What’s the consensus on respray work?

[True-Blue]

Morning all,

What do we feel about respray work purely for cosmetic reasons?

My E89 is in good shape, but the front bumper has had a couple of smart repairs where the finish is less than perfect. I knew this when I bought it and factored it into the price I paid.

I realise I could just have the front bumper done properly, but the risk is a colour mismatch and I have a bit of an eye for these things so that would drive me mad.

Next option is to blend into the bonnet, but again this isn’t a perfect solution for me because if I was going to have some of the bonnet painted I’d want the whole thing done with no blends. I’ve corrected the paint, but there were some nasty scratches in places so there’s less scope for further correction in future as it stands, which is why I’d go for the entire bonnet.

Which leaves me with front bumper, bonnet, front wings and blend into the doors - basically refresh the complete front end.

If I went to look at a 74k mile car and the front end was perfect, I’d know immediately it had been painted regardless of how good the job was.

If it was you would you think excellent, immaculate car or would it put you off?

I realise that economically the value of the car won’t increase based on the spend, that’s not why I’d be doing this. I think it could be a keeper; it’s a colour combination I really like, it’s fast enough with the 3.0 N52, its a manual, it’s pretty decent spec with idrive, Bluetooth etc.

Any views welcome

 

[pvr]

Thought about PPF after a respray? That reduces any visible mismatch if you do the whole front

 

[Zed Baron]

I have a couple of stone chips on my front bumper, I considered getting it repainted but who's to say that you don't get another stone chip a week later! Its a bit like getting your alloys refurbed only to clip one the next day on a curb like I did had to go back and get a smart repair done

 

[True-Blue]

Thought about PPF after a respray? That reduces any visible mismatch if you do the whole front

It has crossed my mind, but I think the cost is fairly substantial on top of the respray costs.

 

[True-Blue]

I have a couple of stone chips on my front bumper, I considered getting it repainted but who's to say that you don't get another stone chip a week later! Its a bit like getting your alloys refurbed only to clip one the next day on a curb like I did had to go back and get a smart repair done

I know what you’re saying, but the smart repairs on my car look worse than stone chips to me. The paint’s a different texture…. Most people wouldn’t care, but it’s annoying me :?

 

[pvr]

I had my entire car done (minus the roof) for just over £2k. Think for a front end it is about £750

 

[Phoenixboy]

I think most of our cars will pick up stone chips on the front end, usually bumper and leading end of bonnet.
unless its bad, i would tend to leave a complete front end respray, and as you say, difficult to get a perfect match, the paint is unlikely to be as good as the original factory finish, and is likely to chip more on the aftermarket paint unless you spend big, and get it taken back to bare metal.
Another layer of paint imo, is just going to chip more..
Am getting my chips done in a few weeks, my attempts were ok, and the colour match was good, but it needs someone with a steady hand and an eye for detail, which rules me out.
Will never be perfect touching in chips, but done carefully, an acceptable level of finish can be achieved.
if its had previous smart repairs, and they are not that good, then thats a bit more annoying....

 

[Busterboo]

Thought about PPF after a respray? That reduces any visible mismatch if you do the whole front

Morning, pvr. Your suggest of a PPF is a good one. An alternative, of course, is a VDR, which, together with a UDH, will give good front end protection, especially around the BN and SUH.

 

[MikeyH]

Years ago I had the front end of my Ford Galaxy resprayed to get rid of loads of stone chips as the car had been used on the motorway a lot. A few months later I ran into a bridge :headbang: Had it repaired under insurance however some years later the clear coat started pealing on the bonnet. Not a nice look and something to think about if you are keeping the car a long time.

 

[Zedebee]

Thought about PPF after a respray? That reduces any visible mismatch if you do the whole front

Morning, pvr. Your suggest of a PPF is a good one. An alternative, of course, is a VDR, which, together with a UDH, will give good front end protection, especially around the BN and SUH.

LOL

 

[MikeyH]

Thought about PPF after a respray? That reduces any visible mismatch if you do the whole front

Morning, pvr. Your suggest of a PPF is a good one. An alternative, of course, is a VDR, which, together with a UDH, will give good front end protection, especially around the BN and SUH.

LOL

??????

 

[True-Blue]

Ok, to put this into context a bit.

I’ve been using the same paint guy for years, Proper set up, oven etc. always been very happy with his work. I don’t think for one minute the paint’s going to start peeling off.

The bonnet would be fully stripped back, proper job. The other panels are plastic, so no need for them to be completely stripped.

I’m not concerned about the quality of work, more whether I’d be potentially devaluing the car by having the work done or limiting the market if I chose to sell it on.

 

[MikeyH]

If it was done well and had photos to show this and the bare metalwork to show condition it would not put me of.

 

[tomscott]

Mines on 74k. Its inevitable damage really they are low and susceptible to damage.

Im not adverse, if its been done well it shouldn't be easy to tell. Its when its been done poorly.

Mine had a wrap one the front and rear valance was on for about 14 years. I removed it and water had got under it at the rear and lifted the paint. The front was hiding what looks like a roadkill mark, I annoyingly caught the front fang so that needs sorting. The wing mirrors were wrapped too hiding scrapes etc The bonnet is littered with chips too.

It depends how you look at it, get the car perfect it won't be a driver because every time you take it out it will come back with a mark. I dont mind the car not being perfect but it needs to be a "presentable" when ive detailed it unless you get 6inches to the issues it looks pretty good. But paint is actually missing on the rear which needs attending.

Im getting married this year and want the car to be in good condition to use as a wedding car, but wanted the items repairing anyway.

Im having the bonnet, front and rear bumpers and wing mirrors redone but I think the rear valance may blow in will have to see. I also have a set of Aero skirts in silver that im going to have done too.... so really its half the car.

I got quoted £1500 including vat from numerous local places to have all the panels removed prepped and painted although it does worry me as it sounds cheap.

If anyone has any recommendations in the Manchester area I would be all ears.

Ive had really bad luck. I dropped my Mini JCW off at a specialist in Manchester, they crashed it into a post reversing it out... livid but these things happen. He said they would sort for free. They bodged the work twice and made more damage by poorly masking trim etc they didn't prep it and after about 6 months the paint was coming off in sections using a pressure washer.

So I booked it into a kite mark approved garage. They stripped the paint to the metal as the paint was flaking off by that stage and these guys left a drip through a door, I left it for them to sort and conveniently the car was stolen that night. So my anxiety is through the roof with it really.

Manchester is an odd place there is a lack of well known companies in the automotive space for paint, specialists, exhaust shops etc ive needed all the above and have found it hard to find well regarded companies.

What are peoples thoughts on PPF. I think PPF is a fab tech but.... to have the car done with self healing PPF would be expensive probably 1/3rd the value of the car. 2k seems cheap? Plus dont you have to wait a few months for the paint to fully cure before PPF which is a couple of months? Could be wrong.

If the Z was worth 60-100k it would be a no brainer but I cant see the car increasing in value as Z4MR prices seem to have peaked and stayed the same for a long time. My car might be worth £1500 more than I payed for it but that can be swallowed up by recent inflation.

So unless its a forever car or want a garage queen that never gets driven seems a little over the top on these cars specifically?

 

[Busterboo]

Isn't it the case that aerodynamically efficient cars have more front-end surface damage than inefficient ones?

 

[pvr]

Just checked the bill - it was £3390 including the cost of the paint correction (after respray)

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

If you document the process, pictures (before, during, after) and have invoices, I don’t think many people would be put off.
Perhaps have a BMW health check (standard scope?) prior to paint, so people can see documented evidence the car was in good order. (If it’s the same week as it goes in for paint) etc.

As with cost, if you are having a full front end respray, it would be crazy not to have PPF, especially whilst the panels are off the car. May as well factor this into the price of the job.

Given the same circumstances, I would opt for a bumper respray (possibly with PPF) and give it all a good wax afterwards.