[kagey]

Just bought a CPO 2021 M340i in Mineral White Metallic. My state doesn't require a front license plate, so I want to get the holes filled and other cosmetic damage paint matched (I just like the clean no-plate look).
BMW CCRC I spoke to says BMW won't let them paint more than one layer of the mineral colors because of interference with the sensors (but I can put a metal plate in the license plate frame?). I'd have to get a new bumper, so $3-4k instead of like $500ish.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
I'd rather not go to a non-CCRC shop b/c of paint match issues.
Any advice welcome.

[Eljefe25]

I think you’re limiting yourself by not considering any other shop. There are a lot of shops that do quality work that aren’t bmw certified shops.

[kagey]

Originally Posted by Eljefe25

I think you’re limiting yourself by not considering any other shop. There are a lot of shops that do quality work that aren’t bmw certified shops.

I agree. My only concern is the difficulty of color matching. I figured BMW CCRC would have access to tools/materials other shops don't. I've never had this kind of work done, though. So maybe I'm overblowing this.

[RichardC300]

Originally Posted by kagey

I agree. My only concern is the difficulty of color matching. I figured BMW CCRC would have access to tools/materials other shops don't. I've never had this kind of work done, though. So maybe I'm overblowing this.

My experience with a BMW CRCC in Charlotte, NC, is that they were terrible at paint matching Estoril Blue II, so I wouldn’t put any weight into a shop being a BMW CRCC after that.

[radarguy]

A CCRC told me they couldn't repaint my rear X3 bumper because of interference with the sensors and BMW would not honor future warranty issues that involved the sensors. A non-CCRC didn't have any problem with repainting the bumper and knew nothing about the sensors. I wouldn't take the chance. Go with the CCRC recommendation.