Your experience with black is like mine. Blacks cars are very hard to keep looking good. Like ipse d says "black is not a color; it's a hobby." And, it's not the quality of the paint.

 

i have to agree with the swirl problems,mine has been swirled since i picked it up and progressively worse since,regular weekly and more washing has had no effect,i have taken to main dealer forthem to "repair"repolish improve.... the guy spent a whole day and didnt improve much except my doors creaked after...haha.
so after owning 2 previous black saphires i now have a swirled ridden cb so i dont think it can be improved a lot keep out of the bright reflective light areas if you dont want to cry everytime you see it.
i guess i will have to live with it.

 

It's not the paint it's the washing/drying method:
http://www.autopia.org

 

Its not just washing and drying. No matter what you do washing/drying-wise a black car will not look superb without applying at least a coat of quick wax--but, preferrably, "real" wax.

 

I totally agree with you Carban Black is a great colour.But the scratches cant get rid of them,The wife went down the side of some bushes full lenth of the car tried to polish out but i can still see them if only faintly.I think the problem is that bmw dont put enough laquer on there cars these days.Should have known better previous car cb M3 but the boss said she wanted cb again should have got my choice silver grey.
hey but what a great car.

 

Yes...I am assuming multiple coats of a good quality wax or sealent, but it's the improper washing and drying methods that creates the swirl marks.

Also note that a good carnuaba wax will not protect as long as a good sealent and tends to pick up more environmental trash making the car's finish feel rough and therefore requiring claying more often. A sealent such as Zaino will marr slightly more easily when the car is washed or dried....especially if improper techniques are used... giving the false impression of swirls in the finish, but is more durable and will not attract debris like wax will.

If you don't consistently use proper techniques....and techniques for drying are nearly as important as washing techniques, you will get swirls and marring on any finish. Black obviously shows them more than lighter colors.

An example of proper drying technique is:

1. Take sprayer off hose end and run steady slow stream of water over entire surface of car. This removes an amazing amount of water thus allowing you to completely dry most vehicles with one waffle weave towel.

2. Use compressed air or leaf blower to blow water out of all crevices such as around the grille/front spoiler, wheels, wheel wells, mirrors, moulding, license plate area etc...

3. Use a micro fiber, waffle weave towel WITH quick detail in a light pressure back and forth motion for final drying. Never use circular motions in either the washing or drying stage.

Proper washing techniques can be found at the link I provided in my previous post.

 

All good practices; I do all except don't use my 150 MPH, or whatever, leaf blower as much as I used to. I am just plain tired of trying to keep my black car looking perfect. The silver gray one is a huge pleasure comparatively car-primp-wise. In the desert, it looks great except when I go off roading.