[Steveo535]

Hi All

I looking for opinions on a couple of issue I’ve noticed on my new X3MC.

I know I’m particular about my car hence why I didn’t want the Protect X putting in the car.

The photos show damaged trim under the bonnet and small scratches on the front wing which I can feel when I run my hand over them.

Please be honest if I’m going over the top about them. The cars paint is also full of X protect which hadn’t been removed properly (only noticed today in full sunlight) leaving what look likes swirls but no paint damage.

[Wills2]

Under the hood I'd not be bothered about myself, the scratches look like they will come out with a light polish, the protect X and the swirls I would be bothered about as a badly applied sealant (worse if it's ceramic) is a pain to get off and those swirls will be in the lacquer and you'll need a light paint correction and the protect X will need to be removed before you can get to the lacquer.

So I wouldn't be happy....

[f4780y]

Same feedback here.

Engine bay trim damage like that is not unusual - I have a couple of minor bits, and have had on previous cars too. I'd live with it (and attempt correction myself).

The badly applied Protect X would be a problem for me though. Whole point of protection is to help minimise future damage - not to inflict damage during application. I'd want that fixed.

[Wills2]

This has reminded me to call them up tomorrow and tell them not to touch it with any protect X (although they haven't mentioned they would) and not to drill the front plate.

[MMJD]

Originally Posted by Wills2

This has reminded me to call them up tomorrow and tell them not to touch it with any protect X (although they haven't mentioned they would) and not to drill the front plate.

Both are a must with any new car!

[MMJD]

Originally Posted by Steveo535

Hi All

I looking for opinions on a couple of issue I’ve noticed on my new X3MC.

I know I’m particular about my car hence why I didn’t want the Protect X putting in the car.

The photos show damaged trim under the bonnet and small scratches on the front wing which I can feel when I run my hand over them.

Please be honest if I’m going over the top about them. The cars paint is also full of X protect which hadn’t been removed properly (only noticed today in full sunlight) leaving what look likes swirls but no paint damage.

You are entitled to a brand new car! Make sure that what you receive/d.

[Steveo535]

Originally Posted by Wills2

This has reminded me to call them up tomorrow and tell them not to touch it with any protect X (although they haven't mentioned they would) and not to drill the front plate.

Make sure you ring.

I told me dealer in no uncertain terms and several times I do NOT want the Protect X as I do not like the product and use my car cleaning products and they still put it on.

To be honest this is the 4th car I bought from this dealer with no previous issues but this time for what ever reason there has been several problems along the way.

[BMWZ4]

Your dealer did this to a new vehicle? I'd be dropping it back with them to rectify asap. As others have said; engine bay not a huge issue (although, what did they do - mine was/is spotless), but the paint protection...yeah, that's not good.

[Steveo535]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Your dealer did this to a new vehicle? I'd be dropping it back with them to rectify asap. As others have said; engine bay not a huge issue (although, what did they do - mine was/is spotless), but the paint protection...yeah, that's not good.

To be honest there’s damage to both side trims under the bonnet but the picture is of the worst side.

The last car I bought new from them was spotless(without Protect X) bodywork and under the bonnet.

[spta97]

I would absolutely be bothered. You are not paying for damage to be done to your brand new car.

I recall decades ago when I got my first new car and there was a deep scratch on the hood. They said they would fix it and I told them I refuse to take delivery and had them switch the entire hood with a similar model on the lot.

I will make the same clear to my dealer upon delivery that I will not accept if there is damage.

Not sure if this was done at delivery or after but same holds true for me.

[Egrunt]

I would be bothered. It is a new vehicle have them replace the damaged / scratched parts.

[x3mcomp]

Unsure why there would be scratches under the bonnet?? I specifically asked the dealer not to touch the car for this reason. I wouldn't be happy with a poor application of the paint protection.

[kzg1969]

So, i noticed a couple things when picking up mine too - deeper scratches than yours. Ask them to cover the price of a detail to the bumper if you dont want to do it yourself. I think that is fair.

I have a Focus RS that has never seen rain and am UBER paranoid about taking it anywhere. 3.5years of ownership and just over 6000m. Not exactly value!

this X3M will not go the same way! (that said i did go out in the dark this evening and jet wash the winter grim off with filtered water)

[Steveo535]

Thanks for all the replies.

The scratches under the bonnet look like something has been dragged across the trim.

The swirls almost look like they haven’t removed the Protect X properly.

How do you remove a ceramic coating if I decide to go down that route?


What has pissed me off the most is the dealer knows I’m particular about having my car washed as I didn’t let them wash my previous cars when they had a service.

Cheers Steven.

[X3MSteve]

What's the protect x you all mention?

My dealer has a paint offer called guardex they have said they'll throw in during our haggling!

I had supaguard on a volvo I bought in 2005 and that car was amazing and so easy to clean for all ~10 years I owned it!

[Steveo535]

Originally Posted by X3MSteve

What's the protect x you all mention?

My dealer has a paint offer called guardex they have said they'll throw in during our haggling!

I had supaguard on a volvo I bought in 2005 and that car was amazing and so easy to clean for all ~10 years I owned it!

Protect X is the new product BMW are putting on their cars. You get a lifetime guarantee with it (for what it will be worth).

It is a Gardex product as the guarantee has Gardex on it so its the same product you just get a Protect X sticker in your window.

I had a product called seal and protect on my first BMW.

It was Alpine White but after they put the Seal and Protect on all leading edges on the car turned cream. Hence why I don't want any BMW protection put on any of my cars.

[bjcarls]

Doesn’t seem like a big deal to me

[kzg1969]

Originally Posted by Steveo535

How do you remove a ceramic coating if I decide to go down that route?

some of the "lesser" ones can be polished off with some cutting compound - not a polish like AG Silicon Resin.

Some of the Authorised ones (GTechniq 5 or 7 year warranty ones) need wet sanding.

What polishes do you have?

[Steveo535]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

some of the "lesser" ones can be polished off with some cutting compound - not a polish like AG Silicon Resin.

Some of the Authorised ones (GTechniq 5 or 7 year warranty ones) need wet sanding.

What polishes do you have?

I use Swissvax cleaner fluid regular.

[kzg1969]

thats no good - you need something like

Autoglym Cutting Polish
or
https://www.farecla.com/difference-between-g3-g6-g10/

but there are many types out there - both machine and hand.

Start with the least abrasive and move up if it doesnt work. It can be a bit of a minefield.

[aliwtsn]

Yeah that's not clever, it looks like the second photo you have of the paint is either poor application of this protect X BMW keep throwing at people for free or lacquer damaged from the factory protection wrap

[Steveo535]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

thats no good - you need something like

Autoglym Cutting Polish
or
https://www.farecla.com/difference-between-g3-g6-g10/

but there are many types out there - both machine and hand.

Start with the least abrasive and move up if it doesnt work. It can be a bit of a minefield.

Thanks for the info and advice. I’ll give the car a good wash and dry next weekend and see how it looks. Like I said I think a lot of the swirls are just product that hasn’t been removed properly.

Can I use a rapid detail spray on a ceramic coating?

Sorry if it’s a daft question but I’m a polish and wax man never used ceramic coatings.