Paint finish on new BMWs

[pattyg]

As per other thread I was at the dealers today mooching around and couldn't believe how poor the paint finish is on new BMWs. The new M3 had the most horrendous orange peel finish. For a premium carmaker it isn't good enough. I just don't think buyers know how a good paint finish should look.

I wouldn't accept it but I must be in the minority.

[kev b]

Not just the orange peel either,the paint seems vulnerable to stone chips whilst bird splats burn through the laquer in a day. Though easily damaged it is so hard that defects are very difficult to polish out,I am very disappointed with the paint on my E60 LC1, each time I wash/polish it I feel some how short changed.Runflats aside the rest of the car has been faultless, I just expected similar or better finish than my 12 year old E46. I guess with BMW becoming high volume company cars that the average buyer looks no further than the badge.

[mmm-five]

It's horrible, and BMW blame the water-based systems they have to use.

Strange that other manufacturers can use those same systems without getting the cellulite effect.

[Helicopter123]

Been a few threads lamenting this now.

BMW seem to suffer more than most and my personal experience backs this up.

I'm not a cork sniffer when it comes to paintwork but it does take the gloss off the experience (sorry...) when your P&J looks vintage after just a couple of months of ownership.

[R26Andy]

Yep, mine has orange peel to when up close and the laquer is vunerable to bird carp which is weird because if you try to take rotary polisher to the paint it laughs at anything but the most abrasive pad/polish combo`s.

Andy

[pattyg]

I wonder what the dealer would say if you rejected the car on delivery....probably "they're all like that sir".

I they its a disgrace and the showroom lights do them no favours whatsoever.

[V8A*ndy]

My last E89 had waterspot etching after a thunder storm. The entire car was covered with 50p size waterstains within the laquer.

Dealer sorted it after much waiting from BMW UK for a "fix". A bister also appeared on the front wing after 2 months. Sorted again under warranty.

I have been extra careful with my new Z4 but this has also fallen victim to this etching. It also has several dust nibs in the paint. One of which the BMW approved body shop claims shall need paint to fix.

Orange peel is rather bad to.