[dconn]

I met with BMW today and they are planning to repair all of the issues.

I told the BMW rep and dealer that this was the worst/softest paint I have ever seen and had to ask them to attempt to buff out two long scratches that I received on my driver side door from road debris on the drive to the dealer this morning. They will probably charge me for this.

About an hour after I left my car at the dealer, the service manager called to tell me that they started cleaning the front and I have excessive paint damage and etching from bugs. I live in Florida and love bugs are a problem, but only if you leave them on the car and let them bake. I garage keep my car, wash it multiple times a week, and clean bugs daily so I am not buying this.

I certainly am not a paint or car expert, but this is my fifth car and I have never seen paint so poor. Maybe it's the MG being soft, maybe it wasn't sealed right, maybe I've had horrible luck, but it's not acceptable at this price point.

I have logged this new complaint with BMW NA and the fight is now to get the front end painted under warranty.

[rking117]

I too live in Florida and while yes love bugs are a prblem if left on th epaint for some time i have found a couple interesting facts this year.
1. the bug population where i live is not that bad. We have had some but far from the large numbers we see every year.
2. If you have a good coat of wax on your paint you can go a couple weeks without getting the bugs off without any damage doen at all.
2a. even if you dont have a good wax on the vehicle you still should be able to go a couple days with no damage at all.

I suspect that maybe when they damaged your car, might have gotten bumped while on the ship or otherwise, they might have not mixed the paint well or might not hav euse the right amount of hardner in the clear or blending agent.

I have some peeling on my front spoiler now after owning the car for a couple years that wasnt there when i bought it. When i looked at it very hard i could see that the nose was repainted after it was manufactured. Luckily or not so luckily i have a body paint man on stand by and we are going to respray it right soon.

[dconn]

The service manager's exact words to me were, "I couldn't believe it when I saw it. I immediately grabbed my boss to have him look at it as well."

I will be up against it, but will fight for a full repaint under warranty.

[BavarianFanatic]

Just cut to the chase and have your attorney file papers to get them to buy you out. I assume that's your ultimate goal.

[dconn]

Not at all - I love BMW and the car. Unfortunately, I just got a bad one this time around.

[dconn]

An update:

The body shop believes they can polish out all of the bug damage on the front end, which makes more sense (it appears the dealer made it seem a lot worse than it actually is).

They are also painting the hood in regards to the delivery damage.

All other parts that need repair have been ordered and shipped from Germany.

[rjpeaks]

hope it works out.

good luck.

[viNz86]

Glad to hear things are sorted out. I am about to take delivery this month I believe. Will do a thorough inspection in good light before signing!

[dconn]

Although I don't expect to get my car back until next week, I think despite the huge frustration/headache this has been, the main takeaway for me is that BMW will still do right by the customer.

The unfortunate part is that no matter how good these dark colors look, I will stick with white going forward. All of my previous cars were white (I love the color) and I never had a single ding/scratch/chip/etc. I changed it up this time going with MG, and although I love the color, the softness of the color is just not worth it to me. I am far too OCD about dings/chips/scratches to have something that can be beat up so easily.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by dconn

Although I don't expect to get my car back until next week, I think despite the huge frustration/headache this has been, the main takeaway for me is that BMW will still do right by the customer.

The unfortunate part is that no matter how good these dark colors look, I will stick with white going forward. All of my previous cars were white (I love the color) and I never had a single ding/scratch/chip/etc. I changed it up this time going with MG, and although I love the color, the softness of the color is just not worth it to me. I am far too OCD about dings/chips/scratches to have something that can be beat up so easily.

You do realize it's all the same paint/clear coat regardless of color right?

[dconn]

There are a large number of variables, but typically, white is substantially harder than darker colors such as black/gray due to its physical makeup. BMW non-metallic Alpine White (all of my previous cars) is known to be the hardest paint. It typically is much more durable against damage, and more difficult to correct damage via sanding/polishing.

[dconn]

I also think I read somewhere that BMW reduced the number of coats in the years between my 2011 and my current 2014. I'm sure that doesn't help.

[dconn]

Week three without my vehicle as a few parts are still coming from Germany (new speaker housing and dash trim).

I have not seen the car since I dropped it off, but the service manager tells me that all the new paint and body work was done well - fingers crossed on my end.

BMW NA has already approved payment reimbursement pending completion of the work. I am aiming for two covered lease payments which should be acceptable.

[DJ Rocc]

Originally Posted by dconn

I am scheduled to meet with a BMW rep at my local dealer on 9/24. After that, I should have a decision on the repair of all items.

Yeah when I got mine, I saw swirl marks already on the High Gloss Shadowline B Pillers, and also a slight scratch on Console Glass (where the gauges are).

Make sure to inspect your Console Glass Properly, because if they detailed your car wrong, then that is easily scratched as well.

Hope you get this resolved.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by bmwauug

I think the lesson learned is to really inspect your car. When I took delivery (at night as well), the car was pulled into the showroom. I had plenty of time to inspect the car inside and out under good lighting conditions. Also, a near miss, I told the dealer NOT to install the front plate. My SA said (after I told them I'd be in to sign and did't want to wait long) that the front plates were installed to save time. I told him if the front bumper was drilled, no deal and I want a different car. Luckily (for me so I don't have to wait ) the bumper was not drilled. Point being shame on the dealer and somewhat shame on you for not checking. Not saying it's your fault etc., and I understand that things may get overlooked - just sounds like you have a lot of issues, and a car is a big purchase. That said, point blank, I'd ask for a new car. No way I'd deal with it…it's new! not used!

Haha I todl my dealer the same thing for my wifes 228 m sport. If you drill in to her front fascia you will lose a sale...And of course they listen

[bmwauug]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Haha I todl my dealer the same thing for my wifes 228 m sport. If you drill in to her front fascia you will lose a sale...And of course they listen

Yeah - it pains me to plates on the front bumper - most dealers know better, but some drill them right away and stick the dealer advertising on

[Br0okLYnzSouLJa]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Haha I todl my dealer the same thing for my wifes 228 m sport. If you drill in to her front fascia you will lose a sale...And of course they listen

so how do you guys fix the plate on the front bumper (without ruining the bumper)? I just ordered a 435i, and mind you I live in NY so there is no way around not having front plates. Is there some type of adapter or hook? Please let me know as I will be dealing with this predicament soon. Thanks.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by Br0okLYnzSouLJa

so how do you guys fix the plate on the front bumper (without ruining the bumper)? I just ordered a 435i, and mind you I live in NY so there is no way around not having front plates. Is there some type of adapter or hook? Please let me know as I will be dealing with this predicament soon. Thanks.

I have seen people use a bracket that mounts down below in the grill area and have it sit that way. I know there are automatic hideaway plates that you can get too.
http://www.hidetheplate.com/

I live in Indiana so its not requred here so we never have to worry about it. But I would just do the hideaway plate if I were in Chicago again.

[dconn]

Week four - still waiting on replacement parts from Germany.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by S1LV3RSAMURA1

Sorry but your car...
Hope everything gets taken care of sooner than later.

I Don't get why the dealer prep after delivery can be so bad. I've seen the cars at my dealer and they're shiny and so clean looking.

At my local dealership they are all swirled up horribly. My guess their on site 'detailer' has an orbital buffer with old dirty wool pads he throws some sort of glaze/wax on and buffs the paint without claying first. All the embedded contaminants from the trip get dragged around the surface of the paint at high speed.

I looked a couple they literally just unloaded off the truck and they were perfect.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

You do realize it's all the same paint/clear coat regardless of color right?

Head over to a detailing forum and do a search on "BMW Jet Black" before you make your mind up about the clear being the same across all colors.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by dconn

Week four - still waiting on replacement parts from Germany.

Sorry, I know it's your brand new million dollar car but NOTHING is perfect.

You had to have known going in that these expected repairs weren't going to go as smooth as you would like.

You will NEVER get your perfect car. NEVER.