Tarnished Chrome Grill
02-17-2008, 10:20 AM
#1
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Location: Ireland
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My Ride: 520D
Model Year: 2007
Hi,
I'm attaching pic of irregular tarnishing on chrome part of front grille. I thought it was removable grit until I tried to remove it earlier to-day when I discovered that it was discoloration or tarnishing. I would like an opinion on what might have caused this (is it real chrome or chromium-plated plastic?) and what I should do now since the car is only six months old.
NB. The car was not subject to any abrasive chemicals. All advice welcome.
Many Thanks
I'm attaching pic of irregular tarnishing on chrome part of front grille. I thought it was removable grit until I tried to remove it earlier to-day when I discovered that it was discoloration or tarnishing. I would like an opinion on what might have caused this (is it real chrome or chromium-plated plastic?) and what I should do now since the car is only six months old.
NB. The car was not subject to any abrasive chemicals. All advice welcome.
Many Thanks
02-17-2008, 10:31 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
Was it subject to salt on the roads from the winter? Salt can corrode chrome plated surfaces, as well as others. My chrome license plate frame gets corroded every year, and it looks just like your grille. I just replace it in the Spring for $5. However, my front grille hasn't had any issues...would hope it's better quality than my $5 frame. I do keep the grille clean, though, from all salt during the winter, just in case.
Either way, I would take it up with BMW. I am sure they would replace it if your car is only 6 mo. old.
P.S. Please update your location.
Either way, I would take it up with BMW. I am sure they would replace it if your car is only 6 mo. old.
P.S. Please update your location.
02-17-2008, 11:38 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
You say it was not subjected to abrasive chemicals, but by that do you mean while cleaning? As DrLev said, road salt can cause such damage. Alternatively, is it possible that something splashed on the chrome while you were driving, either from a vehicle you were following or some caustic chemical already spilled on the roadway? The pattern of the spotting makes it look like a corrosive liquid was splashed on it somehow. I would think if it were faulty chrome the pattern would be more uniform. But, as suggested, it's always a good idea to see what BMW says. If defective plating is the culprit, I'm sure they'll replace it, especially on such a new car. Good luck.
02-17-2008, 11:40 AM
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Actually,
On my very first e60(04) I experienced the same. The one thing I remember is: I washed my car in the winter and the next day i saw those marks.
On my very first e60(04) I experienced the same. The one thing I remember is: I washed my car in the winter and the next day i saw those marks.
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