BMW Low Quality !!
 

The pictures say everything !! same issues happened with my E63 645Ci Convertible after 1 year of using it, its happening again with my X after 1 year 2 months !!!!! called the dealer, and every thing is going to be changed on warranty, what is with BMW !!
(wood trim on the steering wheel , don't know how that started ! and its getting bigger and bigger !! )
you can see a lot of dust !! off-road journey result !

i had that same peeling happen on my E53 steering wheel and the door wooden inserts cracking during coooooold winter days.

all replaced under warranty..

Got the peeling off the steering wheel. No issues with the wood.

And what am I looking at on the light switch?

BMW uses a lot of rubberised coating on plastic thesedays to cut costs and make them seem more upscale. These coverings respond poorly to extreme temperatures, long fingernails (or brute force), and some chemicals such as those found in lotions and hand cremes.

I remember back when everyone criticised the X3 for having cheap plastics. At least mine don't peel.

Lower left corner. Many have this problem, including me. It's only starting to peel like in the pic, but there was another pic here recently where it got real bad.

About the other peeling, I'd like to know when they replace it, is it a different material used? Because it's just temporarily fixing the problem until it happens again - out of warranty.

Good question .. The part # changed after 03/2009... so could suggest it's been addressed..not sure that anyone with a X5 build After 3/2009 has reported the issue ...:dunno:

Sure it's a QC problem but they fixed it for you free under warranty. It took a little time out of your day and it's irratating but what else do you want them to do?

I just had a wood trim piece from the front driver side replaced due to cracked this week.

you mean the part # for steering wheel or light switch?

The are changing it to new parts ! But same exact material !:confused:

I think what he is trying to say is that when you buy or lease a BMW, you are paying for more than a run of the mill car, (from a quality point of view), or are you?

What does he want them to do? Improve the quality of materials to that of not only looking better than the materials in a Honda Civic, but actually being better so that they will still look good years from now. Otherwise, what is already a very expensive vehicle becomes even more expensive from a depreciation perspective as who wants to buy a used BMW with the trim wearing off after 3 years? What would it look like in 5 - 7 years?

Good point;

I often wonder what kind of abuse drivers put their vehicles
thru all the while expecting that nothing will come of it.....:dunno:

Sometimes a close inspection of the pictures posted reveals
how vehicles are cared for and can explain a lot......;)

You should see what Ambi-Pur air freshener oil does to the plastic trim !!!

You mean people actually use air freshener
in their ride.....:confused:

I use in mine.:dunno:

I would think most people would prefer the
smell of leather.

No different that the airplanes you use to travel...all built by the lowest bidder.

Not any more !! Some people put their car through car washes too !! I dont ...:D