Mysterious boot lid indentations
Mysterious boot lid indentations
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Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Monday 26th May
quotequote all
Feeling ever so slightly miffed at the moment…

Bought a brand new BMW 2 series Grand Coupe late last year & have noticed 5/6 slight indentations in top of the boot lid, approx 3 inches in from the boot spoiler, all at equal distances I.e symmetrical from either side.

When you’re standing next to the car, they’re very difficult to see, unless the car is clean. But looking out of the window, where our house is slightly elevated from the drive, in full sunlight it looks terrible. Car being black probably emphasises the reflections.

I really don’t know how they have happened. Car has done very few miles, has never been parked anywhere out of sight & I doubt they were there from new. Almost looks like someone has been heavy handed shutting the boot, but in the time I’ve had the car the boot has been very rarely used & I always use inner grab handle or push down on numberplate.

Did a quick google search & it appears that other folk have experienced this on other cars (Aston Martin apparently knew of a problem on the Vantage) where there were issues with the bond between boot frame & cover. Is this really something??

Anyhow, thinking of speaking to BMW about it (doubt I’ll get anywhere). Anyone else come across this at all??

Cheers 👍

Super Sonic

9,907 posts

70 months

Monday 26th May
quotequote all
Any photos?

vikingaero

11,958 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Do the indentations match strengthening frame/bar welds on the interior of the boot?

LightweightLouisDanvers

2,565 posts

59 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Paintless dent removal company might be able to sort it?

Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses chaps.

I’ll try & get some pictures - they’re really difficult to photograph unless direct sunlight on them. Unfortunately, the weather here today is terrible so I’ll aim to get some later in the week.

With regards to the dents matching the strengthening frame / bar welds - I’m not 100% sure as there is the carpet trim in place & I haven’t removed it. However, looking at ‘bare’ boot lids on eBay then it does seem that they are in a very similar position.

sherman

14,485 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Possibly marks from the car transporter ramps that got covered back up during dealer pdi prep.

Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
LightweightLouisDanvers said:
Paintless dent removal company might be able to sort it?
I had wondered that, might enquire who is recommended locally. Thanks.

Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
sherman said:
Possibly marks from the car transporter ramps that got covered back up during dealer pdi prep.
How would that happen? Is this something you’ve heard of previously?

I’ve only noticed it following the recent warm spell - our drive is a sun trap & does get very hot. Being a black car it’s possible that this has emphasised any changes.

sherman

14,485 posts

231 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Boxstercol said:
sherman said:
Possibly marks from the car transporter ramps that got covered back up during dealer pdi prep.
How would that happen? Is this something you’ve heard of previously?

I’ve only noticed it following the recent warm spell - our drive is a sun trap & does get very hot. Being a black car it’s possible that this has emphasised any changes.
The cars are racked up very tightly using hydraulics. If the ramps have been a bit tight a scratch/dent can happen if a large bump etc occurs
Dealers can polish alot of issues away before you collect the car.

Cold

16,097 posts

106 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
100% these indentations are just manufacturing anomalies. I'd be pleasantly surprised if you get anywhere with BMW in trying to have them fund any rectification as I suspect it will be a case of They All Do That, Sir.

Byker28i

76,457 posts

233 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Use one of those lined reflector boards to spot the dents easily?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAEVUGD6F7s

Bill

55,924 posts

271 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Cold said:
100% these indentations are just manufacturing anomalies. I'd be pleasantly surprised if you get anywhere with BMW in trying to have them fund any rectification as I suspect it will be a case of They All Do That, Sir.
This. Park the other way round so you don't notice it.

Sebring440

2,790 posts

112 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Byker28i said:
Use one of those lined reflector boards to spot the dents easily?
He's already easily spotted the dents. That's why he started the thread.


Jader1973

4,567 posts

216 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
Cold said:
100% these indentations are just manufacturing anomalies. I'd be pleasantly surprised if you get anywhere with BMW in trying to have them fund any rectification as I suspect it will be a case of They All Do That, Sir.
This.

I’ve seen some shocking panel wobbles on brand new, fresh off the ship, cars (all in the same spot on every car). Just a manufacturing thing.

On the BMW I’d bet it is where the thin outer skin gets pulled down slightly where it is stuck to the inner strengthener. It won’t be fixable.

oobster

7,454 posts

227 months

Tuesday 27th May
quotequote all
I bought a brand new Focus ST in 2013 and when I went to pick it up from the dealer I noticed a very shallow dent right in the middle of the bonnet.

Turns out it was where the inner frame of the bonnet had been bonded to the outer skin, and due to the heat (was middle of August) the sealant had shrunk slightly pulling the outer skin in.

I believe the dealer fixed it (within an hour) by breaking the bond with something, it was 12 years ago but something in my memory says they used fishing line, was fine after that even in hot weather.

Byker28i

76,457 posts

233 months

Wednesday 28th May
quotequote all
Sebring440 said:
Byker28i said:
Use one of those lined reflector boards to spot the dents easily?
He's already easily spotted the dents. That's why he started the thread.
OP: "When you’re standing next to the car, they’re very difficult to see, unless the car is clean." wink

Wills2

26,416 posts

191 months

Wednesday 28th May
quotequote all

I'd certainly take it in and ask for their opinion, it all depends on the dealership but my local BMW dealer is very good so wouldn't hesitate especially as they are not in a vulnerable part of the car like the doors and wings.


Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Thursday 29th May
quotequote all
Thanks to all that have commented on this thread with advice etc.

I’ve got it booked in with BMW to look at, will report back when I have an update. Hopefully I’ll be pleasantly surprised….

Boxstercol

Original Poster:

240 posts

149 months

Friday 13th June
quotequote all
By way of an update, visited BMW dealership & they’ve taken a video of the issue & sent it to BMW HQ. Should hear back within a week….

Not sure what to expect, if anything. But I’ll wait & see, miracles may happen!

josenguyen

8 posts

82 months

Friday 13th June
quotequote all
I’ve heard of similar issues where the boot lid or panel can get tiny dents if there’s a weak spot or bonding problem underneath. It’s weird how those marks show up even if you barely use the boot.