At least we know its an easy fix and a $40 part! When it comes to my car I'm meticulous about things like this.

Just my $0.02. I have the same problem on my passenger side door handle. I am going to go with the brake fluid/cleaner theory. Evidence; while looking at a different vehicle on another lot, I got some "oil" on my hands which I thought was armour all or something. After a while, for some unknown reason my sunglass ear pieces literaly started melting (2 years old at the time). Didn,t pay much attention at the time, I just wrote them off. Fast forward to last week, I had my X5 detailed, and my wife noticed the passanger side door handle was "gooey". I have not been able to find anything to deactivate the melt process, so it looks like a new door handle will be on order. BTW great site. :)

A little late chiming in here but I have the same problem on ALL my passenger grab handles. The odd thing is that on all vehicles on the market that use this soft touch plastic to elevate the aesthetics (that's every single premium brand I'm aware of) not one has been able to come up with a chemical formula that can withstand years of sweat and/or hand lotion etc. Perhaps I'm being a little hard on the R&D guys the world over but c'mon it's a handle for Pete sakes! People are bound to touch it from time to time. Granted it's amazing stuff but the hell with it...epic fail! Enough already, just cover the bloody things in dark leather or leave them bare. I've cleaned mine off and that's how they shall remain forevermore. They still look the same - black, and now they don't leave unsuspecting passengers wiping permanent black treacle like goo all over their clothing and my car seats.
Okay, rant over...

Decided to peel the handle , this is easier than swapping the part . And looks almost the same http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...fb047fd8f4.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...938f5378dc.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...76cdea2c96.jpg

Will post more pics when done


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Did you just say: "back in the day, when things worked...". :bustingup

Hi. I like to know how you replaced the handle? My E70 (2008 MY) is doing it on the front passenger door and the goo is very annoying.

Looking at the YouTube video and REALOEM, it seems like if you remove the trim cover using a trim removal tool, then you have access to the 2 screws that help hold the interior door panel to the door. I presume you take these 2 screws off and the handle comes off?

I've read that people were quoted $1000+ to replace the entire door panel by the dealer. It didn't quite make sense since there are BMW P/N's for the handle (and the trim), so why would BMW assign a P/N to it if it can't be replaced.

Here you go, right around 2:30 mark: http://youtu.be/Sq6kzfzrsEE. I did that last summer on my 2009. Seems like the norm here around Houston.

Hi, I remember when I posted this problem a year ago about my passenger door handle and rear driver's side handle. Took them both off, quite easy, then scrapped of the gooey cheap plastic coating, cleaned & polished them and hey presto, no one would know the difference, in fact I will do the rear passenger door handle then no more worries. Don't know why BMW put the stuff on in the first place.

I agree with Huza. Sure the soft touch adds to the premium feel but it seems the stuff doesn't last much beyond the term of a standard motor plan. One of those things I guess.
I too, simply removed the coating with a little care and time. Even promised myself I'd experiment with Plasti-dip but never got that far.

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I realize this was a 2014 post, but does the handle come off when those two screws are removed, or does the door panel need to come off too? I'm much more inclined to swap a couple of these if the door panel can stay. I know it's not hard but the panels and clips are somewhat delicate.