BSM v. JB

LazyT · 03-19-2009, 11:28 AM

I'm thinking about black on black leatherette. Besides the sparklies in the BSM paint, is the BSM easier to keep looking clean than the JB?

tbird · 03-19-2009, 11:32 AM

You are in GA. You still get lots of sun. Sun fades the black color very quickly, and when black fades, it looks bad. It also shows scratches/swirlies/dings more easily.

I love black on black on a BMW, it will look good, but you have to do lots of extra work to keep it up. My last 3Series was that, and it was work!

Papa13 · 03-19-2009, 12:00 PM

Have had Jet black and BSM. The Bsm is easier to maintain, but the jet black looks better imo when it's washed and waxed. The JB will get much more swirls and scratches in the paint, so detailing is a must. Use to detail mine every 3 months and it looked remarkable.

I would go with JB and save the 550.. But, BSM is very nice as well.

new2the3 · 03-19-2009, 12:16 PM

I had jet black and it was a swirl/scratch magnet. Get the BSM as it will show less swirls.

Monaco35Dream · 03-19-2009, 12:41 PM

I have BSM and I love it! As the others have said, the metallic paint will help hide the swirls/scratches, but it is still a black car and they will show up...

rori zahr · 03-20-2009, 04:46 AM

I have the BSM too and it's beautiful. it has a particular depth. like it.

JTdrivin1 · 03-20-2009, 07:45 AM

after seeing BSM in person, i had to have it. after having a JB car, BSM is def easier to care for. you don't see every swirl, as the flakes hide them nicely. also, it's just so classy/sexy looking. unless you want to have the car in every few months for a pro detail, go with BSM.

135Eye · 03-20-2009, 08:44 AM

BSM has a very nice "shimmer" effect under certain light conditions -- gas station at night.

If I did it again I would get BSM

Red Bread · 03-20-2009, 11:10 AM

Both are great colors. If you're serious about detailing and really want the last bit of shine, get jet black. If you want easy to care for, get Titanium Silver or Alpine White.

I haven't had BSM, but a very similar Audi color, and while they're a smidge easier to maintain and are a little friendlier about not showing dings or scratches, it's still black, and is still relatively labor intensive to keep looking good. For me, I'd always opt to skip the metallic, as they always look dirty when freshly detailed, but we're talking minor differences here, you'd be really happy with either.

I suspect that most people that buy Jet Black know that they want it, or mistakenly get it and realize that it is a chore to maintain properly. If you do get either black, spend some time on detailing sites like Autopia, get two wash buckets, proper microfiber towels and rinse often. Enjoy.

singular · 03-20-2009, 11:51 AM

I've had both and, so far, I'm liking BSM a little more. Like others have said, both look great right after detailing, but show dust, pollen, dirt very quickly.

03-19-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
LazyT Private 2 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	BSM v. JB I'm thinking about black on black leatherette. Besides the sparklies in the BSM paint, is the BSM easier to keep looking clean than the JB?
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03-19-2009, 11:32 AM	#2
tbird Captain 31 Rep 683 Posts Drives: "Bianca" 135cic AW/TC Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FLL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135cic [0.00]	You are in GA. You still get lots of sun. Sun fades the black color very quickly, and when black fades, it looks bad. It also shows scratches/swirlies/dings more easily. I love black on black on a BMW, it will look good, but you have to do lots of extra work to keep it up. My last 3Series was that, and it was work! __________________ 2008 135cic, Alpine White/Terracotta Leather/BlackTop, Premium Package (Bluetooth, folding mirrors, etc), Sport Package with M Wheel, Navigation, Logic7 with HD and IPod and Sirius, Steptronic, M Aerodynamic Kit 2001 Focus ZX3, modified for fun commuting Previous 2006 325xi 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 1997 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro 1984 Audi 4000S Quattro modified 1955 Ford Thunderbird 1969 Camaro modified 1993 Ford Explorer (basic hauling) 1984+1988 Ford Broncos 1993 Honda Civic (Commuter, junk) 2008 Mini (wife's car, AWESOME) A few more
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03-19-2009, 12:00 PM	#3
Papa13 Go Gators! 90 Rep 1,621 Posts Drives: e82 / e90 / e53 / e46 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa / SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	Have had Jet black and BSM. The Bsm is easier to maintain, but the jet black looks better imo when it's washed and waxed. The JB will get much more swirls and scratches in the paint, so detailing is a must. Use to detail mine every 3 months and it looked remarkable. I would go with JB and save the 550.. But, BSM is very nice as well. __________________ e90 M-Tech 330i JB/Terra / e82 n54 135i AW/CR 420rwhp 444rwtq - RIP e53 X5 4.8is M///BLUE/M///SUEDE - 357whp 369wtq - The Snow Beast! n54 135i JB/CR JB4 FBO - Tc Kline D/A Coils - 11.5 @ 122mph 1/4 mile 18' Blue/Black SEL Premium R-Line 4 Motion Tiguan - Mods on order
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03-19-2009, 12:16 PM	#4
new2the3 Colonel 380 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M Competition Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I had jet black and it was a swirl/scratch magnet. Get the BSM as it will show less swirls. __________________ 2020 X3MC 2009 135i: AW/CR Aluminum Trim, 6 speed, M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, Ipod, BMW Performance Pedals, BMW Performance SSK, BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Grills E93 M3 FSB
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03-19-2009, 12:41 PM	#5
Monaco35Dream Captain 44 Rep 647 Posts Drives: 08' 135i, 96' Talon Tsi AWD Join Date: May 2008 Location: Santa Maria, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	I have BSM and I love it! As the others have said, the metallic paint will help hide the swirls/scratches, but it is still a black car and they will show up...
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03-20-2009, 04:46 AM	#6
rori zahr AristoCat 40 Rep 676 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Beirut iTrader: (0)	I have the BSM too and it's beautiful. it has a particular depth. like it.
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03-20-2009, 07:45 AM	#7
JTdrivin1 1 Love 5 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2011 135i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	after seeing BSM in person, i had to have it. after having a JB car, BSM is def easier to care for. you don't see every swirl, as the flakes hide them nicely. also, it's just so classy/sexy looking. unless you want to have the car in every few months for a pro detail, go with BSM.
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03-20-2009, 08:44 AM	#8
135Eye Accountants have fun 2!!! 3 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 135i Silber Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	BSM has a very nice "shimmer" effect under certain light conditions -- gas station at night. If I did it again I would get BSM
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03-20-2009, 11:10 AM	#9
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Both are great colors. If you're serious about detailing and really want the last bit of shine, get jet black. If you want easy to care for, get Titanium Silver or Alpine White. I haven't had BSM, but a very similar Audi color, and while they're a smidge easier to maintain and are a little friendlier about not showing dings or scratches, it's still black, and is still relatively labor intensive to keep looking good. For me, I'd always opt to skip the metallic, as they always look dirty when freshly detailed, but we're talking minor differences here, you'd be really happy with either. I suspect that most people that buy Jet Black know that they want it, or mistakenly get it and realize that it is a chore to maintain properly. If you do get either black, spend some time on detailing sites like Autopia, get two wash buckets, proper microfiber towels and rinse often. Enjoy.
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03-20-2009, 11:51 AM	#10
singular Captain 21 Rep 935 Posts Drives: BSM 135i ppk cab Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I've had both and, so far, I'm liking BSM a little more. Like others have said, both look great right after detailing, but show dust, pollen, dirt very quickly.
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