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      09-13-2012, 11:34 AM   #1
faztaz
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Poor paint quality

Why is the paint quality on BMW's so bad? I was driving home yesterday alongside some friends. One had a 2012 Range Rover, I had my 2013 X3 (with only 850 miles) and the other an 2013 Audi A5. We all were stuck behind a gravel truck on the highway that was spitting pebbles out as he drove. We all passed the truck as fast as we could but each of our cars was unfortunately pelted with the debris. The rover has no rock chips my car fared the worst with 6 small chips on the hood and fenders (really ruined my night). The audi only had one. We were all the same distance from the truck and going the same speed. It amazes me how easily this new "environmentally friendly " paint will chip.
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      09-13-2012, 11:54 AM   #2
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Totally agree. Never known such fragile paintwork. Mine is 19 months old has loads of blemishes, not just in the usual places either - they seem to crop up everywhere. Very poor.
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      09-13-2012, 01:21 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faztaz View Post
Why is the paint quality on BMW's so bad? I was driving home yesterday alongside some friends. One had a 2012 Range Rover, I had my 2013 X3 (with only 850 miles) and the other an 2013 Audi A5. We all were stuck behind a gravel truck on the highway that was spitting pebbles out as he drove. We all passed the truck as fast as we could but each of our cars was unfortunately pelted with the debris. The rover has no rock chips my car fared the worst with 6 small chips on the hood and fenders (really ruined my night). The audi only had one. We were all the same distance from the truck and going the same speed. It amazes me how easily this new "environmentally friendly " paint will chip.
what colour is your car and what are the others? Just asking because some paints are harder than others... example, white is the hardest, black is much softer.
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      09-13-2012, 01:49 PM   #4
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Having owned a Range Rover and Land Rover in the past can say the paint finish is exceptional. All our BMW's being average at best...X5 being the most costly.

Having said that do I want a RR or a BMW.....take the Beemer every time as their strengths lie in other areas. Can't have everything! If you want to be bored as hell every time you go drive take the Audi....but it will look nice! If you want to look good on your way back to the dealer take the RR!
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      09-13-2012, 01:56 PM   #5
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All were black or close to it. Mine was CB, the RR and Audi both had a metallic black very similar to mine. I'm very happy with the X3 overall just not the paint quality. It sad that a car with only 800 miles on the odometer already has paint chips.
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      09-13-2012, 02:35 PM   #6
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I have a V Red X3 with 15,000 miles, its gets horrible scratches and chips all over the place, got one on the hood right down to the metal! never had issues that bad on our Land Rover LR2.

Last night I noticed scratches on the lower part of the rear passenger door, with the oddest scratch patters, three small ones across plus a couple up and down, then a few light scratches in a swirly patter, no clue what its from, but with better paint they probably wouldn't have even showed up. We have so many light scratches on it. I know the red paint will show more than say a silver or white paint, but my wife's last two cars were also red (Audi A4, LR2) and never showed marks like this thing.

Now I am super worried about my 335 estoril blue. That is a lease and if BMW says anything at lease turn in about scratches or chips I am going to blow up on them not user error when the manufacturer gets cheap on parts...
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      09-15-2012, 09:43 PM   #7
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Welds roung also

I have an 06 X3 assembled in Austria by Magna Steyer. We also got an 13 X3 in April and the welds are very very rough to the point they snag my wash mitt when washing when I hit an area like the edge of the front fender where the point is near the windshield. Why would quality control not correct such an easily remedied issue. The 13 is light years ahead in other areas but while we are complaining about cosmetic issues I thought I would chime in.
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      09-15-2012, 09:52 PM   #8
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Clear bra right after buying my titanium X3 last December. Not one chip yet and don't expect one in the future.
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      09-17-2012, 09:07 PM   #9
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The paint sucks in our cars. It's all becuse of the environmentally friendly paint process.

I washed our car 2 weeks after picking up from the PCD in SC, where the car is detailed and wax applied before delivery, and the paint already had contaminants on it. No swirls as it had not been washed since. I gave the car a ful detail..clay, polish, seal... And she's looking great.

A a public service advisory I strongly encourage all to SEAL the paint on their cars with their favorite polymer paint sealant. Ths will prevent most enviro contaminants to get enbedded in the paint. After application, washing the car is easy....most dirt comes off just with a pressure washer. Protection lasts up to 6 months. I use klasse all in one, followed by the klasse sealant glaze and works great for me. Do it at least 3 times a year (before winter, after winter, summer). I have used it for years in all my cars and keeps them looking new. Other great sealants are pinnacle, Wolfgang, zaino, etc.

Sent from iPad.
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      09-17-2012, 11:37 PM   #10
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I sealed mine with Optimum OPTI-COAT 2.0. Permanent seal. Acts as a second clear coat.
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      09-18-2012, 01:51 AM   #11
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Agree on the comments on sealant. You absolutely need to.

Never quite understood the whole clear bra thing. It's like keeping the plastic protective film on a new phone screen. You keep the screen clean but it's permanently covered in cheap plastic
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      09-18-2012, 02:17 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
Agree on the comments on sealant. You absolutely need to.

Never quite understood the whole clear bra thing. It's like keeping the plastic protective film on a new phone screen. You keep the screen clean but it's permanently covered in cheap plastic
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      09-18-2012, 09:33 AM   #13
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^^^^ + a million. is like folks who buy a nice furniture set for their living rooms and then cover them with plastic. yeah, sure, the plastic will protect the furniture....but you have ugly plastic covering everying. like in this comedic parody:
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      09-18-2012, 09:52 AM   #14
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If it installed correctly it is hard to see the material protecting the front of the car.
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      09-19-2012, 02:42 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
Agree on the comments on sealant. You absolutely need to.

Never quite understood the whole clear bra thing. It's like keeping the plastic protective film on a new phone screen. You keep the screen clean but it's permanently covered in cheap plastic
The cheap plastic takes the hits and the paint stays perfect.
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      09-19-2012, 03:50 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post

Never quite understood the whole clear bra thing. It's like keeping the plastic protective film on a new phone screen. You keep the screen clean but it's permanently covered in cheap plastic
Not really. A phone screen doesn't get rock chips. I would rather the cheap plastic absorb rock hits than the paint getting chipped and pitted.
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      09-19-2012, 04:50 AM   #17
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Quote:
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Not really. A phone screen doesn't get rock chips. I would rather the cheap plastic absorb rock hits than the paint getting chipped and pitted.
No but phones do get dropped and screens do get scratched so it's a fair analogy IMO. It's personal preference but I wouldn't want anything permanently stuck on the car like that
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      09-19-2012, 07:43 AM   #18
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When ice-melting chemicals are in use, as they are around here, paint is more for corrosion protection than looks! That is the one advantage to covering materials, IMO.
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      09-19-2012, 08:25 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faztaz
Why is the paint quality on BMW's so bad? I was driving home yesterday alongside some friends. One had a 2012 Range Rover, I had my 2013 X3 (with only 850 miles) and the other an 2013 Audi A5. We all were stuck behind a gravel truck on the highway that was spitting pebbles out as he drove. We all passed the truck as fast as we could but each of our cars was unfortunately pelted with the debris. The rover has no rock chips my car fared the worst with 6 small chips on the hood and fenders (really ruined my night). The audi only had one. We were all the same distance from the truck and going the same speed. It amazes me how easily this new "environmentally friendly " paint will chip.
Well, it turns out BMW gets their paints from the Dry-Erase company. That's the same company that makes whiteboard markers.
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      09-19-2012, 08:55 AM   #20
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I have 10 000 miles now in the clock and not a chip nor dent anywhere.

It is VR and hard waxed before delivery to me.

Of course it took three months shipping after production line before it got in Finland. Maybe that is the saviour in my case?

Now this fall I waxed it again and paint looks perfect to me.

Waiting for the winter with horrid, as studs from the winter tyres will fly here in Finland

And yes, I try to keep my distance to people driving in front of me.
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      09-19-2012, 11:53 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
No but phones do get dropped and screens do get scratched so it's a fair analogy IMO. It's personal preference but I wouldn't want anything permanently stuck on the car like that
think there's an element of culture as well... i've never seen these on cars other than in the US...

i agree with you sfax... wouldn't do it myself either.. my iphone doesn't have a screen protector or a case either... that's how manufacturers intended for them to be used...
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      09-19-2012, 12:22 PM   #22
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I think the paint on BMWs is generally poor, with orange peel being worse than most other manufacturers. I haven't had a chance to look properly at the finish on the X3 because there are so few on the roads where I live.
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