Rock chips

[zamm3k]

I've had my 135i for a month exactly, don't drive it more than two or three times a week on the highway and I have a real nasty rock chip on the front end of the hood. Would a dealer be willing to fix that for me? After all it's been barely a month.

[Mark M]

Agreed.

I barely drive mine much either, but I have a small chip or two on the front valance. Also Alpine White.

I fear the newer 'environmentally friendly' paints manufacturers are forced to use are not near as resilient and durable as the old school stuff. Unfortunate.

[one-35]

Should have had a clear bra (Venture Shield, 3M, or Xpel) installed. Believe me... more chips on their way.

[rocketpop]

I had a bad rock chip right on the edge of the hood, the dealer just use touchup paint to fill it in.

[bman6074]

Yea the paint def doesn't seem as strong as my 99 M3. I have a clear bra on but still have some chips on the roof before the sunroof.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by one-35

Should have had a clear bra (Venture Shield, 3M, or Xpel) installed. Believe me... more chips on their way.

+1. I had mine installed within 3 days of purchase. It really does save your front end from taking a beating.

[Alpine135]

Yeah i got one real bad near the washer jet. I hate it man these front are so delicate. I also got one on the right valance. And ive been thinking of ordering the bumper and hood clear guard thats on BMW website for the 1 series is that the same as 3M is it any good? South Florida highways are so full of debris i cringe when i get on the highway.

[mleskovar]

http://www.langka.com/ if used properly works well. It definitely takes time and a touch to make it work correctly but mistakes are easily fixed. Masks are obvious and ruin the look of the finish IMHO but definitely work.

[bozola]

I had great luck with these guys

http://www.sameday-usa.com/

Highly recommended.

[gtaday51]

I bought the touch up/clearcoat kit from BMW. $15 for the bottles and application tools. I took it to a BMW tuner who is a good friend of my dad he did the touch up for free. Lokks great.

[My135]

I've got several rock chips on the hood and I hate it. I just bought the Langka kit, hasn't received yet. I will let you know how does it work.

[mattYKZ]

Do you guys with clear bra have the whole front end protected?

I was looking at options, wondering if it is worth getting clear bra in the first place and if so can I get away with just the hood protection (18-24" strip) vs the full bumper + hood as it is obviously much more expensive.

Thanks!
M

[bman6074]

Full front cover except lights

[gtaday51]

I don't like the clear bra. I've seen it on a few 1ers and you can see the lines of it on the car. Its very noticible. Glad I don't have it.

[syenisch]

Originally Posted by gtaday51

I don't like the clear bra. I've seen it on a few 1ers and you can see the lines of it on the car. Its very noticible. Glad I don't have it.

Then you've seen poor installs! Mine is freakin' impossible to see.

[nszzya]

Does anyone think that full hood clear bra coverage is necessary or beneficial?

[bman6074]

Originally Posted by nszzya

Does anyone think that full hood clear bra coverage is necessary or beneficial?

I wouldn't say its necessary but definitly benificial. I have full front coverage, except mirrors. (they couldn't wrap them without a whistle noise) I have had mine on for about a year now and it has definitly protected the front end. I have noticed a few area's on my car that don't have the clear bra i have rock chips, but very minimal.

[mackzilla]

I've had mine for a month, no chips yet. Is it too late to get the clear bra installed?

[soupy]

I have 3 huge ones that put in dime sized dents at the same time (2 front tip of the hood and 1 on the driver fender). There were more but those touch-up and wetsand down very nicely so you can't really see it. The ones w/ the dents however can not be fixed with PDR nor can they be filled and sanded properly due to the arc of the dent. Not even a clear-bra would've saved me from these.

Got an estimate of around $2000 to fix completely if I choose to repair with a brand new hood and fender + respray. Not sure if this is worth it since I touched it up pretty well and I don't plan on keeping the car beyond warranty. If I do keep it longer, I might just hold off for now and collect more chips and dents, then in another couple years re-do the whole front end w/ BMW Performance and Vorsteiner hood (if it ever gets made).

[bman6074]

Originally Posted by mackzilla

I've had mine for a month, no chips yet. Is it too late to get the clear bra installed?

Nope just take it to a shop of your choice and they will tell you if its to late or not. I think i had my car about 3 weeks before i took to have the clear bra put on. I drove 900 miles from the BMW Performance center to home and still had the bra put on.

[Add1ct]

Originally Posted by zamm3k

I've had my 135i for a month exactly, don't drive it more than two or three times a week on the highway and I have a real nasty rock chip on the front end of the hood. Would a dealer be willing to fix that for me? After all it's been barely a month.

probably not, is it just above the headlight- I am wondering if the design of the car is conducive to this happening- I just noticed this week I have a real nasty 2 mm wide chip in the hood, all the way through the paint to the metal

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by soupy

I have 3 huge ones that put in dime sized dents at the same time (2 front tip of the hood and 1 on the driver fender). There were more but those touch-up and wetsand down very nicely so you can't really see it. The ones w/ the dents however can not be fixed with PDR nor can they be filled and sanded properly due to the arc of the dent. Not even a clear-bra would've saved me from these.

Got an estimate of around $2000 to fix completely if I choose to repair with a brand new hood and fender + respray.

After stupidly pulling to far into my garage, my 128i's hood now has a nasty dent in it. Burnt Mills Auto Body in Silver Spring is repairing the dent, pulling the hood and doing a re-paint of the complete hood for around $450.00. I realize it's not that close to you, but you might check them out for an estimate as they've done excellent work for me in the past.

Good luck.

Tom