Due to the DESPICABLE QUALITY of the paint... (archive)

on our Z3s, you have unfortunately sustained real damage. Unfortunately, I had the same situation occur about a year ago. I was in a restaurant here in Florida along the coast, parked in the shade under the proverbial "old oak tree" and I came out less than an hour later to the same situation. In one hour or less, the bird dropping on the hood which I immediately washed off, had eaten through the clear coats at the very least.

The next day I worked on the spot with "all the kings horses and all the kings men" to no avail. I finally had to break out the hard core rubbing compound to even out the spot.

I have written BMW on several occasions about the poor quality of the paint on our Z3s. I was always polite and to the point. I even discussed this with personal in the paint department during HC98. They feigned total ignorance as to any possible durability problems with the paint. I recently went so far as to say I was considering a new 2001 M roadster, but only if I were assured that the paint formulation had been improved. As always, no answers whatsoever.

My Z3 for the most part sits in the garage all week, but come the weekend, off we go! It seems like after every weekend road trip, there is an average of two chips to touch up. Memorial Day weekend was 1,024 miles, and again two more chips. So what will my finish look like after 100,000 miles? It ain't pretty, so you do the math. And it goes without saying, I never, ever follow a SUV or Semi. As a matter of fact, I won't even try to pass a Semi until the coast is clear so that I can blast all the way past.

I'm all for the environment, and a clean facility in Spartenburg, but the poor durability of the paint is something that BMW had better address soon, real soon. We paid a lot of money for our beautiful supposedly "high end" cars. We maintain them meticulously, and you just about have to cry when you see the puck marks and touch up all over the front end and mirrors.

BMW knows this is the truth, witnessed by the fact that they are covering under warranty the repainting of the front end of those Z3s with the worst of damage. We deserve better, let's ask for it. Better yet, let's demand it!

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