Heads up: the climate windscreen is made of paper!

[fredgroves]

Stone chips on the bonnet... yes, another combination of rubbish paint and front end design...

[Vwjap]

But ain’t the front end design to do with pedestrians not getting hurt as much if hit?

[fredgroves]

But ain’t the front end design to do with pedestrians not getting hurt as much if hit?

Possibly one factor. The others will be "iconic Golf styling" and CO2 emissions reduction....

[mcmaddy]

All cars are the same unfortunately and have been since they started using water based paint. It's not just a VW thing.

[GTI_Ant]

Small chip/crack in my one month old climate windscreen plus other tiny marks.

I have never had a chip in 9 years of car ownership, so I was not pleased to see this happen. Fortunately, it was small enough and in a location where a repair could be done, but I am waiting out for more damage before a full replacement on the insurance.

I've had one chip/crack repaired and have numerous smaller chips not to mention all the paint chips on the bumper, bonnet and edge of the roof! I had nothing like that on my Audi which I owned for 12 years and my driving habits haven't changed. Very odd

The reason for this is the use of water based paints.  Your old Audi would have been finished with oil based paints which were far more durable.  The climate police have forced the use of water based paints which seem to be more fragile.  I am getting more stone chips after 3 years than I did with 12 years on my MK4.

[GTI_Ant]

All cars are the same unfortunately and have been since they started using water based paint. It's not just a VW thing.

Fully agree.  Sorry mcmaddy I posted my last reply before I read your post about the water based paints.  They are definitely more fragile.

[mcmaddy]

No worries fella. It also depends on how many layers of paint the manufacturer uses too 

[Sootchucker]

Also largely depends on how fast you drive and how close you tailgate to the car in front as well 

[Watts]

Also largely depends on how fast you drive and how close you tailgate to the car in front as well 

I drive sedately and don't tailgate but gets loads of stonechips. So are you saying I need to speed up and be more aggressive?

[fredgroves]

Yes if you get really close then the stones don't have time to reach bonnet/windscreen height.... and weave side to side lots too.