The production 3W on our (MSCC) stand at the NEC was to a high quality. I think the issue is that you can see the suspension on the M3W so you want it to present well. On the trads, the cross tubes soon look tatty, but are out of sight. It's nothing that a blow over of paint or Tectyl/Dinitrol won't fix.
I'm no fan of powder coating in exposed positions. It will chip, and water will get under and it will lift. Paint is much easier to maintain, and a tin of satin black would be the first thing I would get if I was to have an M3W.
Moving parts will generate rusty stains if unprotected steel is in the mix, even if that's just a washer or nut.In my concours days the suspension had to be kept perfect, and the only way to do this was repainting, and regular replacement of nuts, bolts and washers. Some can be replaced with stainless but not where there are safety critical issues. With regard to track rod gaiters - it's common practice these days to use cable ties. The days of a nice metal clamp with a protective cap on the protruding thread are gone. Even BL used to do that. I understand that buyers want the suspension to look good because it shows, but however well protected it is at the outset, it will get grubby quite quickly. Look under any car after three months and you'll get the picture.
