XSeries-forum

I ended up getting my X5 done at my expense to avoid the hassles of arguing with BMW. There seems to have been different experiences depending on dealer and probably how much of a fight one kicks up.

I researched the affected areas and used Armourfend (use 3m film), and went for lower front bumper i.e. up to the lights (wanted to avoid the line across the bonnet you get if you go any higher), wing mirrors, lower sills (below doors) and front and rear arches. Haven't had any chips and has worked well. You can't see it at all unless look for it up close. You can also do the lower rear doors in front of the rear arches, but again I chose not to as you'd end up with visible lines.

Good luck with getting BMW to sort it. As you can see above it can be done!

Thanks for that, that's really very helpful! I've actually already managed to get a few small chips right at the front of the bonnet, but I guess it depends on how the film looks on there as to whether i would get it! And also the expense cos I guess BMW would only protect the rear arches and lower sills at best!

I noticed a couple of chips in the rear arches after only 700 miles. I will take a look at the 3mm film MJim as I don't want it to get much worse and if it's not really visible, seems the sensible thing to do.

hi janahan9 ,they sprayed the rear arches ,the bottom of the rear doors and the sills under the doors, which they then applied the protective film to all of these areas.

Thanks Lyndono 2010. I just took it to my dealer today who took photos of those areas and has sent it off to BMW warranty office. hopefully they come back to them quickly and approve the repairs. When I mentioned that it's a common problem to the guy at the dealership, he said when he spoke to head office on the phone they said they hadn't heard of it!

I recently sold my 2009 M sport but I had just managed to get agreement to the chipping repair and film application under warranty. Unfortunaley didnt get to see it went before they had chance to do it.

I just bought a X5 M sport and it has 20" wheels fitted, it also came with the protective film over the arches, before the X5 I had a Range Rover Sport with 20" wheels, the back arches were destroyed with paint chips along with small sections on the rear doors!! I have just put my X6 in the paintshop to get the lower black sections colour coded white to match the rest of the car, the manager asked if I was putting larger wheels on the car ( it currently has 20" wheels fitted ) when I told him that I had 21" wheels ready to go on he advised me not to fit them until he ordered and fitted plastic film for the sills and rear arches, I've had the car sitting on the drive for the last week waiting for the plastic to arrive and the body shop having time to fit it!! the car is going in on Wednesday to have the work carried out, I've no idea of the cost but I can let you know afterwards if you are interested. Whatever the cost it will be way less than what I had to pay to have the Range Rover fixed. One other thing I live in the North of Scotland in the country, the X6 has done 12k in the last year with the majority of them on country roads with 20" wheels and stone chipping hasn't been a problem on the arches ( the front of the car is another thing altogether!! )

£90 for both arches and sills to get protected!!

had the same issue with mine,dealer denied any knowledge of it happening so contacted BMW customer service,who also deny any history of it pointed out that the new cars have protection film on arches etc and
heres the reply.
We have not previously been aware of the issues you have outlined and I have checked our systems to confirm that there are no outstanding technical campaigns on your vehicle. With regard to your comments concerning modifications to our vehicle range I can advise you that we are constantly updating components on our vehicles as new technologies are developed. This is natural progression in the motoring industry and not an admission of inherent defect with the original parts.
so ongoing at moment and back to the dealers along with two wheels with laquer peeling away.

There are plenty of cases where BMW have done this repair under warranty so they really can't deny knowledge, keep pushing them hard on it and they will cover it.

Took mine to the dealer today. I've done less than 4000 miles and mine is looking sand blasted on both rear wheel arches and also some damage to the rear doors. I noticed the 5 new X5's they had in the showroom all have the protective film from new.

I also pointed out that the wheels (20" M Sport) had started to flake around the centre BMW badge (sure I saw a post on this recently).

Will let you know how I get on...

Been back to dealers today and they are going to repair all the wheels on the car as the Laquer is peeling and signs of corrosion near the centre caps,also they have submitted the pictures of the stone chips to BMW and now await their decision,dealer did mention that they have done a few of these already and as part of the warranty claim they will fit the 3M protection to the car. will keep you informed

Booked in with the local dealer. They are covering the respray, wheel arch protection and replacing all 4 wheels under warranty.

[quote=""sramsay""]Booked in with the local dealer. They are covering the respray, wheel arch protection and replacing all 4 wheels under warranty.[/quote]

That sounds like a result to me well done but shouldn't of happened in the first place. This chipping issue has been going on for ages

[quote=""sramsay""]Booked in with the local dealer. They are covering the respray, wheel arch protection and replacing all 4 wheels under warranty.[/quote]
are they fitting the 3m tape as well and how long did you wait for a decision