[XRAVE]

While I still have about 4 months left on my lease, I may consider turning it in early to move into my next car sooner. I haven't done the pre inspection yet but I want to brace my self for the possibility of some charges.

My big concern is that about 8 months ago someone hit me in the parking lot and scratched up both driver side doors pretty bad. I wasn't there when it happened but it was the person who parked next to me and the paint and damage matched up. I finally got them to pay for it but they said it had to be at a shop they go to and would pay for it themselves. Rather than going on anymore I accepted. Upon receiving the car, everything looked good and I went home.

About a week later after my first wash, I noticed that both driver doors were a bit duller than the rest of the car. My 340i is Black Sapphire Metallic. I took it back to the shop and they polished the doors for me to try to fix it. It worked for a couple of days but after a wash it was back to being dull.

Usually people don't notice the duller doors until I tell them, so I wondering if BMW will. Is this something they are going to check for in the pre inspection and if they do find it, what charge will I be hit with?

[cfm56d7b]

If responding to BMW promotion to enter a new lease earlier, it's very likely that the inspection will be more relaxed. Certain things like tires have to be fully compliant, i.e. any OEM run flats (if delivered with run flats) and tread within wear limits.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

If responding to BMW promotion to enter a new lease earlier, it's very likely that the inspection will be more relaxed. Certain things like tires have to be fully compliant, i.e. any OEM run flats (if delivered with run flats) and tread within wear limits.

Yea I had no run flats, tires are all in good condition. I only have 11,000 miles. It will be like 17,000 miles under by the time I turn it it in.

I will be purchasing a used E92 so I will be hit with disposition and I'm assuming they aren't as easy going since I'm not getting a new one.

My biggest concern is the slightly duller driver side doors.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

While I still have about 4 months left on my lease, I may consider turning it in early to move into my next car sooner. I haven't done the pre inspection yet but I want to brace my self for the possibility of some charges.

My big concern is that about 8 months ago someone hit me in the parking lot and scratched up both driver side doors pretty bad. I wasn't there when it happened but it was the person who parked next to me and the paint and damage matched up. I finally got them to pay for it but they said it had to be at a shop they go to and would pay for it themselves. Rather than going on anymore I accepted. Upon receiving the car, everything looked good and I went home.

About a week later after my first wash, I noticed that both driver doors were a bit duller than the rest of the car. My 340i is Black Sapphire Metallic. I took it back to the shop and they polished the doors for me to try to fix it. It worked for a couple of days but after a wash it was back to being dull.

Usually people don't notice the duller doors until I tell them, so I wondering if BMW will. Is this something they are going to check for in the pre inspection and if they do find it, what charge will I be hit with?

What's done is done but why on earth did you feel like you had to abide by the other party's rules? You should have filed it with your insurance. Since the other party hit you while you weren't even driving it should fall under comprehensive and not have affected your rates at all.

Regardless, the answer seems obvious. Have the car polished and waxed prior to inspection.

[cfm56d7b]

"Regardless, the answer seems obvious. Have the car polished and waxed prior to inspection"

+1 That's my recommendation as well.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by jmg

What's done is done but why on earth did you feel like you had to abide by the other party's rules? You should have filed it with your insurance. Since the other party hit you while you weren't even driving it should fall under comprehensive and not have affected your rates at all.

Regardless, the answer seems obvious. Have the car polished and waxed prior to inspection.

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

"Regardless, the answer seems obvious. Have the car polished and waxed prior to inspection"

+1 That's my recommendation as well.

I've never turned in a leased car, how many inspections are their? A pre and final one? So do this before the final inspection not the pre?

[IK6SPEED]

BSM is hard enough to get correct and something as large as a door being painted beside the front and rear side panels is going to be almost impossible to match except by the very best painters out there.

Most in the second tier will blend the other adjacent panels, but I am not for that.

The vast majority will just try to repaint and not worry about it, which seems to be what you ended up with.

I suspect the direction of the flakes and the amount of flakes in your repaint is also a sure sign.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

BSM is hard enough to get correct and something as large as a door being painted beside the front and rear side panels is going to be almost impossible to match except by the very best painters out there.

Most in the second tier will blend the other adjacent panels, but I am not for that.

The vast majority will just try to repaint and not worry about it, which seems to be what you ended up with.

I suspect the direction of the flakes and the amount of flakes in your repaint is also a sure sign.

So what is BMW going to say?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

So what is BMW going to say?

Really depends on the day and the mood.

Does it look better or worse in sunlight or artificial light?

Use that to your advantage...and perhaps have it derailed before pre and post.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

I've never turned in a leased car, how many inspections are their? A pre and final one? So do this before the final inspection not the pre?

If you think that the polish and wax is enough to look good for inspection, just skip the pre-inspection and turn it in when your lease is up. If you want to play is safe, do it for both pre and final inspection.

Pre-inspection is not mandatory BTW. It's just there to get you in the dealership.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Really depends on the day and the mood.

Does it look better or worse in sunlight or artificial light?

Use that to your advantage...and perhaps have it derailed before pre and post.

Originally Posted by jmg

If you think that the polish and wax is enough to look good for inspection, just skip the pre-inspection and turn it in when your lease is up. If you want to play is safe, do it for both pre and final inspection.

Pre-inspection is not mandatory BTW. It's just there to get you in the dealership.

I guess ill try the detail myself, see if it passes pre inspection and go from there. They didn't bleed the paint onto other panels.

[XRAVE]

Here's a picture. You can see in the reflection of the other car how it changes.

Car is a bit dirty.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

Here's a picture. You can see in the reflection of the other car how it changes.

Car is a bit dirty.

I can tell, but it's dirty enough that it's difficult. This brings up the age old debate on whether to cover it up with dirt or put your best foot forward. In the end, you are responsible for the car. In principle alone, this paint should have gone to a respectable shop that could have blended it much better. That body shop should, also in principle, detail it for you or repaint it for your lease return.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

Here's a picture. You can see in the reflection of the other car how it changes.

Car is a bit dirty.

Screw the reflection of the other car.

Just look at the painted parking line.

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Screw the reflection of the other car.

Just look at the painted parking line.

Yea wow didn't even notice that lol.

So is this something that I can polish/wax to pass inspection or is it gonna need a repaint?

What would a reputable shop charge to repaint this?

I'm gonna take the car to car max and see if they notice. It's only got 11,000 miles but I don't see them offering my payout of $38,000.

[tuco44]

It is noticeable - not sure what the answer is.

Since it is a lease, you should have had BMW involved from the first. Your error may cost you....

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by tuco44

It is noticeable - not sure what the answer is.

Since it is a lease, you should have had BMW involved from the first. Your error may cost you....

I know, I'm just trying to figure how much its going to cost me and whats my best bet.

I'm gonna call the shop that did the work and say they need to fix it. Its been about a year so who knows lol...

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by luckstr

Am I understanding this correctly? The doors on BOTH sides were damaged and you are saying it was the car parked next to you? How did that one car do damage on BOTH sides of your car?

both doors same side

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

I know, I'm just trying to figure how much its going to cost me and whats my best bet.

I'm gonna call the shop that did the work and say they need to fix it. Its been about a year so who knows lol...

The worst for you is they say "no". Worth a try.

[Antec800]

Has anyone returned the car with a aftermarket downpipe?

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by Antec800

Has anyone returned the car with a aftermarket downpipe?

Can we stay on topic?

[F30dud]

Just returned my wifes car, most things they cared about was tires and windshield. She as in an accident where her whole front end was destroyed, 8k in damages. They didnt even care or flinch. Not that we cared to tell them, but dont think they'll be able to tell..

this was Rusnak BMW in Thousand Oaks