Colour change advice

Melman

Melman

Member
 Salisbury
Site Supporter
Hi,

I bought a Monaco Blue 3.0Si last year. I’ve fixed a few bits, brake pipes and rear shocks/coils being the main jobs. Just MOT’d and advisory free.

I love the car and, at 84k, it’s in good nick. I plan on keeping it for a few years and considering a colour change to Tiefgrün Metallic Green or some variation of BRG. In truth a rare dark green 3.0Si was what I was after but, like hens teeth, and this was available at a very good price. I realise I won’t get my money back on a full respray and it won’t be cheap. But is there anything else I should consider in terms of the financial impact of a respray beyond the upfront cost. Will it push my insurance up? Assuming a really good job, will it devalue the car by it no longer being in its factory original spec?

Totally I’d be doing this for me, and not before next spring. If I do it, I just want to do it with my eyes open! Grateful for advice, opinions and insight…
 
If it's what you want and you can accept the cost of doing it, why not.
The cars have become so cheap to buy and 3.0si models are quite sought after, so I don't think any devaluation will be a great amount. Certainly not in relation to the amount a good quality respray is going to cost you anyway.
What colour interior is it? Will it work with the green?
 
enuff_zed said:
If it's what you want and you can accept the cost of doing it, why not.
The cars have become so cheap to buy and 3.0si models are quite sought after, so I don't think any devaluation will be a great amount. Certainly not in relation to the amount a good quality respray is going to cost you anyway.
What colour interior is it? Will it work with the green?
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Thanks, that makes sense to me. Although obviously I’d rather not devalue it at all! It’s beige leather, so I think works with green?
 
With respect, it will be much cheaper to wait out for a Tiefgrun car to turn up. There may be a premium for the rare colour, but nowhere near what a good respray or wrap will cost. Obviously, if you want your own colour, this is not an option.

You won’t get ANY money back for the cost of the respray unless your own paint is quite bad or you sell it while the respray is still fresh (and then only a small amount for the improvement / premium colour).

In my opinion, this is only worth it if you are sure your car is a lifer.
 
Zedebee has made a good point about waiting for a Tiefgrun one to come up, although if you did get yours resprayed that colour I can't see it affecting the value seeing as it was an OE colour. But a respray in any other colour might devalue it.

FWIW I think Tiefgrun with beige leather would look great!
 
Chaps, thank-you all. I do love it that when you dip into this forum, you always get good advice from all angles. Can’t argue with @Zedebee, the financials for a respray don’t make sense - unless of course I wait and then buy a car in the right colour that’s a dog! You’ve answered 2 key questions for me. The colours work and it wouldn’t make the car unsellable. Whether it’s a good use of my money, well that’s one I can enjoy mulling over while browsing auto trader over the winter! Thanks again, I’ll be sure to post pictures of a green Zed next summer one way or another….
 
Melman said:
Thanks again, I’ll be sure to post pictures of a green Zed next summer one way or another….
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Given that Tony's database suggests only 5 Tiefgrun 3.0Si Roadsters came to the UK I suspect it may your existing car!

Looking forward to seeing it though.
 
You'd get some of the money back for a respray, unless the car was absolutely perfect already. A freshly sprayed car with new headlights, plastic trims and wheels will look like a brand new car. It may even be worth a bit more if its a rare colour.

But its still definitely a heart over head decision, respraying a car is rarely a good financial decision. But if you really want it, the rest of the car is sound and you plan on keeping for a few years yet, I say go for it.
 
I had a Jag in Jaguar Racing Green with Ivory interior and dark green piping, it was a dark metallic green and when the sun came out it was stunning.
 

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Gebbly said:
Oh that look amazing! I reeealy like that.
So umm, just out of curiosity when people say a respray is expensive what sort of ball park are they talking? I have a suspicion its going to be a number I cant justify.
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I had good job done on the front wings, bumper and bonnet for £1400 but that wasn’t a colour change. I’m hoping for sub £4k but that’s guess work rn. I’ll get some quotes over Xmas and report back 👍
 
Gebbly said:
So umm, just out of curiosity when people say a respray is expensive what sort of ball park are they talking? I have a suspicion its going to be a number I cant justify.
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Mine was £9k. It should have been £10k but there was a little 'lack of communication and logistical problems' with the bodyshop!

At least £5k for a good respray, as there is a lot of work involved even on a decent car. Prepping and painting a car is 90% labour and in the UK labour ain't cheap.

The secret to getting a good paint job isn't the money IME; it's finding a good painter who has been doing it a long time. Paint is cheap, labour isn't. Experience is the key IMO.
 
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