Paint problem

[Z4Andy]

Had the Z4 at a show last Saturday in Dubin (everyone loved it BTW) and I noticed what looked like a splash of polish in the panel gap between the bonnet/hood and the front wing.

Upon lifting the bonnet and looking at where the front wing folds in, right at the very end at the door there is this white bubbly mark

Car is now 9 months old with 3800 miles and is kept very clean and well waxed ect.

Pic isn't the best but i'm worried this is a lacquer problem and will get worse.

I hope it's a one off but I thought i'd give you guys a heads up just incase.

Also rear lights have water in them Goes to the dealer next week for a look.

[Dave Driver]

Thats very very poor of BMW!!!!! Take it back to the dealer and reverse it up his a..........e!

[Jimmy1989]

I never have thought to paintwork on Z4 was particularly good, paintwork on mine i think has the "orange peel" feel when running fingers over it even when it has a full polish and wax!! :-|

[Z4Andy]

I agree the paint isn't great. It also marks very easily. As does the wood effect inside.

I use only the softest of cloths and wash it properly and still you need to be real careful of not inflicting swirls and fine scratches. Was looking at some brand new BMWs in the show room and they were covered in swirls. To be fair though most car companies are just as bad these days.

The dealer wants the car for a week to "solve" the laquer problem???? and the rear lights are to be replaced.

The dealer claims he has already replace rear lights on a Z4 with the same problem.

Fingers crossed this can be fixed without major paint work. Don't think I could accept that

[BlueZ4AZ]

The paintwork on my Z4 is flawless. BMW did a great job.
I get water in every lense after I wash the car. Not uncommon for any car. A leaf blower gets all the water out of all the lenses.

[Jimmy1989]

out of interest, do you have the seal and protect thing that BMW offer? not the 3M stuff, just the extra clear coat??
Think that's all my car is lacking, paint just has kinda of an unfinished feel, looks great tho!

[Micky Dee]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

The paintwork on my Z4 is flawless. BMW did a great job.
I get water in every lense after I wash the car. Not uncommon for any car. A leaf blower gets all the water out of all the lenses.

I experienced water in my rear light lenses. Eventually caused me to have bulb failure lights showing on instrument panel. Reported this to my dealer and both rear light clusters were replaced under warranty. See www.z4-forum.com and you'll see that others have had similar problems with rear lights!

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Micky Dee

I experienced water in my rear light lenses. Eventually caused me to have bulb failure lights showing on instrument panel. Reported this to my dealer and both rear light clusters were replaced under warranty. See www.z4-forum.com and you'll see that others have had similar problems with rear lights!

I had faults show up from moisture in my left rear tail light. It was replaced under warranty. The only problem I've had in 9 months.

[Z4Andy]

Originally Posted by Jimmy1989

out of interest, do you have the seal and protect thing that BMW offer? not the 3M stuff, just the extra clear coat??
Think that's all my car is lacking, paint just has kinda of an unfinished feel, looks great tho!

That seal and protect is a life shine type product. It's ok but it usually put on by the dealer monkeys sealing in buffer swirls and fine scratches.

Pop over to detailingworld.co.uk and ask if there is a proper detailer in your area. These guys can work wonders with your clear coat and use some great products that you can then maintain with proper washing (snow foam/two bucket method).

I did my own with clay, a dual action buffer and a mild compound and although I barely bit the clear coat it made a big difference to the depth. Hopefully will have it booked in with a local chap for a full correction the difference can be rather remarkable.

[Jimmy1989]

for some reason I have never been into detailing world!! :-| don't know why!

I usually do use the snow foam and 2 buckets to wash car anyway, and have been waiting on the better weather to clay, I think that's all the car really needs. As for the machine polishing etc.. I'd be far to scared to do it, I've not got the best luck! haha

[Micky Dee]

"Also rear lights have water in them Goes to the dealer next week for a look."

Make sure you get them replaced under warranty....it appears others have had similar problems, myself included!

[Z4 Beemer]

Collinite 915 is a very hard wearing wax. I think you are looking at Menzerna compunds for getting rid of swirl marks. Deep Sea Blue seems to pick up marks quite easily.