Now done 3250 miles from new.
Gave the car a thorough cleaning and for some reason looked at underneath part of the side skirt on the driver's side before I cleaned it. I was astonished to find in certain areas the paint blasted away by stones/road surface damage, and revealing the black plastic underneath the paint. Each part showing damage was a slightly raised part which put it right in the path of things thrown up by the front wheel and much worse immediately behind the wheel.
A quick look under the passenger side showed it to be much the same pattern of damage, though not as bad.
The raised parts are a design fault as they are right in the path of things thrown up; the flat parts are merely stone-chipped. Interestingly, the car's stone chip paint on the skirt itself does not reach underneath; the line marking the edge can be clearly seen.
Now, it probably isn't BMW's fault as regards warranty; they would simply point to our dreadful road surfaces, but how to cure it? And what is it going to look like in 5 yrs time? It doesn't auger well for longevity.
No point in claiming against the local authority, because I've driven through so many, so which is to blame?
I've bought some white Waxoyl stone chip paint to try....anyone got a better idea? Little point in putting Alpine White on for it to be blasted off again.
Anyone noticed the same thing????
Many thanks
PS I also have a 33,000ml MX5 I've had from new and not a trace of the same thing after ten years, and an F30 320i which is stone chipped in the same place but nothing like this.
Gave the car a thorough cleaning and for some reason looked at underneath part of the side skirt on the driver's side before I cleaned it. I was astonished to find in certain areas the paint blasted away by stones/road surface damage, and revealing the black plastic underneath the paint. Each part showing damage was a slightly raised part which put it right in the path of things thrown up by the front wheel and much worse immediately behind the wheel.
A quick look under the passenger side showed it to be much the same pattern of damage, though not as bad.
The raised parts are a design fault as they are right in the path of things thrown up; the flat parts are merely stone-chipped. Interestingly, the car's stone chip paint on the skirt itself does not reach underneath; the line marking the edge can be clearly seen.
Now, it probably isn't BMW's fault as regards warranty; they would simply point to our dreadful road surfaces, but how to cure it? And what is it going to look like in 5 yrs time? It doesn't auger well for longevity.
No point in claiming against the local authority, because I've driven through so many, so which is to blame?
I've bought some white Waxoyl stone chip paint to try....anyone got a better idea? Little point in putting Alpine White on for it to be blasted off again.
Anyone noticed the same thing????
Many thanks
PS I also have a 33,000ml MX5 I've had from new and not a trace of the same thing after ten years, and an F30 320i which is stone chipped in the same place but nothing like this.
