M Sport paint chipping : Is it a 20in wheel issue??

[MJim]

I would really appreciate you feedback on this, as I've been trying to figure why some M Sports seem to suffer bad stone chipping whereas others seem to have no such problem at all.

I got talking to a guy at a dinner last night who turned out has an X5 35d M sport, with the 19in wheels. I asked, and apparently no stone chipping problem (he later wheel span off in his 997 Carrera S so don't think driving style would explain it!). I have received a comment elsewhere from someone with a black 30d M Sport that he hasn't had a problem with stone chipping, who as it happens also has 19in wheels. I have also done a quick look at some forum members who have said they suffer from bad chipping round the rear wheel arches and this time the 20in wheels seem to be a common thread.

Could be coincidence, but perhaps the added width is enough to send stones down the side of the car rather than underneath?

Is this consistent with members' experience - i.e. do all M Sports with 20 in wheels suffer chipping and 19 in wheels get away with limited chipping?? Really appreciate your feedback!

Many thanks in advance for any comments!

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by MJim

I would really appreciate you feedback on this, as I've been trying to figure why some M Sports seem to suffer bad stone chipping whereas others seem to have no such problem at all.

I got talking to a guy at a dinner last night who turned out has an X5 35d M sport, with the 19in wheels. I asked, and apparently no stone chipping problem (he later wheel span off in his 997 Carrera S so don't think driving style would explain it!). I have received a comment elsewhere from someone with a black 30d M Sport that he hasn't had a problem with stone chipping, who as it happens also has 19in wheels. I have also done a quick look at some forum members who have said they suffer from bad chipping round the rear wheel arches and this time the 20in wheels seem to be a common thread.

Could be coincidence, but perhaps the added width is enough to send stones down the side of the car rather than underneath?

Is this consistent with members' experience - i.e. do all M Sports with 20 in wheels suffer chipping and 19 in wheels get away with limited chipping?? Really appreciate your feedback!

Many thanks in advance for any comments!

See link to my thread here

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x-m-forum/78220-x5-m-m-package-paint-chipping-issue.html

[MJim]

Many thanks for the link - much appreciated!! I saw this a while back, but useful to look at it again. I've also posted my question as to whether M Sports with 19in wheels are unaffected!

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by MJim

Many thanks for the link - much appreciated!! I saw this a while back, but useful to look at it again. I've also posted my question as to whether M Sports with 19in wheels are unaffected!

I only received my X5 M Sport (19in wheels) last week and the car has not been washed since so hard to pick out every detail, but after reading your initial post I looked at it this morning and, sure enough, there are chips on the front of the rear flares. I'm still on my second tank of gas! Not cool. Not sure what to do. Talk to the dealer?

[renaissancemango]

I've got a few customers with the painted fender flares, all have had chipping issues on the rear lowers with less than a few thousand miles. Even one where the dealer installed film didn't adhere correctly on the rocker and now has dirt behind it.

Are the unpainted black plastic flares and rockers from some other X5 packages not exhibiting any kind of damage?

[MJim]

Originally Posted by huxtea2

I only received my X5 M Sport (19in wheels) last week and the car has not been washed since so hard to pick out every detail, but after reading your initial post I looked at it this morning and, sure enough, there are chips on the front of the rear flares. I'm still on my second tank of gas! Not cool. Not sure what to do. Talk to the dealer?

Huxtea2 - many thanks for your response, and I'm very sorry you've suffered stone chipping too. Some owners here in the UK have been successful getting BMW to respray under warranty, and in some cases also getting BMW to fit protective film. In other cases it's been left to the owner to sort out. Sadly many owners have found that BMWs are great cars but the customer service is lousy. Some owners have also fitted mud flaps to reduce the chipping but you may not like the look. I hope you can get it sorted by BMW...

[MJim]

EcoAutoCT - many thanks for your reply - very much appreciated! Sounds like I need to get 3M fitted (properly)!! I suspect the black plastic wheel arches will take slight damage, but you just won't notice a minor dent or scrape in it. Once again, many thanks!!

[LEDZEP]

We purchased our E70 MSport as a CPO, so it was already plenty chipped up. It seems to be a design side effect that probably wasn't well considered. If I were buying new, I would put 3M film on immediately, but as it is, I'll just have to live with it. FWIW I have the 19" wheels.

What really made it obvious to me was during winter when I could see where the snow and salt residue was thrown.... straight at the rear lower flare!

[LEDZEP]

I'd be interested to learn about the M Sport mud flaps - if anyone has any information on them. Photos would be super nice!

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I'd be interested to learn about the M Sport mud flaps - if anyone has any information on them. Photos would be super nice!

Not many photos on the web... a google search found a couple. I talked to my dealer about this yesterday and they're going to apply Avery Nano-Fusion next week at no charge. Did some research on this last night and seems to be effective. And life time warranty for original owner which is much better than 3M. Only thing to figure out with the dealer now is how to handle the existing chips on my two week old X5. Not sure how I'm going to approach that one yet.

I'd love to see a pic of the M Sport mud flaps on a Carbon Black. Wondering if it would look okay.

[Frank_NJ]

That was my concern and I went with a X5 Premium with 19" instead! Hopefully BMW will cone up with a solution soon!

[PIEZON]

Originally Posted by huxtea2

Not many photos on the web... a google search found a couple. I talked to my dealer about this yesterday and they're going to apply Avery Nano-Fusion next week at no charge. Did some research on this last night and seems to be effective. And life time warranty for original owner which is much better than 3M. Only thing to figure out with the dealer now is how to handle the existing chips on my two week old X5. Not sure how I'm going to approach that one yet.

I'd love to see a pic of the M Sport mud flaps on a Carbon Black. Wondering if it would look okay.

Can you please elaborate on the Avery Nano Fushion? Is this permanent? Is it a film? Can you notice it? Can you wax over it? Etc? Thank you very much!

[MJim]

For those interested, I attach a link to another forum, which contains photos of the M mudflaps (in blue) - not sure if these are for the M Sport or M or if there's any difference.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... sue-2.html

[LEDZEP]

I recall the "nano" sealant product being offered when we took delivery, which of course I declined. Not really sure what it is, and am suspicious of the trendy marketing use of the word 'nano'. I suspect it is a paint sealant treatment. I could see its value as a sealant if you don't like to polish and wax, but not sure how that product will prevent damage from projectiles. Be interesting to learn.

I googled the flaps last night, and it does appear that they make a special set for M and M Sport. They sure are expensive! Almost $300 if you put them all around. They look like flat black ABS, so should disappear pretty well on carbon black or sapphire (which is what I have). I might try just putting them on the front only, and if it looks retarded I can add the rears.

Honestly, given the design issue here I think BMW should give all M and M Sport owners a set of these installed at no charge.

Back to the OP question of 19" vs. 20", I don't think it makes a difference. I think the tire width is probably very similar and the diameter overall will be the same (larger wheel = lower profile tire, but same diameter). Driving habits and conditions will play a much bigger role. Salted roads, gravel or dirt, etc. will provide the projectiles. Spirited driving habits will contribute, etc.

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by PIEZON

Can you please elaborate on the Avery Nano Fushion? Is this permanent? Is it a film? Can you notice it? Can you wax over it? Etc? Thank you very much!

I've done a fair amount of research on this in the past two days, and I'm impressed. Was spoken of very highly on both Corvette and Porche forums (thank you google).

http://www.nano-fusion.net/

Apparently they designed this from the ground up in response to the popularity of the 3M product. It's only 6 mil but supposed to be very tough. The best part... lifetime warranty for original owner, including labour costs. Supposed to be much more resilient to yellowing and cracking.

[PIEZON]

Originally Posted by huxtea2

I've done a fair amount of research on this in the past two days, and I'm impressed. Was spoken of very highly on both Corvette and Porche forums (thank you google).

http://www.nano-fusion.net/

Apparently they designed this from the ground up in response to the popularity of the 3M product. It's only 6 mil but supposed to be very tough. The best part... lifetime warranty for original owner, including labour costs. Supposed to be much more resilient to yellowing and cracking.

Please let us know how you like it! Good luck!

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by PIEZON

Please let us know how you like it! Good luck!

Update: So I'm getting the Nano-Fusion applied on April 1st. The dealer is paying for the touching up of a few small chips already on the rear flares, along with the cost of the Nano and labour. I'm nervous about the whole thing, but I think it's about as good as I can hope for at the moment, all things considered. Wish me luck.

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by huxtea2

Update: So I'm getting the Nano-Fusion applied on April 1st. The dealer is paying for the touching up of a few small chips already on the rear flares, along with the cost of the Nano and labour. I'm nervous about the whole thing, but I think it's about as good as I can hope for at the moment, all things considered. Wish me luck.

Lucky guy!

I paid nearly $1800 for my application (14 mil 3M)

Stealer had nothing to do with paying for mine!

[AM47]

My Wife Has A 2011 X5 M With 3m Film No Chips Or Any Complaints, Although Small Edge Of 3 M Is Comimg Away From Body, I Assume The Dealer Will Provide Warranty For This..................

[huxtea2]

Originally Posted by northern2020

Lucky guy!

I paid nearly $1800 for my application (14 mil 3M)

Stealer had nothing to do with paying for mine!

Well the dealer is paying for the parts of the application that cover the trouble zones. I'm coughing up another $1,200ish to pay get the rest of the car done. But yeah, could be worse. I'm nervous because the Nano-Fusion product is only 6 mil, yet I've read several posts saying they needed the 14 mil 3M. I'm hoping the 6 mil on this particular application is gonna do the trick.

[northern2020]

Originally Posted by huxtea2

Well the dealer is paying for the parts of the application that cover the trouble zones. I'm coughing up another $1,200ish to pay get the rest of the car done. But yeah, could be worse. I'm nervous because the Nano-Fusion product is only 6 mil, yet I've read several posts saying they needed the 14 mil 3M. I'm hoping the 6 mil on this particular application is gonna do the trick.

From what I have read and seen, 8 or even 10 mil still gets sandblasted badly and may need replacing.

I used 14 mil on rockers, flares, and it is still looking great. I don't mind the added thickness.

I used 8mill for front, and full hood.

I even considered using 14 mil for the flares with an additional a layer of 6mil over top that you could peel away and reapply after every winter, but the installer said it would be difficult to strip off and reapply.

Hope this helps

[PIEZON]

Originally Posted by northern2020

From what I have read and seen, 8 or even 10 mil still gets sandblasted badly and may need replacing.

I used 14 mil on rockers, flares, and it is still looking great. I don't mind the added thickness.

I used 8mill for front, and full hood.

I even considered using 14 mil for the flares with an additional a layer of 6mil over top that you could peel away and reapply after every winter, but the installer said it would be difficult to strip off and reapply.

Hope this helps

How much does this cost and how often do you need to reapply? Also is it noticeable?