URGENT Opinions needed please - hammerite paint

[jicholasnackson]

Would you accept this disgraceful level of orange peel on a brand spanking new 1 series (note pics compared to colour plaque from dealer):

[LeeZ4MR]

Its the norm sadly and all mine have looked like that when I purchased my first BMW I thought it had been in an accident and been repaired with the amount of orange peel you get on them but that's how they come from the factory...shocking really.

[TonyP]

How come the Koreans can get mirror finished paint & a 'quality' brand sends out orange peel like that, & no, I wouldn't be happy with that but if it's the norm for BMW I'm not sure where you would go from there.

[mmm-five]

It's normal, and BMW claim it's due to the rules telling them they have to use water-based paint now.

Strange then that most other companies following the same rules can manage to paint a car with no 'orange peel' effect.

I know some people have taken their brand new car to KDS Keltec for a paint correction to remove the orange peel.

[coupedan]

I noticed the same when I went to MB world, all of their cars looked like this, even the flagship AMG stuff (Crappy really)

Had a few BMW courtesy cars and they were the same.

I'm unsure about the VAG stuff but my OH SEAT has next to none orange peel and that's red!

[jicholasnackson]

I may be the norm but not too many people stand there ground, which is sad because the industry then gets away with it.

Spoken to the new car sales manager and we are reviewing again tomorrow. Resolution is quite simple: either wet sand or rejection and I'll have my deposit back.

Since the colour plaque is the only thing we saw to gauge the colour of the paint (and finish) prior to purchase, it can be judged that it is the "control" of any paint quality. Alas it falls well below the standard of the colour plaque and therefore can be argued it is not sold as described.

Also it really is sad that this new 1 series has worse paint than the less than half price Aygo we are chopping in!

[TitanTim]

My Z4 isn't too bad but may be down to it being Titanium and My Z3 is perfect.

This was discussed on BabyBMW a while back and seems common on the 1 Series, nothing you can do except wetsand the whole car which will cost and would you want to do that to a new car.

Goes back to my other thread re are BMWs worth what you pay for them.

Tim.

[Angie4m]

It is sad, I had to have a respray on my E88 on the near side thanks to an old joker hitting me and the bodyshop that did it left the car with the most impeccable paint work. It was thicker than the standard paint on the off side and was a non orange peel, mirror finish. Not sure why BMW couldn't get it like that at new. Loved looking at the passenger side but hated the rest as it was really let down by the standard orange peel.

I hope they sort it for you but not sure they'll make it much better to be honest.

[ben g]

This is very much ''the norm'' these days.

It is to do with water based paint as ford has the same issue.

It's never bothered me massively, but I can understand your reasons for wanting it sorted.

[TitanTim]

This is very much ''the norm'' these days.

It is to do with water based paint as ford has the same issue.

It's never bothered me massively, but I can understand your reasons for wanting it sorted.

I've never really noticed it on Jap cars to be honest, so they must be doing something right.

Tim.

[shawna]

Jap cars are even worse. The new ones have absolutely no reflection. Especially a solid colour like red on the Toyota yaris.

Re the Germans :
The process has changed. They are now being sort of 'powder coated' hence the orange peel/ enamel look.

It makes for a much faster turnaround.

My mate had the same issue with his m3.

You have to accept it. No body shop can really replicate that.

Further information re this powder paint here:
http://benzs.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-b ... depth.html

[BeemerMad]

Jap cars are even worse. The new ones have absolutely no reflection. Especially a solid colour like red on the Toyota yaris.

Re the Germans :
The process has changed. They are now being sort of 'powder coated' hence the orange peel/ enamel look.

It makes for a much faster turnaround.

My mate had the same issue with his m3.

You have to accept it. No body shop can really replicate that.

Further information re this powder paint here:
http://benzs.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-b ... depth.html

I was about to say honda. There paintwork is terrible. I remember when the fn2 type r came out especially milano red. Everyone was complaining

[ben g]

Also milano red fades rather badly. Not a good look.

[original guvnor]

Mines going to KDS at some point fairly soon for the wet-sand because the orange peel annoys me.

[jicholasnackson]

Thought I would just update this with the outcome.

BMW UK paint guru said it was to "factory production standard" (knew he was going to come out with that bullsh*t). Again my argument was BMW are supposed to be a premium/prestige brand (confirmed by the sales manager when I asked), so how come the paint finish is worse than on the less than half price Toyota Aygo. Response was that BMW don't comment on the finish from other manufacturers. I mean WTF, BMW apparently don't benchmark against any competition!

Anyway, more to-ing and fro-ing and in the end I get my deposit back and we walk away from the car. Doesn't look like I'l be buying anymore new BMWs given the unwillingness to rectify quite a major problem. Again, it may be done to their powder process, or any other reason, but the fact is it is a diabolical finish that people should not accept. But the masses do and that's why BMW have clearly let their standards slip.