Just signed, dealer pulled the X5 to get detailed and...

I see swirl marks everywhere on the car. Of course it has to be black sapphire. The GM gives me his card and informs me that he'll have it detailed again and if I don't like it, I can choose another vehicle. I really don't have any confidence with the so called "detailers" since there is no designated detailer for BMW. So my question is should I give the option to the GM to have it professionally detailed or just trade in for another color vehicle? Thanks.

Same problem with my Black Sapphire X5 50i...that I SPECIAL ORDERED. They took it back to the detail guys in the dealership, had it washed again, and then polished the affected area. All while I stood and watched. Swirls came out for the most part. I made the GM acknowledge the issue before i signed the lease agreement. Ultimately they disappeared.
BMWs are not known for their paint quality...especially black.

This is why you don't get black.

And this is also why you never let the dealer wash the car.

That's very reassuring NOVA. Thanks for the input. The GM said they'll claybar the X5, so we'll see how it turns out

Originally Posted by civicrtype1

I see swirl marks everywhere on the car. Of course it has to be black sapphire. The GM gives me his card and informs me that he'll have it detailed again and if I don't like it, I can choose another vehicle. I really don't have any confidence with the so called "detailers" since there is no designated detailer for BMW. So my question is should I give the option to the GM to have it professionally detailed or just trade in for another color vehicle? Thanks.

We live in Raleigh, and we just bought a 2012 X5 35d in Sapphire Black Metallic, and the dealership we bought from actually built a dedicated professional detailing building when they first opened. It's actually very nice. We are thankful that they actually take the time to do things right. Wish more were like that.

Originally Posted by RockChips

This is why you don't get black.

And this is also why you never let the dealer wash the car.

I could not agree more with not letting the dealer wash your car...my X5 has 142,000 miles on it, and that paint looks like the day I took delivery.

Originally Posted by civicrtype1

I see swirl marks everywhere on the car. Of course it has to be black sapphire. The GM gives me his card and informs me that he'll have it detailed again and if I don't like it, I can choose another vehicle. I really don't have any confidence with the so called "detailers" since there is no designated detailer for BMW. So my question is should I give the option to the GM to have it professionally detailed or just trade in for another color vehicle? Thanks.

Titanium silver is the easiest color to keep cleen followed by space grey
I happened to own cars in both colors
My AMG was a special order color called " nightmare black"

Very difficult to keep clean

Silver or grey u won't regret it!
Rob

Originally Posted by rockchips

this is why you don't get black.

And this is also why you never let the dealer wash the car.

+1

Agree with rock chips. I told dealer to not wash nor detail the new car.

Op
Clay bar is ABSOLUTELY NOT THE PROBLEM. You need a paint correction. Importantly, they can glop on some wax, and you'll miss the swirls ...in a few weeks as the wax wears off the swirls are back. Gets real detainer to fix it, not the monkes the dealer uses.

Yes a well reviewed detailer can fix this stuff. Or you can learn how to do it yourself. There is no permanent damage.

However I doubt a BMW dealership has the competence to do it.

I saw a lady with a black BMW sedan go through an automated car wash, and then subsequently get wiped down by idiots swirling the cloth around. I threw up in my mouth a little.

If you ladies must go through an automated car wash, I would carefully PAD dry yourself with microfiber towels and quick detailer, and then quickly get those towels washed in the washer. Technique is everything.

Of course, you really should be doing the famous two bucket wash.

Originally Posted by 5seriesHB

Titanium silver is the easiest color to keep cleen followed by space grey
I happened to own cars in both colors
My AMG was a special order color called " nightmare black"

Very difficult to keep clean

Silver or grey u won't regret it!
Rob

Yeah if you get black, you better already know how to detail using a PC-7424XP.

Originally Posted by RockChips

I saw a lady with a black BMW sedan go through an automated car wash, and then subsequently get wiped down by idiots swirling the cloth around. I threw up in my mouth a little.

If you ladies must go through an automated car wash, I would carefully PAD dry yourself with microfiber towels and quick detailer, and then quickly get those towels washed in the washer. Technique is everything.

Of course, you really should be doing the famous two bucket wash.

My office window has in view a gas station across the street where I REGULARLY watch young ladies using the SQUEEGEE SPONGE to wipe/wash down their hoods & doors....

I can only imagine the slander being flung at the local car washes when the other half demands to know "what happened to the paint on our car????", to which the blank stare is accompanied by "I didn't do ANYTHING".

The window washing sponge, straight out of the bucket of sandy water.... seriously. Almost fell out of my chair the first time.

Originally Posted by sddjd

My office window has in view a gas station across the street where I REGULARLY watch young ladies using the SQUEEGEE SPONGE to wipe/wash down their hoods & doors....

I can only imagine the slander being flung at the local car washes when the other half demands to know "what happened to the paint on our car????", to which the blank stare is accompanied by "I didn't do ANYTHING".

The window washing sponge, straight out of the bucket of sandy water.... seriously. Almost fell out of my chair the first time.

Lmao. Love "Almost fell out of my chair the first time."

Originally Posted by sddjd

My office window has in view a gas station across the street where I REGULARLY watch young ladies using the SQUEEGEE SPONGE to wipe/wash down their hoods & doors....

I can only imagine the slander being flung at the local car washes when the other half demands to know "what happened to the paint on our car????", to which the blank stare is accompanied by "I didn't do ANYTHING".

The window washing sponge, straight out of the bucket of sandy water.... seriously. Almost fell out of my chair the first time.

Run your butt down and help these sexy ladies

Good news, the dealership let me pick out a new vehicle.....this time in white and a diesel. Great dealership to work with. Thanks San Antonio BMW.