Door doesn't sit flush

[the_limey]

Anyone else have a door which doesn't fit flush?

Picked up my car CPO and would like to know if this is 'normal' or if they overdid it popping a dent out of the passenger door.

I'm more concerned about resale and potential wind-noise/rain leakage from an ill-fitting door than the aesthetics.

This picture shows its worst angle. Day to day, especially with the liquid-looking black paint it's very hard to see.

[iGot1]

that's definitely not normal, compare it to your other door and it should be obvious..

[the_limey]

I did compare to other door

I figured it wasn't normal, but didn't know if it was a defect unique to mine, or a 'common' manufacturing defect impacting others.

I'll see if BMW can arrange to have it bent back to the correct shape. Car's still fully warrantied... not sure if that covers such things though.

Dealer repainted the roof to remove major scratch, but in general I got the 'it's a used car, it ain't gonna be perfect' line. I keep having to remind myself I got a relatively new BMW for the price of a Toyota.

[golf_234]

I would definitely push for that to be fixed under warranty. If it came like that, it for sure should be a warranty item.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by golf_234

I would definitely push for that to be fixed under warranty. If it came like that, it for sure should be a warranty item.

Do you think it can be easily remedied?

[Dackelone]

I bet your "door skin" has been replaced. Maybe go to a good body shop and have them measure the paint and check for any body repairs. Never hurts getting a second opinion.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I bet your "door skin" has been replaced. Maybe go to a good body shop and have them measure the paint and check for any body repairs. Never hurts getting a second opinion.

You'd think a new one would fit better than that. Grrr.

I don't mind paying a 'little' to fix it, but despite being a used vehicle will be pushing BMW to fix it - along with replacing the USB socket (pins snapped off) as car was sold as having 'iPod integration'.

[iGot1]

Since you bought the car from the dealer they may sort this out on goodwill as they should have picked it up on the inspection and mentioned it before the sale, but otherwise i don't believe body panels are covered under warranty or a dent wouldn't be considered a defect. it's not a common issue as far as i know. I am sure a decent body shop could sort that out and i'm sure the only effects will be cosmetic, which if it doesn't bother you...

i live with the scratches and chips but a dent like that would probably drive me nuts. Are you sure its the door and not the body panel that is bent?

As far as i know the most common body related issues are rattles in the dash and the third brake light cracking.

Wind noise is much more likely from the windows and supposedly can be fixed with new rubber seals.. i occasionally hear it at the top of the back of the drivers window but only at high speeds and even then not often.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by iGot1

Are you sure its the door and not the body panel that is bent?

Not sure. I'll check later. It's most likely the panel rather than the door frame. Seems like panel would bend more easily than the frame itself.

[iGot1]

yeah much more likely also in my experience Dackel tends to be right but definitely take it up with the dealer

[rking117]

my thnking is that is a pattern part and not OEM. They never match up exactly which is frustrating. Dack is right get it measured.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by rking117

my thnking is that is a pattern part and not OEM. They never match up exactly which is frustrating. Dack is right get it measured.

Yup. Given it's a used car, I'll probably have to learn to live with it. Still, could have got a new car and then had it dented in a parking lot a week later. Life does indeed go on. First world problems.

[MrKepan]

the door position seems normal. Both of my doors raise above the rear panel a little bit. The bottom on your door is not normal where your point the arrow. They should follow the same contour.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by MrKepan

They should follow the same contour.

Exactly. Though a body shop quoted me $750 to fix... so it's either a on-the-house from BMW or learn to live with it!

[rking117]

Originally Posted by the_limey

Not sure. I'll check later. It's most likely the panel rather than the door frame. Seems like panel would bend more easily than the frame itself.

I think from lookng at it in the photo that a good body shop can bend it out without damaging the paint. It shouldnt be that hard. If they cant and it requires some banging then you will be looking at around $500 to $800 for the adjustment and door respray. If i had to take a guess. Of course it would be worth it to me to see if they can adjust it. You might also contact a paintless dent removal company. I know of one in central florida that might just be the best in the country if you are close by

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by rking117

I think from lookng at it in the photo that a good body shop can bend it out without damaging the paint...

+1.

Plus.... most good body shops (or dent repair shops) use a product that you spray onto the old paint - I think 3M makes it. This spray softens the paint and allows you to "work" that area, without the paint popping off. This spray is mostly used when bending/aligning door frames or fender rolling.

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by rking117

I know of one in central florida that might just be the best in the country if you are close by

Other side of the country. But, thanks for the reco - and to everyone for your replies.

I still can't figure out if it's the door or the panel behind it... I think it's the door skin.

I'll inquire at a few shops about the paintless fix, but I may just have to live with it, and frankly, from every other angle than the one in the orignal photo you're hard pressed to see it. My wife didn't notice it.

[rking117]

everytime you wash the car you are going to see it. How do I know. I have this small teeny tiny scratch on my door that you can barely see but everytime i detail my car i run into it and think to myself, "man i hate that scratch".

[the_limey]

Originally Posted by rking117

everytime you wash the car you are going to see it

Yup. But, at least I'll still have $750 in my pocket. $75, sure, I'd fix it in a heartbeat. Not $750.

Car's going to dealer in a few weeks... we'll see what they say. They've been good so far...

[rking117]

Originally Posted by the_limey

Yup. But, at least I'll still have $750 in my pocket. $75, sure, I'd fix it in a heartbeat. Not $750.

Car's going to dealer in a few weeks... we'll see what they say. They've been good so far...

hope you keep that $750