Tiny Scratches in the wood trim of my new X3 - XBimmers

JeremyBMW · 05-11-2011, 07:34 PM

I've noticed lots of tiny scratches on the wood around the transmission lever area. They seem to be surface scratches only but noticeable. The clear-coat over the wood must be easily scratchable, though I'm not sure how I did this. I'm sure I can get them buffed out at my first detail. Anyone else got these tiny scratches in their wood trim?

Alanintx · 05-11-2011, 08:36 PM

Not when it was new, but they are inevitable over time. They can be buffed out if they are not too deep.

MrsAdams2007 · 05-11-2011, 09:07 PM

I noticed some on one I test drove that had like 36 miles on it....

Nahoa · 05-11-2011, 09:09 PM

I've seen a lot of lines that cleaned up with a soft cloth -- any chance that's what you have? Here's hoping . . .

Beyu · 05-11-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsAdams2007

I noticed some on one I test drove that had like 36 miles on it....

Yeah really lol, I had my car for less than 100 miles and I noticed it too.

If they're not very deep scratches there's nothing really that you can do about it. You could wear terry cloth mittens while in the car and chances are you'll still find very fine scratches. Aluminum doesn't fare much better either, while it doesn't scratch it dents easily and looks far worse than minor surface scratches on wood.

inamik75 · 05-12-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beyu

Yeah really lol, I had my car for less than 100 miles and I noticed it too.

If they're not very deep scratches there's nothing really that you can do about it. You could wear terry cloth mittens while in the car and chances are you'll still find very fine scratches. Aluminum doesn't fare much better either, while it doesn't scratch it dents easily and looks far worse than minor surface scratches on wood.

Wish they had carbon fiber trim, wonder how that fares

doukeyi · 05-12-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inamik75

Wish they had carbon fiber trim, wonder how that fares

I order the brushed aluminum trim. I just hope it will be tougher than wood trim

Cx35i · 05-12-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doukeyi

I order the brushed aluminum trim. I just hope it will be tougher than wood trim

Having had wood, this is precisely why I ordered the aluminum trim.

LEDZEP · 05-12-2011, 06:33 AM

Some minor scratches are inevitable, but the best avoidance is to refrain from lying things on the console surface - oh, and keep your nails manicured.

Don't kid yourselves about the aluminum trim - it scratches too and when it does it shows much more than scratches in the wood finish. It also dents easily. BMW's aluminum trim is *almost* as thick and heavy as youre average beer can and is very fussy.

bekind · 05-12-2011, 07:33 AM

If you do get them buffed out and want to protect in the future might be worth buying some clear film, kind of like a screen protector on a smartphone. Totally invisible and can be replaced as needed.

These little scratches on the wood trim is exactly why I went with the bushed al. I've had the faux wood on all our previous rides and it always gets scratched up. Hoping the aluminum is a bit more durable.

http://www.clearmask.com/vehicle_pag...FILMS&year=all

I just ordered the front end protection kit plus a strip of the 4" x 10' bulk.

Shaw · 05-12-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyBMW

I've noticed lots of tiny scratches on the wood around the transmission lever area. They seem to be surface scratches only but noticeable. The clear-coat over the wood must be easily scratchable, though I'm not sure how I did this. I'm sure I can get them buffed out at my first detail. Anyone else got these tiny scratches in their wood trim?

well that's a real shame...
If I were you I would react on this to the dealer... they ought to know...
even if nothing changes...

OR did it happen AFTER you received the car???!!!!

BMWZ4 · 05-12-2011, 12:11 PM

I've been using this product for a few years, with great success

http://www.novuspolish.com/fine_scratch_remover.html

JeremyBMW · 05-12-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaw

well that's a real shame...
If I were you I would react on this to the dealer... they ought to know...
even if nothing changes...

OR did it happen AFTER you received the car???!!!!

I only just noticed it for the first time a couple of days ago. I have babied this car since I got it a month ago. I have no idea how it could have happened.

shaikh_sakib · 11-13-2011, 10:30 PM

I just had my x3 for a week now, and noticed many scartches as well. I only noticed it when bright sunlight was hitting the center console. Did you try buffing these out and/or going back to the dealer?

powertech83 · 11-13-2011, 11:51 PM

It is plastic, sometimes even wiping it could cause hairline scratches to appear. I say don't think about it too much as it is bound to happen sooner or later. (I know it's hard sometimes

)

married w/X3 · 11-14-2011, 07:22 PM

2.5 months and I've noticed the samething. Don't think its anything we're doing wrong. Just an fragile surface, inevitable unfortunately. Absolutely keep keys or any hard items off the console! Maybe some type of film protection is worth looking into.

byernmotor · 01-03-2012, 11:37 PM

got my car 2 days before X-mas and found one small scratches today, guessed that my 3-yrs old son grabbed his metal toy car and climbed from back to the front ... Bingo! don't know how can I deal with?

02420X3 · 01-03-2012, 11:50 PM

Me, I'd go with hug your son, and have new wood trim installed before you trade in, sell or return your X3. Or just hug your son and ignore the scratch. Both are good options.

05-11-2011, 07:34 PM	#1
JeremyBMW Registered Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Tiny Scratches in the wood trim of my new X3 I've noticed lots of tiny scratches on the wood around the transmission lever area. They seem to be surface scratches only but noticeable. The clear-coat over the wood must be easily scratchable, though I'm not sure how I did this. I'm sure I can get them buffed out at my first detail. Anyone else got these tiny scratches in their wood trim?
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05-11-2011, 09:09 PM	#4
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,855 iTrader: (0)	I've seen a lot of lines that cleaned up with a soft cloth -- any chance that's what you have? Here's hoping . . . __________________

05-12-2011, 06:33 AM	#9
LEDZEP Lieutenant General Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 Posts: 12,277 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [3.81] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Some minor scratches are inevitable, but the best avoidance is to refrain from lying things on the console surface - oh, and keep your nails manicured. Don't kid yourselves about the aluminum trim - it scratches too and when it does it shows much more than scratches in the wood finish. It also dents easily. BMW's aluminum trim is almost as thick and heavy as youre average beer can and is very fussy. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious

05-12-2011, 12:11 PM	#12
BMWZ4 Lieutenant Drives: '11 Z4 30i & '11 X3 x28i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 544 iTrader: (0)	I've been using this product for a few years, with great success http://www.novuspolish.com/fine_scratch_remover.html __________________ 2011 Z4 sDrive 30i; Space Grey, Coral Red Kansas, 6MT; Fully optioned & 2011 28i X3 Loaded Last edited by BMWZ4; 05-12-2011 at 12:11 PM. Reason: Typo

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05-11-2011, 08:36 PM	#2
Alanintx ATAP Drives: 2011 X3 28 Deep Blue/Chestnut Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 147 iTrader: (0)	Not when it was new, but they are inevitable over time. They can be buffed out if they are not too deep.

05-11-2011, 09:07 PM	#3
MrsAdams2007 Private First Class Drives: Ford F450 :D Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 179 iTrader: (0)	I noticed some on one I test drove that had like 36 miles on it....

05-12-2011, 07:33 AM	#10
bekind Private Drives: x3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	If you do get them buffed out and want to protect in the future might be worth buying some clear film, kind of like a screen protector on a smartphone. Totally invisible and can be replaced as needed. These little scratches on the wood trim is exactly why I went with the bushed al. I've had the faux wood on all our previous rides and it always gets scratched up. Hoping the aluminum is a bit more durable. http://www.clearmask.com/vehicle_pag...FILMS&year=all I just ordered the front end protection kit plus a strip of the 4" x 10' bulk.

11-13-2011, 10:30 PM	#14
shaikh_sakib Sak Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Toronto, ON Canada Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	I just had my x3 for a week now, and noticed many scartches as well. I only noticed it when bright sunlight was hitting the center console. Did you try buffing these out and/or going back to the dealer?

11-13-2011, 11:51 PM	#15
powertech83 Private First Class Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	It is plastic, sometimes even wiping it could cause hairline scratches to appear. I say don't think about it too much as it is bound to happen sooner or later. (I know it's hard sometimes )

11-14-2011, 07:22 PM	#16
married w/X3 1st time BMW owner Drives: 2011 Space Grey X3 28i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 80 iTrader: (0)	2.5 months and I've noticed the samething. Don't think its anything we're doing wrong. Just an fragile surface, inevitable unfortunately. Absolutely keep keys or any hard items off the console! Maybe some type of film protection is worth looking into.

01-03-2012, 11:37 PM	#17
byernmotor New Member Drives: F25 28i M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: IL Posts: 7 iTrader: (0)	got my car 2 days before X-mas and found one small scratches today, guessed that my 3-yrs old son grabbed his metal toy car and climbed from back to the front ... Bingo! don't know how can I deal with?

01-03-2012, 11:50 PM	#18
02420X3 Lieutenant Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 551 iTrader: (0)	Me, I'd go with hug your son, and have new wood trim installed before you trade in, sell or return your X3. Or just hug your son and ignore the scratch. Both are good options.