E46 convertible damage on headrest pillar

2462 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by ashecnc, May 22, 2002

slsman

Discussion Starter · Apr 19, 2002

Hi Folks!

I've had my 330 cic convertible for almost a year now. Over time the front seatbelts (which are mounted in the seat itself and the headrest) have damaged the finish on the areas of the headrest pillar which they come in contact with during normal use.

The damage is essentially a wearing away of the "finish" leaving marks in the plastic and some black materiel as well.

Dealer says he cannot find any service issue on file from BMW with regards to replacement potentially with a "fixed" part (one that would not cause this damage).

Any convertible owners out there experience the same???

What, if anything, have you been able to do to solve this? Was BMW involved?

Thanks!
Stephen
[email protected]

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

egruber

· #2 · Apr 19, 2002

Yes..Yes....Yes....

Here's what I've learned.

The 2001 Headrest wears just as you described. However, around October, BMW changed the headrest design so that additional vinyl trim surrounds the wear areas (look at a new one at the dealer and you'll see what I mean).

Now, here's where it gets sticky. According to my dealer, to upgrate the headrest post to the newer design requires a replacement of both the post AND the headrest itself, and BMW won't pay for it. However, BMW WILL pay to replace it with the exisiting flawed design as often as I like during the warranty period. Sounds more expensive in the long run, but that's their story.

Meanwhile, someone on the other BMW board got his dealer in Brooklyn to upgrade his at no cost, and even though I told my dealer about it, they would not budge.

My car is going in next month for it's first service and I asked to have the headrest post replaced. I'm wondering if I'll get the old or new design. I'll let you know.

If your dealer is more cooperative, please let me know.

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Jimmymac

· #3 · Apr 19, 2002

Yeah I have that as well

Really looks like hell...

Not as bad as the rock chips though...

which I am currently painting and sanding and every other thing that will break my arm off...

So hard to get those things perfect !!!

almost impossible for me anyways...

bmw325

· #4 · Apr 19, 2002

I did see a TSB regarding this on the BMW TIS cd-- it involved moving the "button" on the seatbelt itself 22mm higher and 1 other thing. I'll look it up when I get a chancce--- but tell the dealer there is a tsb. When was your car built? I remember that this only applied to early production convertibles.

ashecnc

· #5 · Apr 20, 2002

That is another thing i think is insane.. Instead of replacing the headrest and all with the "new" design so down the road it will not look like hell. They will replace it 15 times with the junk nasty way and cost them 10 times more. I that is stupid. They used to make CD player, just like in the cars now that would make every CD stick or hang up and suck it back in until late 2001 I think. they wanted to replace my CD with the same ole piece of shit that sticks... After I *****ed a while, they decided to order a whole new one 2002 model for me that did not stick... sometimes head people don't make a bit of sense to me...but who I am to say... BTW, my dealer agreed, it was BMWNA that didn't, I called them. :thumbdwn:

slsman

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 20, 2002

Build date was Jan 2001....TSB, yes pls!

...a copy of that TSB would be really really helpful.

I live in Toronto, and you wouldn't believe how much of a challenge it was to get the steering retrofit done on my car.

Enough pressure from US consumers at least motivated BMWUSA to offer the retrofit. A few of us vocal and longstanding BMW Canada customers were able to acquire it as well...but only because of the indirect influence of the US market.

BMW Canada handled my request very well, assuring me that they would do anything to make me happy with the car.

Having any documentation, such as a TSB which may not be released in or to Canada could be very helpful.

Since I'm yapping about this headrest post damage now, is there any interest in my uploading a digi pic or two documenting it?

Thanks everyone,

Stephen

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slsman

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 20, 2002

rock chips ARE worse!

Just had my hood repaired and repainted after a jeep backed into me when I was parked. Popped the driver side grill onto the ground and pinched the sheet metal just above it.

Now that I have an immaculate hood (again), I'm considering having the transparent film applied....the trade name escapes me now..but it acts as a stone guard and hopefully will prevent having me repaint the hood every couple of yrs or so.

I ain't crazy about the slight visible line it would leave on the hood, but it may be worth saving the $$ in the longer run.

BTW car is titanium silver, so hopefully the line won't be as noticeable.

Any experiences or opinions?

Thanks everyone for allowing me to indulge in so many long messages!

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Cabriolet

· #8 · Apr 20, 2002

I believe the transparent film you are talking about is made by 3M. Hey, how about some 3m on your M3 ?

Jimmymac

· #9 · Apr 21, 2002 (Edited)

Finishing up my rock chips with Lanka

It looks fairly good but it's not perfect... I followed up with some polishing compound which really helped.. I had to wet sand one that was fairly deep and wide.

The Lanka is OK.. not great.. It got me like 70% to perfect.. The polishing compound got me 10% more I think.. If you look close you can see they where filled in.. but you can't really see it from 4-5 feet away.. Ah well... Alot better than a huge paint glob..

I didn't want to get too aggressive since its a new car..

I swear I almost had a heart attack after I wet sanded one of the spots that the dealer glopped touch up paint in. My finish looked like the bottom of a shoe...

The spots I did with Lanka are left with some fine fine micro scratches that left a haze.. Instead of following up with polishing compound I am going to try M#9 and see how it looks... less is more right ? If it doesn't work I'll use the polishing compound.

As for the 3M.. I went and looked at it on a brand new Lexus SUV the other day and it was REALLY tough to see the line unless I was looking for it. The Lexus was metalic cream colored. I also saw an old Mercedes that had just been repainted .. I could see the line fairly clearly on it but, the paint had never been waxed.. I belive that it will be fairly invisible. The 3m does have a bit of an orange peal.. but rock chips are WAY WAY worse.

My final conclusion is that I will get the 3M after I get these rocks chips totally sorted.. It will never be perfect.. BUT.. I'd rather deal with the line than messing with my paint job every month or so. My clear coat is only so thick.. I don't know how many rubs it can take..and I am a bit anal about getting the chip holes fairly filled in and even.

My 2 cents.. any comments are greatly appreciated...

Do you guys get your rock chips completly even with the paint.. I mean invisible ? I can only seem to get like 80% there.

Jimmy

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ashecnc

· #10 · Apr 21, 2002

Re: Finishing up my rock chips with Lanka

Jimmymac said:
It looks fairly good but it's not perfect... I followed up with some polishing compound which really helped.. I had to wet sand one that was fairly deep and wide.

The Lanka is OK.. not great.. It got me like 70% to perfect.. The polishing compound got me 10% more I think.. If you look close you can see they where filled in.. but you can't really see it from 4-5 feet away.. Ah well... Alot better than a huge paint glob..

I didn't want to get too aggressive since its a new car..

I swear I almost had a heart attack after I wet sanded one of the spots that the dealer glopped touch up paint in. My finish looked like the bottom of a shoe...

The spots I did with Lanka are left with some fine fine micro scratches that left a haze.. Instead of following up with polishing compound I am going to try M#9 and see how it looks... less is more right ? If it doesn't work I'll use the polishing compound.

As for the 3M.. I went and looked at it on a brand new Lexus SUV the other day and it was REALLY tough to see the line unless I was looking for it. The Lexus was metalic cream colored. I also saw an old Mercedes that had just been repainted .. I could see the line fairly clearly on it but, the paint had never been waxed.. I belive that it will be fairly invisible. The 3m does have a bit of an orange peal.. but rock chips are WAY WAY worse.

My final conclusion is that I will get the 3M after I get these rocks chips totally sorted.. It will never be perfect.. BUT.. I'd rather deal with the line than messing with my paint job every month or so. My clear coat is only so thick.. I don't know how many rubs it can take..and I am a bit anal about getting the chip holes fairly filled in and even.

My 2 cents.. any comments are greatly appreciated...

Do you guys get your rock chips completly even with the paint.. I mean invisible ? I can only seem to get like 80% there.

Jimmy

Hey Jimmy, sorry about that :bawling: got any pics of the hood?

bmw325

· #11 · Apr 22, 2002

Sorry-

I just looked up the TSB that I was thinking of-- it applies to cars built before MAy 2000- and is a different problem. I couldn't find any fix for the problem you're describing.

slsman

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 22, 2002

NP, I appreciate you looking tho...

Looks like I'll have to rattle some headrests, er, I mean cages
at BMW Canada.

I'll post any information I rc'v

Once again, thanks for your help, and to all the others too

Stephen

obLu

· #13 · Apr 23, 2002

Here's what my dealer had to say.

The service advisor I deal with at my dealer is super cool and last time I was in he had some time on his hands to chat about stuff. So I asked him about the seat posts on the convertible.

He knew of the problem, he's had several customers complain. He also knew of the new post design. He was more than willing to upgrade mine eventhough he knew that the entire assembly had to be replaced, not just the post. However, when he went to order the parts the part #'s were the same for the old convertibles and the new ones. He ordered them for me just to see which style would come and they were the old ones. His guess is the part #'s haven't been updated yet. My suggestion would be, that if it bothers you, keep having them replaced and eventually they'll put the new design on for you.

Also, looking at the new design it seems to me that the rubber piece is just going to get rubbed on and start to look beat up after a while too.

Luckily there are so many other bigger things that bother me about this car I don't pay much attention to the seat belt posts.

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ashecnc

· #14 · Apr 24, 2002

Re: Here's what my dealer had to say.

obLu said:
The service advisor I deal with at my dealer is super cool and last time I was in he had some time on his hands to chat about stuff. So I asked him about the seat posts on the convertible.

He knew of the problem, he's had several customers complain. He also knew of the new post design. He was more than willing to upgrade mine eventhough he knew that the entire assembly had to be replaced, not just the post. However, when he went to order the parts the part #'s were the same for the old convertibles and the new ones. He ordered them for me just to see which style would come and they were the old ones. His guess is the part #'s haven't been updated yet. My suggestion would be, that if it bothers you, keep having them replaced and eventually they'll put the new design on for you.

Also, looking at the new design it seems to me that the rubber piece is just going to get rubbed on and start to look beat up after a while too.

If you don't mind, what other things have happened to your car? thanks

Luckily there are so many other bigger things that bother me about this car I don't pay much attention to the seat belt posts.

egruber

· #15 · May 22, 2002

Mine is fixed!!!

After 1 year, I just had mine changed again and I got the new updated design.

The dealer did not even know it until I pointed it out! He was still explaining how BMW wouldn't approve updating it because it required a new headrest too.

Part numbers were unchanged.

I guess this is just another example of how nobody knows what's going on with these cars.

My advice is to keep requesting a replacement, and eventually you should get the updated ones.

ashecnc

· #16 · May 22, 2002

Re: Mine is fixed!!!

egruber said:
After 1 year, I just had mine changed again and I got the new updated design.

The dealer did not even know it until I pointed it out! He was still explaining how BMW wouldn't approve updating it because it required a new headrest too.

Part numbers were unchanged.

I guess this is just another example of how nobody knows what's going on with these cars.

My advice is to keep requesting a replacement, and eventually you should get the updated ones.

congrats :thumb: :thumb:

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