Addressing Factory Orange Peel on New BMW

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gofast182

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So I recently bought (leased) a new BMW 340i xDrive in Black Sapphire Metallic. Great looking car but the one thing that I always notice and that bothers me, being a detail guru, is bad orange peel on the sides of the car (flats and bumpers are OK).

The dealer is going to have someone from BMW come look at the car next week. Not sure what, if anything, they will do but since it's my first BMW and I can explain what I'm seeing pretty well I'm optimistic.

But then I have a few thoughts. First is don't let anyone but you (me) or Phil at Detailer's Domain touch this paint. Second is if it's coming from BMW corporate, they should be able to take care of it properly.

The only trepidation I have about giving it a light wet sand myself (other than removing a bit of precious factory clear) is that the curves on the front fenders and doors of the 3 series are more complex than other cars I've corrected so I'm not sure if it's going to pose a problem or not.

My preferred outcome will be they agree to have Detailer's Domain give the sides of the car a light wet sand, but I'm not sure what will happen.

I know many say don't F with it, but it's a black car and it bothers me. And before anyone asks, delivery wasn't really conducive to this type of inspection as it started in an artificially lit parking garage and only made it outside at dusk.

Thoughts?
 
For years I collected the muscle cars from the 1960's and early 1970's. Orange peel was common, pretty much standard. In fact on original paint cars, the orange peel was a must. Though I see orange peel from time to time on more recent cars, it doesn't bother me in the least. I'd be more worried about bubbles, hairlines, scratches, etc. If it's factory applied paint, in great condition, and tightly adhered, no problem for me.
 
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
For years I collected the muscle cars from the 1960's and early 1970's. Orange peel was common, pretty much standard. In fact on original paint cars, the orange peel was a must. Though I see orange peel from time to time on more recent cars, it doesn't bother me in the least. I'd be more worried about bubbles, hairlines, scratches, etc. If it's factory applied paint, in great condition, and tightly adhered, no problem for me.

I need to get myself thinking like you but it's hard! Understanding some is normal, this is more than I'm used to seeing on my new cars. And even though my S2000 has had some paint work done to it, I'm spoiled by the glassy finish I am able to maintain.
 
My take...and I'm not being flippant...is that environmentally friendly paint jobs are mostly the same until you hit the 40K-50K mark and then it only gets slightly better. I've seen orange peel on 75K-90K dollar cars that I'm sure the manufacturers wouldn't spring for a corrective action on if it meets their production standards. It'll be interesting to see how BMW responds.
 
Originally Posted By: Vuflanovsky
My take...and I'm not being flippant...is that environmentally friendly paint jobs are mostly the same until you hit the 40K-50K mark and then it only gets slightly better. I've seen orange peel on 75K-90K dollar cars that I'm sure the manufacturers wouldn't spring for a corrective action on if it meets their production standards. It'll be interesting to see how BMW responds.

I understand completely. My issue here is that I see cars with lower price tags with what I'm calling normal orange peel considering the water based products.
 
People here tend to be very harsh and I don't want to be one and I did congratulate you on it.
But a golden rule is never to sign the contract until the issue is straightened out. To do so and then hope and pray things go your way is not how to play the game. Don't lease or buy until issues are resolved first.
Good luck though!
 
Those who buy out the lease (rare) may be concerned about it.

Originally Posted By: CT8
I wouldn't worry about the paint, especially with a leased vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
People here tend to be very harsh and I don't want to be one and I did congratulate you on it.
But a golden rule is never to sign the contract until the issue is straightened out. To do so and then hope and pray things go your way is not how to play the game. Don't lease or buy until issues are resolved first.
Good luck though!

You're taking delivery of a nice new car, you're excited, you're in a new place, they have you in a parking structure to keep the cold wind away, and by the time you get outside and want to get out of there it's dusk. Maybe I was wrong not to insist on a more thorough inspection but it's real easy for you and others to Monday morning quarterback the situation compared to when you're in it.
 
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A few years ago I walked into a chrysler dealer, and there was a new Charger (I think) sitting on the showroom floor that had so much orange peal that I know I could have done a better job and I am not a body man, but have painted a couple cars. But not well in my opinion!

But, I always thought that the orange peal was in the base coat. Is it in the clear coat, and therefore can be wet sanded out?
 
Not for me because I buy new cars very often.
When I buy a car these days I have zero excitement to be honest.
In the early years I had a few issues like this and since then these issues are on my radar. I gave you sound advice
and no Monday quarterbacking........
During the test drive where the low rent dealerships ride with you they try to turn up the radio/ac/heater and talk nonsense. I turn them off and when they are trying to get the deal together I go over the car like a rental place does on return. You have to watch leasing too. You may drive one car and they prepare another with the same color and options but defects. They often tell you they can't fix issues until you own it- walk away.


Originally Posted By: gofast182
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
People here tend to be very harsh and I don't want to be one and I did congratulate you on it.
But a golden rule is never to sign the contract until the issue is straightened out. To do so and then hope and pray things go your way is not how to play the game. Don't lease or buy until issues are resolved first.
Good luck though!

You're taking delivery of a nice new car, you're excited, you're in a new place, they have you in a parking structure to keep the cold wind away, and by the time you get outside and want to get out of there it's dusk. Maybe I was wrong not to insist on a more thorough inspection but it's real easy for you and others to Monday morning quarterback the situation compared to when you're in it.
 
I get it that you were excited to get the car and lighting may not be the best. Got it. Will be interesting to see what they say.

I know I said it in the last thread, but Ill say it again - no way would I go reducing clear on a brand new car.

Id want $$$ off/back, like the amount that DD would charge, in order to make things right. Put the money in a savings account, and wait until something nasty happens. Then get it done.

I know you want to be anal about it, and want the car to be perfect. I totally agree. But for me personally, I wouldnt sleep well at night knowing that I had damaged an otherwise fully operational OE paint job to attempt to make some orange peel look better... Orang peel that you (1) may not necessarily fully remediate, and (2) that may get damaged from other use. Especially when winter is coming and the car WILL get dirty/salty/etc.

Trust me, very few if anyone can see the paint defects you claim. That's not an easy thing to hear. I wouldnt want someone telling me that... But its reality. This isnt a showcar M3 or some fancier vehicle. Its your pride and joy, but it will look great to 99.99% of the world just with a nice wash and wax.

So save the remediation until you need it for some other damage that has occurred... But get BMW to give you some money towards the car if it bothers you so much.

How long do you intend to own the vehicle?
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I get it that you were excited to get the car and lighting may not be the best. Got it. Will be interesting to see what they say.

I know I said it in the last thread, but Ill say it again - no way would I go reducing clear on a brand new car.

Id want $$$ off/back, like the amount that DD would charge, in order to make things right. Put the money in a savings account, and wait until something nasty happens. Then get it done.

I know you want to be anal about it, and want the car to be perfect. I totally agree. But for me personally, I wouldnt sleep well at night knowing that I had damaged an otherwise fully operational OE paint job to attempt to make some orange peel look better... Orang peel that you (1) may not necessarily fully remediate, and (2) that may get damaged from other use. Especially when winter is coming and the car WILL get dirty/salty/etc.

Trust me, very few if anyone can see the paint defects you claim. That's not an easy thing to hear. I wouldnt want someone telling me that... But its reality. This isnt a showcar M3 or some fancier vehicle. Its your pride and joy, but it will look great to 99.99% of the world just with a nice wash and wax.

So save the remediation until you need it for some other damage that has occurred... But get BMW to give you some money towards the car if it bothers you so much.

How long do you intend to own the vehicle?

I can really appreciate what you're saying and the way you've said it here. You are 100% right that most people look at the car and don't see what I'm seeing. It's either getting it handled properly or somehow dealing with my neurosis on this issue for 3 years.
 
I agree with JHZR2, its a daily driver and enjoy the car as is. Hopefully dealership will do their part to resolve paint issue and keep you happy as a customer.
 
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