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Need advice: BMW delivers my 3-series with bird poop marks on the paint

17th January 2023, 17:06 by Ananth Iyer

I am no expert on painting, but I do expect that a premium brand like BMW should deliver a proper car without defects.

BHPian anothercar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Folks, this is a short story on what happened on a brand new BMW 3 series LI, carbon black bought from bird automotive last month.

As can be seen the car was delivered in first week of November. We purchased two actually. An X1 and the 3 series.

On third day from purchase, when the car was cleaned by waterless cleaner, (which I used on my earlier BMW as well as Skoda Superb), I noticed a bird dropping like mark on the bonnet while I was sitting inside and the field of view was at a particular angle. I got down and checked but couldn't see anything. Then, when the car was parked in night under a white LED light, I noticed that there are several bird dropping like marks on the bonnet. (15-20 large ones and then small drops about 20-30 in number)

I called the sales guy and he promptly organised a visit at their sector 14 body shop.

The technician initially commented that this cannot be removed, but on pressing by sales guy, took the car to sanding. Sanding! I was worried that clear coat will be damaged but they assured it won't be. The car was hence sanded down, I waited for 2-3 hours and voila all marks gone. Though there were swirls from the sanding paper, I was still ok to let it go and drove home.

In 4-5 days time, the same (same I insist) marks appeared again on bonnet. And now there was one on side and few on the boot as well! This is when I realised that this car has been parked uncovered before sale and bird shit must have been lying on it for at least 15-20 days. The reason for this conclusion/thought was that when they clean it, it goes away. but reappears from under the surface again in a few days. This time, there was reluctance from BMW to attend the issue and despite my assuring them that there is no bird shit issue at my end, they asked for 10,500/- to buff entire car. However, they offered that they will Buff one side panel for free.
Well, I called sales guy, and readily an approval was organised for free buffing.

I picked car back and thoroughly inspected, no shit marks. finally I thanked them and thought this is over. Well, how wrong was i. another 7 days, and the marks are back. Like a skin disease from under the surface. I knew at this point of time, that now I am screwed. Left with no evidence against them. Well, I went to them again. They again claimed that I should park my car somewhere where there is no bird shit issue. I told them that yes it is so.
Meanwhile, the body shop manager said that he will have to repaint the car as the issue is not resolving with superficial treatment.

I finally went to the sales guys again asking for a replacement. I even told them that please replace the car and I will also pool in, despite no fault of mine.

Well, now the tactics are being shown. One sales guy says speak to other, they haven't still told me what is the disposal value of this car. Their service ends there.

I am no expert on painting. I do expect that a premium brand like BMW is able to deliver a proper car without defects. Having 30-40 bird dropping marks on car is not what business ethics should represent. I guess its very close to their name. Bird automotive's bird shit.

I am now certain that they were aware at their body shop of this issue, despite of this they sold the car to me.

Nevertheless, I have a call with someone senior who has already refused to sales guys that its customer issue, not ours.

Now, whats the course of action? If the marks become more prominent, the car will have to be repainted. In a year, 6 months or 2, I do not know.

Shall I dispose it off immediately? Use it for a year and then dispose?

Is there a way to redo clear coat?

In any case, I have accepted that I am going to lose money since bird automotive smartly buffed it and passed it on to me.

But the larger question is, how on earth a customer should go and take a vehicle delivery? When dealers are capable of doing such frauds?

In 2016 I bought a creta and after two days realised that car had a damage on roof top. I took the car back to dealer, and they replaced it same day! That's Hyundai! Yes, they did replace. Insurance was cancelled, and what not. I had a new car the next day!

I am shocked at how they conned me, despite of having a sharp eye for mechanicals and paint work, I couldn't see the scam.

Has anyone faced a similar issue?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Take it to a professional detailer in your city. See what they can do to solve your problem. Look up good providers in the Team-BHP Directory.
Relax, buddy. Trust me, there are larger problems with new cars. Plus, there is a chance that in another 6 months, your car could suffer more prominent damage in your own parking spot. Fix such damage, no point discussing a full repaint or replacement because of a relatively small matter.
No offence, but I frankly feel you are making a bigger deal of this than it deserves to be. Again, no offence meant at all. Just giving honest advice as a virtual friend.
Go to the best detailer in Gurgaon and have him solve your problem. Since you are so particular about finishes, look up Team-BHP threads on PPF & Ceramic Coating. Last & most important, once done, go for a long drive and enjoy that 3-Series on the open road.

Here's what BHPian iamahunter had to say on the matter:

What do you expected from "Bird" Automobile.
No matter how I try to justify, its dealer fault. It hurts to have shit on a brand new car.
But, honestly buddy there is no point in going back to the dealer on this. Nor is the shit worth taking so much headache. Its a car, it runs on the road there will be some marks and scratches here and there.
If it does bother a lot, find a good reliable detailer and get the work done.

Here's what BHPian el_lobo_6061 had to say on the matter:

Feel sorry for you since its a brand new car.
Having owned a VW in Pearl Metallic Black and BMW in Sparkling Brown shade; I can see your view.
First thing first:
Bird Poop are very acidic in nature.
The more time they spend on car paint; the more they etch into the paint eating into clear coat.
Rule is to have it removed as soon as it lands on paint.
Else a permanent mark will be there.
What you can do is find a really good detailer who knows his work. Not any run of the mill with a rotary polisher in hand.
You would need to do following:
Wash the car
Clay it
Compound the paint
After these 3 steps you will get to know how much bird poop marks are removed and how much you will have to live with.
Later polish and wax for a nice shine.
Your BMW Dealer might have parked your car under a tree at a stockyard resulting in this problem.
Try the above solution. Not worth repainting or asking for replacement. You would only trouble your peace of mind.
Lastly black car still looks best once polished/waxed/coated. You have a great car. Drive it around a mountain post detailing it to put this event behind.