here is the picture finally
 

any comments on the stain?...see attached

they should replace that under warranty if they can't clean it off themselves.

not sure on warranty
 

BMW has offered to try and get it off but not sure they would replace under warranty. I have an email to them now.

pic of whole vehicle
 

here is a pic of my new Beamer

if their paint started to discolor so quickly, they would correct it... this should be the same thing.

Well but they are going to say I took it through the touchless wash and that it was the soap or sealer that caused it...won't that affect warranty? When I picked it up brand new...it was flawless.

the touchless wash doesn't affect most of the other cars out there, and shouldn't affect yours either. it shouldn't change color like that. and i wouldn't mention the car wash if you don't have to...

I just got the email reply from my salesman and he said the running board is covered under the warrantly. He has to see the spots to see if the Service Manager will cover it. Unfortunatley he knows that I washed the car already..

But you are right...I can't believe the soap, waxes, or sealant from the touchless place would cause this....this place gets all kinds of luxary vehicles. It would put them out of business.

Any other thoughts or comments?

That's some nasty stain. I agree with the rest of the forum, I would fight it 'till death until the dealer replaces the boards under warrantly. It is a brand new car and the stain is not considered common wear and tear. I have a fairly new C230 and the arm rest was replaced by MBZ twice already because the coating on the arm rest kept peeling from rubbing my elbows. That is something that should not happen to a new car. This is the same thing. The running board should not stain just because you took it to a car wash. Who knows, there might be a problem with the coating of the running board. Goodluck!

Thanks guys/gals for the comments. I plan to go to BMW of San Antonio Friday and talk to them. I agree for $60K car...the running boards should be able to withstand soap, etc.

Someone else pointed out that coating could be an issue