Lack of paint protection (I thought I had) plus bird droppings equals :(

[smh_amg_m4gts]

If you've ever purchased a car, BMW no less, you know how it feels to sit in front of a Finance Manager trying to sell you on BS you really don't need. Most of us know better and walkaway without injury or insult to our wallets...except for me.

It all started when a Sales Rep from Murrieta BMW posted a M4 GTS for sale on a fb group I frequented. Seemed to good to pass up a brand new GTS without any markups...or so I thought.

Long story short, this M4 GTS was fitted with the latest aftermarket paint care (Hendricks Autoguard) and windshield protection for a mere $5k more +tax. I couldn't opt out because the options were already "installed..."

So instead of wrapping the car in Xpel Stealth as I had originally planned, I assumed the paint protection would protect my frozen gray paint from all the known culprits we try to avoid (e.g. bird droppings, sap, etc). I mean, that's what this paint care is meant to do.

Just my luck, on my first day on the road with this beast of a car, bird poop on the hood. But hey, I had Hendricks Autoguard installed and they even sent me a nifty car care kit to wash my vehicle; which was a must if I wanted to keep my paint warrantied. Well, after washing my car and paying extra attention to the soiled area I could still see a greenish-yellow remnant of the bird dropping. But hey again, there in this Hendricks Autoguard kit was a "Renewer" solution! And the kit even included the necessary application pads. As per the directions, I applied the renewer solution and proceeded to rub away...

The renewer ended up polishing out a portion of my hood. After much research, I learned that matte paint should NEVER be polished. NEVER. Best video on this can be watched here:

(skip to 3:25).

Maybe I'm cursed, but my luck got even worse.

After reporting the issue to my Sales Rep, he informed me that the paint protection was NEVER installed. I guess the detailer knew something the dealership didn't know and didn't apply the paint protection because of the matte finish. Well, this wasn't communicated properly to the floor and ultimately to me. I won't make any assumptions as to whether or not the Rep/Dealer knew that this was the case before making me pay for it, but end result is a damaged hood and a 10-15% hit (per an adjuster) on the value of my new M4 GTS. Even worse is that no one can assure me that the repair will restore my frozen finish back to new.

Although the dealership agreed to refund the paint protection (95% of it ) and pay to repaint my hood; oh, and I have to pay first and then submit for a reimbursement. I still feel a bit bamboozled. Not to mention the immediate depreciation of my car due to the damage.

I've requested the dealer pay me for the diminished value of my car; such a claim is allowed in my state and refund me 100% of the paint protection (which was NEVER applied) and repairs. So far, they've said no...

I wonder how many other people were sold "snake oil" from Murrieta BMW or other Hendricks dealerships...supposedly, Murrieta sold 4 GTS' and I assume all of them were fitted with the same aftermarket products. Btw, which I've determined is illegal based on the FTC's definition of "Tying."

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/comp...e-two-products

[JibSTir13]

How did they justify only refunding 95% of the cost for a product you never received?

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by JibSTir13

How did they justify only refunding 95% of the cost for a product you never received?

"Processing Fees."

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Nice edit Admin! I like your sense of humor too!

[kupcake]

Have you spoken with the GM, owner Boris Said, or BMWNA about your huge issues and,what seems to be, a very inadequate response? I recalled that Murrieta was awarded for it's "outstanding customer service" by BMWNA:https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

They should be bending over backwards for you. So sorry.

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by kupcake

Have you spoken with the GM, owner Boris Said, or BMWNA about your huge issues and,what seems to be, a very inadequate response? I recalled that Murrieta was awarded for it's "outstanding customer service" by BMWNA:https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/a...language=en_US

They should be bending over backwards for you. So sorry.

BMWNA said it is a Dealer mistake and they have to own it. That said, they can't help me.

The Asst GM, Jorge, reached out and was completely oblivious to what was going on. I was dealing with their Finance Manager and most recently, their Claims Dept. You would think the GM would call me and try to negotiate a reasonable solution...

I tried to reach Boris on fb but no reply. Maybe he trolls Bimmerpost and will see this.

[M4_GTS]

Those stupid protection package is just a coat of wax or some shit that they try to make it sound like its bombproof. You should of just treated as being a markup on the car and ignored its there. I feel bad for you, but you really should of done more reading about the frozen paint before applying anything to it.

[JibSTir13]

Processing fees - what a crock given the situation.

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

Those stupid protection package is just a coat of wax or some shit that they try to make it sound like its bombproof. You should of just treated as being a markup on the car and ignored its there. I feel bad for you, but you really should of done more reading about the frozen paint before applying anything to it.

The twisted part is that the coat was never applied yet they charged me for it! Good thought though! Thx

[///F80M3]

How can they so no to a refund? They basically stole from u

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

How can they so no to a refund? They basically stole from u

They offered to refund the protection (95% of it) and reimburse me to repaint my hood. I'm asking for a diminished value settlement since this fiasco basically depreciated my car 10-15% per a car appraiser.

[Day Laborer]

Originally Posted by smh_amg_m4gts

They offered to refund the protection (95% of it) and reimburse me to repaint my hood. I'm asking for a diminished value settlement since this fiasco basically depreciated my car 10-15% per a car appraiser.

Correct me if I am wrong, but a non-accident event would not show up on a carfax and diminished value would not apply as long as the paint was done correctly right?

In my opinion, if the paint has a lifetime warranty for color match the car should not face any loss in valuation... well, at least in the case of regular cars at least.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by Day Laborer

Correct me if I am wrong, but a non-accident event would not show up on a carfax and diminished value would not apply as long as the paint was done correctly right?

In my opinion, if the paint has a lifetime warranty for color match the car should not face any loss in valuation... well, at least in the case of regular cars at least.

It would not show up on carfax.

No idea what a "lifetime warranty for color" is. But any repainted panels on a car can be spotted no matter how well it was done. There's not only color matching, but also the sheen of the frozen clear and the texture that's almost impossible to get 100%. With repaint, bodyshop will wetsand and polish as nothing out of the booth will be perfect (dusts, runs, blending). You just can't do that with frozen paint.

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

It would not show up on carfax.

No idea what a "lifetime warranty for color" is. But any repainted panels on a car can be spotted no matter how well it was done. There's not only color matching, but also the sheen of the frozen clear and the texture that's almost impossible to get 100%. With repaint, bodyshop will wetsand and polish as nothing out of the booth will be perfect (dusts, runs, blending). You just can't do that with frozen paint.

Multiple shops have told me otherwise...do you know anyone in NorCal that does what you say? Some shops won't even quote the repair bc they don't want to assume the liability. These are shops that work on Exotics.

First world problems for sure!

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by Day Laborer

Correct me if I am wrong, but a non-accident event would not show up on a carfax and diminished value would not apply as long as the paint was done correctly right?

In my opinion, if the paint has a lifetime warranty for color match the car should not face any loss in valuation... well, at least in the case of regular cars at least.

No it wouldn't, but IF I sell my GTS in the future, I plan to disclose everything. Karma is a B and I don't need any bad karma in my life.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by smh_amg_m4gts

Multiple shops have told me otherwise...do you know anyone in NorCal that does what you say? Some shops won't even quote the repair bc they don't want to assume the liability. These are shops that work on Exotics.

First world problems for sure!

You might want to re-read what I wrote. In summary, I said its not a easy repair and that's why a lot of shops don't want to touch it.

I am in Vancouver and I know of only 1 shop that does decent work with frozen (satin) clear coats. Even the local BMW certified shop doesn't do so well with frozen from what I've seen.

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

You might want to re-read what I wrote. In summary, I said its not a easy repair and that's why a lot of shops don't want to touch it.

I am in Vancouver and I know of only 1 shop that does decent work with frozen (satin) clear coats. Even the local BMW certified shop doesn't do so well with frozen from what I've seen.

👍 My bad! Multitasking here...lol.

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by smh_amg_m4gts

Multiple shops have told me otherwise...do you know anyone in NorCal that does what you say? Some shops won't even quote the repair bc they don't want to assume the liability. These are shops that work on Exotics.

First world problems for sure!

San Francisco German motors is the only BMW certified frozen paint and icar (cfrp) certified shop in the region. I highly recommend them their owner is a car enthusiast, racer and M4GTS owner (FDG).

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by BarryB

San Francisco German motors is the only BMW certified frozen paint and icar (cfrp) certified shop in the region. I highly recommend them their owner is a car enthusiast, racer and M4GTS owner (FDG).

AWESOME! Thank you!!!

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by smh_amg_m4gts

AWESOME! Thank you!!!

Ask for Jeff. He is the mgr and let him know I recommended him. Ask for a tour, well worth it. There is a version on their website, its that good.

We should meet, still have not seen another on the street yet....( despite seeing gt3's almost every day, sorry couldn't resist)

[smh_amg_m4gts]

Originally Posted by BarryB

Ask for Jeff. He is the mgr and let him know I recommended him. Ask for a tour, well worth it. There is a version on their website, its that good.

We should meet, still have not seen another on the street yet....( despite seeing gt3's almost every day, sorry couldn't resist)

Are you local? I belong to a NorCal M FB group...I can add you.

We meet up on occasion.

[bmrwrld]

How long did you let the bird poop sit on the hood before you washed it? As soon as a bird poop hits my paint I clean it off immediately.