[Evilmoretea]

So I was 50/50 on if I should share this or not.

Turns out my car was likely vandalised whilst it was sat in a car park in Mexico for 2 months due to shipping delays.

I told my dealer not to clean the car and the car did not come with the white plastic sheet I’ve seen on some bonnets and the whole hood was filthy with sand. (I expected the car to be dirty) no complaints there.

Dropped the car off to the fantastic people at Motech performance in Northampton for inspection and new car detail/ceramic coat.

To reveal that the word “PUTO” was etched into the bonnet, several key marks and swirls and other writing in Spanish. Was able to make out a word beginning “CHA or CHO”

Motech believe they can fully correct the paint but this has cost me additional money on top of the detail (I am now concerned the paint will be very thin due to full correction and sanding being done, possibly more likely to be damaged by stone chips)

Dealer agrees this was done in Mexico and has escalated to BMW.

What do you think I should ask for in compensation?

1: Some think I should try and reject the car (I’d like to keep it)

2: compensation for the extra work required (about £200)

3: pay for the entire detail or possibly even respray at the dealer body shop

Pictures below of the hood.

[RockCrusher]

I'm not a fan of having any paintwork done on a car. The paint work is never as good as what the car leaves the factory with.

Thus I'd reject the car.

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I'm not a fan of having any paintwork done on a car. The paint work is never as good as what the car leaves the factory with.

Thus I'd reject the car.

My thoughts exactly.
The retailer has actually already polished 99% of it out and believes they can get the last few bits with sanding. So I’m tempted to keep it now.

[Pentland]

The car doesn’t come covered in plastic. Only door protectors and interior protection.

How long have you had the car now? Hard job to prove when the damage was done.
It’s suggest you either get the best paint correction you can and live with it or respray it and live with it.

Rejecting it will just be a painful process that leaves you with no car for months.

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by Pentland

The car doesn’t come covered in plastic. Only door protectors and interior protection.

How long have you had the car now? Hard job to prove when the damage was done.
It’s suggest you either get the best paint correction you can and live with it or respray it and live with it.

Rejecting it will just be a painful process that leaves you with no car for months.

I had a 230i before and it came with a white plastic sheet over the hood bulge, which is where the worst marks are.

I’ve had the car for 2 weeks and it was never washed and filthy from collection so I’d have noticed any marks from the dirt alone. Also the writing is in Spanish, the car was sat in Mexico for 2 months… my dealer ageees this happened in the care of BMW however of course they say this as they want BMW to cover it not them.

Dealer has said they’re escalating and want to make it right. I agree this happened whilst the car was under the responsibility of BMW.

Not planning to reject, just sad about the likely stone chips that will come now the paint is even thinner.

However the additional cost for full correction was only £200 so I’m actually not that sad about it. The paint has apparently been corrected perfectly, collecting from Motech on Saturday and will update you with their progress.

[BG42]

If they have removed 99% with just buffing you are fine. The clear coat is fairly thick and wet sanding it lightly wont hurt it if finished properly to remove the last bit. Lil spanish slang on the hood must be because it was purple.

[redcars]

Don't respray. They would have to sand it, respray, more clear and probably add other imperfections. Either reject it if it really bothers you, or take the compensation.

[e92ben]

REJECT IT! I’d never take a car that’s been vandalized.

[Wasp_Factory]

If Motech have dealt with 99% of the problem and it only cost you an extra £200, I'd swallow it and move on - just not worth the aggravation. If you escalated it with BMW they would just say that it happened after collection and since the car wasn't cleaned and therefore the paint wasn't inspected at the dealer, it would cost you a whole load in time and frustration trying to get them to do anything.

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Why won't your dealer fix it? If you had not asked them to 'not' wash it, would they have found the damage and fixed it before you took delivery? Seems to me that they could respray the entire hood and if they have a good painter, it would not be a problem to match the rest of the car with the car being virtually new. Paint matching for wrecked cars has become so good nowadays, your hood repair should be a simple issue for any competent painter.

[BG42]

He said they basically buffed 99% out he doesn't need it painted. None of the damage looked like it made it through the clear coat.

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by BG42

He said they basically buffed 99% out he doesn't need it painted. None of the damage looked like it made it through the clear coat.

Correct
Just spoken to Motech who report that they have solved it with mahchine polish and a little bit of sanding.

I was always going to keep the car actually and don’t want to go down the painting route. Posted those questions just to really get some discussion going as I thought this was quite a unique and worrying bit of damage.

Imagine how many other cars are covered in Spanish profanity!

As mentioned, my dealer has already escalated BMW and agrees that this issue happened before I took delivery.

Most likely resolution is a little bit of money to cover the detailing cost to fix it.

Collecting the car tomorrow and looking forwards to the results under the lights in the workshop. Will send some pictures.

[BG42]

Originally Posted by Evilmoretea

Correct
Just spoken to Motech who report that they have solved it with mahchine polish and a little bit of sanding.

I was always going to keep the car actually and don’t want to go down the painting route. Posted those questions just to really get some discussion going as I thought this was quite a unique and worrying bit of damage.

Imagine how many other cars are covered in Spanish profanity!

As mentioned, my dealer has already escalated BMW and agrees that this issue happened before I took delivery.

Most likely resolution is a little bit of money to cover the detailing cost to fix it.

Collecting the car tomorrow and looking forwards to the results under the lights in the workshop. Will send some pictures.

Glad its all sorted enjoy it.

[vntperformance]

Nope, no way I would have taken delivery of that car.

[Evilmoretea]

Originally Posted by vntperformance

Nope, no way I would have taken delivery of that car.

I already took delivery before this was disofvered

[Aramis1919]

Originally Posted by vntperformance

Nope, no way I would have taken delivery of that car.

I concur......

[J-RO]

Better check to see if any fentanyl is hidden within the car.

[Evilmoretea]

Car collected today. Back to brand new, all is well

[wb8164]

Good to hear. Hopefully it was just kids or the like writing in the dirt/dust on the car. That way you'll have plenty of Clear Coat left even after the paint correction.

[Wasp_Factory]

Did you get any other goodies fitted at Motech?