[gregoryw1]

have had my X3 35i for three weeks now - love it. just wanted to highlight a few places where I already see some scratches though - just to help others be careful. I can visibly see scratches:

1. right in front of the center arm rest. I have fineline wave wood. but if you look closely there is a thick layer of what I can only describe as lacquer (I'm sure that's not the right word but hopefully you know what I mean) on it. and I can now see like 10 very fine scratches on it. maybe its from resting my keys or phone there when I first got it - not sure. just be careful of that area. not sure it I can buff them out but I will definitely watch what i rest on there

2. right above the rolling trunk cover latch on the sides - what I mean is the thing that you pull & latch to cover up the contents of the trunk (not the door, but the fabric cover thing that rolls out). so if you aren't really careful and if you pull it out too high the two things on the side will hit the walls - I can already see a few scratches where I (or my wife) pulled it a little too fast and marred the wall

3. bottom of the trunk door - I had my keys in my hand (my BMW key with three house/office keys attached) and reached up with the same hand to slam the door - put a 1/2 inch scrape on the outside part of the door - yikes!

4. trunk carpet - I've only taken one weekend trip (with suitcases in the back) and then daily trips to the office (with my briefcase in the back) - but the carpet already has lines in it from where I pulled the suitcases out - they don't go away so it looks pretty worn already.

oh, to think back three weeks ago when it was all brand new and didn't have one scratch on it!!!!

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by gregoryw1

have had my X3 35i for three weeks now - love it. just wanted to highlight a few places where I already see some scratches though - just to help others be careful. I can visibly see scratches:

1. right in front of the center arm rest. I have fineline wave wood. but if you look closely there is a thick layer of what I can only describe as lacquer (I'm sure that's not the right word but hopefully you know what I mean) on it. and I can now see like 10 very fine scratches on it. maybe its from resting my keys or phone there when I first got it - not sure. just be careful of that area. not sure it I can buff them out but I will definitely watch what i rest on there

2. right above the rolling trunk cover latch on the sides - what I mean is the thing that you pull & latch to cover up the contents of the trunk (not the door, but the fabric cover thing that rolls out). so if you aren't really careful and if you pull it out too high the two things on the side will hit the walls - I can already see a few scratches where I (or my wife) pulled it a little too fast and marred the wall

3. bottom of the trunk door - I had my keys in my hand (my BMW key with three house/office keys attached) and reached up with the same hand to slam the door - put a 1/2 inch scrape on the outside part of the door - yikes!

4. trunk carpet - I've only taken one weekend trip (with suitcases in the back) and then daily trips to the office (with my briefcase in the back) - but the carpet already has lines in it from where I pulled the suitcases out - they don't go away so it looks pretty worn already.

oh, to think back three weeks ago when it was all brand new and didn't have one scratch on it!!!!

I remember when I was younger, I used to get so excited about a new toy. As I got older and things got more expensive and shinier, I became more wary of my surroundings. If it was dropped and scratched, I'd feel like I wouldn't want it anymore. It was very upsetting hahaha. I feel for you.

[Nahoa]

Hard to gauge when worrying not enough about something valuable or too much about a thing, isn't it? My last new BMW had it's first real door ding in less than a week. I was mad, and really bummed. This time I've been telling myself to expect it, not to stress out too much since it's just a thing and it'll be better to just accept since it can't be undone, etc. All sounds great, except I haven't gotten the first door ding yet. Only a couple marks on the windshield from road gravel. We'll see how I do when the real one comes!!

[drtdvl]

All I can say...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...72067Z20110301

[MA78]

Originally Posted by drtdvl

All I can say...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...72067Z20110301

[jaymk5]

Originally Posted by juddholland

I remember when I was younger, I used to get so excited about a new toy. As I got older and things got more expensive and shinier, I became more wary of my surroundings. If it was dropped and scratched, I'd feel like I wouldn't want it anymore. It was very upsetting hahaha. I feel for you.

I felt the exact same way you do, but exactly a month after I got my last car (brand new black) Minneapolis had a bad hail storm and my roof and hood got fully damaged, insurance full replaced both but the car lost it's beauty(work was not clean). And the bad finish showed up even bad bcos of black color, After that I made up my mind not to get too attached to things and not to buy black car. This time I ordered gray just bcos of that, but seeing your car photos tempts me much to go to black.

[jaymk5]

[QUOTE=gregoryw1;9032062]have had my X3 35i for three weeks now - love it. just wanted to highlight a few places where I already see some scratches though - just to help others be careful. I can visibly see scratches:

It is very upsetting to hear about the scratches. Its so nice of you to alert /warn others to be cautious.
Thanks for letting us know, we will try not to do same mistakes.

[MA78]

It's worth the investment to have your car detailed by a pro at least a couple times a year. I have all the tools and product in my garage, so I just do it myself. But if you're not willing to spend all that money on equipment and time on detailing, just let a professional do it. This is especially true when you first get the car. The "detailers" at dealerships do so much more harm than good when they prep your car. My last car-2009 328i-was prep'd by the dealership and had swirl marks all over the hood and boot when I picked it up. I was very upset.
BMW uses pretty soft paint, and the wood surfaces seem to get swirl marks with uncommon ease. There isn't much you can do about the wood other than using some Plexus and then a good sealant. But the paint can be protected by layering sealant (sealant is similar to wax, only it is synthetic and typically lasts longer) and avoiding car washes.

[jaymk5]

Originally Posted by MA78

It's worth the investment to have your car detailed by a pro at least a couple times a year. I have all the tools and product in my garage, so I just do it myself. But if you're not willing to spend all that money on equipment and time on detailing, just let a professional do it. This is especially true when you first get the car. The "detailers" at dealerships do so much more harm than good when they prep your car. My last car-2009 328i-was prep'd by the dealership and had swirl marks all over the hood and boot when I picked it up. I was very upset.
BMW uses pretty soft paint, and the wood surfaces seem to get swirl marks with uncommon ease. There isn't much you can do about the wood other than using some Plexus and then a good sealant. But the paint can be protected by layering sealant (sealant is similar to wax, only it is synthetic and typically lasts longer) and avoiding car washes.

Nice details and good advise.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by MA78

It's worth the investment to have your car detailed by a pro at least a couple times a year. I have all the tools and product in my garage, so I just do it myself. But if you're not willing to spend all that money on equipment and time on detailing, just let a professional do it. This is especially true when you first get the car. The "detailers" at dealerships do so much more harm than good when they prep your car. My last car-2009 328i-was prep'd by the dealership and had swirl marks all over the hood and boot when I picked it up. I was very upset.
BMW uses pretty soft paint, and the wood surfaces seem to get swirl marks with uncommon ease. There isn't much you can do about the wood other than using some Plexus and then a good sealant. But the paint can be protected by layering sealant (sealant is similar to wax, only it is synthetic and typically lasts longer) and avoiding car washes.

A Man City fan in Oregon? Expat? I lived near Maine Road for a while and watched a few games in their less affluent days

[MA78]

Originally Posted by sfax

A Man City fan in Oregon? Expat? I lived near Maine Road for a while and watched a few games in their less affluent days

My mom-mum to you-is from Manchester. Grew up near Blackfriars rd. Moved to London when she was in her teens, but we still have a lot of connections there.

I've only been to a few Premier League games. Unfortunately, we usually go back to visit in the summer. Got to see Man City play here in Portland last year though! It was AWESOME.

[BIMMER UK 76]

They are on TV tonight vs Aston Villa shoudl be a good cup tie

[JamesBimmer]

Our X3 already had a light scratch on the trim near the gear shifter when we picked it up from the performance center. With a kid and a dog, I've had to just get used to the inevitable scratches, but it does seem like the interior wood trim scratches easily.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by MA78

My mom-mum to you-is from Manchester. Grew up near Blackfriars rd. Moved to London when she was in her teens, but we still have a lot of connections there.

I've only been to a few Premier League games. Unfortunately, we usually go back to visit in the summer. Got to see Man City play here in Portland last year though! It was AWESOME.

Great to see you're keeping the connections and pleased that you got to see the Blues in Portland

Coincidentally my mum (mom!) is not only from Manchester as well, but she was born in Salford too. I still have some relatives there.

I am watching Man City - Villa as I write this and I can hear Blue Moon being sung. Small world.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by sfax

Great to see you're keeping the connections and pleased that you got to see the Blues in Portland

Coincidentally my mum (mom!) is not only from Manchester as well, but she was born in Salford too. I still have some relatives there.

I am watching Man City - Villa as I write this and I can hear Blue Moon being sung. Small world.

The game isn't on here until tomorrow night! Don't tell me the score!

[gregoryw1]

Originally Posted by MA78

It's worth the investment to have your car detailed by a pro at least a couple times a year. I have all the tools and product in my garage, so I just do it myself. But if you're not willing to spend all that money on equipment and time on detailing, just let a professional do it. This is especially true when you first get the car. The "detailers" at dealerships do so much more harm than good when they prep your car. My last car-2009 328i-was prep'd by the dealership and had swirl marks all over the hood and boot when I picked it up. I was very upset.
BMW uses pretty soft paint, and the wood surfaces seem to get swirl marks with uncommon ease. There isn't much you can do about the wood other than using some Plexus and then a good sealant. But the paint can be protected by layering sealant (sealant is similar to wax, only it is synthetic and typically lasts longer) and avoiding car washes.

Thanks for the inputs. anyone know of a good car detailer in Atlanta?

[MA78]

Originally Posted by gregoryw1

Thanks for the inputs. anyone know of a good car detailer in Atlanta?

Ask over here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13