2011 X5 35i M Sport paint chipping - dealer response
 

Hi guys. Been lurking on this site for a while but this is my first post...

I bought a X5 35i M sport last month and about a week after purchase I started reading posts talking about paint chipping on M Paks and X5M's. I went and checked out my X5 and, sure enough, there were chips on the front of the rear flares, etc. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/ima...thumbsdown.gif

So, to make a long story short:
- I complained to the dealer, who claimed to have no knowledge of this issue.
- I sent them the links to three different forums on the subject. They then started to cooperate.
- They agreed to touch-up paint the chips, and offered to have a local company come to the dealer and install Avery Dennison Nano Fusion http://www.nano-fusion.net/

This paint protection film is similar to 3M, except supposedly better, and comes with lifetime warranty. Based on a google search, and viewing threads on Porche and Corvette forums I was satisfied that this product would help things.

I brought car to the dealer yesterday (2 hour drive there) and was supposed to pick up today. They just called me. After detailing the car, buffing out the problem areas, and applying touch-up paint, they said it's obvious to them that simply applying the PPF is not going to fix things... the road rash is too bad to simply touch up and cover up. They are sending my X5 to a local body shop to get the problem areas repainted. Once this is done, and the paint is cured, they will apply the PPF. They gave me a X5 35d as a loaner, and offered to drive the two hours to deliver to me when completed.

(Note: I also paid $1,400 to get the entire front of the car done with the PPF, including side mirrors, bumper, headlights, etc. I'll post pics when I get the rig back).

Questions:

- Does anyone know how long it takes for BMW carbon black paint to get cured? They are suggesting a day or two is sufficient. But they also want to get this off the plate ASAP.
- Are there other issues I should be considering here? http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/ima...ilies/iono.gif

Obviously I'm very peeved about the whole ordeal, given the fact I've only had the X5 for a month. I told them yesterday there has been no Joy since picking this vehicle up. Only headaches. (Truthfully I think the vehicle is amazing but all of this has distracted from the good stuff). On the other hand, the dealer does seem to be genuinely trying to resolve things.

Thoughts?

If the paint is baked in the spray booth, 2 days will be sufficient. I wouldn't put on a film on fresh paint though, the paint is still degassing, and not cured to 100% hardness that it would be in 30 days.

Thing is, driving it with no film during that time is just asking for more chips as the paint will still be soft. BMW needs to address this by putting on the film from the factory. Otherwise, just say no the the Msport.

How do you like the 35d? Any regrets on choosing the 35i over the 35d?

You have sticky summer tires and painted extended flares. Those sticky tires pick up more rocks on the road than normal tires and flings them to the fender. I have an M3 and have this issue as well. The only way BMW could avoid this issue is by having non-painted fender flares (plastic). I say just enjoy your car.

I'm currently driving on 18" winter tire package (not sticky summers). They are still in storage.

It bothers me that BMW would sell a vehicle that is this prone to chipping. I'm sure regions with salt/sand would be worse for this issue, but based on other threads it seems to be a problem everywhere. I also wish the dealer warned me ahead of time because I would have either gone with Premium package or immediately proteced the M Sport with the PPF.

This is what I was worried about. I know nothing about paint, but figured it would need more than a couple of days to properly degass. They are telling me should be no problem to apply film within a day or two of painting.

Not sure how anything 'factory' would be in the cards right now, given the fact I've been driving the rig for a month. I don't think I have the option of saying 'no' to the M Sport after owning it for a month and putting on 1,600 km?

The 35d is a fine vehicle, and certainly better on gas during the two hour drive back from the dealer. But I much prefer the 35i. IMO, the 35i feels more peppy, the 8 speed transmission feels smoother, and the sound of the 35d while idling reminds me of my buddies VW Jetta diesel. But I can appreciate why some would prefer the 35d, especially for hauling.

I agree. I had clear bra on the front on my old e53 as well, it got hit, and the body shop wouldn't put the new clear bra on until 30 days when the paint is fully cured.

PPF works but mine has gotten pretty beat up and needs to be replaced.

I had my rocker panels and rear fender flares repainted by BMW on my 2009 X5 M Sport. The body shop and 3M both recommended that I wait 90 days before applying the PPF, which is what I did.

So applying it to a recently delivered car is not advisable? Stealerships do that all the time...

I'm not a paint expert, but I think the factory uses different paint curing techniques than body shops.

So I called the dealer this morning and told him I want to wait 30 days before they apply the film. Told him I don't care if the body shop says we don't need to wait that long. He called the body shop: they agreed there's a very small chance of bubbles if we don't wait, so for my peace of mind it's best to wait. Dealer is gonna keep my X5 until the end of April, and apply the film at that time.

They said they'll need to pick up the X5 35d loaner that I'm currently driving, but will give me a previously owned car from their certified inventory. They are going to drive the two hours to me to swap vehicles. I told them my wife and I can make do with her vehicle for the next 30 days, but they said they want to make things right so will give me a car.

So it's still a headache, but I'm feeling better.

Note: They also told me they will now be applying the film to ALL X5 M Sports before they put them on the lot.

Hmm, I guessed I better not drive my X5M then so I won't get a chip!

The 2012 X5 models are now up on the BMW Canada website. From what I can see in the pictures, they went back to the black plastic flares and running boards on the M Sport Package (instead of the painted ones). I guess the paint chipping issue was serious enough to warrant that change.

In the american site they are still painted...http://cache.bmwusa.com/cosy.arox?po...61,S0775,S07M5

The description:
M Sport Package$4,700 •19" Light alloy V-spoke wheels style 223M-with performance run-flat tires
•20" Light alloy Double-spoke wheels style 333M-with performance run-flat tires$950 •BMW Individual roof rails Aluminium
•Shadowline exterior trim
•M steering wheel
•M exterior parts in body color
•Increased top speed limiter
•Self-leveling suspension
•Anthracite headliner
•Alpine White
•Black Sapphire Metallic
•Deep Sea Blue Metallic
•Space Gray Metallic
•Titanium Silver Metallic
•Carbon Black Metallic
•Sport seats
•Multi-contour seats$900

Might be a mistake on the Canadian site.

I've now joined the paint chipping on M Sport crowd. A close look after washing the X5 showed a lot of chips on the rear flares and side skirts. It's not too noticeable being white but it is there. It had looked like 19s didn't cause the chipping but they do.

I want to do large mud flaps behind the front tires. Shouldn't that help?

I'm sure the ugly mud flaps will help. If I were you I'd go back to the dealer, get them to repaint the rockers/flares and then get a PPF applied, at their cost. They shouldn't be getting off this easy. My X5 is currently at the dealer waiting for the new paint to degas. The Paint Protection Film goes on May 2nd.

In the meantime, I've had a lot of fun with the different loaners... 2011 X5 35d for a week... 2008 328xi for three days (was just sold)... now a 2011 328i coupe. All are a lot of fun. ;)

I can;t believe this dealership is willing to go so much out of their way for this issue:thumbup:

I had a buddy put on 3m on his bumper after 3 days of painting and the 3m started bubbling. They were not just gas bubbles but the paint was lifting. Lesson learned and good call on your part

I'm pleased with the way my dealer is taking care of things, but let's not forget it was only a month ago I forked over $80K to buy a luxury vehicle that started to chip immidiately. Even now I'm worried this is going to be an ongoing issue. The dealer also offered me a lifetime warranty on the PPF should the actual product warranty not live up to their committments.

(In my business I also work with 200 high net worth families... BMW's target market in my neighbourhood. So they want me to be happy, and tell all my clients how happy I am.)

But yes, I'm pleased with things. Just wish I had my ride back!

2013 X5 Sport Activity - still chipping
 

Can anyone confirm if BMW Canada still acknowledges that this an issue on the 2013 models? I just spoke to my local dealer and after informing them that back in 2011 this was acknowledged, as per a post here: X5 M stone chips in front of rear wheels

I was told that BMW has changed their policy since then and they no longer reimburse local dealers for fixing this problem. I was asked to come in so they can have a look and take some pictures. I clarified that it may not look bad now (after ~1000km) but i'm concerned how it is going to look when I have 20 or 30k on it.

Has anyone had success getting dealers to fix the problem on the 2013s? Some recent anecdotal evidence would be helpful when i go in to speak with them. Thanks

It's crazy how so many of the members complain about this problem. I don't have this issue living in So.Cal. Maybe there aren't so many rocks and other debris to damage the paint? <shrug> My flares definitely get dirty and stuff, but no chips whatsoever.