All,

I'm looking for some input on a paint issue with my new Mini. There are a couple of issues.

The first one is on the front passenger side. There is a piece on the bumper that goes from about the center of the bumper down around the fog light. You can a greenish line where this piece fits together with the rest of the bumper pieces. There is also a greenish tint on the inside part around the fog light.

The second issue involves the rear bumper cover where it meets the rear wheel trim on the driver's side. It initially appeared that there was a small crack in the paint. Upon further inspection it was determined to be a small crack in the plastic bumper cover.

The fix on the front is fairly straight forward. Take the piece off and spary the top of the part to correct the line that shows on the front of the bumper and spray the inside of the fog light area. This has already been done, but I haven't seen it yet.

The fix on the back is my biggest concern. Mini has suggested (not yet approved) that they order a new rear bumper cover and then paint it. I'm worried that the paint job want be as good as what you should get from the factory nor will it hold up as well. I assume they can may it match either way.

I would appreciate your thoughts and/or experiences with something like this.

TIA

Chris

 

They will be able to match the color perfectly.

The clearcoat will be thicker most likely as it is applied
by hand. You will be able to tell the difference but
only in bright sun.

The casual observer will not notice.

You, as the owner, will see it, or think you see it,
every time you look at the car.

 

My car had a front bumper paint issue as well. The rear piece the dealer should replace under warranty. Also the paint problem on the front should be fixed under warranty as well.

My car had similar paint issues with the front bumper around the fog lights. Details here.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=128003

 

I concur. I had some damage to the rear of my former car and the dealer replaced/painted the rear bumper. It matched the rest of the car perfectly. You are the only one who will ever know it was replaced.

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

Minidrivr, sounds like we had similar problems around the fog light. I didn't notice the little line between the two pieces until I was showing the sales mgr the fog light issue. I also had a problem with the rear mud flaps not sticking. The fronts did perferct.

I just hate having any kind of paint work done on a car, much less on a new one.

 

Yup, it sucks having to get body work done on a new car.

My 08 MCS had a deep scratch on the driver's side door at delivery. Had to go straight to the body shop for 8 miserable days. It was a weird feeling - "Here's your new car...ooops, no it isn't - have a rental instead..." Most impatient 8 days ever. But, the paint job came out fine - perfect match, no discoloration etc. etc. It just took a long time, but the result was perfect.

 

I also had a paint issue on my mcs. There were about 25 or so black spots on the hood and bonnet stripes. The dealer buffed them out and replaced the stripes. However they did chip my paint in one tiny spot (and fixed it). To me however the little chip is much better than the 25 black spots. You have to decide which is going to be less annoying to you. The condition it is in now or the resulting condition you get from fixing it which could be nothing at all to a bad paint match.

 

Some people have had their cars damaged before leaving the port or on arrival and then had it repaired and repainted without their knowledge or the dealer's knowledge. When it came time to trade-in or sell the dealer would tell them their car isn't worth as much due to the "discovered" body work... Sucks, hope that's not the case with you... I can't find the thread, it's on here somewhere...

 

uhm....thats like super effed up there.

 

Here's the thread, makes for some good reading...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...paint+mismatch

 

If a dealer told me that, I'd take my business to someone else. That's a total BS thing to claim. A vehicle damaged during transport is much different from one that's in a collision. Transport damages usually entail scratches and/or minor digs, while on-road collisions can do harm to the frame as well as the body. I assume the repair for transport damage would consist of replacing the entire panel/bumper and repainting. In that case, it's the same as new.

 

Sounds like we have twin cars. My rear mud flaps were loose as well after about 2 months. The double stick on the rear edges was not holding. The dealer tried replacing the stuff once and it still came loose after another month. They fixed it for good last time, using a type of liquid gasket under it. It can still come apart if needed, but has stayed together without any problems for 2 months now, with plenty of washing.

 

Just an update from my original post. The touch up to the front bumper looks great. Can't tell athere was ever a problem.

Still waiting approval to replace the rear bumper approval.

 

This thread was never resolved. The OP wanted to get rid of his car and had Carmax appraise it. He was teed at the price they quoted and they said a panel had been repainted, which was based on different thickness of the paint there. He had the different thickness confirmed by other body shops. But he never established where the panel was repainted or that the car was ever in an accident. It could have been redone at the factory for all he knew. He was teed at Mini for getting a low appraisal from Carfax was the gist of it. Very different from what's going on in this thread.

 

Great news, there's nothing like a happy Mini owner!

 

Thanks for the update!! That's fantastic!