[sinbad4]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

I've got so many small chips due to the soft paint on these X3s than I ever care to admit. This is the one vehicle I wish I had forked over the cost to get it covered in something like XPEL.

ChicagoFan00 wrote this in another thread and with good reason.

For various reasons; I purchased a 2018, 2019 and now 2020 BMW X3s. All have had soft paint on the front end and had begun chipping within weeks to months. The last two X3s I have paid to have film applied to the front and very happy to have done so. I have it only on front bumper area - I did not do hood or front fenders. Ziebart charged me $300 to do only the front bumper (I also had them tint front windows and tailgate glass + $190). I had waited some weeks to get the front end covered and already there were numerous chips. Next X3 I will get front-end protection immediately.

It seems the large flat front area is especially prone to chipping... especially when driving a little faster (I tend to cruise around 80mph). I didn't notice any chipping on hood or front fenders - they are angled and I suspect less prone to chipping.

After seeing ChicagoFann00's post which matched my own feelings, it occurred to me we should really have thread to warn new X3 owners.

Consider yourself warned.

[spta97]

In the X3M forum several members are having paint flaking as well.

I had PPF put on the front and cermaic coating on the entire car so hopefully that will help.

My concerns are 1) if I get issues after my warranty expires, 2) Will the paint rip off if the PPF needs to be removed, 3) will BMW blame the PPF if it does, 4) if BMW fixes it, will they also pay for the PPF/Ceramic?

In the X3M forum the latest theory was a bad batch of primer/paint. I find this inexcusable for BMW.

Also seems to be related to plastic rather than metal parts.

[TXSchnee]

My M40i is 2 years old, and it has no chipping paint on it. I live in central TX though, and it has never seen salt or sand, I wonder if that (where you are located) could be causing the issue. Soft paint isn't ok, as it seems BMW may be cutting costs, I had no issues on either my F25 or F15.

[heavyD^2]

Soft paint has nothing to do with costs as it's something every auto manufacturer has to deal with when using water based paints. Go to any automobile forum and there will be discussions on soft paint and chipping from all brands. PPF is ramping up in usage because new vehicles are all shipping with water based paints that are not as durable as solvent based paints.

[383vett]

I had my 2018 for over 2 years and 19,000 miles. No chips.

[prolix21]

We had a small chip on the front of our X3 turn into a big chip, then a bubble and then eventually resulted in BMW actually replacing and re-painting our entire front bumper

The paint on the plastic pieces seems very delicate.

We had the entire front-end PPF'd to try and avoid this, although now I'm super paranoid about ever taking that film off

[Commerce]

Haven't noticed any paint softness issues with our 2019, generally, BMW paint is pretty hard. Nonetheless, I still went ahead with PPF on the full hood, bumper, headlights & fog lights, partial fenders and full rockers to protect against winter pitting. Hoping to get full doors done prior to winter to avoid future door scrapes.

[msg617]

2020 X3. Two months old. Already seeing chips on the front hood. Carbon black.

[JoeyO]

Being located above or below the snow belt makes a big difference with road rocks and debris. We who live above the snow belt are all too familiar with being stuck behind a car or truck on the highway and their tires kick up all sorts of rocks and pebbles left over from the salt trucks. Around here the street sweepers do an OK job of cleaning that stuff in the springtime, but they never pick up everything 100%.

[Fast400]

So in Arizona the chip situation is terrible! Rocks are imbedded into the tar to help with the heat situation...only problem is that over time they come loose and get picked up and thrown by tires. My ghetto solution is a paint touch up kit....

[gohawks23]

Not a huge fan of PPF especially for crazy cost, had it on my M3 and it looked pretty bad from rocks hitting it, etc. and I didn't want to pay several hundred dollars to replace sections of it every time it took a gash, etc. Sticking with paint and touchup (less noticeable to me than gashes in PPF) on my wife's X3. PPF to me is protecting the paint for the next owner which could be of value but the PPF itself can start to look pretty bad so its like you aren't really enjoying your paint.

[nyalpine90]

its all about weight reduction, the extra layer of paint and clear coat weights a ton!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

its all about weight reduction, the extra layer of paint and clear coat weights a ton!

Sorry, but it's all about saving money first for any company.

[Oldguysrule]

I think it might have more to do with there being a lot more earth moving equipment being trailered and trucked. Dump trucks, skid loaders, excavators all loaded with dirt and rocks in their tracks on flatbeds. Quad axel dump trucks loaded with dirt and rocks and seemingly no liability (enforceable anyway) on the part of the operators to clean the vehicle and trailers before heading down the road. I love the signs that say "stay 200 feet back" and "Operator not responsible for damage from falling debris."

And then you have the issue with roads that are beat to piss here in the US from all the trucks that travel them. One loaded semi = 30,000 cars in terms of wear. We've had an explosion in freight trucks the last 5-10 years here in the states and our infrastructure is crumbling.

[Fast400]

Originally Posted by greginchi

Not a huge fan of PPF especially for crazy cost, had it on my M3 and it looked pretty bad from rocks hitting it, etc. and I didn't want to pay several hundred dollars to replace sections of it every time it took a gash, etc. Sticking with paint and touchup (less noticeable to me than gashes in PPF) on my wife's X3. PPF to me is protecting the paint for the next owner which could be of value but the PPF itself can start to look pretty bad so its like you aren't really enjoying your paint.

I hear ya...that's kind of why I didn't do it. Re-spraying hood and bumper at a really good shop is cheaper than ppf too.

[Alias1431]

Very fair point.

[sinbad4]

Originally Posted by Fast400

I hear ya...that's kind of why I didn't do it. Re-spraying hood and bumper at a really good shop is cheaper than ppf too.

My front bumper ppf has life time warrant and cost $300. Repainting good garage here with sanding/repair at least $800 each time.

[Fast400]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

My front bumper ppf has life time warrant and cost $300. Repainting good garage here with sanding/repair at least $800 each time.

Originally Posted by sinbad4

My front bumper ppf has life time warrant and cost $300. Repainting good garage here with sanding/repair at least $800 each time.

Oh wow! That's a cheap price....cheapest quote I got was $1k hood/bumper

[Rachel8]

Thanks for the info sinbad4

I'm new to this forum, and just picked up a 2018 X3. Very excited.

I'm looking at getting PPF and ceramic coating done, but the car had some minor bodywork done. I read on other forums that I should wait 2-4 weeks for the paint to cure first? The detailer shops are saying a few days is fine.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Fast400]

Originally Posted by Rachel8

Thanks for the info sinbad4

I'm new to this forum, and just picked up a 2018 X3. Very excited.

I'm looking at getting PPF and ceramic coating done, but the car had some minor bodywork done. I read on other forums that I should wait 2-4 weeks for the paint to cure first? The detailer shops are saying a few days is fine.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Definately wait as long as you can. Personally I would wait a couple months. Some shops won't warranty their work on re-painted panels as the risk of paint lifting is very possible when removing the ppf

[Rachel8]

Originally Posted by Fast400

Definately wait as long as you can. Personally I would wait a couple months. Some shops won't warranty their work on re-painted panels as the risk of paint lifting is very possible when removing the ppf

I think I can wait 2-3 weeks max, since I already sold my old car. Appreciate your feedback. I would wait longer if I could

[mariocaz]

I love this 3M protection, I already installed it in my 2 Mini Coopers and really really protects, no turns yellow and almost 2 years ago looks invisible in the cars.

And the awesome thing is all comes already cutted for all the parts infront of the car.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X4-M-Sp...t/264015538529

Really u will love it and the cost is not crazy expensive, only I paid for the installation with someone do vinil wrap car works.

This is my JCW with the 3M PRO Protection installed.