when does sh*t stop leaking onto rocker panels?

[Oregon]

Originally Posted by larryn

It's a black streak of dirt on the rocker panel, because of the way the door jamb is designed to expel water. It's quite apparent on lighter colored cars.

Based on that, the dark streak might just be accumulated dirt in the door jam being released during washing, should that be the case the streak becomes part of the '1-Series Experience'.

[JD135i]

I get it too. I do not know what is is for sure but think it's a protective goop put on for the boat ride over. My father-in-law had the same thing happening with his 530i.

I don't know if the dealer can fix it - I'd guess not, but has anybody asked?

[TunedM2C]

I've got it on the doors, hood and headlights. I've always bought new cars in the past and this is definitely a first.

[Dr_Jones]

I was going to post this as well. Like the eye boogers on my parents cocker spaniel.

[jrc]

FYI this is what we're talking about (courtesy of RONSIL, nice wheels by the way)

[dma550]

yah, he's lucky, mine has three leak "spouts" right now!

[stevenc]

When you wipe the underside of your door, make sure you wipe on the inside and the outside of the rubber seal. The black dirt is caught up between the rubber seal and the OUTSIDE of the door so make sure you wipe there

[08bmw128i]

I have to remember to clean under the doors. It's just a pain in the but to see a clean car and then you see these black streaks near the doors lol.

[AlpineWhiteMan]

Originally Posted by larryn

I actually thought it was almost ingenious in it's simplicity, except for the incessant black line on my Alpine White car.

Agreed!

[MadMan77]

Yes it is the cosmoline. It takes a while for it all to leak out but if you are in a hot climate it should stop eventually. BTW mine started leaking from the hood and passenger lower door jam from day one.

It is just something to keep up with is all. Use goo-gone liquid and then wax it after clean-up.

[WhiteOne]

I noticed this same thing on my car after driving on wet roads in Europe during ED. I do not think it ever had any cosmoline put on it.

[larryn]

It is not cosmoline on my car either. It's dirt running through the rubber trim, collected from that rubber scoop in the door jamb, immediately next to the door handle.

Those of you with dark cars probably have it as well, but it's not that visible. On lighter cars, it's extremely visible, and starts showing after the first bit of rain.

[sadu77]

i take my car to a detail shop and i was told that it stops after a few months..... im still waiting.

[TP 135i]

Oh, you poor misinformed souls........
It's quite obvious what is causing this filth to run out of the bottom of your doors.
The windows have a motor to drive them up and down, correct?
Well there has to be a device to assure that they come to a full and safe stop at the top and bottom of their travel, so BMW has installed very small brakes onto the mechanism to assure that they stop at their designated up and down positions.
What you are seeing is BMW Brake Dust that gets washed out of the interior of your doors when water gets in through the little rubber scoops previously mentioned.
And if you had SGM.........it's virtually invisible. I wasn't aware of it until I read this thread earlier this morning. If I get down on my knees right next to the car with very good lighting, I can see what you all are talking about.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by TP 135i

Oh, you poor misinformed souls........
It's quite obvious what is causing this filth to run out of the bottom of your doors.
The windows have a motor to drive them up and down, correct?
Well there has to be a device to assure that they come to a full and safe stop at the top and bottom of their travel, so BMW has installed very small brakes onto the mechanism to assure that they stop at their designated up and down positions.
What you are seeing is BMW Brake Dust that gets washed out of the interior of your doors when water gets in through the little rubber scoops previously mentioned.
And if you had SGM.........it's virtually invisible. I wasn't aware of it until I read this thread earlier this morning. If I get down on my knees right next to the car with very good lighting, I can see what you all are talking about.

Mine is a waxy substance; i.e. cosmoline. I cannot speak for all the others here.

[JKAWB]

I have it too, it's pisses me off more than anything, I just tell people it's ectoplasmic goo from breaking the sound barrier. Lying about it makes it cooler and easier to live with.

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by TP 135i

Oh, you poor misinformed souls........
It's quite obvious what is causing this filth to run out of the bottom of your doors.
The windows have a motor to drive them up and down, correct?
Well there has to be a device to assure that they come to a full and safe stop at the top and bottom of their travel, so BMW has installed very small brakes onto the mechanism to assure that they stop at their designated up and down positions.
What you are seeing is BMW Brake Dust that gets washed out of the interior of your doors when water gets in through the little rubber scoops previously mentioned.
And if you had SGM.........it's virtually invisible. I wasn't aware of it until I read this thread earlier this morning. If I get down on my knees right next to the car with very good lighting, I can see what you all are talking about.

[EspressoBoy]

Break Dust???....
I was thinking it was

Black Pixie Dust...

After all... this car is such a dream to drive... it must have some magic...

EspressoBoy

[Larry_Legend]

I also get it under the hood next to the grill

[Trapperj]

It's sort of like toe jam but from the rounded sows belly part of the car. If my AW shows signs of the gook it's time to give her a bath:wink:

[gio]

I get it too. It's a thick waxy substance that doesn't come off with a normal wash. I found that using a clay bar takes it right off. At first I thought it was rubber from the soles of my boots that rubbed off when I got in the car.

[jeremyc74]

Mine seems to have stopped now, after about 3 months of hot weather.