BMW rubber and plastic......poor choice, or designed to fail?
#11
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My Ride: 2008 550i
Model Year: 2008
so true - My boss has an A7 and he joked the other day that his car leaks so much oil we can put a pan on it and use that oil for our own oil changes.
The other day my dad pointed out the drying trim on my front windshield and then went to show me the rubber on his lexus GS which is 10 years older and it's in much better shape.
The other day my dad pointed out the drying trim on my front windshield and then went to show me the rubber on his lexus GS which is 10 years older and it's in much better shape.
#12
As a four-time BMW owner, starting in the 70's, (Bavaria, 2002tii) my clear impression was, and still is, that BMW's are simply NOT durable. Everything is meant to wear out. BMW is focused on leasing cars, which doesn't rely on cars being durable beyond the lease term. Talk about rubber, my 1979 MB 450SL had the original heating system hoses when I sold it in 2005, with 250K miles. They were considered to be good for 30+ years.
#13
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My Ride: 2006 550i, 6 speed manual
Model Year: 2006
The longevity of rubber/plastic components seems to be a common issue with German automobiles. I owned 2 Mercedes sedans prior to my current E60 and the dashboards cracked/peeled and other rubber gaskets failed well before one would expect.
#14
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That said, all the engines did leak a bit of oil, usually at the oil pan, but not so seriously that I had to change gaskets outside of normal routine. The cooling system hoses etc. were changed at a normal interval (160,000kms), before any leaks or failures.
Take care of the fluids (coolant, lubricants, hydraulics and fuel, change them at proper intervals) and drive the cars as they should be driven, within their design parameters and you should get normal longevity from rubber and plastic components, not to mention other components such as valve seals and injectors.
Another thing, aside from tires, don't modify!
Salut, Bob P.
#15
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My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
Yet that has not been my experience. I have owned 8 BMWs since 1971, having driven 1,500,000kms, the longest stint 666,000kms (20 yrs) on a 1988 325is, and I have not experienced less than normal longevity for rubber components, including my present 2005 545 at 245,000 kms (bought used at 110,000kms).
That said, all the engines did leak a bit of oil, usually at the oil pan, but not so seriously that I had to change gaskets outside of normal routine. The cooling system hoses etc. were changed at a normal interval (160,000kms), before any leaks or failures.
Take care of the fluids (coolant, lubricants, hydraulics and fuel, change them at proper intervals) and drive the cars as they should be driven, within their design parameters and you should get normal longevity from rubber and plastic components, not to mention other components such as valve seals and injectors.
Another thing, aside from tires, don't modify!
Salut, Bob P.
That said, all the engines did leak a bit of oil, usually at the oil pan, but not so seriously that I had to change gaskets outside of normal routine. The cooling system hoses etc. were changed at a normal interval (160,000kms), before any leaks or failures.
Take care of the fluids (coolant, lubricants, hydraulics and fuel, change them at proper intervals) and drive the cars as they should be driven, within their design parameters and you should get normal longevity from rubber and plastic components, not to mention other components such as valve seals and injectors.
Another thing, aside from tires, don't modify!
Salut, Bob P.
I find it awfully hard to believe that you have an 11 year old 545i that isn't leaking a moderate amount of oil. There are two types of BMWs: those that leak oil, and the i3. They ALL leak oil at some point.
As for the 'don't modify' line, even BMW modifies its cars at the dealer level (Dinan).
BMW has confirmed numerous times that they are using synthetic rubbers derived from soy in many seals, trim components, and wiring. It is common knowledge that these wear out prematurely. I would love to see your 545i in person; I promise I would find degraded rubber somewhere on the car.
I'm sure you mean well and are a very nice person, but your posts always seem like they come from fantasy land.
Last edited by KyleB; 04-22-2015 at 06:05 AM.
#16
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you know as well as I do that M20s seep oil from the valve covers and head gaskets within 5,000 miles of replacing them. You mean to tell me your valve cover gaskets NEVER leak on your E30? you NEVER get that infamous drip of oil on the little tab that sticks out from the head gasket?...I know you do, because everyone with these cars does.
I find it awfully hard to believe that you have an 11 year old 545i that isn't leaking a moderate amount of oil. There are two types of BMWs: those that leak oil, and the i3. They ALL leak oil at some point.
I think that my original post stated that all my engines leaked a little oil, but not enough to warrant repairs, and yes the 545 also, but not enough to get all excited about.
As for the 'don't modify' line, even BMW modifies its cars at the dealer level (Dinan).
And I would like to corrolate those with unusual problems later.
BMW has confirmed numerous times that they are using synthetic rubbers derived from soy in many seals, trim components, and wiring. It is common knowledge that these wear out prematurely. I would love to see your 545i in person; I promise I would find degraded rubber somewhere on the car.
Well, I have a door seal rubber that is ripped! Must have been my golf shoes touching them. Treating rubber door seals etc. with a silcon based ointment works very well in preserving their service life, especially in extreme cold weather.
I'm sure you mean well and are a very nice person, but your posts always seem like they come from fantasy land.
I find it awfully hard to believe that you have an 11 year old 545i that isn't leaking a moderate amount of oil. There are two types of BMWs: those that leak oil, and the i3. They ALL leak oil at some point.
I think that my original post stated that all my engines leaked a little oil, but not enough to warrant repairs, and yes the 545 also, but not enough to get all excited about.
As for the 'don't modify' line, even BMW modifies its cars at the dealer level (Dinan).
And I would like to corrolate those with unusual problems later.
BMW has confirmed numerous times that they are using synthetic rubbers derived from soy in many seals, trim components, and wiring. It is common knowledge that these wear out prematurely. I would love to see your 545i in person; I promise I would find degraded rubber somewhere on the car.
Well, I have a door seal rubber that is ripped! Must have been my golf shoes touching them. Treating rubber door seals etc. with a silcon based ointment works very well in preserving their service life, especially in extreme cold weather.
I'm sure you mean well and are a very nice person, but your posts always seem like they come from fantasy land.
I shall refrain from commenting on what I think of some of your posts, although most of them are correct as far as they go.
With respect, Bob P.
#18
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
Yet that has not been my experience. I have owned 8 BMWs since 1971, having driven 1,500,000kms, the longest stint 666,000kms (20 yrs) on a 1988 325is, and I have not experienced less than normal longevity for rubber components, including my present 2005 545 at 245,000 kms (bought used at 110,000kms).
That said, all the engines did leak a bit of oil, usually at the oil pan, but not so seriously that I had to change gaskets outside of normal routine. The cooling system hoses etc. were changed at a normal interval (160,000kms), before any leaks or failures.
Take care of the fluids (coolant, lubricants, hydraulics and fuel, change them at proper intervals) and drive the cars as they should be driven, within their design parameters and you should get normal longevity from rubber and plastic components, not to mention other components such as valve seals and injectors.
Another thing, aside from tires, don't modify!
Salut, Bob P.
That said, all the engines did leak a bit of oil, usually at the oil pan, but not so seriously that I had to change gaskets outside of normal routine. The cooling system hoses etc. were changed at a normal interval (160,000kms), before any leaks or failures.
Take care of the fluids (coolant, lubricants, hydraulics and fuel, change them at proper intervals) and drive the cars as they should be driven, within their design parameters and you should get normal longevity from rubber and plastic components, not to mention other components such as valve seals and injectors.
Another thing, aside from tires, don't modify!
Salut, Bob P.
i've seen several members from florida having their wire insulation disintegrate inside their headlights.
#19
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#20
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i think the fact that you live further up north in a cooler climate, extends the life of your rubber components. whereas cars in a hotter climate, deteriorate real fast.
i've seen several members from florida having their wire insulation disintegrate inside their headlights.
i've seen several members from florida having their wire insulation disintegrate inside their headlights.
I think that a lot of the wire insulation disintegration inside of headlights has a lot to do with modifications done to the headlights - i.e. higher wattage - causing overheating of the wiring and insulation, which makes it worse in warmer climates, hence my warning about modifications.
Salut, Bob P.