[MRPoisson]

Cleaning the car at the weekend and noticed my front bumper is splattered with tiny white stone chips - had this on every BMW I've owned. I gave the car a good wax when I bought it this time but doesn't seem to have made a difference.

I then cleaned the wife's Audi (6 months older) and couldn't find a single stone chip anywhere on the front bumper! The paint must be inferior to audits is my only conclusion.

Anyone else share this annoyance?

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by MRPoisson

Cleaning the car at the weekend and noticed my front bumper is splattered with tiny white stone chips - had this on every BMW I've owned. I gave the car a good wax when I bought it this time but doesn't seem to have made a difference.

I then cleaned the wife's Audi (6 months older) and couldn't find a single stone chip anywhere on the front bumper! The paint must be inferior to audits is my only conclusion.

Anyone else share this annoyance?

Or, you could be driving too close to the car in front, whereas your wife is leaving a good stopping distance

[JohnM]

+1

[Brummie_nige]

Stone chips are the bane of my life. I keep a long distance between me and the vehicle in front - especially on motorways - only for some tw@t to pull in just in front of my bonnet, showering my car with gravel. I flash my lights and they wonder what I'm on about. They've normally been in the middle lane for 250 miles with nothing in the slow lane (but a 5 mile tailback in the fast lane trying to get past them)and feel they're been fantastic drivers by swerving in front of me. They normally then slow down so I need to overtake them.

Sorry. I know I need therapy!

[Tengocity]

The only sure way to minimise them is Paint protection film, such 3M ventureshield

[AtlantaDude]

Originally Posted by Brummie_nige

Stone chips are the bane of my life. I keep a long distance between me and the vehicle in front - especially on motorways - only for some tw@t to pull in just in front of my bonnet, showering my car with gravel. I flash my lights and they wonder what I'm on about. They've normally been in the middle lane for 250 miles with nothing in the slow lane (but a 5 mile tailback in the fast lane trying to get past them)and feel they're been fantastic drivers by swerving in front of me. They normally then slow down so I need to overtake them.

Sorry. I know I need therapy!

Man, it's the same way here in the colonies. Bastard drivers feel they own the road or that they have to police it. Tractor Trailers are the worse when they're transporting stones....

[steddyman]

Seriously considering the 3M venture shield or something like it.

Does anyone know a fitter in the North West of England?

[Floriank]

Originally Posted by Bear From Jax

Man, it's the same way here in the colonies. Bastard drivers feel they own the road or that they have to police it. Tractor Trailers are the worse when they're transporting stones....

Yeah, but at least you're able to overtake on either side of a slower car over there, aren't you? Or even 'undertake' them in the slow lane if someone is crawling in the fast lane - completely illegal here in the UK!

[AtlantaDude]

Originally Posted by Floriank

Yeah, but at least you're able to overtake on either side of a slower car over there, aren't you? Or even 'undertake' them in the slow lane if someone is crawling in the fast lane - completely illegal here in the UK!

It's illegal, but few police prosecute you here. You're more likely to get pulled over for telling the slow driver what you think about them, than for under passing.

[PurpleTT]

Originally Posted by steddyman

Seriously considering the 3M venture shield or something like it.

Does anyone know a fitter in the North West of England?

Sorry no but here's the link http://www.3mventureshield.co.uk/find-installer/

I've just sent an enquiry to my local installer to get an idea of cost. On my local installers website the do headlight diy kits - £45 http://www.racebydesign.co.uk/produc...-2013-onwards/

Hmm!

[d4springer]

Not sure what your method for repairing is, but if you intent to use some touch up paint, my top tip would be not to use the supplied brush as it always puts far too much paint in and around the stone chip.

Instead straighten out the end of a paperclip and use the brush to apply a small dap of paint onto the end, then apply that paint into the chip. I've found a total of four chips on mine (have done 4500 miles and have kept my distance from other vehicles on the motorways and A roads), using this method the chips are almost completely undetectable as the paint fills the hole and settles almost flush with the surrounding area.

I'm not sure what to do about the gritters yet, even though I'm in Scotland I havn't come across any on my travels so far.

And as Brummie Nige and Bear pointed out I also get really hacked off when someone cuts in front of me, I have been known to apply the brakes to create some "stone chip avoidance" distance but that is probably not a good idea on a busy Motorway!

[Mr NSB]

I have a good number of stone chips on my car and think they appear more frequently than on my previous car. I often wondered if it was the durability of BMW's paint finish or maybe it is the shape of the car and their is more painted bodywork in the firing line.

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by MRPoisson

Cleaning the car at the weekend and noticed my front bumper is splattered with tiny white stone chips - had this on every BMW I've owned. I gave the car a good wax when I bought it this time but doesn't seem to have made a difference.

I then cleaned the wife's Audi (6 months older) and couldn't find a single stone chip anywhere on the front bumper! The paint must be inferior to audits is my only conclusion.

Anyone else share this annoyance?

Three main reasons why this has happened to you:
(1) You tailgate.
(2) Hence you are a bad driver. Your wife is a better one.
(3) You live in the wild North and have really rubbish roads.

Suggestions:
(1) Improve your driving.
(2) Move South.

We don't have a single stone chip on either one of our 330d M Sports!

[Xplosiv166]

(2) Move South

That is not a serious suggestion, why on other would any do that. I would rather have a car covered in stone chips than move any further South than Birmingham. Each time i visit London i spend the day wanting to get the hell out of it .

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Xplosiv166

(2) Move South

That is not a serious suggestion, why on other would any do that. I would rather have a car covered in stone chips than move any further South than Birmingham. Each time i visit London i spend the day wanting to get the hell out of it .

London is big but there is more to the south than just London, and a lot of lovely places!
Having said that, decent driving roads are few and far between compared to anywhere else in the country, and they're full of other people driving slowly in a procession. Not fun.

[Walesy]

yeah have some on mine and I do try and keep my distance I must admit. As some have said, then some twat cuts you up and showers your car. I have a few on mine, I bought the chipex kit which is an excellent match I must say.
I did consider the wrap aswell, still am if I am honest.

In terms of the pain quality, mine was measures all round at 144 - 180 m's, but a friend of mine who is a detailer has a black on in and it was in the 80 - 90's range.

Every car seems to be that way these day, paints seem to be thinner and thinner.

[sleeeper]

The guy with the paperclip is spot on. I use a sewing needle. Haven't had to yet on the new 4, but the day will come.

[MRPoisson]

Update

Cleaning the car at the weekend and I'm now seriously considering a front bumper respray after only 12k. The front lower skirts below the fogs are just splattered with tiny white chips - running my hand over it compares to course sand paper! I think MG also shows them up more than other colours.

Before any one comments again - I don't tailgate!

In comparison to Audis the paint does seem remarkably thin. Still not a single blemish on the wife's Audis front end.

[Quakered]

Originally Posted by Floriank

Yeah, but at least you're able to overtake on either side of a slower car over there, aren't you? Or even 'undertake' them in the slow lane if someone is crawling in the fast lane - completely illegal here in the UK!

Untrue, it is not illegal in the UK. the Highway Code advises against it but also says it is allowable in some conditions. Advise against does not mean illegal!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Three main reasons why this has happened to you:
(1) You tailgate.
(2) Hence you are a bad driver. Your wife is a better one.
(3) You live in the wild North and have really rubbish roads.

Suggestions:
(1) Improve your driving.
(2) Move South.

We don't have a single stone chip on either one of our 330d M Sports!

Is that due to the traffic not going fast enough to lift stones on the A308.

Or is it those golden paved roads

[Hprice1099]

Originally Posted by Quakered

Untrue, it is not illegal in the UK. the Highway Code advises against it but also says it is allowable in some conditions. Advise against does not mean illegal!

This maybe true but some would say under taking is careless driving!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by MRPoisson

Update

Cleaning the car at the weekend and I'm now seriously considering a front bumper respray after only 12k. The front lower skirts below the fogs are just splattered with tiny white chips - running my hand over it compares to course sand paper! I think MG also shows them up more than other colours.

Before any one comments again - I don't tailgate!

In comparison to Audis the paint does seem remarkably thin. Still not a single blemish on the wife's Audis front end.

You're making me feel very smug about my ventureshield!