:iagree: Check the detailing forum for more on that.

high up on the rear hatch isn't safe from things you drive over incidentally, in fact I find it's the first place that gets dirty water marks after I've cleaned the car and drive it on wet roads

Definately clay it. But just a tip - if you drop the bar on the ground or floor of your garage no matter how clean - THROW IT AWAY! If will pick up some nasty grit and you scratch the hell out of you car.

My 2008 X5 has the same yellowish bronze spots. Originally I took it to the dealer saying the running boards seem to be rusting as there were a bunch of small rust looking dots. After further inspection we noticed their were small dots all over the sides of the car. We came to the conclusion that it was being sprayed on the car by the breaks? Metal on metal and when wet sprays on the car. Needless to say that's why I joined this forum looking for answers. Anyone else with this issue? I've called BMW customer care and put in a complaint. Dealer told me clay bar as well but if I have to do this every time I wash my car I'm gonna go nuts!

O and this is my first post! HAHAHAHAHA

-Marlon

I have 2007 white X5 4.8. Same problem. Tiny yellow dots all over the car. Went to the dealer and he couldn't explain why. If you are not too close to the car, you will not notice it. I have had 2004 X5 4.4 in black colour and never noticed it, so I guess this is light colours thing.

You might be right...i have a light grey 2008 x5 3.0. It just really bothers me when I see the dots. Any of you out there with a darker color...look really close at the paint and let us know if you see any.

Could it be some sort of fungus like Artillery Fungus or sometimes called Shotgun fungus? Parking next to fresh mulch that's infested with this stuff can get your car sprayed. It usually leaves black dots, but sometimes when you try to wash them off they leave a rusty colored spot. Very tiny dots. Shotgun fungus will also spray onto light colored houses if mulch is infested and placed close to the house. It can reach up to the second story. Seems a little early in the year for this though. Just a thought....

Is this usually showing up on brand new vehicles? if it is then it could be some over spray of the rust proofing wax that they spray in to the body panels and the pre-delivery cleaning hasn't removed it. Have a look on the underside of your door weep holes you may see some small part leaking out is it the same as this stuff.

Just a thought?

Bozz.

ya , i have same yellow dots ,all over . clay takes it off . but took me a long time !!!! my x5 is white ..... have no idea what it's from . first i thought it was sap from trees . but i get it in the winter too !!!!!?????

I really think it's something with the brakes when wet splashing onto the car. They are really small dots all over. Seems like only light color cars are noticing it. I only noticed it because it was on my running boards. Then when we started looking harder it was on the car as well.