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      03-08-2013, 02:16 PM   #1
Agent Orange
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Airbag door visible in dash

Not sure if I'm being overly picky, but I just noticed this in my 2012 X3 (Dec 2011 build).

I can now see the airbag door (passenger side) through the dash. I don't recall seeing this before. Is this a defect? Any thoughts on this? Normal?

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      03-08-2013, 02:56 PM   #2
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This is a visual defect only. The operation of the passenger airbag would not be affected. I don't know whether BMW will treat this as a warranty repair, but replacing the entire instrument panel may cause other quality issues such as squeaks or misfit panels, so think carefully about what you want.
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      03-08-2013, 03:31 PM   #3
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It should definitly not be showing like that. While it is just visually defective, it would bother me and I would want it fixed.
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      03-08-2013, 05:25 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Want the thrill View Post
It should definitly not be showing like that. While it is just visually defective, it would bother me and I would want it fixed.
Interesting. I will have to check my dash for this. Offhand, I have not noticed this on mine. I did see this on my previous vehicle 2003 Honda Accord.
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      03-08-2013, 06:06 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by FX3OK View Post
Interesting. I will have to check my dash for this. Offhand, I have not noticed this on mine. I did see this on my previous vehicle 2003 Honda Accord.
Mine doesn't show at all. I wipe it down once a week so I'm positive about that
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      03-08-2013, 09:38 PM   #6
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Mine is visible too, but not as much as yours. I asked the shop about it and was told it is normal because the vinyl is thinner there for the airbag to work properly. Don't know if it is true or not, but that's what I was told. I'll have to check some others now that I hear it isn't visible on everyone's car.
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      03-09-2013, 01:36 AM   #7
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Dude, you paid a premium for the car when you first bought it, you surely expect like a nice well built car, both interior and exterior.
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      03-09-2013, 06:14 AM   #8
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Mine showed like that and had some additional bubbles within the rectangle and outside of it. After some discussion between the dealership and BMWNA they replaced that dash pad. Strangely, they claimed the bubbles were not themselves "wrong", but they were concerned that over time they would grow and become "wrong". To me, it shouldn't have been that way so I was happy for the replacement which worked out very well.
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      03-09-2013, 06:50 AM   #9
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I don't have such a prominent mark where the airbag is on mine. It looks as though its a manufacturing trait for that particular model year. This may have been addressed by BMW at some point. I guess the question is would it be a good idea to get it replaced, as has been previously stated you might end up with squeaks and rattles. Factory assembled is always best in terms of build quality, as soon as humans get involved...........
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      03-09-2013, 07:16 AM   #10
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Just a thought here... have users with this visible marking been in very high ambient temperatures where the material may have heated up and allowed some deformation?

Not a good visual appearance, whether a fault or not I suppose is open to debate. But clearly not all vehicles have it, so there must be some reason.

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      03-09-2013, 09:58 AM   #11
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Wondering the same thing.
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      03-09-2013, 04:31 PM   #12
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The airbag door is cut by the instrument panel (IP) manufacturer using a laser beam that scores the back of the IP. The cut is deep enough to go through the IP substrate but leaves the skin intact so that from the top the IP appearance is seamless. You should not be able to see where it's been scored if done properly.
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      03-10-2013, 12:26 AM   #13
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Mine shows too on my 2013 X3 28i, but just barely. 12,000 miles in Florida sun may be causing the dashboard to get very supple. Ill see what my dealer says about
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      03-10-2013, 06:59 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
Just a thought here... have users with this visible marking been in very high ambient temperatures where the material may have heated up and allowed some deformation?

Not a good visual appearance, whether a fault or not I suppose is open to debate. But clearly not all vehicles have it, so there must be some reason.

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Mine was like that from the beginning. Built/purchased in the Winter. So not in my case, at least.
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      03-14-2013, 02:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
Mine showed like that and had some additional bubbles within the rectangle and outside of it. After some discussion between the dealership and BMWNA they replaced that dash pad. Strangely, they claimed the bubbles were not themselves "wrong", but they were concerned that over time they would grow and become "wrong". To me, it shouldn't have been that way so I was happy for the replacement which worked out very well.
I see the same thing but they are only visible when in shade (e.g. covered parking), can't see them under direct sun, wierd
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      03-14-2013, 03:07 PM   #16
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Mine barely visible unless in full sun.
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      03-14-2013, 07:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heverlee View Post
I see the same thing but they are only visible when in shade (e.g. covered parking), can't see them under direct sun, wierd
Mine was kind of similar. Some was visible in some angles of sunlight, not that I recall in the garage with candescent lighting, but it showed up distinctly in parking garage lighting -- fluorescent, I think.
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      04-27-2013, 04:36 PM   #18
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Mine just recently is showing, I have 13.6k miles on it.
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