X5M X6M stone chip issues (update)

[Werkz12]

BMW is standing behind their product and will be taking care of the stone chips on the rear fender flares and rocker panels at no cost. They are aware this a wide spread issue.

They are ordering NEW parts. The parts will be painted and left at the shop to cure for 90 days after being painted. Then, once the paint has cured I can install the new parts and the clear stone guard.
(You cant apply stone guard until paint cures from what Im told)

For those having this work done to your X5, X6 M package cars make sure you get the same set up. If they paint your existing fender flares you will just have stone chips again the second you drive off the lot. So unless you plan to park your truck for 90 days while paint cures you will want to ask BMW to send new parts...

Hope the info is helpful and PM me if you need any details on who I worked with to get things squared away.

[STIto335]

Originally Posted by das144

BMW is standing behind their product and will be taking care of the stone chips on the rear fender flares and rocker panels at no cost. They are aware this a wide spread issue.

They are ordering NEW parts. The parts will be painted and left at the shop to cure for 90 days after being painted. Then, once the paint has cured I can install the new parts and the clear stone guard.
(You cant apply stone guard until paint cures from what Im told)

For those having this work done to your X5, X6 M package cars make sure you get the same set up. If they paint your existing fender flares you will just have stone chips again the second you drive off the lot. So unless you plan to park your truck for 90 days while paint cures you will want to ask BMW to send new parts...

Hope the info is helpful and PM me if you need any details on who I worked with to get things squared away.

Was this through bmw na or your local dealer? if bmw na can you give me the info of who you contacted at bmw na

Thanks

[dajimba]

My fenders are completely destroyed... Could I get some info as well... I would love to not have to repair them every year.

[Spacem5]

Recently picked up my new X5M carbon black. Have been following the threads regarding the stone chip issue for a while. Addressed the situation with the dealer when I picked up my car. They looked at me blankly. So, as a preventive step, I had a local installer install some Ventureshield on my rear fender flares and lower rear door and rocker panels focusing on the red/orange areas of concern that were delineated on previous threads. No chips so far at nearly 1000mi. Cost me $350. Well worth the future aggravation.

[huxtea2]

After complaining to the dealer, and sending them several threads on this issue, they called BMW Canada and were told it's a known issue. However, I was also told that new parts are NOT being issued. The existing parts are being repainted. My X5 35i has been at the dealer for the past three weeks. They had the rockers and flares removed and repainted. Now waiting 30 days for the paint to de-gas before they apply the PPF (we're using Avery Dennison Nano-Fusion which is supposed to be superior to the 3M products). They paid for the painting, and also for the PPF in the problem areas. I also paid out of pocket to have the entire front of the vehicle filmed, along with hood, mirrors, etc. etc. I pick it up in 10 days. I've had a loaner from them while I wait.

[STIto335]

I've got 100 miles on my car and already chips galore!!!

[Werkz12]

Originally Posted by STIto335

Was this through bmw na or your local dealer? if bmw na can you give me the info of who you contacted at bmw na

Thanks

Thru the dealer, but the dealer just calls BMWNA. In the end there is a contact at BMWNA who makes the call on if they fix the issue or not.

[Werkz12]

Originally Posted by Spacem5

Recently picked up my new X5M carbon black. Have been following the threads regarding the stone chip issue for a while. Addressed the situation with the dealer when I picked up my car. They looked at me blankly. So, as a preventive step, I had a local installer install some Ventureshield on my rear fender flares and lower rear door and rocker panels focusing on the red/orange areas of concern that were delineated on previous threads. No chips so far at nearly 1000mi. Cost me $350. Well worth the future aggravation.

Good move. Had I known about the issue I would have had this done from the start.
The truth is most of the sales guys and the dealerships in general dont educate themselves on these things. There are a few that do, but in my experience the majority know next to nothing about the product they sell and represent. Im not in the car business but if I was I make it mandatory that all employees where up to speed on these things.
1. The dealership makes money when the ventureshield is installed
2. They would avoid pissed off customers with stone chips

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by das144

Good move. Had I known about the issue I would have had this done from the start.
The truth is most of the sales guys and the dealerships in general dont educate themselves on these things. There are a few that do, but in my experience the majority know next to nothing about the product they sell and represent. Im not in the car business but if I was I make it mandatory that all employees where up to speed on these things.
1. The dealership makes money when the ventureshield is installed
2. They would avoid pissed off customers with stone chips

Because of the headache my issues have caused, the dealer now puts Nano-Fusion on EVERY X5 m-sport and X5M that they sell. I was there last week and they were applying the film to a new X5M and the owner didn't even know about it yet. Sometimes dealers learn the hard way, I guess.

[HLP126]

Originally Posted by Spacem5

Recently picked up my new X5M carbon black. Have been following the threads regarding the stone chip issue for a while. Addressed the situation with the dealer when I picked up my car. They looked at me blankly. So, as a preventive step, I had a local installer install some Ventureshield on my rear fender flares and lower rear door and rocker panels focusing on the red/orange areas of concern that were delineated on previous threads. No chips so far at nearly 1000mi. Cost me $350. Well worth the future aggravation.

$350 is sooo cheap! Our dealer said they are not paying for it & quoted $1995 for the protected film. If everything goes well, we are picking up the car tonight!!!

[MI128]

I've been reading about this for a while now and have not noticed it on mine until now. I have 12000 Miles on it and after i detailed my X5 Saturday I have tons of rock chips. I was pretty pissed. I will be calling my dealership on Monday to see what they say.

Is there any official service bulletin?

Without this forum i would of been clueless on this being wide spread. Great forum, thanks a lot.

[Werkz12]

Originally Posted by MI128

I've been reading about this for a while now and have not noticed it on mine until now. I have 12000 Miles on it and after i detailed my X5 Saturday I have tons of rock chips. I was pretty pissed. I will be calling my dealership on Monday to see what they say.

Is there any official service bulletin?

Without this forum i would of been clueless on this being wide spread. Great forum, thanks a lot.

No service bulletin. BMW doesnt "technically" acknowledge it as a problem, but they are aware. If your car has 12,000 miles I would be surprised if they fixed it. They will call it wear and tear. But its worth asking. My truck only had 1,000 miles when i brough it to them with the chips.

[x5lover7777]

my truck has 10000 miles but they only gonna put protection for further damages, so i gonna put some touch up soon... i regret that i should've done something when i noticed damage since 3000 miles
p.s. post picture of your m with new wheel. wanna see

[Naz24]

Reviving an old thread.

What is everyone doing to combat this? I knew about this issue from the start, but unfortunately bought the truck used, so at 57k miles, the fenders are DESTROYED.

I'm still under CPO, but doubt they'll do anything.

I'm thinking of trying to find a matching vinyl to cover the fenders, then PPF. The biggest problem is getting the flares painted and having to wait or drive around without protection while the paint "de gasses"

[e92BMW///M3]

let me know what you end up doing, would be interested as well because the X5M I just picked up has a similar 'issue' with the rear fender flares.

[heatmizr]

I am amazed you are getting such action on this. I did ask the dealer in USA after I bought it used and they pretended not to see the rock chips, then did some buffing to appease me (which did nothing at all to help).

This ship has sailed for me. My rockers are blasted (40k miles). Will have to just sell it as is down the road. Or possibly paint them.

[Huz-Z]

You should check out the Dr. Colorchip line of products for this. I've used this to repair rock chips to the front of my Z4 and gotten incredibly good results. Hopefully this will work for you as well. Their web site has a video showing how to use the kit (very easy) and the results.

http://www.drcolorchip.com/

and:

http://www.drcolorchip.com/demo/videos.php

give them the paint code for your car to get the matching paint color.

[Naz24]

Ok so I got midnight blue metallic 3M vinyl sample. Without a sun shot, appears to be a 95% match. Waiting for a sunny day to test the color. I may wrap em!

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by e92BMW///M3

let me know what you end up doing, would be interested as well because the X5M I just picked up has a similar 'issue' with the rear fender flares.

Check out the vinyl photo i just posted. I have a guy in Jersey who will do the job, maybe you want to use him as well

[heatmizr]

That Colorchip looks like a product/method that might actually work on the sandblasting that has kit our rockers (vs the random individual larger /deeper paint chips.
Thanks for posting!

[heatmizr]

I don't think that vinyl is going to last long if you drive it... it will get blasted even easier than the paint.