Chipping/Flaking Steering Wheel
 

I have an 06' Sport...no problems at all except that the steering wheel is "chipping" next to the radio controls. I have seen it posted before that this was a common BMW problem, but does anyone know if replacing it is covered under the factory warranty? It seems to be getting worse with time.

covered
take it in

same problem...next service i'll adress this. Come on BMW...seriously we both have last year of production E53's. :rolleyes:

I already had that fixed on my '05, common issue

Had it happen to me too... It was replaced under warranty. The original cover had a white base under the black paint on the cover, for some reason, and made the flaw very noticeable. The replacement has already come off a bit, but it's not as noticeable since the base color is now black.

-- Kelly

I just had mine replaced yesterday. Simple and fast for the stealer to handle :thumbup:

Would this be covered?

Thanks

It should. Mine wasn't as bad but it was replaced.

u think they have to disconnect the batt to do this change... its just i have an aftermarket sub wired in my trunk, and i know bmw doesnt wanna mess wit it at all.

Mine looked very similar, except at 6 O'Clock position. Replaced/covered under warranty last week.

Would you work with a live airbag in your face..?

I'd bet that safety guidelines require they disconnect the battery..

Ed

Thanks for the replies, man it is great to know that it is covered under warranty. For those that have had this replaced, has your new steering wheel chipped?

I am on my third one since 05, dealer says it is after shave or perfume on your hands that stip the plastic top layer off.

I think it is style of driving.

yes!

un-acceptable to keep having to replace a steering wheel 3 times in a $63,000 car. BMW really needs to upgrade their plastic coatings...my door grabs (not the handles) are also peeling on both my E60 and E53 as well as the armrest release. :rolleyes: I will always be a loyal BMW owner though despite their crappy interior bits..:confused:

I too think it is down to style of driving but also combined with poor quality of finish. I tend to hook my thumb in that position with my elbow resting on the door (UK Right hand drive) when driving in a relaxed fashion. I think it is then caused by my thumbnail rubbing in that area.

I have to agree as well that it should not be happening in a £50,000+ car. Mine only has 14250 miles on the clock and it just seems to be getting worse.

I've got it booked in this week for checking out an oil leak since it's first oil service in May/June. I'll try to see whether they would replace this then.

I`m on my third!

Hopefully the same won't happen with the E70.

replaced under warranty today without any grumbles from the dealer.

PS: I saw them changing it from a distance. Took no more than 10 minutes and they did not disconnect the battery.

I had the steering wheel cover of my 05 X5 4.4 sports replaced with no cost to me but came back with a crooked steering wheel (about 5 degrees off to the left). It was straight when I drove into the dealership but crooked when I drove out the next day. They said replacing the cover doesn't require removing the steering wheel and they claimed my front end alignment is probably off but that would mean they caused it since it was straight when I dropped it off. Anyways, can someone confirm whether the steering wheel needs to be removed when replacing the cover? Thanks!

Here's the part-- #2 in the diagram. Will be covered, but even if not, I don't think is is expensive. My dealer covered it.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...&btnr=32_1465& hg=32&fg=35

That's right. It's #2 in the diagram. Do you know if the steering wheel needs to be taken off in order to replace the cover? My steering wheel was straight going into the dealership but crooked when I picked up the car. Dealer claimed they didn't remove the steering wheel to replace the cover. Can someone confirm? Thanks!

I'm about to go back to the dealer to have the crooked steering wheel fixed and it would be nice to know if they had misaligned the wheel after they replaced the paint-chipped plastic cover. Does anyone know if the process of replacing the cover involves removing the steering wheel? The dealer claims they did not remove the steering wheel. Thanks!

2005 X5 4.4 Sports Package

Mine was the same, BMW tried to get away with spraying it but but I sent a rocket up their ass and they replaced with with a new one under warranty

mccalia1, do you know if they have to remove the steering wheel to replace the plastic cover? My steering wheel is now crooked (about 5 degrees off) after they worked on it so I'm wondering if it's caused by replacing the plastic cover. Thanks!

it doesn't look like the wheel needs removing to replace that trim. Just pop out the airbag and it is accessible.

The technician I said he didn't need to but when I took the car back another technician said he need to move the wheel to another notch to get it straight.

It's definately something to do with the plastic cover being replaced.

I thought so because the wheel was straight when I dropped off the car, and crooked when I picked it up. Supposedly nothing else was done to the car besides oil change. Thanks mccalia1.

The steering wheel doesn't need to come off you just pop out the airbag and then you have access to the torx screws to remove the trim.I got fed up with mine being scratched and didn't realize that it could be replaced by bmw so i took mine off and re sprayed it in silver to match my interior trim looks great imo and a much better finish.I took it back to the bone and primed sprayed and laquered it now it doesn't scratch easy and i have a custom trim of my own.:thumbup:

Here's what i did if anyone is interested check this link
http://www.x5drivers.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3207

I have a 2005 with CPO only will the trim replacment be covered?

They should cover it... Honestly, I think it may depend to a significant degree on your relationship with the particular dealer/service advisor. Never hurts to ask. :thumbup:

Thank you!

good job :thumbup:

I guess this is why the previous owner did this!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/...d6fc6248_b.jpg