Window trim is peeling!

[BIGW0RM]

For some reason my 2011 M3's black window trim is peeling/chipped at the sharp edge along the top of my passenger side window trim.

I noticed it while wiping wax off my car. I thought it was wax residue at first. But when it wouldn't come off, I realized it wasn't wax and that it was the metal below the paint. Its a VERY thin line along the edge, but still! Ive only waxed my car by hand and I would be very shocked if waxing my cars window trim caused the paint to come off. And if it did; then window trim paint sucks!

I showed this to my SA today and he called me a few hours later telling me BMW wont cover that because its normal wear and tear. That sucks.

What do you guys think?

[954Stealth]

My understanding is that they don't cover "normal" wear and tear. That doesn't sound normal to me...maybe that's your angle

[BIGW0RM]

I agree, it doesn't sound normal to me either. In the end, the dealership said they would cover the cost to replace them as a good faith gesture since BWM wouldn't. BUT... BUT, the process to remove and replace them is not an easy thing to do. And that doing so will MOST likely cause scratches and or dings into my car which they WILL NOT be liable for. What kind of offer is that?

He basically flat out told me, ok fine, we will replace them, but Im going to fuck your car up! Im thankful for them stepping up. But at the same time I'm like WTF kind of offer is that?

[THE TECH]

Find a new dealer and SA.

[kmarei]

or you could wrap it
most people who have trim in silver prefer to wrap it in black

[Mbauer]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

For some reason my 2011 M3's black window trim is peeling/chipped at the sharp edge along the top of my passenger side window trim.

I noticed it while wiping wax off my car. I thought it was wax residue at first. But when it wouldn't come off, I realized it wasn't wax and that it was the metal below the paint. Its a VERY thin line along the edge, but still! Ive only waxed my car by hand and I would be very shocked if waxing my cars window trim caused the paint to come off. And if it did; then window trim paint sucks!

I showed this to my SA today and he called me a few hours later telling me BMW wont cover that because its normal wear and tear. That sucks.

What do you guys think?

Actually hard to say, it's exterior not interior. Might have to bite the bullet. If it was a "defect" would have been noticed on delivery.

[M3PO]

Mine is turning GOLD. I'm gonna take it in and see what they say.

[Singletrack]

Post a picture.

[BIGW0RM]

Sorry, i forgot to take a pic. But I will once I get my car back.

[tlp]

If you mask off the general area beforehand I can't see how any damage would occur during replacement. Did it ever come into contact with any caustic chemicals?

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Mbauer

Actually hard to say, it's exterior not interior. Might have to bite the bullet. If it was a "defect" would have been noticed on delivery.

Who said anything about exterior/ interior?

And how can you assume it didn't show up after being weathered, washed, waxed, touched. I mean, to just say if it was a defect it would have been noticed at delivery is a BS excuse if you ask me.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by tlp

If you mask off the general area beforehand I can't see how any damage would occur during replacement. Did it ever come into contact with any caustic chemicals?

Well, its glued in from what I know. At this point, Im just going to pass on there offer. Telling me if they scratch or ding my car, then its on me, is enough for me to just say forget it, I will handle this myself. And no, Ive only hand washed and waxed my car. No compounds. No paint thinner. Nothing. I need to get a pic because its a razor thin line along the top of the trim. To me, it looks like paint wasn't applied thick enough on the crease of the trim.

[Petlizard]

My shadowline trims were peeling at the edges too. Took it to the dealer and they replaced them under warranty. I have over 43k miles in mine but it wasn't a "wear and tear" issues for them. I think a good relationship with a SA or dealer goes a long way in these cases.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Petlizard

I think a good relationship with a SA or dealer goes a long way in these cases.

+1

[positiveions]

just beware of SAs' trying to pull a fast one on consumers. They work on a kind of like commissions too.
I would find another dealer.

[808@702]

It is very important to have and maintain a good relationship with your SA. And when they send you the follow up email survey about how your service experience was always fill it out favorably and return it.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by 808@702

It is very important to have and maintain a good relationship with your SA. And when they send you the follow up email survey about how your service experience was always fill it out favorably and return it.

Well, I tried to make a good relationship. But the guy I was recommended ended up not being to helpful to me. I received conflicting information, First my DME was dead. Then I found out it was being updated? I thought it was dead? Which one is it? I felt like I was being jerked around on my window trim issue too. Being told that it appeared I put boxes on my roof? WTH? Or perhaps someone did it when I wasn't looking? It wasn't until I complained big time that my SA said he will try to get it covered. Then he tells me its not easy to remove and replace and that if they ding or scratch my paint, then any damage they cause are MY issue? What kind of offer is that? Are you for real?

Then he tells me the cant finish the DME update and will have to complete it the following day. He then said they will need to drive it to check to see if the code comes back. I told him, NO ONE is to drive my car. That I will drive it and let them know. He said ok, that they would prefer to be the ones to test it, but whatever I wish. So today my car was supposed to be completed. I call my SA at 11am and left him a voice mail asking for a follow up on when I might be able to pick up my car. I got no return call. So at like 1230, I call back and hes still not available. So I ask the resp if she can at least tell me if my car is done yet? She checks and says the only thing we are waiting on is the window trim. That it has to be signed off? I told her, no, I passed on the window trim because it clearly sounded like they couldn't do it and to please just get my car ready. She puts me on hold and next thing I know, my SA picks up the phone.

Now hes telling me that he didn't call me back because he was waiting for his manager to sign off on eating the window trim repair. I told him, thanks but no thanks if they think I'm going to allow them to not be liable for any damage they cause doing the repair. He says fine and the car is ready.

So I go pick up my car. My SA is no where to be found (I'm not really looking for him either though). I get my car back and I notice it has 4 miles on it.

From start to finish, nothing went right. And to top things off, they didn't respect my wishes about no one driving my car.

Needless to say, I wont buy another car from them and I wont let them service my car again. I'm pretty bummed about it too because I really wanted it to work out.

Lesson learned.

[hpc3]

Are your windows tinted? Some sloppy installers swipe the trim when they are forming the tint FYI. Common issue.