New M3 Factory Paint Issues, Check Your Paint, Terrible Customer Service from BMW NA

[drexplode]

I've seen this before on a 335i M-sport, the M-sport side skirts were not fully painted next to the rear tires. Kind of strange, and not sure how that happened. Eventually, I got over it and drove the car. Only time I would notice is during hand wash and drying. Sorry to hear about this OP. Don't let it sway you away from enjoying a beautiful and fun to drive car.

Like Enzo Ferrari said "no one will care about the door gaps after pressing on the accelerator pedal" True statement for your F8X

[itrsteve]

Originally Posted by apexit

Aren't the bumpers painted by robots?

Yes, IIRC from my Welt tour that any individual colors are hand painted though.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by SROC5

I think this is fine for "civic" or "accord" M3s, but this is not acceptable on a $130k+ GTS sir! wtf! but if you're cool with it that's what matters

The M4 GTS bumper is the same as the M3 and they are all painted at the same place. I had an AW F80 M3 before the M4 GTS and it was the same.

So what do you expect me to do about the bumper? I rather just leave it, than to have it taken off the car to be repainted. Like I said, you need to have lights shining at it and be on your knees to see it.

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

The M4 GTS bumper is the same as the M3 and they are all painted at the same place. I had an AW F80 M3 before the M4 GTS and it was the same.

So what do you expect me to do about the bumper? I rather just leave it, than to have it taken off the car to be repainted. Like I said, you need to have lights shining at it and be on your knees to see it.

Nothing, sux to know a $130k car is painted that way is all...but it dawned on me, this is part of the way BMW keeps the weight down ahahahahahahhah!

[afisherunc]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

We are talking about a thin basecoat, so its really hard to see on a black car since the bumper material is a black color. On the other hand, if the bumper material is white, then it would totally show on a black car. Its like painting a wall, it will take more coats to go from black to white, white to black. It will take less coats to cover if you are painting the same color.

I have attached a picture of the front bumper of my M4 GTS. This is taken up close on my knees and with my LED work light shining directly at the bumper to show what he is talking about.

That's similar to the extent of mine, but like others have said, pretty much invisible in photos due to the dark color. OP has it worse. I didn't notice any texture when touching those areas.

[hatepotholez]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

BTW as a contrast to BMW - I believe Porsche does value its customers understands the notion of good will ... A first gen 991 GT3 owner I know was given a 15k refund check from porsche without asking due to his engine needing replacement when they had the early rod bolt clearance issues. My bet is the all the BMW owner's who need diff replacements will be lucky to $15 from BMW and that $15 won't be handed out automatically.

Look up the Panamera front bumper issue and Nick Murray's 911 issue.

[m3forme2016]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

BTW as a contrast to BMW - I believe Porsche does value its customers understands the notion of good will ... A first gen 991 GT3 owner I know was given a 15k refund check from porsche without asking due to his engine needing replacement when they had the early rod bolt clearance issues. My bet is the all the BMW owner's who need diff replacements will be lucky to $15 from BMW and that $15 won't be handed out automatically.

LOLZ, this was too funny. There is a big difference between an defective engine and a minor paint flaw. There is also a big difference between a GT3 and an M4. The GT3 is much more expensive, and produced in much lower numbers.

But you brought up some interesting points. Specifically, how much OCD is too much? I remember when I got my Silver E46, and found two tiny imperfections in the paint. You would not notice them unless you were inspecting the paint. I was horrified that such a nice car would have paint flaws.

I hate to admit it, but it's just not worth the energy. As someone mentioned, it's a First World Problem. BMW NA sells millions of cars, and dealing with minor paint flaws is probably not high on their list of priorities. It easier to just focus on other things like upgrades and enjoying the car.

[NOLATom]

If you watch the how it's made video of the M6, you would think that BMW cares about every minor imperfection int he paint. For me, it should have been painted. Mine does not have the problem.

[kitesurfer]

I updated my first post with the resolution offered

[Sassicaia]

You are way over reacting IMO.

Friend of mine as a Porsche Turbo s with a similar imperfection in an area you cant see.

its a non issue if you ask me

[smr123]

It must be remembered that we are buying a lower level BMW (3/4 series) equipped with somewhat limited production special performance components. We all agree, that's what boosts the cost. I think if we choose to purchase this product, we must assume some lower level BMW parts and workmanship over say a 5 or 7 series.

[Sassicaia]

Originally Posted by smr123

It must be remembered that we are buying a lower level BMW (3/4 series) equipped with somewhat limited production special performance components. We all agree, that's what boosts the cost. I think if we choose to purchase this product, we must assume some lower level BMW parts and workmanship over say a 5 or 7 series.

You would find the same level of imperfections on a 5 or 7 series.

[Ian1973]

I've never even been that low on my car to see if something is or is not there. I wouldn't care if there was a bit of paint missing in that area.

[Dippydo]

I just bought a 2015 m4 with just 2k miles on it. After giving it it's first wash I noticed this too and thought maybe the owner wrecked it and had the bumper replaced out of pocket cheaply. I looked everywhere for other signs of damage ad there is none which led me to believe it was just a crap job from the factory.

Since I bought it used there is no way BMW would do anything for me. At least the areas in question are out of sight and will be covered by a splitter.

[Dphan2007]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

I just bought a 2015 m4 with just 2k miles on it. After giving it it's first wash I noticed this too and thought maybe the owner wrecked it and had the bumper replaced out of pocket cheaply. I looked everywhere for other signs of damage ad there is none which led me to believe it was just a crap job from the factory.

Since I bought it used there is no way BMW would do anything for me. At least the areas in question are out of sight and will be covered by a splitter.

Same here. I bought my used m3 with 13k miles. I saw the imperfection myself and started to check the whole car and nothing. Called the dealer and got another carfax. My car is mineral white. Glad this is just an imperfection from bmwusa.