Topic: Known for new BMW 328

[slybry]

I will apologize in advance for the many questions I will post concerning my new 328. Please bear with me.

I have always had all my cars sprayed with rust preventive. I use Dura-Tech on my cars. I get my cars done every 2nd year. Despite this I seem to be having 2nd thoughts about getting it done on the 328. Seems silly seeing as this is the most expensive car I have ever owned. If the car proves to be reliable I will most likely keep it for 8 to 10 years.

I think I am hesitating partly because the car is new and everything is so pristine. The spray really messes up the engine bay over the years. The other thing is that BMW has a 12 year warranty on rust perforation. They have applied a protective spray on this car that seems to be like a gel. But from reading the BMW manual the warranty requires check-ups on body every 2 years which I suspect they charge for. Not sure if they will tell me that spraying car with another product will void their warranty.

The last point is that we now plan to spend at least 2 months in Florida each winter. This means the car will not be on the road for Jan and Feb in Montreal winters.

So should I get this car sprayed.

[No H2O]

If the car proves to be reliable I will most likely keep it for 8 to 10 years.

Only? My friend's 1985 BMW (he bought it new) is now 26 years old and it is a daily driver.

BMW has a 12 year warranty on rust perforation. They have applied a protective spray on this car that seems to be like a gel.

Who is "they"? The dealer or BMW in Germany. The last time I looked at a BMW in a showroom was two years ago and I did not see any protective spray applied, so I would bet that the dealer applied it.

So should I get this car sprayed.

Thats up to you. My friend with the BMW was told by the dealer at the time that he would void his warranty if he had the vehicle rust-proofed (pure BS). He is sorry that he didn't have it done; after 26 years and one paint job later, rust has slowly taken its toll.

The only downside is that they drill holes that do not have to be drilled because access to inner panels can be had through rubber plugs in the body. I do not have a single hole drilled in my car. Inner door panels get removed; the rest of the car is sprayed through access holes. Do your homework; go over your car and search which rubber plugs can be removed for spraying..

These are easily 20 year cars. If I were buying one used in it 10th year, I'd like to see a layer of Krown that was applied annually.

My front shock tower mount after 11 harsh winters...thanks to Krown...

[mmret]

I'd get it done. The GLK will be going in as soon as I can find the time.

Do it in the summer, I think it helps for it to be warm so the grease can seep into every crevice.

On the BMW I asked them to not drill holes. The TSX was drilled. Oh well.

[tpl]

I remember in the '80s when BMW said that if you have holes drilled to apply rustproofing  stuff it would kill off the factory anti-corrosion warranty.

[No H2O]

Do it in the summer, I think it helps for it to be warm so the grease can seep into every crevice.

September/October is fine. One of the aspects we tested was its ability to creep between two plates separated by a very thin shim.

You also want to use Krown T-40 which is light brown and slightly thicker and not T-32 which is red. For our purposes, the T-40 creeps just as well and will not wash off the underside as easily.

[slybry]

Do it in the summer, I think it helps for it to be warm so the grease can seep into every crevice.

September/October is fine. One of the aspects we tested was its ability to creep between two plates separated by a very thin shim.

You also want to use Krown T-40 which is light brown and slightly thicker and not T-32 which is red. For our purposes, the T-40 creeps just as well and will not wash off the underside as easily.

I have been using Dura-Tech for years. It was a Rust-Check years ago but changed. The place has been owned by same guy since 1989 and they do a great application. They have a team dedicated to just doing these applications. The owner still works in the pits and does the application himself.

The Krown place here in Montreal seem to be businesses that do Krown on the side. For example on place is a trailer rental shop that does some spraying. They are not focused on rustproofing. This is why despite all the good things I hear about Krown I hesitate to switch.

I also find that the Dura-Tech product coats the underside of my car just like in the picture posted by No H20. I just sold a 2000 Accord that was completely rust free.

I will go talk to the owner and ask if he can do application without drilling holes. I must tell you that I am not too crazy about them taking door panels off. I would be worried about them messing that up. I do not think it would be something they do often.

[airbalancer]

Why do people get uptight about drilling a Couple of holes in a car?

[ktm525]

If the car proves to be reliable I will most likely keep it for 8 to 10 years.

Only? My friend's 1985 BMW (he bought it new) is now 26 years old and it is a daily driver.

BMW has a 12 year warranty on rust perforation. They have applied a protective spray on this car that seems to be like a gel.

Who is "they"? The dealer or BMW in Germany. The last time I looked at a BMW in a showroom was two years ago and I did not see any protective spray applied, so I would bet that the dealer applied it.

So should I get this car sprayed.

Thats up to you. My friend with the BMW was told by the dealer at the time that he would void his warranty if he had the vehicle rust-proofed (pure BS). He is sorry that he didn't have it done; after 26 years and one paint job later, rust has slowly taken its toll.

The only downside is that they drill holes that do not have to be drilled because access to inner panels can be had through rubber plugs in the body. I do not have a single hole drilled in my car. Inner door panels get removed; the rest of the car is sprayed through access holes. Do your homework; go over your car and search which rubber plugs can be removed for spraying..

These are easily 20 year cars. If I were buying one used in it 10th year, I'd like to see a layer of Krown that was applied annually.

My front shock tower mount after 11 harsh winters...thanks to Krown...

Ahhhh so that is the stuff that is sprayed all over the underside of the P1800. I had now idea what this Crown stuff was.

[No H2O]

Why do people get uptight about drilling a Couple of holes in a car?

Cause they care? 

Besides, why drill a hole if you don't have to?

[tpl]

Why do people get uptight about drilling a Couple of holes in a car?

Because the edges of the hole are just naked steel and give corrosion a place to start without it having to get through the galvanizing and probably 3 or 4 layers of carefully applied surface finishes at some of which are specific anti rust stuff.

So why do it at all.  I suspect that many many cars can be "rustproofed" without drilling any holes if the rust proofing company is prepared to spent the time to take some of the internal trim off and replace it afterwards. Which means extra time on the job and technicians with the manual and clean hands.....

[airbalancer]

once you put the plugs in, it is air tight, chancs of any rust starting are very small if any

[No H2O]

once you put the plugs in, it is air tight, chances of any rust starting are very small if any

They are small due to the Krown not because they are air-tight. If anything, the plugs would be an area where moisture would remain longer, but the Krown displaces any to start off with.

[slybry]

Yesterday I asked a service rep at dealer what he thought of getting car sprayed. He advised me not to do it. He referred to the 12 year corrosion warranty and said why worry when I have that.

When I ask him if it affect warranty. He said that the spray could cause electrical failures and problems with many of the computer systems in car. If problem is determined to be cause by spray I will have to pay to repair any failures. He claimed that these sprays (like krown) are still oil based.

I told him I have had cars sprayed for many years with no problems. He countered and said my new BMW is much more complex.

I sent an e-mail to BMW asking for their position on this.

I suspect they discourage it because they find it messy to work on the cars that are sprayed.

[No H2O]

^^^ Yup, the story hasn't changed. The BMW dealer told my friend that 26 years ago. The problem is, he now regrets not having the car Krowned as he still owns it and had to do some body work to it some years back.

Remember, they do not want it to last.

[slybry]

BMW came back with this response.

For information on products that are safe to use on your BMW, please contact one of our authorized BMW service retailers.  They would be in the best position to assist you from a technical standpoint.  Should you need it, you will find a complete listing of authorized retailers, categorized by name, region, or postal code, on our website at http://www.bmw.ca/ca/en/general/dealerlocator/content.html.

Using the spray does not automatically void the warranty.  If any outside influence causes a problem with your car, the warranty cannot be expected to cover the repair.  However, if a problem is caused due to a manufacturer defect, the repair should be covered under warranty. 

They still give a hint of possible trouble should the spray negatively affect anything on the car. But I have had about 20 years of experience and never know the spray to cause problems. I am going to rely on my experience.

I check with a Krown outfit here in Montreal. He said he could try and do application without holes but said there would be no warranty. He said 99.9% of customers get holes drilled. Once again this Krown outlet is not set up quite as good as Dura-Tech so I will stick with my guy.

I spoke to owner of Dura-Tech. He said he could do a work around and avoid drilling holes but cannot guarantee a proper application. It will also lead to confusion and special effort every time I go back for another application. He feels it is better to just let them do the process as they normally would. I tend to agree at this point.

I am going to bring my car into Dura-Tech today. The owner is going to be there and do the drilling himself.

[slybry]

Well the rustpoofing is done. It was hard to watch the holes being drilled.

My car is white. I was wondering if auto parts stores sell the little plugs they use to plug the holes. I was hoping to find white ones. I would replace the all the plugs on the rocker panels and inside doors with white so they are less obvious.

Does anyone know if they are available.

[aquadorhj]

never mind the spray, how's the drive!!~!!~!!@@!@!!?

 

[Julie]

slybry, you're courageous.  I don't think I could do that to my car.  But you gotta go with your gut, I agree.

Acura Canada gave me a very clear e-mail that it wouldn't negate my warranty (I asked about Krown).  Too bad BMW Canada can't be as definitive.  I drove the Acura to a Krown dealer, saw the hole-drilling....  and then left.  I couldn't do it.   Car is still in great shape.  But she's only 5 years old.

[airbalancer]

Well the rustpoofing is done. It was hard to watch the holes being drilled.

My car is white. I was wondering if auto parts stores sell the little plugs they use to plug the holes. I was hoping to find white ones. I would replace the all the plugs on the rocker panels and inside doors with white so they are less obvious.

Does anyone know if they are available.

i buy the black one by the thousands never seen white, also once they are in they are air &water tight

[slybry]

slybry, you're courageous.  I don't think I could do that to my car.  But you gotta go with your gut, I agree.

Acura Canada gave me a very clear e-mail that it wouldn't negate my warranty (I asked about Krown).  Too bad BMW Canada can't be as definitive.  I drove the Acura to a Krown dealer, saw the hole-drilling....  and then left.  I couldn't do it.   Car is still in great shape.  But she's only 5 years old.

It was hard but I have been getting this done to my cars for about 20 years. The proof is in the results. Just sold a 2000 Accord in Dec (to a friend) that looked like showroom. Not a spec of rust. Sold a 1997 Acura 1.6 a couple years ago to a friend. He has still got it and there is no rust. My friends go crazy when I sell a car as they all want to buy them.

I get my cars sprayed only ever 2nd year. I have also never had rust appear where holes were drilled.

I keep cars for about 10 to 11 years. This one I may keep longer if the BMW experience makes me happy. Spraying (and waxing twice a year) allows me to drive cars a long time and still have them look pristine. I can drive an older car but I cannot drive a car that looks like crap.

Spraying also helps the undercarriage of the car and protects gas tanks, fuel lines and brakes lines etc etc.

To be honest the holes never bothered me on other cars. But this one is so special and expensive (for me at least) that I kind of freaked out. The fact that BMW tried to discourage and scare me with thoughts of warranty being void if this stuff caused components to malfunction did not help. You would think they would be happy that I am putting an extra level of protection on the car.