[hooch888]

Suddenly discovered small plastic cover missing from the trunk lid interior side, #13 here:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...18#51497484143

Anyone experienced losing this?
I start to think a Walmart guy stole it when I was picking up something there, I opened the trunk for him, but was too lazy to get out of my car.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by hooch888

Suddenly discovered small plastic cover missing from the trunk lid interior side, #13 here:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...18#51497484143

Anyone experienced losing this?
I start to think a Walmart guy stole it when I was picking up something there, I opened the trunk for him, but was too lazy to get out of my car.

I'd bet more that it was loose and fell off once the door opened versus someone going out of their way to steal it.

[hooch888]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I'd bet more that it was loose and fell off once the door opened versus someone going out of their way to steal it.

Possibly, but chances are slim me not seeing this 5x7" piece of plastic falling out of my car and making noise falling. I'm not blind or deaf BTW.

Another stupid design by BMW, could have secured this thing by a small screw. BTW it's a $40 item, well worth stealing since it takes 3 sec to remove.

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Originally Posted by hooch888

Suddenly discovered small plastic cover missing from the trunk lid interior side, #13 here:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...18#51497484143

Anyone experienced losing this?
I start to think a Walmart guy stole it when I was picking up something there, I opened the trunk for him, but was too lazy to get out of my car.

That piece was missing on my 2018 when I bought it used and probably fell off. Highly doubt some random Walmart dude is stealing a really specific part that’s not worth that much compared to the risk and repercussions of getting caught.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by hooch888

Possibly, but chances are slim me not seeing this 5x7" piece of plastic falling out of my car and making noise falling. I'm not blind or deaf BTW.

Another stupid design by BMW, could have secured this thing by a small screw. BTW it's a $40 item, well worth stealing since it takes 3 sec to remove.

Well worth stealing? The thing serves basically 1 single purpose and is almost never ever seen. Someone would be taking your tow hook covers before planning a heist to steal this tiny trim on your interior tailgate panel

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Think someone would steal the BMW rondel before random piece of plastic.

[383vett]

My vote is for the Walmart guy stealing it and putting it down his pant leg to hide it when he walks away. Then on his break posting it for sale on ebay to pay for his next Subway lunch. Big market for these hot trim pieces. I've seen one guy stealing a spare tire while loading groceries.

[hooch888]

BTW, is there a decent online BMW parts store with free shipping?
My local stealer wants $38 + tax, and most online shops somehow want same and more, because they charge $10+ for shipping.

[suby01]

After reading this post. I went outside to my trunk hatch. And tried to steal my own piece. It pops off by making a sound and to get it removed it does take some force and actual effort and rather difficult doing it with bare hands.

Since this was a Walmart thief that made OPs piece disappear. I have some questions from my investigative ideas to ask here-


OP You stated you're not deaf. So did you hear this piece pop off and you just said its ok I want it stolen and want to complain on a forum about it hours later?

When the walmart employee was in your trunk, did you have trim piece pry tools color coded for the thief to have easy access to pry it off?

How long was the thief back there?

Besides loading your stuff how was the thief able to distract you?

Clearly your keen eye and instincts were so focused on something magical that the thief was able to half bend upwards while grabbing at your tailgate several times up in the air and you just never saw that.

Lastly did you run a scan of all the BMW X3s in the parking lot that have the same exact interior trim color as yours and were missing the trim piece?

As a concerned fellow X3 owner I checked my local Craigslist and sorted from high to low since this is a high value item and sadly I was unable to locate any pieces. I guess my local thieves are all offloading BMW X3 trunk trim peices on the dark web or in dark alleys?

That's enough of internet for me for the day.

[hooch888]

Originally Posted by suby01

After reading this post. I went outside to my trunk hatch. And tried to steal my own piece. It pops off by making a sound and to get it removed it does take some force and actual effort and rather difficult doing it with bare hands.

Since this was a Walmart thief that made OPs piece disappear. I have some questions from my investigative ideas to ask here-


OP You stated you're not deaf. So did you hear this piece pop off and you just said its ok I want it stolen and want to complain on a forum about it hours later?

I was listening to music, not even watching what he was doing (big mistake), since I picked up many things from many stores before same way and never had an issue.
I'm not "complaining hours later", it was a week ago, but I rarely look up when opening my trunk. Just wanted to check if this part comes off by itself often, looks like it doesn't - so it was highly likely stolen.
And no, it does not make any "pop" sounds in my car, and you don't need any tools to take it off - may be you have weak fingers, mine I can take off with one hand.

[radarguy]

Slightly out of topic, but what do those trim pieces provide access to?

[BMWZ4]

I'd bet it's still in the trunk somewhere...

[keithguido]

Hard to believe a Walmart employee would pick your X3 to rip off a part. Camera's everywhere and he's not sure if you are getting out of the car or not? Or if you are carrying a weapon? Sounds more like a story someone might tell their wife.

[Tangsta]

Originally Posted by radarguy

Slightly out of topic, but what do those trim pieces provide access to?

Access to the backside of the taillights for removal

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by radarguy

Slightly out of topic, but what do those trim pieces provide access to?

This actually feels like one of the more productive remarks on this thread.