Worn out buttons, WTF?

Originally Posted by Houseofpang

Do you put on hand lotions or use hand sanitizer alot TJ?

When I'm "meditating" in front of the computer. I do use hand sanitizer yes, but I use it in all three cars, and this car is driven less than the other 2, and only this car (youngest) has fading buttons. (but it also drives the best, so I'll probably continue to drink the BMW Kool-Aid like everyone else and deal with RFT's and software updates, and fill in the blank...)

Originally Posted by bmwarchitect

In any case, my next BMW is probably a lease as you say. I don't know if any other manufacture does it any different or better these days.

I'm usually not a believer of leasing for personal use, but it may be worth the premium to avoid the out of warranty malarkey.

Originally Posted by aceman67

If it were me, i would not let anyone take apart the dash for 4 dots on a fan blade logo that's about 3/16" in diameter. I would imagine the chance that the dash does not go back together perfectly (fit/finish wise) would bother me more than those 4 dots on the blades.

My 2 cents

Aceman

My NAV screen somehow became scratched after only having my F10 for a few months. My dealer, who is very customer oriented, agreed to change out the NAV screen under warranty with a brand new NAV screen. I am sure this involved taking the dash apart. My dealer did a fantastic job. You can not tell that the dash was taken apart, everything went back together perfectly, and there are no rattling noises. If my HVAC buttons started to wear out like TJ's, I would not hesitate to request that the dealer make the appropriate repair.

Also, a buddy of mine accepted delivery of his F10 even though BMW used the wrong trim on his M Sport. The dealer (same as my dealer) swapped out the trim and the vehicle looks like nothing was ever taken apart and put back together.

Originally Posted by CRMESQ

My NAV screen somehow became scratched after only having my F10 for a few months. My dealer, who is very customer oriented, agreed to change out the NAV screen under warranty with a brand new NAV screen. I am sure this involved taking the dash apart. My dealer did a fantastic job. You can not tell that the dash was taken apart, everything went back together perfectly, and there are no rattling noises. If my HVAC buttons started to wear out like TJ's, I would not hesitate to request that the dealer make the appropriate repair.

Also, a buddy of mine accepted delivery of his F10 even though BMW used the wrong trim on his M Sport. The dealer (same as my dealer) swapped out the trim and the vehicle looks like nothing was ever taken apart and put back together.

That makes me feel better. I do have to give it up to BMW of Beverly Hills. They have a new state of the art service facility that opened up about a month ago. Dealing with them has been a breeze.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

If I was leasing the car it would be another story, but I own this car, and I have an expectation that in a year a button should not be peeling off or fading. I have a 16 year old lexus and NONE of the buttons have faded or peeled.
Service Person: " Yeah I've seen this a lot. BMW uses a coating that they spray onto the panels and switches. When that plastic coating wears off the paint on top of the buttons is exposed and gets abraded and eventually wears off. A lot of the time lotions or hand sanitizers will chemically react with the coating and cause it to degrade. Other manufacturers inject paint into the buttons so it's not just sitting on the surface. "

BMW has been blaming the creams and sprays for years. My friends cars have suffered the same fate - this is my first BMW. Once you've had a Lexus or an Acura you expect more (or at least the same) in the area of quality control and reliability - how expensive can it be to use a better supplier or fix this notorious flaw?

This is a picture of the Acura shift knob I bought for my RL. When I first saw it I thought the Acura logo would not last because it looked painted on - but I was wrong, after five years of use it looked as day one when I sold the car. The same for all the interior buttons, bits and pieces - flawless.

Originally Posted by CRMESQ

My NAV screen somehow became scratched after only having my F10 for a few months. My dealer, who is very customer oriented, agreed to change out the NAV screen under warranty with a brand new NAV screen. I am sure this involved taking the dash apart. My dealer did a fantastic job. You can not tell that the dash was taken apart, everything went back together perfectly, and there are no rattling noises. If my HVAC buttons started to wear out like TJ's, I would not hesitate to request that the dealer make the appropriate repair.

Also, a buddy of mine accepted delivery of his F10 even though BMW used the wrong trim on his M Sport. The dealer (same as my dealer) swapped out the trim and the vehicle looks like nothing was ever taken apart and put back together.

You were lucky. In my experience what you describe is the exception and not the rule but I hope for TJs sake that his experience will be the same as yours. But . . . why replace it if it will be worn out again within a year? I suppose one could get a new one every year until the warranty expires.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I'm usually not a believer of leasing for personal use, but it may be worth the premium to avoid the out of warranty malarkey.

I wasn't either, but also use my car for business use. My X5 is out of warranty and it's not something I would look forward to in an increasingly complex vehicle like the F10. The button I replaced in my x5 was under $20 and I did it myself, what's the cost and complexity of changing the module in your car out of warranty? Will there be independant mechanics at reasonable prices to keep up, maybe.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

BMW has been blaming the creams and sprays for years. My friends cars have suffered the same fate - this is my first BMW. Once you've had a Lexus or an Acura you expect more (or at least the same) in the area of quality control and reliability - how expensive can it be to use a better supplier or fix this notorious flaw?

I honestly think they just don't care. Sales are better than they've ever been even in a recession. Luxury buyers are not focused on reliability, so why should the manufacturer? As far as the manufacturer is concerned, the dealerships can back stop the shoddy quality. The dealer gets paid and everyone is happy.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

yours. But . . . why replace it if it will be worn out again within a year?

The same reason I make the bed, which I will mess up again tomorrow. I need order, symmetry and precision in my life to make up for the vacant precipice left by my wanton secular existence.

I'm really over the top, and believe it or not, avoid getting finger prints on the buttons by wiping my fingers prior to touching the buttons and only touching the buttons on the corners to prevent getting the white print dirty. The other thing I've found to be a must is carrying a microfiber towel to dust the interior dash. Now, I'll be extra careful knowing that the paint is not durable. By the way, my dealer loves it when I decide to trade my cars.

Originally Posted by Hoosier1

I'm really over the top, and believe it or not, avoid getting finger prints on the buttons by wiping my fingers prior to touching the buttons and only touching the buttons on the corners to prevent getting the white print dirty. The other thing I've found to be a must is carrying a microfiber towel to dust the interior dash. Now, I'll be extra careful knowing that the paint is not durable. By the way, my dealer loves it when I decide to trade my cars.

Hey,
It is possible to order engraved buttons from china...(seriously) (has to be quantity)
send them the one you have now, and they will make a better
(but you have to remove it from the dash)
this can turn into a profitable opportunity for all of us
in that way you don't have to wipe your fingers either!...

Originally Posted by TJPark01

The same reason I make the bed, which I will mess up again tomorrow. I need order, symmetry and precision in my life to make up for the vacant precipice left by my wanton secular existence.

Now we are making progress on the issue. If you can't buy a car or a watch to fill the void, what's left - women! And they don't take kindly to replacement.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

BMW has been blaming the creams and sprays for years. My friends cars have suffered the same fate - this is my first BMW. Once you've had a Lexus or an Acura you expect more (or at least the same) in the area of quality control and reliability - how expensive can it be to use a better supplier or fix this notorious flaw?

This is a picture of the Acura shift knob I bought for my RL. When I first saw it I thought the Acura logo would not last because it looked painted on - but I was wrong, after five years of use it looked as day one when I sold the car. The same for all the interior buttons, bits and pieces - flawless.

+1. For Acura. No issues here either

Originally Posted by bmwarchitect

Now we are making progress on the issue. If you can't buy a car or a watch to fill the void, what's left - women! And they don't take kindly to replacement.

+1

Originally Posted by 535Stu

+1. For Acura. No issues here either

Has anyone noticed on their wheel worn out BMW roundel on their past bimmers?

Originally Posted by TJPark01

The button I push the most is probably the small fan button to turn off the HVAC, when I start the car. Guess what, the small fan icon, it peeled off. During lunch I went to BMW of Beverly Hills without an appointment because this seriously pissed me off and it's down the street from me. Do you think they have to:
A - replace the button.
B - take apart the whole console and replace the entire HVAC face plate?

Similar issue to my X3. They had a bad coating batch that wears off. Should be covered by warranty. Mine was - steering wheel plastic had large area of peeling coating. New pieces have been fine.

It is not due to hand cream or greasy fingers!

Originally Posted by Hoosier1

I'm really over the top, and believe it or not, avoid getting finger prints on the buttons by wiping my fingers prior to touching the buttons and only touching the buttons on the corners to prevent getting the white print dirty. The other thing I've found to be a must is carrying a microfiber towel to dust the interior dash. Now, I'll be extra careful knowing that the paint is not durable. By the way, my dealer loves it when I decide to trade my cars.

I have multiple MF towels in the car. I have a tire gauge,inflator,sealant,Quick detailer in the trunk. The stupid thing is that I'm neurotic enough, that I will probably end up pressing the edge of the button as not to mess up the little fan symbol, but I really shouldn't have to.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I have multiple MF towels in the car. I have a tire gauge,inflator,sealant,Quick detailer in the trunk. The stupid thing is that I'm neurotic enough, that I will probably end up pressing the edge of the button as not to mess up the little fan symbol, but I really shouldn't have to.

Better not use the gas pedal or brake pedal then either. Buttons are for pushing! Let the replacing continue!

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I have multiple MF towels in the car. I have a tire gauge,inflator,sealant,Quick detailer in the trunk. The stupid thing is that I'm neurotic enough, that I will probably end up pressing the edge of the button as not to mess up the little fan symbol, but I really shouldn't have to.

TJ you are well equipped but maybe its time to add a pair of these now:

Originally Posted by madurodave

Similar issue to my X3. They had a bad coating batch that wears off. Should be covered by warranty. Mine was - steering wheel plastic had large area of peeling coating. New pieces have been fine.

It is not due to hand cream or greasy fingers!

Same thing on the E70 X5. Mine never experienced it, but many others did.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

The same reason I make the bed, which I will mess up again tomorrow. I need order, symmetry and precision in my life to make up for the vacant precipice left by my wanton secular existence.

Now that's an absolutely brilliant statement! Bravo!

Originally Posted by laser

TJ you are well equipped but maybe its time to add a pair of these now:

HA! Those are for Rolls Royce. I wonder if they have $hitty button too?

Originally Posted by TJPark01

The stupid thing is that I'm neurotic enough, that I will probably end up pressing the edge of the button as not to mess up the little fan symbol

This is precisely where my brain went when I saw this thread. "God damn. I'm going to train myself to not push the button paint, aren't I?"

Being very OCD about the lasting-ability and durability of the smaller details myself, one of the things that swayed me away from BMW is the fact that they're notorious for using plastics and rubbers all throughout the cars (from the steering wheels, to the rubbers around the windshields on some models, etc.) that fade and deteriorate rather quickly.

I think I'd probably just draw the middle of the fan back in using a very fine permanent marker pen. It's got to be better than having the service department rip the whole lot out.

I know there's a matter or principle at stake here, but the disruption that having it done properly would cause is out of proportion with the problem.

As they say in Brooklyn, fuggedaboudit.