Door panel disintegrating

[cjb762]

My 135is is in the shop getting the dashboard replaced under warranty. I asked them to look at the driver's door panel to see if that could be replace under warranty also. Not totally surprisingly, they came back and said they won't replace it because they consider it normal wear and tear, and it wouldn't be covered under a CPO warranty anyway.

My question to you all is, have any of you see a door panel fail like this before? Also, anybody have any idea what could have caused it? Finally, any good arguments for how I can convince them to cover it under CPO warranty? Thanks!

[ianc]

You live in TX or AZ? Looks melted to me. Other side the same?

ianc

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by ianc

You live in TX or AZ? Looks melted to me. Other side the same?

ianc

I live in Hawaii, so it is pretty hot most of the time. The other door is pristine - no signs of wear or melting at all.

I talked to the service manager after I made the post, and he said he thought it may have been caused by body oils from the previous owner resting his arm there, but it's hard to imagine anyone has body oil that powerful! I've never seen anything like that in any of the other cars I've owned - including an E46 and an E90.

[smrtypants44]

looks like door panels are on ebay for ~$75, so id just buy a new one

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

looks like door panels are on ebay for ~$75, so id just buy a new one

Thanks smrtypants44 - I have actually been looking on eBay, and will probably end up doing just that. I haven't found any that cheap though - the half-way decent ones I've found start around $140 - still, not a big deal. One problem with living in Hawaii is that a lot of sellers are unwilling to ship things out here. I'll find something eventually though.

EDIT: Should have checked eBay again before replying. I think I saw the exact door panel you were talking about, and it looks like he will ship to Hawaii for $45. Looks like we have a winner!