Strange Protective Surface on Steering Wheel

Xomby · 10-08-2012, 10:59 PM

Hey Everyone,

My first post here on our forums! Couple more and I can PM people!!

Ok, I recently purchased a used 2009 M3 Coupe. Only had 19,000 miles and the interior is nearly perfect! Seriously, looks like the brand new M3 at the dealership.

Anyway, the center portion of the steering wheel (around the phone / volume buttons) has a matte finish and I THINK that's how it's supposed to look. However, the other day I noticed along the top edge of this area, the "matte looking material" is peeling off, and underneath is a nice "glossy" surface. It's almost as if the matte material is a protective coating of some kind.

I'm not sure though. Anyone else know what I'm talking about? I will be going in to the dealership for a "Vehicle Check" in a week or so, but wanted to see what you folks know about this before I talk to the service advisor.

Thanks,

Xomby

urBan_dK · 10-08-2012, 11:15 PM

That is a warranty issue. Not a protective coating, but rather a soft-touch rubberized material. It is peeling away and is a common problem.

You will also see this coating around the window controls on the arm rest. Make sure it isn't peeling elsewhere and take it in for a warranty repair.

Xomby · 10-09-2012, 12:54 AM

Thank you urBan! I really appreciate the fast response.

I will be sure to let you all know what happens with the service department.

Thanks,

Xomby

slicer · 10-09-2012, 10:01 AM

I had my steering wheel trim replaced under warranty for this reason.

urBan_dK · 10-09-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xomby

Thank you urBan! I really appreciate the fast response.

I will be sure to let you all know what happens with the service department.

Thanks,

Xomby

Forgot to mention yesterday, but also the material around the iDrive button is the same and can have the same wear. I would over the car carefully for any other places like this. These are the ones I can remember that were replaced on mine.

1sikbmr · 10-09-2012, 04:11 PM

best time to upgrade to carbon

M3PO · 10-09-2012, 05:27 PM

The door handles will eventually do the same. All of the parts on my car with that coating have had to be replaced.

Titanium Silver · 10-10-2012, 11:39 AM

This is happening to my 2008. It is the soft rubbery coating that is peeling away. I will have it checked out at my next oil change. Didn't know it was a warranty issue.

BPMSport · 10-10-2012, 12:01 PM

Happens to all of them..

Also happens on window switches, and sometimes the pocket in the door by the handle.

I have had the dealer replace both my steering wheel trim and my window switches because of this - under warranty. Looks new again.

Although I wound up replacing their replacement with the Suede one to prevent this.

01'325rip · 10-10-2012, 12:07 PM

^ i like that idea... Mine is bad shape as well.

Im taking it in soon.

Xomby · 10-10-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

I have had the dealer replace both my steering wheel trim and my window switches because of this - under warranty. Looks new again.

Although I wound up replacing their replacement with the Suede one to prevent this.

Is the "Suede one" from BMW? If not, where did you get it?

Thanks,

Xomby

P.S. My dream car for the last 5 years has been the M3, out of reach until I stumbled across this BEAUTY a couple months ago. Now I find this EXCELLENT community in m3post.com, even better! Really appreciate all the information here, and the quick advice on this particular issue!

M3PO · 10-10-2012, 03:14 PM

The new one seems to have a different finish/coating that seems to hold up better.

MKE_M3 · 10-10-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3PO

The new one seems to have a different finish/coating that seems to hold up better.

+1, I had the same parts replaced on my 335i and they seemed better. No problems on my 2011 M3, but it is still quite low mileage.

djseto · 10-15-2012, 11:17 AM

My 08 E92 is getting that replaced as well. The dealer said it's wear item but they do a one time warranty repair on it.

On top of that, I have an air bubble on the dashboard forming that also being replaced. It's right above the gauge cluster. I don't even know how an air bubble forms there.

10-08-2012, 10:59 PM	#1
Xomby New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Spring, TX iTrader: (0)	Strange Protective Surface on Steering Wheel Hey Everyone, My first post here on our forums! Couple more and I can PM people!! Ok, I recently purchased a used 2009 M3 Coupe. Only had 19,000 miles and the interior is nearly perfect! Seriously, looks like the brand new M3 at the dealership. Anyway, the center portion of the steering wheel (around the phone / volume buttons) has a matte finish and I THINK that's how it's supposed to look. However, the other day I noticed along the top edge of this area, the "matte looking material" is peeling off, and underneath is a nice "glossy" surface. It's almost as if the matte material is a protective coating of some kind. I'm not sure though. Anyone else know what I'm talking about? I will be going in to the dealership for a "Vehicle Check" in a week or so, but wanted to see what you folks know about this before I talk to the service advisor. Thanks, Xomby
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10-08-2012, 11:15 PM	#2
urBan_dK First Lieutenant 25 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Mill Creek, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2013 Subaru WRX [10.00] 2000 Aprilia RSV Mi ... [10.00] 2008 BMW E90 M3 [10.00] 2005 Honda S2000 [10.00]	That is a warranty issue. Not a protective coating, but rather a soft-touch rubberized material. It is peeling away and is a common problem. You will also see this coating around the window controls on the arm rest. Make sure it isn't peeling elsewhere and take it in for a warranty repair.
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10-09-2012, 12:54 AM	#3
Xomby New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Spring, TX iTrader: (0)	Thank you urBan! I really appreciate the fast response. I will be sure to let you all know what happens with the service department. Thanks, Xomby
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10-09-2012, 10:01 AM	#4
slicer Major General 2738 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	I had my steering wheel trim replaced under warranty for this reason. __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M
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10-09-2012, 04:11 PM	#6
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	best time to upgrade to carbon __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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10-09-2012, 05:27 PM	#7
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	The door handles will eventually do the same. All of the parts on my car with that coating have had to be replaced. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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10-10-2012, 11:39 AM	#8
Titanium Silver Four Star General 13 Rep 597 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	This is happening to my 2008. It is the soft rubbery coating that is peeling away. I will have it checked out at my next oil change. Didn't know it was a warranty issue. __________________ E92 M3 \| Jet Black \| All OEM Everything E30 M3 \| Alpine White \| Mostly OEM
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10-10-2012, 12:01 PM	#9
BPMSport BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	Happens to all of them.. Also happens on window switches, and sometimes the pocket in the door by the handle. I have had the dealer replace both my steering wheel trim and my window switches because of this - under warranty. Looks new again. Although I wound up replacing their replacement with the Suede one to prevent this. __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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10-10-2012, 12:07 PM	#10
01'325rip Captain 85 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 08' E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: the sky iTrader: (0)	^ i like that idea... Mine is bad shape as well. Im taking it in soon.
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10-10-2012, 03:14 PM	#12
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	The new one seems to have a different finish/coating that seems to hold up better. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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10-15-2012, 11:17 AM	#14
djseto Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	My 08 E92 is getting that replaced as well. The dealer said it's wear item but they do a one time warranty repair on it. On top of that, I have an air bubble on the dashboard forming that also being replaced. It's right above the gauge cluster. I don't even know how an air bubble forms there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote