[tcharged]

Hey everyone,

Looking at buying a new car and I put down a deposit on a very clean 2011 328i coupe conditional upon the dealer having the black shadowline window trim fixed. You see, the window trim on each side of this coupe has bubbling on each side that is about an inch long.. Doesn't this speak of some type of corrosion? The dealer I bought it from took it to BMW of Toronto who refused to replace this under the rust & corrosion 6 year standard warranty claiming that trim pieces are not 'body hardware'. I've heard it all now! Is this legitimate or will another dealer do you think replace this under warranty?

After initially agreeing to replace, the dealer called me back and told me I can walk from the deal because they were quoted $180 per side to replace the trim - when in fact it was $750 per side (BMW of Toronto) - apparently they quoted on a gasket, not the moulding (see here on realoem: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...88&hg=51&fg=20)

On my own, I've been able to get another BMW dealer to sell the trim for $550 at just above cost PER side, more than that realoem price. So the dealer I'm buying the car from will sell me the car with another $400 off the price with the moulding UNFIXED but doing the quick math, I'm out $150 for one side plus $550 for the other = $700 on top of the purchase price.

First of all, is it worth buying the car with this type of corrosion? Is this a sign of rust developing? I HATE all rust and I refuse to buy a car with rust, especially one from 2011!

Please see pictures below of the passenger side and advise on what I should do - I talked to a wrap shop who said they can't wrap it without it still looking obvious, they recommended I get a bodyshop to sand it and paint it... Don't love that idea but open to opinions.




Thanks guys,

[NGEE]

That interior tho!

I don't think that trim is subject to corrosion - isn't it ABS? Maybe it's different for shadowline, but mine is definitely plastic.

If it were me, I would have the car checked thoroughly for rust. If no other rust exists, I wouldn't fret over the shadowline, or the deal. It's a fairly easy fix to sand it smooth and wrap it.

Got the kit to wrap mine today


*edit #1* - here is a screen grab from the online parts department at BMW of Silver Spring (getbmwparts). BMW categorizes the part number in question as "Body Hardware". Buy the car and force BMW to fix it. That way you get your discount *and* get the problem fixed.



*edit #2* - got one side done this morning after originally posting this. Must say that it's a little more difficult than it appeared, but with patience you can get perfect results.

[RoamPT]

A 2011 and already bubbling? Hmm it's not a good sign, like NGEE said check the car for more corrosion. And a tip, if theres rust on the car stay away, that things is like cancer

[tcharged]

Originally Posted by RoamPT

A 2011 and already bubbling? Hmm it's not a good sign, like NGEE said check the car for more corrosion. And a tip, if theres rust on the car stay away, that things is like cancer

It's just bubbling under the surface of the trim, not sure if that is the shadowline trim or if it's actual corrosion underneath... Anyone know?

[jwzimm]

That is corrosion in the aluminum underneath the paint. If you chipped off the paint you would find white powder (aluminum oxide). Not sure about the BMW corrosion warranty but you would think, being only 3 years old, they would want to replace it.

I am having my shadowline trim on the door sills (top of the door on an e92) replaced today due to what looks like surface corrosion. The rest of my trim is pristine but these pieces are turning white.

[BMWs4ever]

That's brutal to have corrosion on that new of a vehicle. I would think this is some kind of defect in that piece.

[tcharged]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

That is corrosion in the aluminum underneath the paint. If you chipped off the paint you would find white powder (aluminum oxide). Not sure about the BMW corrosion warranty but you would think, being only 3 years old, they would want to replace it.

I am having my shadowline trim on the door sills (top of the door on an e92) replaced today due to what looks like surface corrosion. The rest of my trim is pristine but these pieces are turning white.

Did they replace it for free?

[e92_enthusiast_1]

Probably depends on weather where you live. 2010 shadow line high gloss trim is still perfect on mine. Not a lot of moisture in AZ though.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by tcharged

Did they replace it for free?

Yup! They are doing as we speak.

[tcharged]

Has anyone ever seen corrosion or bubbling on bmw shadowline trim before? Was the trim piece faulty or was it rust underneath?

[sal_park]

Originally Posted by tcharged

Has anyone ever seen corrosion or bubbling on bmw shadowline trim before? Was the trim piece faulty or was it rust underneath?

yes me 2008 E91, on the same pieces, but I have a theroy that this happens when the front screen is replaced as mine had been before I bought the car.


OP - do you know if the screen has been replaced ? A dead give away is a lack of bmw logo on the screen....

Will try and post a pic in a bit.

[tcharged]

Originally Posted by sal_park

yes me 2008 E91, on the same pieces, but I have a theroy that this happens when the front screen is replaced as mine had been before I bought the car.


OP - do you know if the screen has been replaced ? A dead give away is a lack of bmw logo on the screen....

Will try and post a pic in a bit.

No, the windshield is original I believe. Please post a picture!

[sal_park]

Originally Posted by sal_park

Will try and post a pic in a bit.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

If its doing that on the Trim id be worried about the underbody etc.. eventualy developing rust..

[iDriveanXi]

Wow that's a shame on such a new car. I'd be very careful, there may be corrosion under the roof seal there too. I think letting this one pass is a good idea.

[sal_park]

but the piece in quetion is an alloy filler piece, not steel....

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by sal_park

but the piece in quetion is an alloy filler piece, not steel....

What's your point? All metals will corrode. This piece is likely some type of aluminum (my bet is 6061). They will still rust.

[grzes]

what do you mean bmw dealer will not fix it under the rust warranty?? do they have a list of items that are covered and the ones that are not?? I though that all painted metal parts are included in the warranty against corrosion. I would not just give up just cause he said so, ask for the written explanation why not and then contact bmw canada and see what they say.

[tcharged]

Originally Posted by grzes

what do you mean bmw dealer will not fix it under the rust warranty?? do they have a list of items that are covered and the ones that are not?? I though that all painted metal parts are included in the warranty against corrosion. I would not just give up just cause he said so, ask for the written explanation why not and then contact bmw canada and see what they say.

I need to contact BMW Canada.. But how do I do that when I don't own the car? It's crazy how 3 dealers have now refused to fix this bubbling under warranty. Pathetic actually.

[grzes]

Originally Posted by tcharged

I need to contact BMW Canada.. But how do I do that when I don't own the car? It's crazy how 3 dealers have now refused to fix this bubbling under warranty. Pathetic actually.

oh, yes, sorry, forgot, you are considering buying it.
Yes, I find it weird, but maybe that is why they are refusing fixing it cause no one owns it, but again, call the bmw canada and ask for the details on the corrosion/rust warranty, tell them you are considering to purchase 2011 but it has some rust, see if they will explain, or ask the dealer what is covered under rust protection. Honestly I am puzzled why would they refuse, metal is metal, does not matter where, it is painted and that should have some warranty.

[tcharged]

Originally Posted by grzes

oh, yes, sorry, forgot, you are considering buying it.
Yes, I find it weird, but maybe that is why they are refusing fixing it cause no one owns it, but again, call the bmw canada and ask for the details on the corrosion/rust warranty, tell them you are considering to purchase 2011 but it has some rust, see if they will explain, or ask the dealer what is covered under rust protection. Honestly I am puzzled why would they refuse, metal is metal, does not matter where, it is painted and that should have some warranty.

So the dealer is getting BMW Canada to see if they will replace it under warranty. I will know within 3 days they told him.

[grzes]

Originally Posted by tcharged

So the dealer is getting BMW Canada to see if they will replace it under warranty. I will know within 3 days they told him.

well something is happening then hopefully they will. If not then ask for the reason, on what basis they are refusing. To be honest with you, as the owner, if I would see this and know I have rust protection/warranty it does not matter to me if it is this or that, it is corrosion and warranty says the vehicle is covered for so long.