WTFBBQ cost cutting thin BMW paint

stuka · 08-25-2011, 12:48 AM

So, today I decided to meter the M3's paint, and holy cost cutting BMW!

The average thickness of all panels is less than 5mils!

To put it in perspective, the E39 M5 that I also have has a paint thickness of about 6.5 mils. Well, after the paint correction it was more like low 5.5 mils.

I decided to meter the paint because I noticed that on my less than 200 mile M3, there are already micro dents on the paint. The good thing is that it's just small superficial dents on the clearcoat and that it did not go through either the clear or the paint, but WTF man!?? Do we really have to cut over 2mils of paint thickness?

Oh, and my aluminum and steel paint meter registered nothing on the fenders, what kind of composite material is it?

rdollie · 08-25-2011, 01:21 AM

Don't assume because it's thinner that it's cheaper. This may have been a weight saving measure (BMWs are porky and engineers have been struggling to shave weight for the past few years) and depending on what was done with the paint it's possible (I have no specific knowledge of this paint) it's more expensive.

stuka · 08-25-2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdollie

Don't assume because it's thinner that it's cheaper. This may have been a weight saving measure (BMWs are porky and engineers have been struggling to shave weight for the past few years) and depending on what was done with the paint it's possible (I have no specific knowledge of this paint) it's more expensive.

They haven't changed the paint supplier, they are just using less of it.

And as the micro dents on my clearcoat demonstrates, thinner is most definitely not better.

piloto · 08-25-2011, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuka

Oh, and my aluminum and steel paint meter registered nothing on the fenders, what kind of composite material is it?

It's injection molded, from a CFRP (i.e. some type of moldable resin, could be a type of ABS for instance, with carbon fiber strands mixed in it). The raw material (i.e. the pellets) have the glass or carbon fibers chopped into them already, so once they heat up and flow into the cavity, you get a finished part with some fiber content for added strength. The more fiber (to a point), the stronger, but also more brittle as it limits the plastic range of the material. Sorry for the poor explanation, didn't realize how tired I was until I started typing.

piloto · 08-25-2011, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4G63

Seriously though, lifes too short to worry about petty things. Be happy you're driving an awesome car!

QFT! This statement should be a sticky at the top of this forum.

gemini330zhp · 08-25-2011, 02:17 AM

The paint on my car looks fine to me its still shines!!!!

spyderco10 · 08-25-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

It's injection molded, from a CFRP (i.e. some type of moldable resin, could be a type of ABS for instance, with carbon fiber strands mixed in it). The raw material (i.e. the pellets) have the glass or carbon fibers chopped into them already, so once they heat up and flow into the cavity, you get a finished part with some fiber content for added strength. The more fiber (to a point), the stronger, but also more brittle as it limits the plastic range of the material. Sorry for the poor explanation, didn't realize how tired I was until I started typing.

AKA plastic

Serious · 08-25-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piloto

It's injection molded, from a CFRP (i.e. some type of moldable resin, could be a type of ABS for instance, with carbon fiber strands mixed in it). The raw material (i.e. the pellets) have the glass or carbon fibers chopped into them already, so once they heat up and flow into the cavity, you get a finished part with some fiber content for added strength. The more fiber (to a point), the stronger, but also more brittle as it limits the plastic range of the material. Sorry for the poor explanation, didn't realize how tired I was until I started typing.

They are most definitely not CFRP. The 6 series fenders for instance are made of an engineered polymer called Noryl GTX which is a blend of polyamide and a polyphenylene ether polymer. No filler is used.

I can't imagine the 3 series fenders would be significantly different from those developed for the e63 6 series.

mdosu · 08-25-2011, 09:08 AM

better put the full car condom on.

Rekrul · 08-25-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

better put the full car condom on.

ahaha

-=Hot|Ice=- · 08-25-2011, 09:30 AM

No surprise.

Team Plutonium · 08-25-2011, 09:38 AM

Dear lord... people have too much time on their hands. Who gives a sh!t?

Kiemyster · 08-25-2011, 09:48 AM

I cant understand how we are on M3 post and your bashing the OP. Id expect it in e90post but come on? the man has a valid point.

Having a white m3, i notice the chips and indentations on my car all the time. I am one of the most anal people you will meet when it comes to my cars. My 2 other e90s can get scratched, dented, and dinged and it doesnt affect me. But DONT FUCK with a mans M3. That being said, I fully agree with the OP, this paint is far too fragile! I look at E39's and E46's that are almost 10 years old and their paint still looks far more in tact than an E90 born in 06.

The paint on the older models just held up much better, and i refuse to believe anyone can not agree with it. Sure its something small like paint, but for those who intend on keeping their cars for many years or even life its kind of dissapointing to have this to deal with. The amount of rock chips on my car drives me up a wall. I dont drive behind trucks, I dont drive through debris, and the indentations dont really cut all the way to the paint, it just damages the clearcoat.

Fuck, is a little more paint THAT much to ask for?

Team Plutonium · 08-25-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

I cant understand how we are on M3 post and your bashing the OP. Id expect it in e90post but come on? the man has a valid point.

Having a white m3, i notice the chips and indentations on my car all the time. I am one of the most anal people you will meet when it comes to my cars. My 2 other e90s can get scratched, dented, and dinged and it doesnt affect me. But DONT FUCK with a mans M3. That being said, I fully agree with the OP, this paint is far too fragile! I look at E39's and E46's that are almost 10 years old and their paint still looks far more in tact than an E90 born in 06.

The paint on the older models just held up much better, and i refuse to believe anyone can not agree with it. Sure its something small like paint, but for those who intend on keeping their cars for many years or even life its kind of dissapointing to have this to deal with. The amount of rock chips on my car drives me up a wall. I dont drive behind trucks, I dont drive through debris, and the indentations dont really cut all the way to the paint, it just damages the clearcoat.

Fuck, is a little more paint THAT much to ask for?

We know the paint is thin... the paint was thin on my Porsche, and Mercedes. Nothing new here...

Snig · 08-25-2011, 09:55 AM

If you think the paint is thin on our cars, try owning a DMC-12.

FLOSS M · 08-25-2011, 10:26 AM

I have nicks and chips all over the hood, bumper, fenders etc. Highway driving will cause it. Not happy about it but the car is a blast to drive!

E90Fleet · 08-25-2011, 10:56 AM

European manufacturers are begin forced to use less and less paint due to environmental reasons.

Dupont is constantly striving to keep up with regulations

stuka · 08-25-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4G63

OMG! Lawsuit!

Seriously though, lifes too short to worry about petty things. Be happy you're driving an awesome car!

A 200 mile car that already has some clearcoat damage because BMW decided that they can cut cost by using less paint is not petty.

It's 200 miles, not 20K miles.

stuka · 08-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

better put the full car condom on.

My M5 has clearbra on the entire car.

I just haven't gotten around to getting clearbra on the M5, because who would have thought at 200 miles that there would be any micro dents on the clearcoat.

stuka · 08-25-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

We know the paint is thin... the paint was thin on my Porsche, and Mercedes. Nothing new here...

My Turbo and my GT2 had thicker paint than 4.5 mils.

Even older BMW's have thicker paint than the M3, cars less than 8 years older than the M3.

Cost cutting is all well and good, like not painting the underside of the panels whereas back in the E34 and E30 days they did. But thinning the paint has a direct impact on the durability.

stuka · 08-25-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

European manufacturers are begin forced to use less and less paint due to environmental reasons.

Dupont is constantly striving to keep up with regulations

BMW uses Glasurit.

stuka · 08-25-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDS335i

I have nicks and chips all over the hood, bumper, fenders etc. Highway driving will cause it. Not happy about it but the car is a blast to drive!

I am not going to drive the M3 until it gets clearbra'ed. WHich means I would have to get my ass in gear and clay and wax the M5.

08-25-2011, 12:48 AM	#1
stuka Private First Class Drives: 03 M5, 88 325is Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 108 iTrader: (0)	WTFBBQ cost cutting thin BMW paint So, today I decided to meter the M3's paint, and holy cost cutting BMW! The average thickness of all panels is less than 5mils! To put it in perspective, the E39 M5 that I also have has a paint thickness of about 6.5 mils. Well, after the paint correction it was more like low 5.5 mils. I decided to meter the paint because I noticed that on my less than 200 mile M3, there are already micro dents on the paint. The good thing is that it's just small superficial dents on the clearcoat and that it did not go through either the clear or the paint, but WTF man!?? Do we really have to cut over 2mils of paint thickness? Oh, and my aluminum and steel paint meter registered nothing on the fenders, what kind of composite material is it? __________________ 13 STI sedan WRB/alcantara 12 CTSV Wagon 6 speed, going going.... 06 M3 CB/black ZCP 6 speed Last edited by stuka; 08-26-2011 at 01:16 AM. Reason: EDIT, the Venture Sheild actually adds 8 mils total to the paint thickness, not 6.
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08-25-2011, 02:17 AM	#6
gemini330zhp Major Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: BergenCo NewJersey Posts: 1,181 iTrader: (0)	The paint on my car looks fine to me its still shines!!!! __________________ 2008 Jet Black E90 M3 6SPD no sunroof and 18s to my specs

08-25-2011, 09:08 AM	#9
mdosu Help! Can't decide btw MW & AW, 1st world problems Drives: 2008.99989 SSII E90 "Civic" Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,852 iTrader: (4)	better put the full car condom on. __________________ Yes, that's a xmas tree in my trunk

08-25-2011, 09:38 AM	#12
Team Plutonium Major General Drives: 911 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate Posts: 8,456 iTrader: (1)	Dear lord... people have too much time on their hands. Who gives a sh!t? __________________ Gone... ESS VT2-625 \| ESS Tune \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| Dinan 4.10 Diff \| KW Variant 3 Coilovers \| Dinan Camber Plates \| Dinan Strut Tower Braces \| Dinan X-Pipe \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Vorsteiner GTS3 Bumper \| Varis System One Diffuser \| OEM Performance Spoiler \| Stack Gauges \| GTS Door Sills \| Volk TE37 \| Falken Azenis RT615K 275/315 \| Pulled Fenders \| Turner Stud Kit \| OMP ARS Racing Seats New: 991C2S

08-25-2011, 09:48 AM	#13
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant Drives: E90x4 (M3, 335xi, 325xi,320i) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC Posts: 3,081 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [0.50] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [3.50] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	I cant understand how we are on M3 post and your bashing the OP. Id expect it in e90post but come on? the man has a valid point. Having a white m3, i notice the chips and indentations on my car all the time. I am one of the most anal people you will meet when it comes to my cars. My 2 other e90s can get scratched, dented, and dinged and it doesnt affect me. But DONT FUCK with a mans M3. That being said, I fully agree with the OP, this paint is far too fragile! I look at E39's and E46's that are almost 10 years old and their paint still looks far more in tact than an E90 born in 06. The paint on the older models just held up much better, and i refuse to believe anyone can not agree with it. Sure its something small like paint, but for those who intend on keeping their cars for many years or even life its kind of dissapointing to have this to deal with. The amount of rock chips on my car drives me up a wall. I dont drive behind trucks, I dont drive through debris, and the indentations dont really cut all the way to the paint, it just damages the clearcoat. Fuck, is a little more paint THAT much to ask for? __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi

08-25-2011, 01:21 AM	#2
rdollie Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 258 iTrader: (0)	Don't assume because it's thinner that it's cheaper. This may have been a weight saving measure (BMWs are porky and engineers have been struggling to shave weight for the past few years) and depending on what was done with the paint it's possible (I have no specific knowledge of this paint) it's more expensive.

08-25-2011, 09:30 AM	#11
-=Hot\|Ice=- Been There, Done That. Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,729 iTrader: (0)	No surprise.

08-25-2011, 09:55 AM	#15
Snig Here, have a gif. Drives: 2008 SGM E90 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2011 Location: 2013 MG 335i M-Sport 6MT Posts: 1,352 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 E90 [0.00]	If you think the paint is thin on our cars, try owning a DMC-12.

08-25-2011, 10:26 AM	#16
FLOSS M ///M3 Drives: 2013 e92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 285 iTrader: (0)	I have nicks and chips all over the hood, bumper, fenders etc. Highway driving will cause it. Not happy about it but the car is a blast to drive!

08-25-2011, 10:56 AM	#17
E90Fleet Major General Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 7,851 iTrader: (0)	European manufacturers are begin forced to use less and less paint due to environmental reasons. Dupont is constantly striving to keep up with regulations __________________ Nominated: Member of the Year, Most Contributing Member BMW if you are reading, I need a job

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