exterior... all paints scratch the same. It's just that you see them more with the dark colors.

Rufio808

"learned shift points" ?? Can anyone go into detail on this? Very interesting....

TheSenator

iTrader: (1)

Good review.
Obsidian is the bittersweet of paint. Its an extra part time job to keep clean, and keep the paint healthy, but it suuuuure does look good when its done right.
When I was test driving used IS's I hated how dirty the lighter interiors were. I'm thankful for my black interior. I just wish the headliners were dark as well.

CCJ22

iTrader: (26)

Unplug your battery negative cable. Pump your brakes to make sure all electrical is out of your car. Plug battery back up.
Go for a drive. Thank me later.
Your car will be more responsive until it "learns" your driving habits. Then it will most likely be less responsive.

BamaIS

iTrader: (3)

I wanted black interior when I bought my 250, but since I wanted a manually transmission, I couldn't be too picky so I ended up with was the cashmere interior. First thing I did was purchase some black floor mats. It doesn't look bad since the rest of the interior has plenty of black. My next purchase is going to be black carpet. I don't mind the seats being the lighter color. It was the carpet and mats that would get dirty on mine.

2slixx

iTrader: (3)

proves lexus drivers respect their cars and LEXUS holds its value!

llamaboiz

i have a black int. but its a pain for me to keep clean, i do ceramics~ ceramic dust is WHITE!!! I have a separate set of slippers just for the car