Input needed: steering wheel and goodwill??

[MDyDinanM]

As i have noticed w/ other members that own e60 M5s, it is a common trend for the plastic on the steering wheel to start peeling.

So my car is in for regular maintenance at this time w/ BMW of FFX and i asked to have it replaced. The car is a 08, so still under factory warranty.

That being said, i'm also having my tires changed, balanced, alignment done, etc. That alone will cost $2000 +/- (what i was quoted)

Then i get a call saying the steering wheel won't be covered, but they will try and "Goodwill it" pending approval.

What the HECK! I'm not complaining about the fact that they are being proactive and trying to cover it, i just thought the 4 yr / 50 K mile was bumper to bumper, etc. They were saying that the warranty doesn't cover interior trim, etc.

Is this something new ?? Did BMW N. America change their warranty policy in the past few years??

Does anyone have this in writing ? and/or that BMW WILL or SHOULD cover this under warranty?

**update**

so i called BMW NA and they said"

if it is deemed a manufacturing defect, they will cover it

if it is deemed that an external outside source caused the defect then it will not be covered.

Either way its peeling, and the car is new to me. Don't know how the dealership could prove one way or the other, than take my word that this is a trend.

[ase2dais]

They should be able to cover that under substandard workmanship or material. There is nothing you are doing unusually except to drive it and its not a common wear and tear IMO. They've changed my e90 driver's seat bottom for cracking once and I used the same argument. Good Luck

[MDyDinanM]

its approx $70 part. If they don't cover it, i'm going to be upset, especially since i'm dropping $2000 + change for tires, balancing, alignment, etc.

I hope they don't try and stiff me for $70 + labor.

its not the $70 i'm worried about, its the principal of the matter.

[pseto]

Dude, you're getting ripped a new one. $2k for that work? I agree that the steering wheel should be covered, but I can't even imagine that the work you need to be done would cost more than $1k

[V8MAN]

If the plastic is peeling off and you are still under warranty, it should be covered, period! My wife's X3 had a similar issue and the steering wheel was replaced, no questions asked.
They are trying to make it sound like they are doing you a favor, probably in part so you think the $2K price they are charging you to do the other stuff is also a "goodwill" gesture on their part.

I say, F them and take your car somewhere else

Originally Posted by mdyaman

As i have noticed w/ other members that own e60 M5s, it is a common trend for the plastic on the steering wheel to start peeling.

So my car is in for regular maintenance at this time w/ BMW of FFX and i asked to have it replaced. The car is a 08, so still under factory warranty.

That being said, i'm also having my tires changed, balanced, alignment done, etc. That alone will cost $2000 +/- (what i was quoted)

Then i get a call saying the steering wheel won't be covered, but they will try and "Goodwill it" pending approval.

What the HECK! I'm not complaining about the fact that they are being proactive and trying to cover it, i just thought the 4 yr / 50 K mile was bumper to bumper, etc. They were saying that the warranty doesn't cover interior trim, etc.

Is this something new ?? Did BMW N. America change their warranty policy in the past few years??

Does anyone have this in writing ? and/or that BMW WILL or SHOULD cover this under warranty?

**update**

so i called BMW NA and they said"

if it is deemed a manufacturing defect, they will cover it

if it is deemed that an external outside source caused the defect then it will not be covered.

Either way its peeling, and the car is new to me. Don't know how the dealership could prove one way or the other, than take my word that this is a trend.

[besiktas]

Why dont you call Passport and ask them how much it would cost for the same job and get a quote. Ask for Ed Han (sales mananger) or Daniel Rodriguez (service manager) for assistance. See if they give you anything better.

[Blade929]

Originally Posted by pseto

Dude, you're getting ripped a new one. $2k for that work? I agree that the steering wheel should be covered, but I can't even imagine that the work you need to be done would cost more than $1k

I agree with Paul. With the money saved you could buy a performance wheel

[MDyDinanM]

yeah, i'm probably paying a premium for new tires, wheel balancing, alignment, and power steering flush. Oh well, i'll suck that one up.

BMW of FFX usually has been very good to me (despite prices of course). They've done a good job w/ my M3.

So we'll see how this pans out.

[besiktas]

good luck man, hope to see you on the skyline run again

[MDyDinanM]

***update***

they are going to cover it! Phew...

drama averted

[besiktas]

Great news, btw do you have the picture of what exactly was the problem

[MDyDinanM]

besiktas Great news, btw do you have the picture of what exactly was the problem

No i don't, but a fellow M5 member on M5Board has a pic that has had the exact same issue

link:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...m-peeling.html

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

***update***

they are going to cover it! Phew...

drama averted

[besiktas]

Wow, i thought the buttons were messed up or something but that shouldnt happen in the lifetime of the steering wheel, how come that plastic peeled off. I am glad they accepted to cover this and they definately should.

[MDyDinanM]

Wow, i thought the buttons were messed up or something but that shouldnt happen in the lifetime of the steering wheel, how come that plastic peeled off. I am glad they accepted to cover this and they definately should.

its a known defect for e60 M5s. I read or heard that BMW used recycled material that i guess eventually cheapened the overall quality of the part. The stuff that is peeling is a sort of skin that wraps the steering wheel part.

I've heard of this issue with other newer model BMWs

[besiktas]

I had that problem in the certer arm rest of my Passat but i wouldnt expect that to happen in a bmw. I do love the M5 though, great sound and great looks. (i find a regular 5 series look hidious). Would love to drive one someday