Phantom Black Pearl owners - please chime in on exterior upkeep

[McFuzz]

I have a lead on a super low mileage CPO (previous dealer loaner) 6-speed manual 2014 P+ model that is pretty much loaded to the brim. However, it is Phantom Black Pearl and I swore to myself that I'll never own a black car ever again.


That said - the price on it could be quite ridiculous especially since it's going on month 3 on their lot. So - those of you who have this color, what's your take on it? Unfortunately, it'd have to be parked outside for the foreseeable future (but I was planning on getting a car cover anyway regardless of color).

Thanks :)

[VADERS4]

I love mine! It is hard to keep clean....especially the back of the car! But I use Adams Quick Detailer regularly (between waxes) and it is awesome! I don't think there is a color like it when it is clean!! But I'm a little biased!! I would go for it!

[RickFLS4]

My wife has Phantom Black on her Q5. It is easier to care for than my previous A6 in Brilliant Black, but not as easy as my Ibis White S4.

Some of it depends on your own standards. If you are "OCD" as some describe themselves here, any black is a tough color that shows dirt, chips and other imperfections more than most colors. If you can get past the fact a daily driver is difficult to keep in car show condition, Phantom Black is a nice color and, like I said, easier to keep looking good than Brilliant Black.

[emnahum]

I say for for it (but I have Mythos Black on order).

Something a lot of people recommend is one of these new ceramic clear coats that apparently make keeping the car clean much easier. The two leading ones appear to be opticoat and c. quartz. I plan to do mine when it arrives.

[d.p]

Phantom black is money and easier than traditional black to take care of. I had it on my B8 and wouldn't hesitate to get t again.


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[Dr GP]

I bought a used Phantom black 2011 with 49k on it. Car had a few minor stone chips on the hood which I repaired with Dr Color chip. Hood still was not looking good enough for me. I swore after 5 previous black cars that I would NEVER buy another black car. But I did. I found using a product called Turtle Color Back really made the hood look 300% better. The polish is Black in color and helps to hide any minor imperfections. Rest of the body panels were no problem so no need to use on those. Clear bra on hood would be a good investment.

[westwest888]

Phantom black is rather amazing. Even when it's got some road dust on it, it looks pretty brilliant. My previous car was BMW titanium silver and that was also pretty versatile, but BMW paint chipped a lot more than this does. I spent a lot more time waxing the BMW to make it shine, but this car seems to look great every time it rolls out of the hand car wash place. So I haven't spent a lot of money or effort detailing it.

If I buy another Audi, I want it in Panther Black Crystal. I've seen that on a TT-RS and it's completely amazing. Looks like phantom black until you get it in a certain light, then you see kind of a coffee color in the metals.

[Amorphic]

Phantom black is rather amazing. Even when it's got some road dust on it, it looks pretty brilliant. My previous car was BMW titanium silver and that was also pretty versatile, but BMW paint chipped a lot more than this does. I spent a lot more time waxing the BMW to make it shine, but this car seems to look great every time it rolls out of the hand car wash place. So I haven't spent a lot of money or effort detailing it.

If I buy another Audi, I want it in Panther Black Crystal. I've seen that on a TT-RS and it's completely amazing. Looks like phantom black until you get it in a certain light, then you see kind of a coffee color in the metals.

If by coffee colour you mean purple, then yes.

[Katchup]

Pretty sure I just bought the car you're talking about. lol. If it's in San Rafael

[joeyg]

Have it corrected and ceramic coated. CQuartz finest is very durable. I just put it on my phantom S4, looking forward to a many swirl-free miles ahead.

[Deviruchi]

Opticoat. Did it to mine and it looks fantastic, even after just a quick run through the wash.

[McFuzz]

Thanks for all your input folks. Unfortunately - it looks like the automotive Gods have decided that I will not own a black car after all.

After seeing it being continuously posted for the last couple of months, once I pinged the dealer I found out someone from Idaho put a deposit on it yesterday

[Katchup]

Lol look above. Sorry friend. Was a steal for sure

[westwest888]

Thanks for all your input folks. Unfortunately - it looks like the automotive Gods have decided that I will not own a black car after all.

After seeing it being continuously posted for the last couple of months, once I pinged the dealer I found out someone from Idaho put a deposit on it yesterday

That is bullshit. Deposits are not final sales and these are car dealers - true capitalists. You call them right back up and bid $1000 over retail.

[Katchup]

Papers have been signed ;) and deposit was actually paid Thursday until they waited for papers to be back in their hands.

[McFuzz]

Lol look above. Sorry friend. Was a steal for sure

Yes! Lol! Sonnen Audi correct? If you don't mind us asking - how much did you get it for?

[Katchup]

48 out the door

[shadycrew31]

tl;dr I wash my car twice a week with AmmoNYC wash and Hydrate.

Its not terribly hard to maintain... The brake dust though... Thats a bitch.

[McFuzz]

48 out the door

Great price indeed! Thanks - I'll be keeping that in mind if I find a CPO I want.

[MerkurRS]

tl;dr I wash my car twice a week with AmmoNYC wash and Hydrate.

Its not terribly hard to maintain... The brake dust though... Thats a bitch.

Shadycrew31....
we've yet to connect.....lol.
BUT....ceramic pads will help a lot. I just drove to Waterfest, down to Avalon and back home (300 miles)- almost zero dust!

[shadycrew31]

Shadycrew31....
we've yet to connect.....lol.
BUT....ceramic pads will help a lot. I just drove to Waterfest, down to Avalon and back home (300 miles)- almost zero dust!

FUUUU! I just replaced mine with Textar pads because I am a cheap bastard. They dust less than stock but still suck, its ok though since my stock wheels are in pretty bad shape.

[jayts]

FUUUU! I just replaced mine with Textar pads because I am a cheap bastard. They dust less than stock but still suck, its ok though since my stock wheels are in pretty bad shape.

I use Hawk hps pads and they have so much less dust than stock


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[BLT10]

Phantom black here-

It looks great when clean and is a little bit easier to maintain than Brilliant black. That being said, I wish I opticoated because my front bumper/hood is a mess from driving the highways/turnpike. I don't know if others have issues but it seems like soft paint. I have at least 4 rock chips on my hood down to the undercoat