[NGT2]

I noticed a got a pretty good parking lot ding over the weekend. It's a deep chip but small. Probably the size of the felt tip on a sharpie marker. Also noticed a couple of weeks ago that I've got another one, even smaller but same depth, on the roof between the windshield and sunroof (road debris I'm sure).

My question is on repair - what is y'all's experience with solution and price? I feel like I should suck it up and take it to one of the nice body shops in town that targets luxury car repair. The one I'm thinking of is the only one in town that's certified as a Mercedes collision center (so they say). But I know there are less expensive solutions. I think the dealership has a mobile service that comes once per week, similar to their cosmetic wheel repair or PDR.

It's a 2018 CPO that I plan to keep for 5+ years and I'd like it to continue to look good. When I bought it in December it was in good enough condition that they had it on the dealership showroom floor.

Any input or experience is appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping out a new BMW owner.

[steve090619]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I noticed a got a pretty good parking lot ding over the weekend. It's a deep chip but small. Probably the size of the felt tip on a sharpie marker. Also noticed a couple of weeks ago that I've got another one, even smaller but same depth, on the roof between the windshield and sunroof (road debris I'm sure).

My question is on repair - what is y'all's experience with solution and price? I feel like I should suck it up and take it to one of the nice body shops in town that targets luxury car repair. The one I'm thinking of is the only one in town that's certified as a Mercedes collision center (so they say). But I know there are less expensive solutions. I think the dealership has a mobile service that comes once per week, similar to their cosmetic wheel repair or PDR.

It's a 2018 CPO that I plan to keep for 5+ years and I'd like it to continue to look good. When I bought it in December it was in good enough condition that they had it on the dealership showroom floor.

Any input or experience is appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping out a new BMW owner.

Originally Posted by NGT2

I noticed a got a pretty good parking lot ding over the weekend. It's a deep chip but small. Probably the size of the felt tip on a sharpie marker. Also noticed a couple of weeks ago that I've got another one, even smaller but same depth, on the roof between the windshield and sunroof (road debris I'm sure).

My question is on repair - what is y'all's experience with solution and price? I feel like I should suck it up and take it to one of the nice body shops in town that targets luxury car repair. The one I'm thinking of is the only one in town that's certified as a Mercedes collision center (so they say). But I know there are less expensive solutions. I think the dealership has a mobile service that comes once per week, similar to their cosmetic wheel repair or PDR.

It's a 2018 CPO that I plan to keep for 5+ years and I'd like it to continue to look good. When I bought it in December it was in good enough condition that they had it on the dealership showroom floor.

Any input or experience is appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping out a new BMW owner.

Dings add character to car. Shows you use it I have 2 dings in my 2017 and scratch on front bumper. Doesn't effect performance of the car, I left it alone.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I noticed a got a pretty good parking lot ding over the weekend. It's a deep chip but small. Probably the size of the felt tip on a sharpie marker. Also noticed a couple of weeks ago that I've got another one, even smaller but same depth, on the roof between the windshield and sunroof (road debris I'm sure).

My question is on repair - what is y'all's experience with solution and price? I feel like I should suck it up and take it to one of the nice body shops in town that targets luxury car repair. The one I'm thinking of is the only one in town that's certified as a Mercedes collision center (so they say). But I know there are less expensive solutions. I think the dealership has a mobile service that comes once per week, similar to their cosmetic wheel repair or PDR.

It's a 2018 CPO that I plan to keep for 5+ years and I'd like it to continue to look good. When I bought it in December it was in good enough condition that they had it on the dealership showroom floor.

Any input or experience is appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping out a new BMW owner.

Is it a ding (dent) or a chip? Can you post a picture? Chip's suck and generally can't be spot touched without making it more of an eye sore. Any reputable shop will want to sand, fill and paint/blend the entire area/panel. What color is your car? On my Jet Black E39, I simply take a black sharpie and touch the chips that catch my eye. Detailer turned me on to this. Touch up paint just leave globs. It is just a band-aide, but it stops my eyes from fixating on it when I walk up.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Is it a ding (dent) or a chip? Can you post a picture? Chip's suck and generally can't be spot touched without making it more of an eye sore. Any reputable shop will want to sand, fill and paint/blend the entire area/panel. What color is your car? On my Jet Black E39, I simply take a black sharpie and touch the chips that catch my eye. Detailer turned me on to this. Touch up paint just leave globs. It is just a band-aide, but it stops my eyes from fixating on it when I walk up.

It's a chip and the car is dark graphite metallic. I took a couple pictures.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It's a chip and the car is dark graphite metallic. I took a couple pictures.

Hit that with a black sharpie and forget it's there. When the sharpie wears off, hit it again.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Hit that with a black sharpie and forget it's there. When the sharpie wears off, hit it again.

Will something that deep not open up opportunity for rust?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Will something that deep not open up opportunity for rust?

The body panels are almost all aluminum, they don't rust. The only steel is the body itself (visible parts being the roof, A and C pillars, and rear quarter panel).

[OmahaDB]

I've got a couple of chips and a door-inflicted ding on mine. It's Atlas Cedar so no black Sharpie fixes for me. I see a number of spots where the PO or dealer had dabbed on some touch-up paint. The spots are pretty obvious if you look for them, but they don't jump out at you from casual observation.

When I was driving the Merc (Andorite Gray), there were a number of rock chips on the hood. I ordered a touch-up kit through Amazon, the "Scratches Happen" brand. I have to say, I was pretty impressed. The paint was a near perfect match and the applicators were a huge improvement over dabbing on paint with a brush. They also include clear coat. I was pretty happy with it, I'll probably order a kit for the BMW too. There are a couple of other brands I'm looking at as well.

[2022M550i]

That's a small chip...but it would annoy me. Buy BMW touch up paint and clear coat. Follow the steps in this video...simple. You'll never see it. I've done this with absolutely amazing results. Enjoy the 70's porn music.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

That's a small chip...but it would annoy me. Buy BMW touch up paint and clear coat. Follow the steps in this video...simple. You'll never see it. I've done this with absolutely amazing results. Enjoy the 70's porn music.

Thanks, I will check that out.

The dealer said they have someone that does touch ups and admitted that it's not 100% or the same as a body shop doing it. He asked me to send a picture and he would get back to me.

Honestly, I just don't want the eye sore and don't want it to get worse over time. If I know it's there, fine. As long as it's 80-90% corrected, I can live with it if no one else can notice it.

[OmahaDB]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

The body panels are 100% aluminum, they don't rust.

No, but aluminum can and does corrode. A scratch down to bare aluminum can eventually lead to filiform corrosion under the paint.

[claykin]

Pretty much the entire skin of the car is aluminum.

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2...20predecessor.

Get this for touch up paint. Far easier to work with than the Oem touch up sticks.

https://drcolorchip.com/

And get someone to PDR the dings.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by claykin

Pretty much the entire skin of the car is aluminum.

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2...20predecessor.

Get this for touch up paint. Far easier to work with than the Oem touch up sticks.

https://drcolorchip.com/

And get someone to PDR the dings.

That would also be my advice. If it is a dent that needs to be pushed out, paintless dent removal works well in most places on a car. Our BMW dealer's detail shop has one guy who is devoted to PDR and it reasonably priced, but there are many who do it independently. If your dealer's shop can do this and touch it up for a reasonable cost, I might lean towards them but I also recommend Dr. Color Chip. I have used this on a couple of cars and while it doesn't fill a chip completely it makes it very hard to see and I agree it is easier to use than standard OEM touch up paint. --Bob

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

That would also be my advice. If it is a dent that needs to be pushed out, paintless dent removal works well in most places on a car. Our BMW dealer's detail shop has one guy who is devoted to PDR and it reasonably priced, but there are many who do it independently. If your dealer's shop can do this and touch it up for a reasonable cost, I might lean towards them but I also recommend Dr. Color Chip. I have used this on a couple of cars and while it doesn't fill a chip completely it makes it very hard to see and I agree it is easier to use than standard OEM touch up paint. --Bob

There's no dent. I checked multiple times. It's just the chip. There's a small scuff next to the chip, but it's hardly visible and probably just clear coat. I mainly just want the chip gone, like I said for both cosmetics and integrity of the panel.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

There's no dent. I checked multiple times. It's just the chip. There's a small scuff next to the chip, but it's hardly visible and probably just clear coat. I mainly just want the chip gone, like I said for both cosmetics and integrity of the panel.

Be careful with those blob and sand methods posted. I tried them over the years and I made more of a mess. It involves skills.

If spot chip repair was a viable option, then I think you would see services for this, like PDR. I know I would gladly pay.

[Bill BMW OR]

Minor dings and scratches are annoying. I am somewhat OCD and wanted the paint perfect on my 2018 M550ix which I picked up 2nd hand. I had a rear bumper scrap from a license plate, dings in the doors, road rash wheel.

I know you are not in the northwest so do not have access to the place mentioned below. Maybe there is one similar in your area.

All the best dealerships in my area (BMW, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari to name the few had vehicles there when mine was repaired) use them on new and used cars. Cannot even tell at least to my eyes that it was repaired. Pull out dents and air brush perfectly. My SWAG estimate on your dent is that would cost ~$250 to repair.

Link to local repair in NW as an example: https://samedaynw.com/service-areas

Good Luck Hope you can find a similar place in your area. Ask your local BMW dealer who they use. Go there yourself avoid dealer mark up fee.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Be careful with those blob and sand methods posted. I tried them over the years and I made more of a mess. It involves skills.

If spot chip repair was a viable option, then I think you would see services for this, like PDR. I know I would gladly pay.

I think there are services for it, similar to PDR.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Bill BMW OR

Minor dings and scratches are annoying. I am somewhat OCD and wanted the paint perfect on my 2018 M550ix which I picked up 2nd hand. I had a rear bumper scrap from a license plate, dings in the doors, road rash wheel.

I know you are not in the northwest so do not have access to the place mentioned below. Maybe there is one similar in your area.

All the best dealerships in my area (BMW, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari to name the few had vehicles there when mine was repaired) use them on new and used cars. Cannot even tell at least to my eyes that it was repaired. Pull out dents and air brush perfectly. My SWAG estimate on your dent is that would cost ~$250 to repair.

Link to local repair in NW as an example: https://samedaynw.com/service-areas

Good Luck Hope you can find a similar place in your area. Ask your local BMW dealer who they use. Go there yourself avoid dealer mark up fee.

Sounds like we're pretty similar. I feel the same way about keeping it as new as possible, even though it's unrealistic on a daily driver. Especially in Memphis.

There is a body shop in town that has a great reputation with luxury/imports. My family has always used them, but I haven't had a need to. I have an appointment for an estimate from them next week. I'm also going to see what the dealer says about their cost and quality expectation, since they have someone that comes there to do paint touch ups. I went to the dealer for a similar deal for cosmetic wheel repair and they didn't charge me the premium I expected. They actually charged less than they quoted up front.

I will check out both options. For $300 or less, I'd let the shop handle it, regardless what the dealer says. I'd it gets to $500, I have to weigh my options for a daily driver.

[NGT2]

Update…

Talked to service rep at the dealer. He said their paint touch up guy should be able to handle it and it would be pretty close to 100%. He said the reason they say it won't be 100% is that the touch up paint doesn't have the same number of metallic flakes in it, so on marker areas it's much more noticeable. He said on a chip that small that it's barely noticeable.

For cost, he said between $100-175. So, similar to the cosmetic wheel repair. I'll see what the actual body shop says and compare.

Edit - also, when I search on BMW's site for BMW Certified Collision Repair, the only one it lists is the one I already mentioned and made an appointment with for repair estimate. So I think I'm on the right track.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Update…

Talked to service rep at the dealer. He said their paint touch up guy should be able to handle it and it would be pretty close to 100%. He said the reason they say it won't be 100% is that the touch up paint doesn't have the same number of metallic flakes in it, so on marker areas it's much more noticeable. He said on a chip that small that it's barely noticeable.

For cost, he said between $100-175. So, similar to the cosmetic wheel repair. I'll see what the actual body shop says and compare.

Edit - also, when I search on BMW's site for BMW Certified Collision Repair, the only one it lists is the one I already mentioned and made an appointment with for repair estimate. So I think I'm on the right track.

Nice, you learn a new thing everyday. Good to know, as I said, If someone can do it even 95%, I'd be all over it. Fortunately for me, I literally do not have one mark on my car. Knock on wood. Full frontal PPF helps.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Nice, you learn a new thing everyday. Good to know, as I said, If someone can do it even 95%, I'd be all over it. Fortunately for me, I literally do not have one mark on my car. Knock on wood. Full frontal PPF helps.

I'll definitely report back on which route I go, final price comparison, and how it turns out

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Update…

Talked to service rep at the dealer. He said their paint touch up guy should be able to handle it and it would be pretty close to 100%. He said the reason they say it won't be 100% is that the touch up paint doesn't have the same number of metallic flakes in it, so on marker areas it's much more noticeable. He said on a chip that small that it's barely noticeable.

For cost, he said between $100-175. So, similar to the cosmetic wheel repair. I'll see what the actual body shop says and compare.

Edit - also, when I search on BMW's site for BMW Certified Collision Repair, the only one it lists is the one I already mentioned and made an appointment with for repair estimate. So I think I'm on the right track.

Sounds like a good plan. Our dealer (where I worked for 7 years) also had a dedicated paint touch up guy. He could do whatever was needed, including wet sanding and was very good, as was our PDR guy. I am sure it will look great when they are done., --Bob