[mrbmwx3]

Hi all, just need some opinions and advice. 4 month old X5 bought brand new and due to Covid haven't driven much at all. I washed it for the first time a couple of days ago and I've noticed a slight mismatch in paint colour between the rear panel that is connected to the bumper and the main body work. I don't know if it's the lighting but nowhere else seems to have this difference and no matter where I position the car it's always the same area. Looks less obvious in some angles but I can always see a difference.

It obviously hasn't been involved in any damage or repainted under my ownership but I can't explain the difference unless it has been repainted before handover. I know it wasn't my dealer as they wouldn't of had enough time to sort out a repaint. Even if it's a repaint I would of thought the colour would match much better than that.

I try to capture it in photo, the photo attached is how I see it with the naked eye. However it's extremely hard to shown true colour.

I now I've picked up on this it's really bugging me.

Like to know opinions and if it isn't right how I take this up with BMW. I've already been in with warranty repairs and I would be rather pi$$ed off that this has now come to light.

Is it me or does that rear bumper panel
Look more like alpine white?

[mrbmwx3]

This is the other side and is more of a match to the main body.

[Wynnema]

On the first picture it looks like they have put an alpine white bumper on but any body shop will tell you that bumpers always have a slightly different shade because of the material and need for plasticiser in the paint to make it flexible
. The skirts and wheel arches which are also plastic look the same shade so I think it’s normal but worth checking with the dealer though

[mrbmwx3]

Originally Posted by Wynnema

On the first picture it looks like they have put an alpine white bumper on but any body shop will tell you that bumpers always have a slightly different shade because of the material and need for plasticiser

Yeah that was my initial thoughts, but the other side is much more of a closer match. The more I look at the photos the more I appreciate that it may not show up how different it looks it real life.

[raddoc]

When I took my '20 230i XDrive 'vert to CarMax for an appraisal they said that my trunk lid was repainted. I told them "no" but they insisted that repaints before delivery are very common due to lot & transport damage. Easiest way to tell is check both sides of bumper & adjacent panels checked with a paint depth meter.

[TurtleBoy]

Take it to your dealer and see what they say. Looks like the wrong part was put on during assembly or wrong paint used during a repair. I would imagine they will make it right for you.

[mrbmwx3]

Thanks, I've emailed the dealer and I'll wait to see what they say, will most probably take it down at some point next week. If it has been repaired, then it's one thing knowing it was damaged before I even got the car then to rub salt into the wound they made a mess of the repair!
Already been in for one warranty repair!

[Auricom]

I concur with other members that the first three photos of the bumper panel paint color look flatter than the rest of the body.

If there isn't a tri-cost pearlescent effect in the bumper paint then it's Alpine White or repaint or replaced. As a test, you can take a flash light to it when it gets darker outside.

[nZtiZia]

Those areas you pointed out are distinctly different and should be rectified. there is no way this is a result of the initial painting session at the factory due to the hard distinction between panels. either the panel was replaced afterwards, or it was painted over. FWIW, I recall an old thread stating mineral white is a bear when it comes to matching. sorry this is happening to you, bud

[Mtn2Srf]

Sorry to say that is a very noticeable difference. Get it looked at.

[Fennario]

Noticeable in the picture but may be a function of viewing angle and/or the way the light hits the panel. Would take it in to be sure, but as others mentioned may just be the difference between paint on plastic vs. metal.

[amus3d]

Like others have already pointed out, the bumper material is different than the body. The paint will always be a little off even if it was painted at the same time. Have you compared it to the front bumper? If the bumper was resprayed, the body shop might have used the wrong shade. Mineral white has been around for a long time so there are many shades of it. I also suspect that the reflection of the house is also messing with your eyes. Even though it's cloudy, the light still bounces off the taupe color door. Try going to a different location and take a picture of the whole side view.

[mrbmwx3]

Hi, Everywhere else on the car is fine, don't see much difference in colour. It is literally just that corner not even the whole bumper. I drove out and parked up and it's the same.

Just went out and it's early evening here, definitely less noticeable now but you can still see a difference. As others have pointed out that corner just seem more flat.

Will pop out again tomorrow and try to take some more pics.

Either way going to get it checked out by the dealer.

[DCC]

Do you have a pic a little further back showing the whole rear bumper standing behind the car?

That would help

[buckybadger]

I have mineral white and it matches perfectly all across. I don't have this issue. Your paint is faulty and I would have it fixed.

I got my car is February 2020 (Built in December 2019), right before Covid hit us.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx3

Yeah that was my initial thoughts, but the other side is much more of a closer match. The more I look at the photos the more I appreciate that it may not show up how different it looks it real life.

The other side is in different lighting. As another member mentioned, the plastic bumper covers are almost always a bit off due to flex paint additives.
Mineral white is a tough color to match up. As are all tri color paints.

[mrbmwx3]

Some more photos taken today, a dull day.

I've also now remember that I found a spare tow hook cover in the glove box when I got home on delivery day. Thought nothing of it but now i can see why I have it.

On closer inspection I also see the panel joining the bumper panel not completely flush, looks like someone stuck something in there to pry something out.

[mrbmwx3]

Extremely annoyed now, pretty sure either a new bumper was replaced or it was resprayed. The slight misalignment on that panel makes me think whilst putting the bumper back on they used something to pry it or guide it back in and that damaged the other panel.

I’m in the UK so where do I stand on this, obviously BMW can repaint the whole bumper, the slight damage to the panel I’m not too concerned as you have to be looking for it. Car is PCP (personal lease) but it doesn’t changed the fact I bought a new car and received it in this state. Yes it’s only paint work and a very minor damage, but it’s not what I expect.

I’ve emailed the dealer That I bought it from and I have a good relationship with them, but they are over 1hrs drive away, my local dealer haven’t responded yet and they don’t have a great reputation in the “service” department.

BMW Customer service says I need to take it up with dealer first.

[red30xdrive]

That rear bumper has been repainted by a bodyshop who either did not have access to the correct mix or did not appreciate the methods to paint "pearl" effect paints .

If its never been out of your possession since delivery ? then it would have been damaged in transit and sent to "Mr Quick fix" the customer will never notice !

Even if your supplying dealer is not local ? only they can rectify it .

[mrbmwx3]

Thanks, I assume any BMW dealer can fix it, but I just need to gather as much evidence as possible to indicate that it has been resprayed. The only time it's been out of my possession is when it went it for a small warranty repair on the usb c cover, and that was only about 6hrs.

I can't tell if something has been resprayed, so apart from the colour difference is there anything else of the closeup pictures that indicates a respray?", in particular where the panels meet?

I really don't want the dealership saying that it's like that due to the difference in material etc.

[Wynnema]

I think the distribution centre do repairs all the time for vehicles damaged in transit but it would be flawless as they have top level equipment and only do BMW. A good independent body shop will be able to tell you if it’s been repainted - they know all the tell tale signs Joe Public would miss

[gofast182]

The only explanation I can think of is this was done at the VDC/port where the vehicles are received into the country and are inspected and repaired if needed due to damage that may occur in transit. I've been fortunate enough to tour the VDC in New Jersey and it's an incredible operation. The paint technician goes to extraordinary lengths to match paint if he has a repair to make.