Flaking bumper lacquer

[Ed Winchester]

When washing the car at the weekend, I noticed that lacquer on one side of my front bumper has started to blister and has peeled in one or two places! It's pretty tough to see but the camera picked it up nicely in the sun.

The car has only covered 12k miles of which I've only done just over 2k. It was bought from Park Lane and was ex BMW management. I'm really fussy about my cars so went over every inch of it under UV light when I picked it up from the dealer and there literally wasn't a mark on it.

Is is common for BMW to re-paint areas prone to stone chips before resale? (I know this is very common for Porsche dealers)
Since the car is still under warranty, will this be covered?

Really want to be aware of my options and any objections before I contact the dealer.

Edited to include photo

 

[ClareS]

gutted... Why do cars never stay perfect? Matt passed you on the A31 the other day and said how much he loved your car. He would've been in a Porsche 924 which is gold with brown checked interior. :erm: which is his temporary car while his elise is STILL in the garage!

 

[srhutch]

Covered under warranty I would hope, to much damage to be stone chip or anything like that they would use to get out of paying.

Good Luck in getting it sorted though.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Certainly looks like a cheap 'Chips away' typre repair in it's life that is now reacting to a lower level of paint/primer. Since there is no physical damage I'm sure that would be fully covered under warranty.

 

[Ed Winchester]

Thanks for the replies.

After calls to BMW customer service, Park Lane and their bodyshop, I've only received sketchy, non-committal responses. The only positive response was from the bodyshop at my local dealer who suggested they have a look, so I'll be taking over this week.

I'll keep you posted.

ClareS: How did I not spot the pimpmobile?! Can I put my name down for a ride in the Elise when it comes back?

 

[Mr Whippy]

It should be covered under non-perforation/corrosion warranty if it is an AUC...

Looks like BMW did a crappy repair, and then that is their problem. If they let someone else do it, then they shouldn't have sold it as an AUC with the paint warranty in place.

That is assuming it's an AUC!?


Good luck with it, I'm sure they will sort it to a higher standard than it clearly has been under warranty!

Dave

 

[GAZA62]

Thats deffo a repair as you say stone chip work done when prepping the car for resale.

Park Lane is where i bought my Z and the work they had done on my 108s was bad real cowboys.

Good luck with getting them to budge on getting it done under warranty but to be honest would get a quote from a good bodyshop as they will no doubt use the same muppets again as this seems to be something BMW Stealers all do use the cheapest idiots in town.

 

[ClareS]

ClareS: How did I not spot the pimpmobile?! Can I put my name down for a ride in the Elise when it comes back?

I don't know - it's so hard to miss! Its so bad its almost good! Yeah sure re. the elise but don't hold your breath. I reckon its going to be at least a month yet, which will take it to about 4 or 5 in total. Still, it keeps Matt happy!

 

[Ed Winchester]

Quick update:

The local BMW bodyshop informed me that it's had a chips away type repair, possibly to cover any stone chips before sale, so no option for warranty claim. He suggested that I call the salesman who sold me the car at Park Lane, which I did and they don't have any record of paint repair. He's asked me to send over a quote from the local bodyshop and he'll take it from there.

I have to say that my experience of BMW sales guys in the past has been less than positive but the guy at Park Lane has been brilliant.. super professional! Fingers crossed now that he can work something out for me.

The local bodyshop replaced the rear bumper on our old Cooper S when the girlfriend.. ahem.. trusted the parking sensors!! :headbang: They the did an excellent job, so it would be ideal if they do the work.

 

[Ed Winchester]

So.. Park Lane have now approved a complete panel respray and sent the purchase order over to the local dealer. Thanks for your responses.

Pics to follow when it's done

 

[Mikey]

Good to hear that Park Lane have agreed to sort the problem out, saves you having to fork out your hard earned cash to get it resprayed.