M3/M4 Paint Quality

[vonmayr]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Hey great points! I was just being a jackass. I think I will miss the sunroof (my f30 has one, and I enjoy it quite frequently as well). But the damn CF roof looks so good on the Austin Yellow! I'm willing to take a chance on this one.

Also I wonder if the CF roof does absorb and transmit as much sun Ray heat as the metal roofs. Interesting point.

Btw, your SO over full SO will look fantastic. I wish I was able to see one in person. Very nice

Well, after lots of thought, I just changed to a CF roof. I don't usually change my mind once I decide on these things, but that CF roof is wicked.

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by vonmayr

Well, after lots of thought, I just changed to a CF roof. I don't usually change my mind once I decide on these things, but that CF roof is wicked.

If you like a sunroof and will use it then one option that gives you the sunroof and CF look would be get the sunroof and put a CF look vinyl wrap on the roof. I've seen it on a few E92 M3s and it doesn't have the contours of the CF panel but it is very convincing and good looking.

[thai357sig]

As stated, Orange Peel is a standard option and all BMWs are inflicted with this malady. I cannot believe you did not see it on other BMWS!?

You must of not ever washed your cars.

[hecho.in.626]

I wanted to get people's opinions on the paint on the m4 and m3. I've had the car for one year and I already have about 4 noticeable door dings. I try to park away from other cars if I can but sometimes it's not possible. My last car had the same amount of door dings after owning it for 7 years and I didn't care where I parked. I'm sure my prior car got dinged a lot more but it left no visible marks.
I don't believe people are hitting my car with their doors on purpose, it seems like any minor impact with another door leaves a mark on the paint. It almost seems like the paint is softer.

Thoughts?

[apexit]

agreed, my prior s4 had 2 door dings in 5 years and 80k miles. I've counted that many without searching in just 16k miles. Less weight I guess

[Yessir]

My honest opinion?

People just don't respect others belongings. I see it day in, day out. At work, in my parking garage, heck, I even see my neighbors whacking each others vehicles. Most don't even bother to check if they caused any damage. People are oblivious these days.

[AM4ZING]

Rocks flying at the panels?

[phoenx]

Originally Posted by Yessir

My honest opinion?

People just don't respect others belongings. I see it day in, day out. At work, in my parking garage, heck, I even see my neighbors wacking each others vehicles. Most don't even bother to check if they caused any damage. People are oblivious these days.

This! My almost 10 year old e46 m3 would be mint if it wasnt for people being careless around it. Its got all sort of dings and scuffs from people that dont know how to park.

[imyopusha]

my dings are from minor rock chips in the front bumper that drive me absolutely bananas. So, it's either weak paint or going 150 mph on the autobahn makes the impact a little more harsh.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by imyopusha

my dings are from minor rock chips in the front bumper that drive me absolutely bananas. So, it's either weak paint or going 150 mph on the autobahn makes the impact a little more harsh.

Wrong forum. I've tried to explain here many times what happens after 60mph and silence follows.

[solstice]

Yep, the BMW paint is one of the more prone to paint damage IMO. Maybe they are one of the most responsible with solvents, since as we know what is good for nature is bad for our cars...

[mPlasticDesign]

My paintless dent guy says the BMW panels and paint are indeed softer. The upside is paintless repairs are easier as a result.

[Vigilant]

The paint is indeed soft and subject to easy damage by other cars, rocks, etc.

Prevention is way better than reaction...

Since I work long hours...go in early....and leave late...this is my process:

I park next to a supporting column in a parking garage adjacent to the passenger side. I purposefully cheat closer to the column or parking median, taking care to avoid curbing my wheels (don't rely on the proximity warning). Tuck in the mirrors. There are door guards that you can use for added protection, but I have not reached that level of insanity. If I have to park next to another vehicle, I cheat away from the driver's side, tuck the mirrors, note the color and license plate of the vehicle, and say a prayer...so far this has worked...I am sure a monster truck will run me over tomorrow as I write this.

It's a car and subject to dings, etc. I curbed my driver's side wheel while driving to work within the first week of my PCD pickup. It is what it is...

[IrvineTim]

no matter how far away you park from other people, they somehow seek you out and will park right next to you!! I have no idea why
sucks, but it is what it is.

[F30MSport]

My F30 BSM 335 didn't have a mark on it after 3 years other than a few on the front bumper which is expected. It was also coated with CQuartz finest which defiantly helps.

My Alpine White M3 already has a microscopic chip only my eyes can see I'm sure on the rear fender flares. Of course it's right above the OEM protective film. I'm very worried about that area being dinged up from stones and other debris on the road.

[PodDoc]

Originally Posted by Yessir

My honest opinion?

People just don't respect others belongings. I see it day in, day out. At work, in my parking garage, heck, I even see my neighbors whacking each others vehicles. Most don't even bother to check if they caused any damage. People are oblivious these days.

This!!! I luckily dont have any dings yet, but parked in almost an empty guest lot at my parents condo building, when i got back an hour later, some asshole drew all over my hood with their fingers in the dust. These types of people need a beating.

[paliknight]

I already have curb rash, the side skirt has a small paint chip, and the bottom of the front bumper is scratched. In 4 weeks! I'm really losing my mind. Dealer wants 85 to fix curb rash fml. About to get some of the bmw touch up paint and fix the bumper and side skirt myself

[Lups]

Originally Posted by paliknight

I already have curb rash, the side skirt has a small paint chip, and the bottom of the front bumper is scratched. In 4 weeks! I'm really losing my mind. Dealer wants 85 to fix curb rash fml. About to get some of the bmw touch up paint and fix the bumper and side skirt myself

It costs about 2k to get a license in Finland. Apparently it truly pays off.

[Arcades]

I have about 4 dings that I know of on my car. 1 on my hood rest is front bumper, all came from freeway driving (the rare times I do so as of now.) So, I know it's more or less my fault since I'm driving at 80+ generally. That will leave a ding regardless unless you're clearbraed and even so I'm a bit unsure lol.

[aboulfad]

Yes, F8x paint definitely softer than what it used to be in e46. I believe it has to do with newer eco-friendly water based clearcoats/basecoats paints that is constantly evolving. I can't recall if the e46 in the early 2000 was water based but I think the switch was starting around then with European car manufacturers. This is the only reason why I Xpelled my car

Anyone who has polished an early 2000 e46 (not necessarily an M) will realize how much easier it is to polish these cars, another sign that the CC is softer... It is also possible that the panels are made of lighter steel where applicable, in order to reduce weight and would be as a consequence more susceptible to dings.

On the plus side, easier to do paintless dent repair, in some cases it comes out flawless, easier to polish, somewhat lighter and better to the environment. In the end, there is so much we could do to avoid having other people inflect dings/scratches to our cars, but nothing we can do to avoid debris and Murphy.

So my confusion I made after 6 months of ownership in order to keep my sanity and cope with my OCD: Drive it like any other car and accept the fact that things will happen to it and nothing we do will change that fact. (Of course I still park far, next to beams, analyze where I park and look for VIP spots see pic, though I ask my wife every time, could the ceiling fall on my car??? )

[F83]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Yes, F8x paint definitely softer than what it used to be in e46. I believe it has to do with newer eco-friendly water based clearcoats/basecoats paints that is constantly evolving. I can't recall if the e46 in the early 2000 was water based but I think the switch was starting around then with European car manufacturers. This is the only reason why I Xpelled my car
)

This. And it's not just BMW it's the law, other manufacturers must do it also.

Agree on XPEL. Won't help door dings but makes a huge huge difference for rock chips.

[RickFLM4]

I've been lucky with the M4 thus far (which could change at any moment) but also have full front and roof covered in SunTek PPF due to a lot of highway driving. I found Audi's paint on a previous A6 very soft (but my S4 and wife's Q5 not so bad) so I don't think it is BMW-specific. As others stated, it is likely due to Eco-friendly changes to paint and clear coat and some colors (such as black) really show scratches and other imperfections more than others.