Worn out buttons, WTF?

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I am 100% positive that this isn't a manufacturing defect. The button didn't completely get erased over night, there are 4 small tiny little stickers signifying a fan blade, it slowly lost a little piece at a time.
Again, while other manufacturers use paint, BMW uses fooking stickers. That's Bull$hit. I've looked at other buttons on the car, some appear to be painted and others look like stickers.

thats such a non-sense..a car like that deserves laser engraved buttons or something...

At the risk of sounding like a "hater" due to what "Brand I drive", another thing that's always bothered me about used BMW's (in the literal sense) is that the dyes on the steering wheels, and various other places seem to fade rather quickly. Seems the wheels start dulling fast on older models, while it isn't really an issue with most other manufacturers.

Originally Posted by K-A

At the risk of sounding like a "hater" due to what "Brand I drive", another thing that's always bothered me about used BMW's (in the literal sense) is that the dyes on the steering wheels, and various other places seem to fade rather quickly. Seems the wheels start dulling fast on older models, while it isn't really an issue with most other manufacturers.

Have not seen that myself, unless the car is in a very sunny climate. My Lexus LX450 suffered from too much sun on the steering wheel in Phoenix, AZ. Ate the top layer away (well, dried, cracked and fell off) even though I used protectants!

I use Novus #1 plastic polish on my HVAC, start/stop, steering wheel and all that rubberized crap that is known to peel..the stuff is amazing and does no harm in the long run. I is probably the best stuff I know for this purpose.

If it doesn't get any worse I would wait until closer to the end of my warranty so I have a good one for a longer period of time.

I imagine it's worse in person, at night, when the backlit...

I own as well and I too am not happy.

With the pulling to the right issues and all, BMW has been horrible; a serious lack of respect for owners.

WTF: Happening to me too!? To BOTH the small blower and seat fan buttons.

I've had my car for one year now and it will obviously worsen in time. NOT happy.

I get the whole perfection thing - and I admire your level of detail and attention. The ones that "let it slide" are the ones that permit it to happen in the first place.

Thanks for this thread...I will be sure to be extremely cautious when I touch the buttons on the dashboard.

Originally Posted by jason60050

Thanks for this thread...I will be sure to be extremely cautious when I touch the buttons on the dashboard.

forget that. Press the buttons with impunity and have them replaced under warranty.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

forget that. Press the buttons with impunity and have them replaced under warranty.

I take it you had your buttons replaced with no issues?

This is

Is it covered mine is worn

Yes, it's covered.

Happen to me, took it in, part ordered, part replaced, all under warranty.

Beverly Hills BMW IS a ripoff anyways, just a thought...

This damn thread has me paranoid whenever I touch any buttons on my car.

Anybody hope/think/wish/falsely-ignoramously-pretend that BMW has sorted this issue out by 2013 models?

Some of the cleaners that car washes use will eat away at applied graphics.

By the way the systems are designed just to let the AC system adjust itself. It is not recommended to turn the AC off routinely.

Originally Posted by K-A

This damn thread has me paranoid whenever I touch any buttons on my car.

Anybody hope/think/wish/falsely-ignoramously-pretend that BMW has sorted this issue out by 2013 models?

My 2010 550GT has the same issues. Start/stop button and AC/ seat heat and ventilation buttons all delaminating or rubbing off. I don't understand why the AC buttons are not engraved/injected like most other cars. The applique type system BMW uses for these buttons isn't something you would expect in a 75K car.

Originally Posted by pharding

Some of the cleaners that car washes use will eat away at applied graphics.

By the way the systems are designed just to let the AC system adjust itself. It is not recommended to turn the AC off routinely.

Can you elaborate on that? I always get annoyed that my HVAC comes on at start, and immediately turn it off. Are you saying that does more harm than good?

Doesn't the A/C running cost us some power and MPG? I don't see how it could be better on the car to leave it on, but would love to know if it is.

Originally Posted by K-A

Can you elaborate on that? I always get annoyed that my HVAC comes on at start, and immediately turn it off. Are you saying that does more harm than good?

Doesn't the A/C running cost us some power and MPG? I don't see how it could be better on the car to leave it on, but would love to know if it is.

Different people use their AC and climate control systems differently. I've been used to automatic systems since my parent's cars had it back in the late 60's. They've made many improvements since then, in control capability, responsiveness, etc. I leave mine on auto all the time, except for some nice spring days when I may shut off the compressor, open the windows and sunroof, and just leave it on "vent". Some people, I'm guessing those who have very little familiarity with automatic systems, don't understand how it works, or insist they can control it more efficiently, are constantly playing with the controls. Other than what I mentioned above, I think I touch the control buttons maybe twice a year. BTW, the F10 climate system, in my "experienced and knowledgable" opinion, is one of the best around. It is very efficient in operation and very responsive to changes affecting cabin comfort.

The system is engineered to have the compressor run 365 days a year. (It doesn't rob power, because the compressor clutch is decoupled by the engine management system when needed). It doesn't just cool the air, it dries it.

People who routinely turn the compressor off always get irate that their A/C smells like musty gym socks. Those of us who use the system the way it was engineered, never get mildew in the ducts, and don't have that issue.

This is all covered in the manual. It's amazing what other useful stuff is lurking there.

Sent from my HTC Inspire using BimmerApp

Interesting stuff. I always equated A/C Compressor On as "bad".

A lot of times I run in fresh air without the compressor on.... Would you guys recommend having A/C on even if you're running the heater?

Originally Posted by K-A

Interesting stuff. I always equated A/C Compressor On as "bad".

A lot of times I run in fresh air without the compressor on.... Would you guys recommend having A/C on even if you're running the heater?

Yes, mine is allways on.

Originally Posted by K-A

Interesting stuff. I always equated A/C Compressor On as "bad".

A lot of times I run in fresh air without the compressor on.... Would you guys recommend having A/C on even if you're running the heater?

Even though the "AC", or snowflake, button is lit, the system will not run the compressor below a certain ambient temperature. You can leave the button "on" all the time. Also, in heating season, the air can be moist, causing windows to fog. Leaving the compressor engaged will dry the air and avoid window fogging, even without the use of the defogger setting for heavy windshield fog. In fact, I never run the defrost function specifically, never find the need. In some fog-producing weather, I do take manual control of the fan, and possibly air distribution mode (floor + windshield), to ensure sufficient air movement in the cabin to keep the windows clear. Don't you often see cars with fogged windows in cold weather? Actually, more often than not, they are "lower class" cars that I notice. The drivers obviously don't know to turn on their compressor even when using heat. Another observation you may not have noticed on many climate systems -- as the cabin temperature moderates in cooler weather, the air delivery vents usually switch automatically to floor/windshield to deliver some cooler air toward the upper part of the cabin. By using the windshield vents, the system can avoid blowing cool air directly at the occupants while maintaining an overall comfortable setting.

However, if you are doing the fresh air "vent" thing, then yes, I turn off the snowflake. In that case I usually go to full manual to avoid the fan blowing faster and faster, trying to cool the car (if it's hot outside).