Paint Warranty/Guarantee
Paint Warranty/Guarantee
Author
Discussion

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Hi again all,

As so many people on PH seem to have such good knowledge, i'm hoping that someone on here might know what the BMW warranty or guarantee is on paint and bodywork?

The reason i ask is that i own a 2003 325ci and have noticed recently that there are a few bubbling spots appearing on the boot lid and front o/s wheel arch. I wouldn't have expected this on a 6 year old BMW and i'm wondering whether this type of paint fault would be covered by BMW and if so, for how long?

If i had to pay to rectify this, I don't think it would be too expensive, but if this type of paint problem is covered by BMW over 6 years, i would prefer if i could get them to do it under their guarantee.

Any ideas guys/gals?

dave_s13

14,029 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Isn't the anti corrosion waranty 10years on BMWs?

I'm fairly sure it is, I'm also fairly sure you need a full dealer history to collect on it. I'm also fairly sure BMW will try there hardest not to honour it.

If you have a FBMWsh then get on the blower to your local dealer and have a chat.

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Ah, i thought there may be a snag. When i bought the car last year, it was the first year it hadn't had a dealer service. It was done with an Indy in Fleet, so i'd imagine if this is the case, then they're probably not going to touch it. It just seems a bit crap for a 6 year old BMW to already have corrosion, particularly when the car itself has been really well looked after, being the reason why i bought the one i did.

dave_s13

14,029 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
It's still worth a trip down to the dealership though, you never know?

miniman

30,083 posts

292 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
The anti corrosion warrantly is actually an anti **perforation** warranty. In other words, yuo have to be able to see through the panel for it to be covered. It simply doesn't cover surface rust or paint defects, and it doesn't cover "trim" (e.g. window surrounds) at all.

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Well, this is interesting to know so far guys, so i appreciate it. I think i may give a dealer a call and explain the points and see what they have to say. Its more than likely they will tell me it isn't covered as thats what i would expect, but i could always try anyway.

Otherwise, i may just have to pay an indy to do the re-spray on those areas. I'm just a little dubious about certain areas being re-sprayed for fear that it will come out looking different to how it should.

Anyone know of any good paint places in the Surrey area? Closer to Guildford the better.

coltonbob

138 posts

253 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
I'd pop down to the main dealers. I had some slight bubbling starting to show on my rear arches (on a 2003 330ci) in February this year. The dealers bodyshop manager inspected the car, took some pictures & checked the service book (mine has been serviced at an indy the last 2 times) and said he'd get back to me in around 2 weeks! Didn't have high hopes...

However the next day I was called by BMW and asked to book it in, it would be repaired free of charge and I would be provided with a courteousy car too. Was very pleased and surprised after hearing many tales of poor service from BMW!

Definitely worth a trip

LeightonBuzzard

463 posts

208 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
i though bmw had a 10 year paint warranty; look in the booklet that comes with the car. I know mercedes have a 30 year warranty on their paint.

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
According to my warranty handbook, it states that its only covered for a 6 year paintwork warranty. Which sucks as the car was registered in January 2003 so would mean its now outside of its paintwork warranty.

Doesn't look like im going to have too much luck with getting BMW to repair it for free. I may take it down to them anyway and see what they say about it.

a_bloke

40,169 posts

227 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
miniman said:
The anti corrosion warrantly is actually an anti **perforation** warranty. In other words, yuo have to be able to see through the panel for it to be covered. It simply doesn't cover surface rust or paint defects, and it doesn't cover "trim" (e.g. window surrounds) at all.
Anti perforation means it has to be coming through the metal - as opposed to being the result of a stonechip or exposed edge.

It doesnt mean you have to be able to see through the panel for it to be covered. rolleyes

dave_s13

14,029 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Well whatever the ins and outs are, let us know how you get on?

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
dave_s13 said:
Well whatever the ins and outs are, let us know how you get on?
Yeah i'll probably run it down there this weekend and see what's said. Would be good to pass on for any people's future problems. I would have thought the paint warranty with BMW would be longer than 6 years, but thats just my luck, the car being 6 and a half years old.

Bo Locks.

a_bloke

40,169 posts

227 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
quotequote all
My uncle has had a mercedes c class from new and its now 10 years old. It was starting to bubble so he took it down to the merc dealer - they ran one of those paint thickness checkers over the whole car to see if it had been painted, and checked the whole history of the car before finally admitting that they would have to cover it.

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
quotequote all
Well, i'm just going to have to take it down there and see what they say. Considering it appears to be outside the warranty, i'd very much doubt they'd now repair it for nothing. I suppose i won't know until i visit Vines at the weekend.

Otherwise, i'll have to find a good local indy to do the paint as the last thing i want is rust starting to form.

philmots

4,666 posts

290 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
quotequote all
A lad i know took his 8 year old Audi TT to Audi with rust on the front wings, all done free of charge and had a spanking new A6 courtesy car for a week whilst it was in.

CypherP

Original Poster:

4,453 posts

222 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
quotequote all
Maybe there is a little hope then? Im just a bit dubious as if the paint warranty states 6 years specifically, then i would have thought they'd turn me away without question.

W1TAK

277 posts

249 months

Saturday 27th June 2009
quotequote all
My E46 330Ci is currently in having bodywork under the 6yr warranty, no question they agreed to the work after taking pictures and sending to the warranty manager, my car is a 2003 Sept model so just under 6 years and has been serviced at an independant.
Rust was bubbling from behind the door catches on the body ( not door ) showed up just underneath the black plastic covers. Unusual place say theyve never seen before and not sure how the will repair ! Give the dealer the chance to look, you could pursuade as rust doesnt appear overnight