miamiogc

I just bought an '04 545i, sport package, silver grey/ grey with anthracite maple wood. Car is perfect as it only has 9,000 miles. I bought from a high-end pre-owned dealer who is reputable. Car checks out with carfax etc.

I noticed when I first looked at the car that the wood trim on the door handles (front & back) is not quite the same color as the wood on the dash and center console. The door handles share the pattern as the wood on the dash and console, but appear to be a bit brown and grey in color. The dash and console are all grey and seem to match other cars with antracite maple that I have seen.

Questions:

Is this mismatch common?
Did the color change over time?
Can I have the door handle wood replaced under warranty?
If warranty does not cover, how expensive to replace?

I used this issue to help negotiate a good purchase price. I love the car, but would like to take care of this.

I have a service appointment set with bmw dealer in two weeks and would like to be prepared with info from this forum. Thanks for your help.

CVTBenhogan

I've seen this three times on demos. On the drivers handle twice and left of the drivers gauges. Not cool.

gene2

Hi

I have the complete athracite wood set that I'm not using (I replaced mine with the dark wood trim). Anyways, I know you don't need the whole set, but I could sell you the door handles only.

Please email me at glee_30033@yahoo.com if your interested with a price. I live in New York. I will ship anywhere, or if you live close you can come by and pick them up.


Pics below.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/genel/detail1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...l/details2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../interior1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../interior2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/genel/set.jpg

miamiogc

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. Want to discuss with bmw service first.

EBMCS03

If you work close with your dealer they can replace anything for you under warranty... I wish I was closer with my dealer...

juan2mini

miamiogc:
I have a 2004 545i, an early built model. it did not come with the wood on the door handles. In BMW's hurry to get the model to market, they didn't have some parts ready. The wood for the door handles was one of those items. I have a silver insert instead of wood. Maybe the pervious owner decided they wanted to change out the silver for wood trim. The new trim pieces just didn't match as well. Just a thought.

Ricracing

At least in the Scandinavian countries the BMW brochures gives you recommended colour
combinations and not recommended.

But in these days nobody should tell anybody nothing so...

kscarrol

My thought exactly. I have an '04 545 as well. While I did get the poplar wood door handles that match, the trim around the cubbyhole/DSC botton was cheap plastic. For the 2005 model, BMW made this trim in wood to match the rest of the wood trrim. Liking that look better I bought the wood trim part to replace the plastic. While I really think it is a vast improvement with the wood, if you look close you can see a difference between the original poplar wood trim on the dash and the piece I added later. You really have to look at it to notice and no one else, my wife included has ever commented on it, but I notice it...

Ricracing

My thought exactly. I have an '04 545 as well. While I did get the poplar wood door handles that match, the trim around the cubbyhole/DSC botton was cheap plastic. For the 2005 model, BMW made this trim in wood to match the rest of the wood trrim. Liking that look better I bought the wood trim part to replace the plastic. While I really think it is a vast improvement with the wood, if you look close you can see a difference between the original poplar wood trim on the dash and the piece I added later. You really have to look at it to notice and no one else, my wife included has ever commented on it, but I notice it...
[/quote]

OK guys, I'm with you.

When I was at the first VIP showing of the new E60 (in spring '03) the brochure told about these
incompletes in the trim parts you are telling us about.

The fact is that BMW got in a rush with the E60 since the E39 didn't sell anymore.
The E39 was voted in Europe as the best car in 1999-2001 and a good one is still is.

Owning, having and driving a lot of BMW's I could tell anyone not to buy a brand new model of
any BMW!

They develop thier cars all the time!

gdavis

Hey, I'd be interested in buying the 'interior2' piece that goes around the seat buttons above the ashtray. Can you let me know how much you'd want for it?