Light flint vs. Dark Charcoal... HELP ... big decision

[Professor]

I really wanted a MM with dark charcoal. However, I've negotiated a really good deal on a silver birch with light flint. Frankly, I'm scared of the light flint. Those of you who own light flint .... HELP ... do you regret it? What is the down side? Horror stories?

I have to decide by Monday. I wanted a silver and I'm afraid that if I let this one go, I won't find one again the way I want it. Should I pull the trigger??

[larryo340]

kids or pets ??

[jimlam56]

As long as you take care of the leather with good conditoners and cleaners you won't have any problems. (No dogs, and keep eating in the car to a minimum.)
It isn't THAT light of a color, in my opinion; I've had 2 MMs with light flint, and I prefer it.
Plus, it's rarer of the two colors, whatever that's worth.

[Professor]

As long as you take care of the leather with good conditoners and cleaners you won't have any problems. (No dogs, and keep eating in the car to a minimum.)
It isn't THAT light of a color, in my opinion; I've had 2 MMs with light flint, and I prefer it.
Plus, it's rarer of the two colors, whatever that's worth.

What do you prefer about it? Just curious.

[SilverSport]

I have the light flint leather in my LX Sport and prefer it to darker charcoal especially on these hot days. I had black leather in a Taurus once and swore I'd never do it again. When I bought the car (used) the seats were a little grimy but took care of that with some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. After a thorough cleaning, I used Lexol conditioner and they came up almost as good as new. I say go for it, I think the color will grow on you.

[Professor]

kids or pets ??

Kids yes. Pets no.

[MENINBLK]

When the dark charcoal leather cracks you can see it.
You won't see cracks if it is light flint.

[ckadiddle]

I have been using the light flint for a couple years now. Done nothing to it. Took dogs to vet, throw boxes and crap on back seat when trunk is full. No children on a daily basis, but occaisional nieces and nephews in back seat. I can see that the driver's seat needs to be cleaned. Other wise it has stood up well. I do throw a big beach towel on the back seat if I am going to be using the back seat to carry scrtchy, pointy or pokey things.

[larryo340]

Kids yes. Pets no.
then don't feed the kids in the car and get the light flint, and be happy

just my opinion (I've had black leather, not again for me)

[Merc-O-matic]

Light Flint leather is very hard to keep clean.....sissy color.
I have it in my 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis and will never get it again.
Black is the color you want.

Gotta Love It!:flamer:

[fastblackmerc]

I'm a fan of the dark charcoal myself...... I've never seen a Silver Birch w/ a light interior....

[fastblackmerc]

Before you buy, PM the VIN number to RoyLPita so you'll know the "Ford" repair history.

[gmtech]

im an auto technician so im always greasy...love my charcoal interior..you cant tell its dirty...had light flint in my 2001 GM and it looked like crap after 1 year of use..i cleaned it very often too....but i think the silver MM looks really good w/ light flint so i say get it..;)

[RCSignals]

My personal preference is for the Dark Charcoal, but both interior colours/shade do look good.

Silver with either interior looks good

[Rider90]

Over time the Light Flint will develop spots of wear, that are actually a discoloration and not a surface stain. I've seen it more than once.

[JonW]

It's a matter of personal choice. Me, I don't like the dark charcoal, and that's why it took me 2 years to find my silver MM with the light flint interior. I had a Sport previously that had the light flint.

If you're going to get the light flint dirty, you're going to get the dark charcoal just as dirty. It may not show it as much, but in reality, you're sitting in just as much dirt. And the dark charcoal shows cracks in the leather more.

Get the light flint, take care of it, and drive happy :)

[whoskal]

I have the Light Flint interior, and I love the fact that it is more rare, and the color scheme is great......but those seats are a pain in the a$$ to keep clean....any little bit of dirt shows up on them....I sometimes wish that I had gotten the charcoal instead

[TKde0]

I had light flint on my old Grand Marquis. It showed dirt, and I got it pretty dirty at times since I was a pepboys tire installer for a college job. The dark charcoal in my Marauder looks nicer in my opinion and doesn't really show dirt. Hot summer days do suck though.

[RCSignals]

:lol:

So there you go Professor. You asked for opinion.
Good luck in your choice

[Aren Jay]

I have the heated seats summer and winter. A friend has a Towncar with white leather seats and I must admit they are very nice. The flint would be alright, just not on a red car. Silver the flint would likely look better.

Leather is easy to wash, and if you have a dog get a backseat dog carrier and it is no problem. (shouldn't have your dog upfront anyway)

This could be used for messy kids too. (not sure if the seatbelts work)

http://www.drivingcomfort.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=1747

[Bluerauder]

Those of you who own light flint .... HELP ... do you regret it? What is the down side? Horror stories???

I have had the light flint for nearly 4 years. Interior looks brand new. No problems at all. I like the 3 tone color scheme with the lighter interior. It is actually cooler and doesn't absorb or retain heat like the darker colors. No regrets for me.

[Hotrauder]

I have had the light flint for nearly 4 years. Interior looks brand new. No problems at all. I like the 3 tone color scheme with the lighter interior. It is actually cooler and doesn't absorb or retain heat like the darker colors. No regrets for me.

I agree. My experience hs been very positive. I have not had dirt problems and I do not spend a lot of time cleaning the interior which looks new at 30K. If the seats are dirty I WANT to see it so that I can clean it. WTF, who wants to sit on dirty seats, even if you cannot see it. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Must be something I am not getting here. :dunno:Dennis

[Marauderman]

. WTF, who wants to sit on dirty seats, even if you cannot see it. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Must be something I am not getting here. :dunno:Dennis

:lol:-:agree:-Dennis--You CRACK me up!!!:rofl::rofl:

[Bluerauder]

Should I pull the trigger??

Just do it. Here's pics of mine and I don't do anything "special" to it.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/8/9/1/LightFlint1.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/8/9/1/LightFlint2.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/8/9/1/LightFlint3.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/8/9/1/LightFlint4.jpg

[Professor]

Thanks everyone. I may pick up the silver with light flint this week. Still negotiating the final deal, but it's looking good so far.

Bluerauder .... thanks for the great pics!!

[rayjay]

If you have young children they will find a way to make a mess of the seats. Its their job.

[Leadfoot281]

I have a SB/LF '04 MM. 50k miles and still clean and looking new. I might only clean them 3-4 times year since I don't drive it in the winter.

Just get one of those hard plastic rear seats from a police car and give it a couple coats of aerosol vinyl dye.:D

[SC Cheesehead]

Over time the Light Flint will develop spots of wear, that are actually a discoloration and not a surface stain. I've seen it more than once.

You're right about the wear. I've got a couple of spots on the driver's seat showing a little wear, but not overly noticeable.

FWIW, Light Flint may show dirt more than the charcoal, but periodic treatment with a good quality leather cleaner and conditioner should keep the seats looking nice.

I've had LF in both my DTR and my BLUE, I like the looks of it.

SCCH