Mark
I had Black 250 SEL for 7-8 months, didnt have any problem with stone chips, but did pick up some scratches on the door handles.( I have got these on the red one as well - Jamboo, any suggestions)
Apart from that, the car looked stunning when washed and kept clean. I did use the automatic car washes (the good ones, obviously) and it didnt create any problems. That said, if I noticed any scratches I took it to the dealer(Lexus Tunbridge Wells) the very next day. They always sorted it out straight away without any charge (may be because I caused them lot of grief when I had the rattles), jokes apart, they do look after their customers well.
Black is classic, but you need to spend lot of time looking after it.
My brother has a black IS 220D and he has got stone chips(lot of motorway driving) and scratches. He is finding it difficult to maintain it.
I like the black color when it is washed and kept clean but it picks up all the dirt very quickly. I now have the red and whoever says Black is the best color ,I disagree - Red is the best - what say Jamboo?
Javeed