Changing paint colour

[CollectorAH]

Hi guys, new member looking for guidance. My recently bought S3 roadster is in good shape so not having full resto but fixing long list of minor mechanical points. Issue is that the car is original spec Heather paint with Cerise (red) interior. I am going to fully re-trim interior as it is tired and worn, so I have the chance to make it a better colour combo, as Heather/Cerise is certainly "dramatic" (that's being charitable!), but I knew that when I bought the car and it was reflected in final price after lots of haggling. Question is how much less desirable do you think the car will be if I change the trim from its original garish trim to something more acceptable, losing originality? Other issue is that I don't think I realised how much Heather is an unliked colour, so leaving aside cost and practicality, same question if I re-sprayed in another period spec colour.

thanks.

[mark10337]

or you could keep the interior and wrap the exterior. Cheaper than respraying and can be put back to original easily.

But that is a great girls car - or film hire car! There was a BA airline stewardess that was presented one in pink from a Sheikh boyfriend.

[mgcjag]

Hi Alistair...welcom to the forum.....i think you already know the answer as you got the car at a lower price....it would be easier to sell in a more desirable colour combo.....but it has to be done properly.....meaning a full respray inside and out.......but if you like it what does it matter..there arnt many like it around so will get lots of attention..if you cant live with it then go for it

[CollectorAH]

yes, I don't mind it- it is a true period colour (wouldn't have bought it if I did!), but it gets a lot of negativity on other forums, and my mates have taken the p***!!

Think I'll do the interior an leave the paint.

[Simon P]

Heather's a great colour for an S3! OK so it's a bit of an acquired taste, but I'm sure its time will come again. I can see why having it combined with a Cerise interior might be a bit much though

[neil4444]

It took me 5 years to decide on exteriror & interior colour for my s1 and in the end I went with original red/red (and very glad I did). I'd stick with heather / cerise until you're aboslutely sure which way you want to go. Plus I think the combination has a certain gaudy 70's charm !

[vee12eman]

Hi Alistair,

If my car was Heather, it would have stayed that way - one of the things I love about the Series 3 is the very 'seventies' of it! Heather would have made that even more pronounced! Fabulous colour choice because it is so unusual.

Anyway, my car was red and I painted it a pearlescent maroon from a later Jaguar and actually most people love the colour which gets more positive comments than the rest of the car. If you do the job properly in an original colour then value should not be lessened, particularly as the current colour is of dubious appeal to many. But I would love to have that car, even if not brave enough to choose the colour for my own car! I changed from red because there are just so many! It is a very big job to do properly and will almost inevitably lead to you finding body problems that need attention plus the strip down will probably reveal mechanical problems too. Good luck whatever you decide.

Regards,

Simon

[coalboy]

Welcome

Kept mine lavender blue admittedly with dark blue interior. Love the 70s colours on the S3 roadster

Nigel

[politeperson]

Heather is cool. Tell you mates to take a hike, Eve Jason K agrees.

Anyone who has a Heather or Lavender S3 is a leader, not a sheep.

One of the best colours I think.

The confidence it expresses is brilliant. I think you should not bow to fickle fashion ie red, silver white and blue.

Terry and June are cool.

[brent07n]

Another vote for heather. I think it will look good.