F10/11 Interior dash button finish flaking off

[Daaaveee]

I have an F11 535i, 60 plate, bought July last year, still under AUC warranty.

Some of the dashboard buttons are showing more white than they should due to the black finish flaking off, namely heated seat buttons, Start/Stop button and electric rear boot opening button down in the foot well next the door.

Has anyone replaced these, are the cheap and easy to swap out or is it more hassle than its worth? They do look a bit of a bugger to be honest. Also it has AUC warranty still but I doubt it would cover this?

[PowerslideSWE]

Slightly OT since I have no idea if the buttons are hard to swap, but can't imagine it's that difficult. Sadly the quality of new cars are going south and in a hurry. Just sold my abused 19 year old BMW e38, it had rust in places but the interior, buttons and all were mint after almost 20 years and 150.000 miles.

[bmwmike]

PowerslideSWE said:

Slightly OT since I have no idea if the buttons are hard to swap, but can't imagine it's that difficult. Sadly the quality of new cars are going south and in a hurry. Just sold my abused 19 year old BMW e38, it had rust in places but the interior, buttons and all were mint after almost 20 years and 150.000 miles.

Agree with this. Just look at the state of BMW badges on wheels etc after just 3 years. I would have thought the BMW branding/badges were the last thing they'd skimp on personally.

Cars are vehicles for finance packages as much as passengers these days.. or perhaps it was always so but the margins are tighter.

[pattyg]

I think AUC warranty will cover these items. I'd certainly be raising with the dealer.

[Daaaveee]

Finally in today to have this looked at, the service person I dropped the car off with didn't seem too optimistic about it being covered under the AUC warranty though, stating cosmetic wear and tear is not covered.

I am more of the opinion its a manufacturing defect though considering how easily the finish has been removed, when some of the buttons are very rarely pressed.

[Andehh]

It's a common issue! Cheapy printed on symbols, mine has worn away on a few of my most commonly used buttons. Fan speed up & down namely.

[Nickbrapp]

Doesn’t surprise me, lots of e46 suffer with the same

[Daaaveee]

Surprise surprise, not covered under the AUC warranty. I should have paid closer attention when we bought it last year to see if there was any damage. Quote to replace £450, looks like I'll have to live with it. Apparently if it was within 3 years of new they would have sorted it.

Really poor quality though, I mean its even coming off the electric boot release button down in the footwell which is pressed once in a blue moon!