Do I have a plastic car?
01-05-2009, 08:18 AM
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Hello!
I just picked-up a new 650i Coupe (prev. '05 545). I love the car! I detailed the car over the weekend, and I was surprised that much the body was plastic? I think the rear fender and a portion of the top were the only parts that a magenet would stick to.
Anyway, I was thinking this was a decision to reduce weight and to optimally balance the car. I was wondering if anyone could give me some thoughts behind this (pros & cons). Also, what happens if the car is dinged or damaged? Are these panel parts crazy expensive? Any special car care tips?
Thanks in advance!
Tom
I just picked-up a new 650i Coupe (prev. '05 545). I love the car! I detailed the car over the weekend, and I was surprised that much the body was plastic? I think the rear fender and a portion of the top were the only parts that a magenet would stick to.
Anyway, I was thinking this was a decision to reduce weight and to optimally balance the car. I was wondering if anyone could give me some thoughts behind this (pros & cons). Also, what happens if the car is dinged or damaged? Are these panel parts crazy expensive? Any special car care tips?
Thanks in advance!
Tom
01-05-2009, 09:46 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
At least some of the "Plastic" panels are actually Aluminum, therefore no magnetic attraction! 
01-05-2009, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by tcesar888' post='759840' date='Jan 5 2009, 07:18 AM
Hello!
I just picked-up a new 650i Coupe (prev. '05 545). I love the car! I detailed the car over the weekend, and I was surprised that much the body was plastic? I think the rear fender and a portion of the top were the only parts that a magenet would stick to.
Anyway, I was thinking this was a decision to reduce weight and to optimally balance the car. I was wondering if anyone could give me some thoughts behind this (pros & cons). Also, what happens if the car is dinged or damaged? Are these panel parts crazy expensive? Any special car care tips?
Thanks in advance!
Tom
I just picked-up a new 650i Coupe (prev. '05 545). I love the car! I detailed the car over the weekend, and I was surprised that much the body was plastic? I think the rear fender and a portion of the top were the only parts that a magenet would stick to.
Anyway, I was thinking this was a decision to reduce weight and to optimally balance the car. I was wondering if anyone could give me some thoughts behind this (pros & cons). Also, what happens if the car is dinged or damaged? Are these panel parts crazy expensive? Any special car care tips?
Thanks in advance!
Tom
lol
01-05-2009, 12:38 PM
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http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=1285
GE announced that BMW selected GE Advanced Materials' NORYL GTX? resin for fenders on the recently launched BMW 6 Series. This is the latest application success for GE in a series of painted body panels molded from this resin. It was selected by BMW for its broad chemical resistance, stiffness, impact strength and superior high-heat performance.
According to Hans Schwager, director - plastics development and processing, product concepts and architecture, vehicle integration, BMW Group: "We selected NORYL GTX resin for the fenders on the BMW 6 Series because it provided our designers with unprecedented design freedom and gave us the weight saving we had targeted. The material also met our demanding requirements for paint-line oven temperatures."
Fenders or other body panels made of GE's resins can reduce weight by up to 40 percent compared with steel. They offer chemical and impact resistance and can withstand dents and dings from low-impact collisions. GE's resins can enhance both styling freedom and performance and can be molded into complex shapes that are difficult to achieve in metal.
According to Hans Schwager, director - plastics development and processing, product concepts and architecture, vehicle integration, BMW Group: "We selected NORYL GTX resin for the fenders on the BMW 6 Series because it provided our designers with unprecedented design freedom and gave us the weight saving we had targeted. The material also met our demanding requirements for paint-line oven temperatures."
Fenders or other body panels made of GE's resins can reduce weight by up to 40 percent compared with steel. They offer chemical and impact resistance and can withstand dents and dings from low-impact collisions. GE's resins can enhance both styling freedom and performance and can be molded into complex shapes that are difficult to achieve in metal.
01-05-2009, 02:26 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
On the E70 X5 the fenders are plastic too!
