[dtg]

I just got my '07 E92 in Space Gray Metallic and after just two weeks of driving, I've noticed at least four tiny rock chips on the front of the hood (one sticks out like a sore thumb) and so I'm wondering if it makes sense to fix them and then get a clear bra (3M) or if this is not normal?

I don't drive on bad roads at all so it puzzles me that this happened and makes me wonder if I have a bad paint job since my car is an '06 build date.

Any help please?

[Mr.335iCoupe]

same here, rock chips too easily.

[dtg]

Originally Posted by Mr.335iCoupe

same here, rock chips too easily.

so what do you do? just let them pile up then paint the hood!

I'm thinking 3m but I'm worried about seeing the line.

[picus]

Yes, they chip easily. Aside from a re-spray a proper clear bra is the best option. The difference between good clear bra installs and bad ones is huge, so find a good installer who uses a good film.

[dtg]

Originally Posted by picus

Yes, they chip easily. Aside from a re-spray a proper clear bra is the best option. The difference between good clear bra installs and bad ones is huge, so find a good installer who uses a good film.

how much can I expect to pay to cover the front?

[positiveions]

I heard upward of 2k for a really good film and depends on what you want done.

[cn555ic]

Paint is easily chipped, I blame some of it on BMW paint, but I also blame the fact that these union pricks that work on the roads in NY...THey basically milk the freaking job for years and all this construction doesn't help...Its taken over 9 years to fix the Gowanus Expressway, meanwhile it takes less than two years to build a skyscraper!!!what a joke this Defoe characters are that work on the highways in NEW YORK!!!

[dtg]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

I heard upward of 2k for a really good film and depends on what you want done.

$2000 for film --- THAT'S NUTS... I can get the whole front end resprayed ... four times!

I was thinking maybe $500 or so and then it would make sense but for $2k I think I'll live with the chips and touch-up paint.

[MCMLXXXIX]

hmm

one of my professors told me that BMW has one of, if not, the best painting process. i dont understand how the paint would get so sensitive

[picus]

Originally Posted by dtg

how much can I expect to pay to cover the front?

$~$350 for 18-24" up the hood, fenders, and mirrors. ~$500-$600 for the entire front bumper.

Originally Posted by eatrach73

I heard upward of 2k for a really good film and depends on what you want done.

$2k will get you the entire front end (full hood, fenders, bumper, all wrapped) and rockers. Most people don't do that.

Originally Posted by dtg

$2000 for film --- THAT'S NUTS... I can get the whole front end resprayed ... four times!

I was thinking maybe $500 or so and then it would make sense but for $2k I think I'll live with the chips and touch-up paint.

$500 is more than enough. I have my front end done, bumper and 18" up the hood, fender, mirrors. Total cost was $715. If I did it again I'd do the hood and fender/mirror only, $345. I have only one chip above the bra in 47k km. I see 335i's like, every day (for work), and ones without bra's with any real highway driving are peppered with chips @10k km.

I am like 99% positive there are film installers in your area that will do a wrapped extended venture shield or 3m install for under ~$350 max. If it's installed correctly you won't see it when the car is clean. Here are some pics I took of mine *trying* to have it show up on camera.

http://****************/fp/335i/kevin/aug08/6.jpg

http://****************/fp/335i/kevin/sept07/g.jpg

http://****************/fp/335i/kevin/sept07/i.jpg

and from behind.

http://****************/fp/335i/kevin/tintcb/8.jpg

[picus]

Originally Posted by MCMLXXXIX

hmm

one of my professors told me that BMW has one of, if not, the best painting process. i dont understand how the paint would get so sensitive

They have the most *environmentally friendly* painting process; it's one of the most advanced in that sense; but as a result the paint is quite fragile. They use a water based slurry which has virtually no VOC's (so very safe for workers and the environment), but since it's water based it's soft and tends to dry with a lot of orange peel. So, he's right in a sense, but as always environmentally friendly can sometimes mean a compromise in other aspects.

[yamazaho]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with others that the paint on BMW chipped too easy. I simply let them pile up and just repaint the front (cost me $350 for paint, done it twice so far). Part of the reason that my front paint chipped quickly is because I had to commute between New Orleans and Baton Rouge on I-10 from time to time, and the road in between is under constructions. It's getting a lot smoother now, which is nice, but the tiny rocks are just everywhere.

[dtg]

Originally Posted by picus

They have the most *environmentally friendly* painting process; it's one of the most advanced in that sense; but as a result the paint is quite fragile. They use a water based slurry which has virtually no VOC's (so very safe for workers and the environment), but since it's water based it's soft and tends to dry with a lot of orange peel. So, he's right in a sense, but as always environmentally friendly can sometimes mean a compromise in other aspects.

Thanks for the feedback. Did you do the Ventureshield kit that includes the OEM front spoiler? I don't think Xpel offers a kit with the front spoiler???

Also, your wheels look great.... what are they (size, mfg, finish)?

Thanks again.

[picus]

Originally Posted by dtg

Thanks for the feedback. Did you do the Ventureshield kit that includes the OEM front spoiler? I don't think Xpel offers a kit with the front spoiler???

Also, your wheels look great.... what are they (size, mfg, finish)?

Thanks again.

You mean the bottom of the bumper? The bumper kit should cover the entire bumper, mine did. The kit that the installer cuts is really up to them, the film doesn't matter. They buy the film then use the plotter to cut whichever kit they want.

My wheels are DPE S20's, matte black and polished aluminum lip. 19x8.5 and 19x10.

Cheers.

[328i]

Picus have you noticed less chipping on Jet Black? I'm really not happy with the paint on my Jet Black e90, the front bumper is pitted to hell I wish I had gotten a clear bra. But the hood is doesn't have much chipping, perhaps it's because the paint is so soft?

I think the worse paint I've seen so far was Nissan paint, the paint on my fathers previous Murano was very thin and had tons of chips after a year. I imagine it would need a respray after 3-4 years.

[Nebster]

i haven't noticed too much but if i'm going on super long trips i do the blue bra or green bra.

cheap insurance for paint and only costs 5-7 bucks a trip

[J BONE]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Paint is easily chipped, I blame some of it on BMW paint, but I also blame the fact that these union pricks that work on the roads in NY...THey basically milk the freaking job for years and all this construction doesn't help...Its taken over 9 years to fix the Gowanus Expressway, meanwhile it takes less than two years to build a skyscraper!!!what a joke this Defoe characters are that work on the highways in NEW YORK!!!

Must be the same guys that work in chicago! Couldn't agree more with you.

[ScheerSpeed]

once i got my front end repainted after my accident it hasn't gotten any chips in the bumper. the hood however has 3 BIG chips

[picus]

Originally Posted by 328i

Picus have you noticed less chipping on Jet Black? I'm really not happy with the paint on my Jet Black e90, the front bumper is pitted to hell I wish I had gotten a clear bra. But the hood is doesn't have much chipping, perhaps it's because the paint is so soft?

I think the worse paint I've seen so far was Nissan paint, the paint on my fathers previous Murano was very thin and had tons of chips after a year. I imagine it would need a respray after 3-4 years.

I haven't noticed more or less on JB; seems the same; a lot. I think a lot of it is the roads you drive (well duh. ), but really, around here when I have clients who drive the 401 a lot they always have major chips, usually large diameter ones and sometimes with dents in them. Guys like me who stick to the slower commuter routes tend to get smaller chips, usually the kind that look like little indentations in the clear. Either way, e90/e92s chip easily.

And yes, Nissan paint sucks. Some of the worst in the industry.

[ducati955]

i love my clear bra and will do it on every car i own for now on, its so worry free... i thought that i'd be able to see it too, but u really can't unless you look on a certain angle

[Deda]

its a normal thing,dont worry about that!

[e90fanatic]

Originally Posted by dtg

I just got my '07 E92 in Space Gray Metallic and after just two weeks of driving, I've noticed at least four tiny rock chips on the front of the hood (one sticks out like a sore thumb) and so I'm wondering if it makes sense to fix them and then get a clear bra (3M) or if this is not normal?

I don't drive on bad roads at all so it puzzles me that this happened and makes me wonder if I have a bad paint job since my car is an '06 build date.

Any help please?

just get clear bra on asap...had mine on since day 2 and never regret it. also if u find a good clear bra installer, they can touch up the chips...once u put the bra on, u can barely notice the touch ups anyways (if done very well)