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      12-27-2012, 06:17 AM   #1
amcintosh
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Just washed my new X3 for the first time this morning and found a bubble in the paint on the edge of the rear passenger side door.

I would have expected this type of issue to be detected by QA at the factory unless it has occurred on the transit to UK.

I am awaiting a response from the dealer ...
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      12-27-2012, 06:52 AM   #2
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Wow, sorry to see that and curious what response you get. Is there any anti-corrosive "goo" in that area (like what you see on welds)? Only thing I can think of. Best of luck in resolution so you can truly enjoy your new ride!
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      12-27-2012, 06:59 AM   #3
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I'm also curious if they are able to determine the cause (e.g. manufacturing process defect vs. intrusion into paint by some foreign material/object). Was the vehicle special-ordered or purchased from existing lot inventory?
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      12-27-2012, 08:58 AM   #4
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Wow - that looks like a corrosion bubble, but it can't be given that it's new. I'm sure the dealer will fix it. What a hassle, though.

After my fist wash, I noticed a section of fuel-filler door that didn't get painted. I'm sure this is all painted by robots, but they are supposed to catch this stuff before it gets to the customer.

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      12-27-2012, 09:06 AM   #5
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Hopefully someone will notify the BMW manufacturing quality department. It's easy for me to say, but I would probably write a letter and ask for a response about how they intend to follow up on it.
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      12-27-2012, 09:25 AM   #6
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Difficult to judge from a picture, but it would almost look as if the corrosion spot was overpainted??
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      12-27-2012, 10:08 AM   #7
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amcintosh, ooh that is ugly! Definitely post pics post repair.

edit: amcintosh, maybe it's a bit of ostrich feather. The car gets a quick wipe down buy an automated 'feather duster' before the paint is applied.

Schmed, the gas filler door is painted along with the car as it goes through the paint process. If you watch the production videos of the x3 you'll be able to see the filler door on the right side of the car ( front door window). Weird... you would think that would happen to all or none.
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      12-27-2012, 07:56 PM   #8
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My car had a lot of paint problems (bubbles, fisheyes, debris that got painted over) including parts of the fuel door that they painted over tape!

I do not think it's isolated. I'd call up BMWNA and make a big deal about it. I did and they fixed it.
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      12-27-2012, 08:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chalky White View Post
My car had a lot of paint problems (bubbles, fisheyes, debris that got painted over) including parts of the fuel door that they painted over tape!

I do not think it's isolated. I'd call up BMWNA and make a big deal about it. I did and they fixed it.
What did they fix, your vehicle or a the "general" problem? Did they give any indication that they might have some quality problem they need to investigate? When did you take delivery? I'm starting to have a bad feeling about it with mine in the middle of production .
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      12-28-2012, 04:07 AM   #10
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I also had a small bubble on the front bumper which I should have complained about but didn't and I reminded of it every time I wash the car. The paintwork is very fragile (probably my main issue with BMW) and you'll soon have all manner of little flakes appearing in obscure places (not just the usual stone chip locations)
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      12-28-2012, 07:06 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
I also had a small bubble on the front bumper which I should have complained about but didn't and I reminded of it every time I wash the car. The paintwork is very fragile (probably my main issue with BMW) and you'll soon have all manner of little flakes appearing in obscure places (not just the usual stone chip locations)
BMW has been using water-based environmentally-friendly paints for years now and there is no reason they have not perfected the technology (or at least improved it). I have owned several BMW's over last last several years (3,5,7 series) and none had any bubbling or missed areas at all. Yes, they all had some "orange peel" effect to varying degrees and also had some stone chipping (which I think is caused by the water-based paints being harder than oil-based which is a bit more flexible (... at least I think that's what causes more chips with water-based paints).
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      12-28-2012, 10:59 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noka View Post
What did they fix, your vehicle or a the "general" problem? Did they give any indication that they might have some quality problem they need to investigate? When did you take delivery? I'm starting to have a bad feeling about it with mine in the middle of production .
I took delivery in January 2012. They sent someone from the factory to look at it with special devices. Then they flat-bedded my car to a special body shop north of Atlanta that only deals with high-end cars (my car looked like a clunker compared to the Lambos and Ferraris on their lot). The shop repainted every panel that had a problem and they did a great job.

The guy from the factory seemed genuinely shocked at all the issues, but having read this post and other paint-related posts on this forum, I really think BMW's paint sucks.

But, before I picked up my new X3 at the PCD, I went over it with a flashlight and magnifying glass and the paint is flawless (except for some slight orange peel to it). So, you should be ok, Noka.
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      01-09-2013, 03:43 PM   #13
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Found another small patch of dodgy paint today on the wheel arch of the other rear door. I can't believe I didn't notice this before as I have thoroughly washed the car a few times, I hope that these are not appearing.

This was after the dealer had my car in earlier this week to take photos of the original issue to send to BMW.

My car is Space Grey even though it looks blue in the photo which was taken with an iPhone late in the afternoon as it was getting dark.
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      01-10-2013, 09:33 AM   #14
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      01-11-2013, 11:04 AM   #15
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Man I am going to go over mine with a fine tooth comb when I take delivery !
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      01-11-2013, 11:14 PM   #16
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Unacceptable, don't know what else to say
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