First Wash and a Question

[MarineOh3]

So first wash today of the new X5 35d. A couple points... And also a question.

- I am 6'1" and I needed to break out a two-step ladder to get the top... Wasn't expecting that.

- The 469m wheels are massive. Really glad for the wheel woolies because getting into the barrels of the wheels would be a bear without them.

- Nanolex. I got a delivery from @detailersdomain of Nanolex wheel cleaner, Final Finish detailing spray and a bottle of Tire and rubber dressing and I am a believer. The stuff is phenomenal. If you like just clean black tires that don't look like they are covered in baby oil, this stuff is for you. And Final Finish makes it feel and look just-waxed. Great stuff.

- I don't know what goop they put on these things to ship them but it was everywhere... In the door jams, all over the shark fin antenna... Took a while to get it off and I am sure I missed plenty.

- Have a look at the pics below, notably the one that shows the back passenger door. Is that a wet sand mark in the paint that needs to be polished out? I didn't see it until I was taking a pic with the setting sun directly behind me but it is bothering me. (Edit: not sure if it's clear in the pics but dead center in the rear passenger door it looks like a big nasty circular swirl...)

- Finally, I am loving the Carbon Black Metallic. Thanks for looking.

[P1]

Beautiful!

[Almaretto]

I'm 6'2" and I have car wash scrubber on telescope poll with swivel action like swifter. I can clean top but easier with small step ladder.

Tough to tell from pictures whether it is glare or actual swirls. Anything tangible like sap, pollen, or hard water spots requires clay. Using same towels without rinsing with clean separate water solution can leave buildup that leads to micro swirls.

Otherwise, looking good. Clean car is always nice. Mineral Grey and Carbon black are two of my favorite paints.

[P1]

If you're washing your car in flip flops, just kick one off, stand on the door sill and VOILA, you can wash the roof!

[iconoclast]

Although I do not have it I think Carbon Black is the best color on the F15 (IMO). I had it in the past and it is very deep and it basically is three different colors in one. Nice choice.

[MysticBlue]

"- I don't know what goop they put on these things to ship them but it was everywhere... In the door jams, all over the shark fin antenna... Took a while to get it off and I am sure I missed plenty."
Just fyi, I believe it's called cosmoline.

[Almaretto]

Your rotors also look similar to mine after sitting in the rain for a day or two. Time for some braking.

[coolidge]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

"- I don't know what goop they put on these things to ship them but it was everywhere... In the door jams, all over the shark fin antenna... Took a while to get it off and I am sure I missed plenty."
Just fyi, I believe it's called cosmoline.

Its not cosmoline lol.

[MarineOh3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Your rotors also look similar to mine after sitting in the rain for a day or two. Time for some braking.

Actually I think what you see is from the wheel spray turning dark purple. Not rusty... Yet...

[MarineOh3]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Although I do not have it I think Carbon Black is the best color on the F15 (IMO). I had it in the past and it is very deep and it basically is three different colors in one. Nice choice.

Wish I could appreciate this post more than once. CBM is stunning (*when clean).

[MarineOh3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

I'm 6'2" and I have car wash scrubber on telescope poll with swivel action like swifter. I can clean top but easier with small step ladder.

Tough to tell from pictures whether it is glare or actual swirls. Anything tangible like sap, pollen, or hard water spots requires clay. Using same towels without rinsing with clean separate water solution can leave buildup that leads to micro swirls.

Otherwise, looking good. Clean car is always nice. Mineral Grey and Carbon black are two of my favorite paints.

The car is brand new and absolutely swirl free... Not even any fine scratches from drying yet. There just seems to be a "cloud" is the only way I can describe it. To me it looks like the car may have been wet sanded in Spartanburg... I don't even know if they do that. But it looks like a 4-5 inch circular "cloud". It's only really noticeable if you are looking at it with the sun at your back and you get down with it at eye level. 99 out of 100 people will probably never see it, but I caught it. I will try to get another pic but there is a part of me that just wants to not obsess over it.

And agreed. CBM and Mineral Gray are both beautiful colors. I had an M3 build originally planned before we changed to X5 and that was going to be MG. sigh...

[mynameisplayer]

If you don't have side steps, stand on a wheel to get the roof.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by MarineOh3

(*when clean).

that is the down side... owning a black vehicle is a second job.

[P1]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

that is the down side... owning a black vehicle is a second job.

Jet Black? Yes. BSM? Easier to keep clean than my Alpine White E70 was.

[positiveions]

Car looks awesome. I am 5'9" and I wish i have inspector Gadget arms "go go gadget arms". I would get a long arm swivel with a telescopic extension.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by P1et

Jet Black? Yes. BSM? Easier to keep clean than my Alpine White E70 was.

Not sure how but lucky you I guess.

[P1]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Not sure how but lucky you I guess.

Metallic paint tends to be more forgiving than non-metallic paint.

[iconoclast]

understood but even black metallic paint is a chore. i had it on my x5m and rs4. huge pain to keep crisp from experience.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by P1et

Metallic paint tends to be more forgiving than non-metallic paint.

While true the metallic paint is more forgiving, you will have a much harder time cleaning than white. I've had BSM on my E60 for 3 years... Was my last black car since 2007 lol

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

understood but even black metallic paint is a chore. i had it on my x5m and rs4. huge pain to keep crisp from experience.

Agreed

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by MarineOh3

Actually I think what you see is from the wheel spray turning dark purple. Not rusty... Yet...

Ok. Here were mine after a few days of pouring rain at the beginning of this year.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Kzang

While true the metallic paint is more forgiving, you will have a much harder time cleaning than white. I've had BSM on my E60 for 3 years... Was my last black car since 2007 lol

This is my third black car but my first metallic black. My white E70 showed dirt very quickly. The BSM F15, in comparison, is much easier to keep clean. But then again, I have 10 years of black cars under my belt...