I've got a 2.2 HDI Exclusive. Guess what colour? Black! Have you seen one in the flesh? I'd admit that they don't look their best when dirty (10 minutes after cleaning!) - but when newly washed and polished with two stage Autoglym they are pretty imposing. Very few seem to have been sold (my dealer couldn't sell one to the local taxi firm - they preferred white!) - but this makes black ones unusual. People turn their heads because they're not exactly sure what it is! I do agree that black maybe doesn't do some aspects of the design justice. EG the black plastic trims lose their 'contrasting effect'. On the other hand, the 'chrome' brightwork is enhanced and the silly cheesy grin of the front grille is greatly diminished. That's really why I went for black - I always thought the front looked a bit geeky and the black 'hole' of the grille 'disappears' into the black surroundings. Somebody bumped my front wing a couple of months ago. The bodyshop ordered a wing, sprayed it black, then told me to come in one morning to have it swopped. I was dead sure they couldn't get a good match by painting 'off the car'. I needn't have worried! The new panel is 100% undetectable. The bodyshop foreman told me black cars are a doddle for repairing. I even touch up chips with a black ink marker! You know it makes sense! Anyway, colour aside, my one is a 2001 model (bought 2002!) It's had all the mods and now runs perfectly. I'm coming up to 18,000 miles and it just gets better and better. I think the engine is still loosening up. The 2.2 is fast, economical and quiet. What more could you want? You also get lots of goodies you don't get with the 2.0 - Cruise Control etc. Nothing to touch them at the money. Graeme
