Just picked up new M3 - need advice

[berwickm3]

Hey guys, I just picked up a used (new to me) '11 M3, absolutely loving it so far. The only thing that's bothering me is that the previous owner did not install a clear bra on the car and despite having only 3600 miles there are some chips and marring from debris. Most of this is on the front bumper, side skirts behind the front wheels and the rear bumper behind the rear wheels.

I really want to get this repaired and then get the clear bra installed. I just wanted to ask what are my options? Will I have to fully repaint the front bumper, rockers, and rear bumper? Or can those areas typically be repaired without a full repaint? Also, after I get these areas repaired, I will obviously cover the bumper in clear film. But are behind the front wheels and behind the rear wheels (inner fender portions) areas that you guys usually cover? I wasn't sure if it was feasible or not given the body ones of the car.

[Michaeljh2000]

To do it right the body shop will need to pull the parts off, strip and paint them again. No biggie. It were me though, I'd leave it alone. Just drive and enjoy. Chips happen.

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000

To do it right the body shop will need to pull the parts off, strip and paint them again. No biggie. It were me though, I'd leave it alone. Just drive and enjoy. Chips happen.

I agree. Don't get crazy over normal wear. I have never put a clear-bra a car and probably never will.

[elh0102]

Agree with above. I recently bought a used Porsche Cayman S with the clear bra covering, but I would never pay for it myself. I see it as just improving the car for the next owner. You will get no more for the car on resale or trade, assuming good maintenance.

[M3Dreams]

If its a dark color and you intend on keeping the car for a long time, get the bra put on. Otherwise, it's not worth it. I would not worry about getting it reprinted unless the chips are really bad. Also, typically every one just covers the hood and front bumper. My installer advised to put the rocker panel pieces on. I should have listened as I can see over time how the rocks kicking from the tires are chirping the paint in that area.

Congrats on your purchase.

[M3Dreams]

Originally Posted by M3Dreams

If its a dark color and you intend on keeping the car for a long time, get the bra put on. Otherwise, it's not worth it. I would not worry about getting it reprinted unless the chips are really bad. Also, typically every one just covers the hood and front bumper. My installer advised to put the rocker panel pieces on. I should have listened as I can see over time how the rocks kicking from the tires are chirping the paint in that area.

Congrats on your purchase.

I meant "repainting" not reprinting, and "chipping" not chirping.

Stupid phone's autocorrect feature.

[pro-tect mobile]

There are guys who primarily do chip and scratch repair. I would find someone in your area that can do that. There is no need to have the panels repainted... as long as it is only a few chips. Once it is done get the clear bra installed. I will check around and see if I can find you a good referrel for that area as I am in the industry. Once you get it installed you will be very happy you did. While these other guys are driving aroudn a chipped up car your will look new. It will also greatly increase your trade in/resale value when the time comes. Not to mention the peace of mind while driving is well worth it.

[pro-tect mobile]

Originally Posted by elh0102

Agree with above. I recently bought a used Porsche Cayman S with the clear bra covering, but I would never pay for it myself. I see it as just improving the car for the next owner. You will get no more for the car on resale or trade, assuming good maintenance.

Not true. When you trade in or resale your car the value will be greatly increased if the paint is pristine compared to if it is all chipped up. Would you rather buy a beat up car or one that looks new??? You bought one with a clear bra (and it benefitted you) so I am assuming the later. If the paint is perfect the dealer does not have to repsray the car for resale. That lowers their cost and gives you more room to talk them down. Also if a car has been resprayed the next owner automatically assumes the worst and will think the vehicle was wrecked. I see it all the time as I work for numerous dealerships in the area.

[Erie Von Otto]

Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000

Chips happen.

This. Get some touch up paint from BMW. Dab it. Drive it. If you keep her for a long time, respray later...

[Pauldramos]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

This. Get some touch up paint from BMW. Dab it. Drive it. If you keep her for a long time, respray later...

+1

[gatorfast]

Agree with others, dont worry about it. Plus, after getting paintwork done you are not supposed to put on a clear bra for 60-90 days to allow the paint to fully set and release. During that time you may get a few more chips anyway.

[Rekrul]

Where are you at Ohio.

[FVM3]

I live in SoCal and do plenty of freeway driving, no chip or scratch on all the cars that i have owned. I do a lot of driving, 35000-40000 miles a year

[jonasaurus]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

I live in SoCal and do plenty of freeway driving, no chip or scratch on all the cars that i have owned. I do a lot of driving, 35000-40000 miles a year

Don't know how that's useful for the OP?

OP, I was thinking recently the same thing as I never put a clear bra on after i bought my car from new and have since suffered a handful of chips. But ultimately for the cost of fixing I'd rather spend it on either the future petrol bills, mods or both.

[tibra1]

+1 on touch up paint.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I had the clear 3M bra on my previous ///M3 it was a AW ... you know what I did not like it at all, looking close you could see the cut off line also dirt would accumulate along that line (where the clear bra ended). In addition there was a shade of colour difference between the area covered and the uncovered area.

Bottom line I did not like it and will not do it again.

I'll take my chances and will avoid (if I can) driving on roads that have been heavily sanded in the winter and wait for them to clean the streets from all that winter sand. If I am unluckey so be it I'll find a good body shop to touch it up.

On my first ///M3 (2002) I had a leather bra I could install in about 15 minutes. I might get one of those for the long road trips I've planned. Problem with those is they are a bitch to clean when full of bugs, then so is the front of the car even without any protection.

Something like this my bra looked like too. Has any of you fellows seen or ordered one?

[Dave2]

Originally Posted by Alter Peter

On my first ///M3 (2002) I had a leather bra I could install in about 15 minutes.

I have a girlfriend who has a whole room full of leather goods; some of which look a little like that thing on the front of that car.

[DARK_M3]

So instead of a few chips, you want those ugly clear bra lines?

[pro-tect mobile]

Originally Posted by DARK_M3

So instead of a few chips, you want those ugly clear bra lines?

The Op doesnt want chips so he is not asking for advice on getting other mods... simply how to correct the issue he has at the moment. If the clear bra is installed properly you wont have any lines. The M3 should have the full hood covered and full fenders so you wont have a line. This forum is full of threads of propery installed clear bras... and no lines are visible.

Gatorfast; you do nto have to wait 60-90 days for the paint to cure. The rule that installers go by is 30 days unless the panel was baked. then it is good to go as soon as you pick it up. But the longest you need to wait for paint to fully cure is 30 days.

Christopher, you are lucky then. There are numerous people in here with chips after only a few hundred miles. BMW paint is very soft and chips very quickly... as the OP has already stated.

Alter, leather bras do more damage than good and are much more visible than clear bras.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by pro-tect mobile

The Op doesnt want chipos he is not aasking for your advice on getting other mods... simply how to correct the issue he has at the moment. If the clear bra is installed properly you wont have any lines. The M3 should have the full hood covered and full fenders so you wont have a line.

Has nothing to with proper install..a clear bra will ALWAYS have a line and over time gets discolored and embedded with dirt..I have seen them at various car meets and they do show

[1MOREMOD]

i bought mine slightly used and was in the same sitution. i chose not to do a clear bra and now regret it. the front is beat up much more so mainly due to track use. get the clearbra and if you have a line oh well better than chips everywhere.

[DARK_M3]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Has nothing to with proper install..a clear bra will ALWAYS have a line and over time gets discolored and embedded with dirt..I have seen them at various car meets and they do show

This.

I would say if you're going to track your car more than once than a clear bra makes sense (and looks a million times better than blue painters tape ) Otherwise there's no real point.