I bought my mazda 3i in december of 06, its only got 3,800 miles on it and there are chips everywhere. The hood, the mirrors, the side of doors, grill. what a piece of crap...
I have seen this complaint here before, but I just wanted to vent myself.
My 2000 neon was almost 7 years old and had less chips. I seriously thinking of selling this car because of this.
Even the plastic chrome on the front grill is starting to pit. I live in south florida so it has never seen snow and salt. has anyone tried to get this fixed through the dealer.. My quess is they will say its normal wear.

 

East, I am in south FL as well and I totally agree as the paint job or clear coating - on the M3 is terrible. I do not think it matters were you live as I have seen as I have read other complaints from users throughout the country on this forum. I do feel that overall were we live you must stay on top of the washing and waxing because of the sun but again I feel the paint job itself is not the highest caliber . I have chips in the exact same spots and in fact my mirrors look as if they are fading as well.

 

I keep my car spotless, I agree you have to stay on top of the paint here. Espes. red, or it will fade bad. But the cipping is bad.
I may buy a carbon fiber hood and just through the old hood out. and I have seen replacement covers for the mirrors on ebay. but I havent seen black, I would rather have black then chrome.
Other wise the car is pretty good. I already put some cash into car, new wheels and tires, tint, spoiler, antenna, ipod intergation.