02-21-2011, 01:50 AM | #1 |
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Cheap HARD plastic in X3......
For those who have received their X3, are all of them with really cheap hard plastic on bottom half of doors? Dealer says its the new crash impact friendly plastic BMW is using which i don't buy.
Last edited by Bimar; 02-22-2011 at 02:10 AM.. |
02-21-2011, 02:10 AM | #2 |
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It's actually"cheap-looking, crash friendly plastic". Just go to your friendly BMW parts counter and I'll bet you will find that replacement price wise, it's not "cheap".
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02-21-2011, 08:32 AM | #3 |
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plastic certianly looks cheap in comparison to the 3 series interior
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02-21-2011, 10:16 AM | #6 |
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If you really can't stand the X3's interior door-panels/storage bins just get a Ferrari 458 Italia instead. The Robb Report, 2010 voted it the best leather interior of the year.
Oh, never mind - the 458 Italia costs as much as 5 well equipped X3's |
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02-21-2011, 10:27 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sp...gure/458italia
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02-21-2011, 10:40 AM | #8 |
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Best idea i have heard all day, off to the Ferari dealership
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02-21-2011, 11:03 AM | #9 | |
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I guess "cheap" is subjective. My '09 3 Series didn't feel cheap, but the materials in the X3 seem so much nicer. Especially compared to previous generations. If you're looking for ultra plus, this probably isn't the right brand for you. |
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02-21-2011, 11:44 AM | #10 | |
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the lower door plastic is cheap on X3 is not cheap looking on 3 series i have both and i was just comparing today |
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02-21-2011, 12:37 PM | #11 |
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This is why I asked, I have only driven the 20d and interior very nice except lower door panels which are Hyundai like hard plastic. Maybe ur model has better plastic, tell us.
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02-21-2011, 12:42 PM | #12 |
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The bottom door section is cheap hard plastic and looks out of place in my opinion, all surfaces in the E60 are spongy to the feel as are most of the surfaces in the F25 but not the lower door section.
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02-21-2011, 01:55 PM | #13 |
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I have to admit that I didn't pay particular attention to the lower door panels. When my car gets here (please god let it get here soon) I'll take a look and let you know how different it is from my 3.
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02-21-2011, 06:22 PM | #14 |
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To be honest, the cheap door bottoms are the ONLY thing I don't like about this car. It is super-crappy. My LCI 328i had nice door bottoms. My last-gen X3 (2008 model) had better materials on the doors (its was the same as the LCI 3-Series). I simply cannot figure out why they upgraded everything, basically, but downgraded the doors. The door is a massive hunk of plastic with a little leather and wood at the top--senseless.
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02-21-2011, 06:28 PM | #15 | |
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Are the backs of the front passenger seats the same material? That was what I gathered on a 28i without the rear seatback nets. Does it change if you get the seatback nets? Wonder if they will fix it on the LCI.
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02-23-2011, 10:17 AM | #16 |
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Cheap Plastic
Most cars used inferior plastic for the lower part of the dash board to save cost. I think this apply to most brands of cars unless they are really expensive or give you the option of full leather interior like Porsches, Range Rover etc...
These days, car cost around £30K to £45K are quite poorly equipped and cost cutting can be seen everywhere. If you look at a Merc SL in the 70s or 80s, the dash plastic is really cheap looking too, but it feels premium in that era. The older SLs dash board were clad with leather or soft vinyl which make them look a lot more 'premium' |
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02-23-2011, 10:59 AM | #17 |
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Nope, the seat backs with the storage nets are also the crappy plastic (unlike the seat backs in my last X3 and 328i which were the soft vinyl-like material).
It's almost like they tried to make it crappy. There is just no excuse for what they did (especially considering that the MSRP on my car was $45,300.00.). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the car. I just hate the plastic. |
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02-23-2011, 11:57 AM | #18 |
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I'm really not that bothered by what plastic is used in the bottom half of the doors but the use of plastic on part of the seat backs is a slight disappointment...
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02-23-2011, 09:53 PM | #19 |
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The seat backs are a bit odd to me, but they've been that way for years so I guess I've mostly grown to accept it.
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02-28-2011, 11:12 PM | #20 |
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Seat back not too bad and helps when kids like to kick rear of seat and avoid dirt and discomfort for driver. Bottom plastic is the real bummer, guess you live with it luckily not visible to everyone. Hope April production its not there...i can only dream I however do wonder if the BEIGE lower panel plastic is of a better quality than black, anyone?
Last edited by Bimar; 02-28-2011 at 11:23 PM.. |
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03-01-2011, 12:22 AM | #21 |
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Cheap Hard Plastics
The hard plastic has nothing to do with safety, it saves a few cents per car. All the German competitors have the same CHP (Cheap Hard Plastic) door bins. MB, Audi and BMW. Just that BMW has more of it since the X3 has larger door bins. Unfortunately for BMW, MB and Audi actually did a better job of finishing the inside top edge of the door bins. BMW just left it exposed and when you grab it, you feel the ridges. This is VERY tacky. The LCI E83 (previous X3) had very nicely finished door bins, thick padded vinyl, very much like the 5 series.
And the door bins aren't the only CHP: Try the door to the left side (driver's) glove box door. But the Audi Q5 matches that with its entire glove box being CHP.
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03-13-2011, 10:07 PM | #22 |
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The bins on the doors of our 2011 X3 are wrapped in the same material as the middle to upper parts of the doors; I am guessing this is leatherette. The material has a grain to it and is slightly rubbery to the touch. Same as on our 2008. Both vehicles are Canadian spec and came with leatherette.
Does somebody have a picture of the CHP door bins? |
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