Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='575737' date='May 7 2008, 01:05 PM

To answer the question about the windshield, I had a huge crack in the windshield that was quickly spreading across the whole thing. I was driving on Concord Mills Blvd where they added a new turning lane the Saturday before last and a piece of asphalt (I guess) was thrown up into the air and hit my windshield. It sounded like a crack when it hit, but there was no evidence of one. The next morning, I was taking my kids back to their mother and my son says, "Whoa! Is that a crack?" It was on the passenger side of the car, blocked by the rearview mirror. I lean over and sure enough, it's a big crack coming down and curving toward the driver's side. Astonishingly enough, I wasn't too upset over it. (If you knew me, you would've rushed me to the hospital, certain I had been labotomized! ) I just figured that's not particularly how I wanted to "stimulate" the economy, but oh well... I let it ride for a few days, and by the time I took it in for my appointment, the crack had spread almost to the middle of the driver's side of the windshield. It was nasty. I was gonna have Hendrick coordinate a replacement and I'd pay for it. They ended up replacing it for free.

Here's the part where I might have to recant my original post. I went to early voting yesterday evening, and as I was walking back to my car, the sunlight was hitting it just right. I could see a bunch of what looked to be scuff marks at the right corner of the rear fascia. At first I just thought it was dust built up in that spot from somebody walking by it at some point; it happens. As I get closer, I notice it's some serious (to me) scratches!! First thing that comes to my mind is, "So that's why they gave me the free windshield!" I will call Saad and hopefully get the truth. It looks like they backed into something. What ironic is that the scratches are on a plain with one of the PDC sensors.

Now to the other question; yes, I have enjoyed the car overall. I don't really understand how because if this were an American car, that many issues in such a short time span would be totally unacceptable. American manufacturers get a bum deal in that regard. I didn't pay them much mind since I presumed a reprogram would take care of it all. Though, I did get the gas cap light again the other day after a fill-up.

Originally Posted by BeBogus' post='576963' date='May 8 2008, 11:28 PM

Selecting the split fold down rear seats makes the rear seats leatherette I think. Check out the link, it tries to explain the interior trim when selecting options. Looks like the wood trim is real wood all around

Check out "Seats and Trim"
http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?se...tSelection=true

Originally Posted by Eaweg' post='577019' date='May 9 2008, 05:54 AM

I am most interested in what they have to say. We just moved from Charlotte to Germany...lived in Charlotte for 10 years and will probably end up going back. I most certainly know that "invisible man" feeling as I experienced the same things when I was looking at the 3 and 5 series a couple of years ago. It took 15 minutes before anyone acknowledged I was there. Anyhow, hope all is well back home!

Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='586260' date='May 22 2008, 02:50 PM

Well... My car went back in for service for the exact same thing this past Monday. They told me it's a bad wiring harness and the part has to come from Germany. I'll be without my car for almost two weeks by the time the part arrives and the repair is done. They gave me a Pontiac G6 rental for the first few days.

They gave me a loaner today. A 328i. Which brings me to the reason for dragging this back out. Someone above had posted that the leatherette is better in the cars than in the SAVs. It's not. Not to be offensive to the BMW brethren that have and/or prefer leatherette, but that is some cheap looking stuff. I don't like the look or the feel.

Originally Posted by GT Premi' post='586908' date='May 23 2008, 10:07 AM

You're not bursting any bubbles. I don't care who paid for it, as long as it wasn't ME!

So you're saying NC-linians can get a free windshield replacement anytime it gets damaged?? Where's the literature on that? I'd like to read more.