Door seals in 00 and newer Coupes - anyone else??

[jeff323Ci]

Just had my sixth door seal (this one the passenger side's third) installed last week. Dealer is coming to get the car again Friday as this seal binds in the door, preventing closing the door and has a quarter size rip in it. How many seals have you guys been through? I have them bind in the door, fall down in the windows from the headliner and generally sh$t the bed within a year.....6 seals in 3 years is a little ridiculous. I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting a part of the vehicle that prevents water from entering the car to last more than 1 year...

[The HACK]

Just had my sixth door seal (this one the passenger side's third) installed last week. Dealer is coming to get the car again Friday as this seal binds in the door, preventing closing the door and has a quarter size rip in it. How many seals have you guys been through? I have them bind in the door, fall down in the windows from the headliner and generally sh$t the bed within a year.....6 seals in 3 years is a little ridiculous. I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting a part of the vehicle that prevents water from entering the car to last more than 1 year...

Take it to a different dealer or learn to fix it yourself. :dunno:

If a dealer can't get it right the first time and you had to keep going back for the same fix, it's a sure sign that the dealer isn't doing their best. Try a different dealer if you can.

I've had the "mouse fur" part of the seal seperate 3 times in the last 5-6 months and just decided to take care of it myself. It's not the design of the seal but the adhesive BMW uses. They use Terakol 6444 and it doesn't stand up to heat that well. I've since switched over to 3M Super Weatherseal adhesive and it's been holding good so far.

[jeff323Ci]

I would get another dealer, but the dealers in ATL won't give you the time of day if you haven't bought the car from them. I bought in Athens and they come get the car from me and make it an awesome experience every time (not that I like to be without the car, but they usually show up with a Z3/4 or an X5 to "test" as my loaner).

I knew you or one of the regulars would have the fix. I will be investing in the 3M sealant/adhesive this evening. I'd much rather do it myself, but without the proper tools/equipment, I didn't want to make anything worse...

[asb2002]

Ok, let's have it: Which Atlanta dealer can't seem to get it right? I bet it's the same one that took four attempts to fix my A/C (fixed the wrong part three times).

I no longer take my vehicle to the dealership I bought it from. I have had 100% satisfaction from Chris BMW in Decatur... even though I test drove, but did not buy from them.

[jeff323Ci]

Ok, let's have it: Which Atlanta dealer can't seem to get it right? I bet it's the same one that took four attempts to fix my A/C (fixed the wrong part three times).

I no longer take my vehicle to the dealership I bought it from. I have had 100% satisfaction from Chris BMW in Decatur... even though I test drove, but did not buy from them.

The "other" northside dealer is who won't give me the time of day. In all fairness, I haven't tried Chris as they aren't convenient. I bought in Athens and they ALWAYS bring a loaner to me at work and don't give me the opportunity to bring my business elsewhere. The "other" dealer is ridiculous in my opinion, from parts staff to service. I had them align the car and they actually returned it with the steering wheel aligned off center. Some alignment... I'll stay with Athens and follow Hack's advice.

[The HACK]

I knew you or one of the regulars would have the fix. I will be investing in the 3M sealant/adhesive this evening. I'd much rather do it myself, but without the proper tools/equipment, I didn't want to make anything worse...

Make sure you get the black kind. The adhesive is very messy to use and do not wash or clean off, so be sure you wear some gloves. Get a small popsicle stick and use that as application guide, and clean off the extra adhesive when you're done.

This only works for the mouse fur part that falls off, not the rubber part that gets torn by the door opening and closing. There's suppose to be a newly re-designed part that won't come in contact with the door thus tearing.

Lastly, if you're out of warranty I'd just take the car to a good independent BMW mechanic instead of the dealership.

[nate]

I've got about 200 miles left on the warranty and my driver's seal is getting a bit loose.

I dont' want the hasse of the dealer, so I will just glue it back myself.

[elbert]

The redesigned door seal still tears, but it goes longer between changes. My last set lasted about 18 months, compared to about 6 to 9 months for the older design.

[The HACK]

What I find as an effective way to apply the glue, is to put the tip of the glue tube up against the tip of the popsicle stick, and squeeze with gentle pressure on the tube and flatten out the glue coming out as you apply on both surface. Have a friend pull the trim open so you have ample space to apply the glue, let it sit for a minute and then re-apply glue on ONE SIDE ONLY and then attach quickly, apply gentle pressure to make sure the glue bonds, it'll bond in a few seconds. Do not disturb glue'd parts for a few hours.

[asb2002]

The "other" northside dealer is who won't give me the time of day. In all fairness, I haven't tried Chris as they aren't convenient. I bought in Athens and they ALWAYS bring a loaner to me at work and don't give me the opportunity to bring my business elsewhere. The "other" dealer is ridiculous in my opinion, from parts staff to service. I had them align the car and they actually returned it with the steering wheel aligned off center. Some alignment... I'll stay with Athens and follow Hack's advice.

I once asked that "northside" dealer to replace my sticky pedal, and they gave me my car back with a NEW sticky pedal instead of the updated part.

[HW]

i'm on my 3rd one. see the ulcer forum btw. lots there on this. so far so good but they had to glue mine. :mad:

[chsu74]

Just had my sixth door seal (this one the passenger side's third) installed last week. Dealer is coming to get the car again Friday as this seal binds in the door, preventing closing the door and has a quarter size rip in it. How many seals have you guys been through? I have them bind in the door, fall down in the windows from the headliner and generally sh$t the bed within a year.....6 seals in 3 years is a little ridiculous. I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting a part of the vehicle that prevents water from entering the car to last more than 1 year...

Hi! jeff323Ci,

I just replaced mine and its a 2001 325XI. The front passenger side came loose and would only leak when I am parked on an incline with that side as the highest point. My driveway is a little uneven to say the least..... Replaced it and have not had a problem since....

[Terry Kennedy]

I just replaced mine and its a 2001 325XI. The front passenger side came loose and would only leak when I am parked on an incline with that side as the highest point. My driveway is a little uneven to say the least..... Replaced it and have not had a problem since....I haven't had to replace the one on the door, but I did have to replace the one on the driver's side door frame. About 3000 miles ago one of the issues I reported to my dealer was "liitle pieces of black gunk on the floor below the driver's side seat belt". I got the normal "cannot reproduce" response. How can they "not reproduce" it - there is a pile of black :mad: on the gray carpet?

Anyway, I'm detailing my car for BFE 2003 and notice that the gasket on the door frame is really chewed up. It looks like the metal tongue of the seat belt is hitting it and chewing it up (I tend to unhook, open the door, and get out in one mostly-fluid motion). I've never had this problem with any previous car, though. I place a rush order for a pair of these ($35 or so each) so I can change one in time and have a spare. They come in huge door-sized boxes. Of course, the installation isn't covered in the TIS. I wound up popping the door sill off, peeling the old one off, and installing the new one. Seems like it is friction-fit. The trick is to flatten the "mouse fur" portion so the gasket seats properly on the frame, and to thump it down with a rubber mallet. Anybody else run into this issue?

[SergioK]

I've got about 200 miles left on the warranty and my driver's seal is getting a bit loose.

I dont' want the hasse of the dealer, so I will just glue it back myself.


I'd have the dealer fix it before your warranty is up. I'd venture to have them replace it with a new one.

I had my seal replaced on my driver's door at about 30k miles. I wasn't gonna accept a 'glue it' fix.

[Artslinger]

I once asked that "northside" dealer to replace my sticky pedal, and they gave me my car back with a NEW sticky pedal instead of the updated part.


:rofl: :mad: