Rusty Seat Base - Official word from my dealer - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

vigalent · 01-29-2013, 04:34 PM

Just some info for the masses....

Had my car in at the dealer this week to look at the rusty seat base issue and a noise from the AC fan.

The seat base issue has been documented and logged with BMW. The official word I got back was that BMW were announcing a 'fix' for this in February at which point I have to rebook it in.... It would seem that BMW are acknowledging the fault.

What's not clear just yet I guess, is if they will announce a general recall, or wait for individuals to present the fault first (I suspect the later).

I also noted that the service advisor at the dealer was dumbfounded when I first presented it and stated 'they'd never heard of this before'.... Well they have now!!!

The issue with the AC fan was resolved. It was a leaf that had got sucked in. Turns out there's a fix for this as well. They have the required part on order (some kind of grill or filter I guess) which will get fitted at the same time as the seat issue is done.

They also performed a software update to fix a problem with the windscreen wipers stopping at mid positions.

derekh929 · 01-29-2013, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the update

Floriank · 01-29-2013, 08:02 PM

The AC fan in my car also sounds a little like a Cessna taking off when its on a high setting. It's not just a loud woosh of lots of air but there's a definite hum as if something is grinding or vibrating. Not sure whether a leaf could do that though?

Better get it checked out when they fix the front side camera(s)...

RobUK · 01-30-2013, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigalent

What's not clear just yet I guess, is if they will announce a general recall, or wait for individuals to present the fault first (I suspect the later).

Think you're right there. The vast majority of unsuspecting owners who don't follow these forums will just have their seats quietly rusting away underneath them.

Did they confirm the nature of the fix? I.e. new replacement seats or remove/treat/refit?

kitster · 01-30-2013, 03:20 AM

Could some please post a picture? I've not checked myself but be good to have a reference.

rich1068 · 01-30-2013, 04:57 AM

Here you go

That's under the drivers seat of the F31 loan car I'm driving at the moment. Delivery mileage when I picked it up just before Christmas. Oddly the passenger seat is clean as a whistle.

vigalent · 01-30-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobUK

Think you're right there. The vast majority of unsuspecting owners who don't follow these forums will just have their seats quietly rusting away underneath them.

Did they confirm the nature of the fix? I.e. new replacement seats or remove/treat/refit?

Nope. No word as yet. As soon as they contact me to have it done its the first question I will asking

johnbmw6 · 01-30-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekh929

Thanks for the update

+1

kitster · 01-30-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

Here you go

That's under the drivers seat of the F31 loan car I'm driving at the moment. Delivery mileage when I picked it up just before Christmas. Oddly the passenger seat is clean as a whistle.

Oh my gawd! that looks awful I gonna check mine tonight. On another note when I changed my wheels over to winters the rear center bores were really rusty. The fronts were spanking clean.

Andys83 · 01-30-2013, 10:36 AM

Just checked mine and I'm part of the rusty club! I've emailed the dealer I bought the car from and await a response! It's not the end if the world but we've all paid a lot of money for a premium car you wouldn't expect this!

edz_f31 · 01-30-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitster

Oh my gawd! that looks awful I gonna check mine tonight. On another note when I changed my wheels over to winters the rear center bores were really rusty. The fronts were spanking clean.

I think that would be the case on mine too as there is a lot of "rusty dust" appearing around the centre caps in between washes on the back wheels only

F30AM · 01-30-2013, 02:49 PM

Must take another look at mine over the weekend. Hope there is no rust but knowing my luck I'm sure I'll be in the club. Can I be bothered? Am I bothered? Hell yes, no, yes, no .......

My car was built on 22 Nov 2012. The rust isssue was supposed to have been sorted.
I've just had the red cow stretched on the seats.

Andys83 · 01-31-2013, 10:29 AM

Just an update, my motors going in on the 21st so they can have a look, the delay is due to the fact I'm away for 2 weeks and the only time they had available was the day before I go. First time the dealer has heard of this also, wait and see what they offer to do I guess, I'll keep you's posted.

AlteredCarbon · 02-26-2013, 03:01 AM

Hey Andy - did you get your rusty seat base and noisy AC fan issues resolved? Just this weekend my AC fan started playing up with a similar noise and I remembered someone on this forum had mentioned it.

While I was there, I checked under my drivers seat base and guess what - rusty spots too!

Andys83 · 02-26-2013, 04:57 AM

Altered carbon,

No issue with the ac with me. Dealer had a look at the seat base and now it's with head office so another waiting game. That was last Thursday, I'll give them a bell tomorrow to see what's happening.

Andys83 · 02-27-2013, 07:17 AM

Just got a phone call. They wanted it in next Thursday but as I'm off on work it's the 28th. In for 2 days some download to do also, they will be replacing the bases only. That's fine with me.

Was then told I'd have to pay £20 for a courtesy car!! 😳 Eh no, it's under warranty and its work needing done that's hasn't been caused by me so I won't be paying anything for your "courtesy" car!!

That's the latest folks.

Mav12 · 02-27-2013, 09:27 AM

Are they planning on replacing it with the same type of base though?? I have rust too but i wouldnt want to risk scratching and redoing it again if it is not a permanent solution (i.e. a new and improved base)... Is this solution the answer from bmw? Or a dealer solution?

Andys83 · 02-27-2013, 11:22 AM

Answer from BMW, I assume it would be of a different batch / metal as the newer ones don't have this problem apparently. I maybe naively assumed it would not be a direct replacement but of a different material

CoolDude196 · 02-28-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andys83

Answer from BMW, I assume it would be of a different batch / metal as the newer ones don't have this problem apparently. I maybe naively assumed it would not be a direct replacement but of a different material

so whats they're answer, are they issuing a recall?

Andys83 · 02-28-2013, 01:18 PM

No mention of a recall, cool dude I take it you're in the same predicament? Have you spoke to your dealer?

Andys83 · 03-29-2013, 05:39 PM

That's the bases replaced!!! Happy days!!!

01-29-2013, 04:34 PM	#1
vigalent Enlisted Member Drives: F30 318D Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: England Posts: 30 iTrader: (0)	Rusty Seat Base - Official word from my dealer Just some info for the masses.... Had my car in at the dealer this week to look at the rusty seat base issue and a noise from the AC fan. The seat base issue has been documented and logged with BMW. The official word I got back was that BMW were announcing a 'fix' for this in February at which point I have to rebook it in.... It would seem that BMW are acknowledging the fault. What's not clear just yet I guess, is if they will announce a general recall, or wait for individuals to present the fault first (I suspect the later). I also noted that the service advisor at the dealer was dumbfounded when I first presented it and stated 'they'd never heard of this before'.... Well they have now!!! The issue with the AC fan was resolved. It was a leaf that had got sucked in. Turns out there's a fix for this as well. They have the required part on order (some kind of grill or filter I guess) which will get fitted at the same time as the seat issue is done. They also performed a software update to fix a problem with the windscreen wipers stopping at mid positions.
	Tweet

01-29-2013, 08:02 PM	#3
Floriank New Member Drives: F31 330D M Sport Tanzanite Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hampshire/Sussex Posts: 18 iTrader: (0)	The AC fan in my car also sounds a little like a Cessna taking off when its on a high setting. It's not just a loud woosh of lots of air but there's a definite hum as if something is grinding or vibrating. Not sure whether a leaf could do that though? Better get it checked out when they fix the front side camera(s)... __________________ F31 330d M Sport Tanzanite + heated Black Dakota Pro Nav/Visibility Pack/Comfort Pack/Harman Kardon/Comfort Access/Adaptive Suspension/Tow Bar etc

01-30-2013, 02:49 PM	#12
F30AM Major Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,388 iTrader: (0)	Must take another look at mine over the weekend. Hope there is no rust but knowing my luck I'm sure I'll be in the club. Can I be bothered? Am I bothered? Hell yes, no, yes, no ....... My car was built on 22 Nov 2012. The rust isssue was supposed to have been sorted. I've just had the red cow stretched on the seats. __________________ F30 EBII 330d M-Sport/Red Hippo Hide Heated Chairs/18"/Aluminium Hex+Black Trim/Smart Door Mirrors/Cunning Xenons/Clever Suspenders/Electric Back Help/DAB/HK/New Pro Media/Extra Coded Immobiliser/Ciggy Pack/Booty Net/Memory Cushion for Bony Posterior!/5 Year Service Pack A TRULY WONDERFUL CAR. Had Baggy Red Hippo Hide Chairs. Fixed at my expense. Mean BMW refused to help

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-29-2013, 05:48 PM	#2
derekh929 Captain Drives: F31 330d M Sport on Order Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 721 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the update

01-30-2013, 03:20 AM	#5
kitster Second Lieutenant Drives: F31 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 231 iTrader: (0)	Could some please post a picture? I've not checked myself but be good to have a reference.

01-30-2013, 04:57 AM	#6
rich1068 Colonel Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Posts: 2,808 iTrader: (0)	Here you go That's under the drivers seat of the F31 loan car I'm driving at the moment. Delivery mileage when I picked it up just before Christmas. Oddly the passenger seat is clean as a whistle.

01-30-2013, 10:36 AM	#10
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	Just checked mine and I'm part of the rusty club! I've emailed the dealer I bought the car from and await a response! It's not the end if the world but we've all paid a lot of money for a premium car you wouldn't expect this!

01-31-2013, 10:29 AM	#13
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	Just an update, my motors going in on the 21st so they can have a look, the delay is due to the fact I'm away for 2 weeks and the only time they had available was the day before I go. First time the dealer has heard of this also, wait and see what they offer to do I guess, I'll keep you's posted.

02-26-2013, 03:01 AM	#14
AlteredCarbon New Member Drives: F30 320D MSport EBII Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 22 iTrader: (0)	Hey Andy - did you get your rusty seat base and noisy AC fan issues resolved? Just this weekend my AC fan started playing up with a similar noise and I remembered someone on this forum had mentioned it. While I was there, I checked under my drivers seat base and guess what - rusty spots too!

02-26-2013, 04:57 AM	#15
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	Altered carbon, No issue with the ac with me. Dealer had a look at the seat base and now it's with head office so another waiting game. That was last Thursday, I'll give them a bell tomorrow to see what's happening.

02-27-2013, 07:17 AM	#16
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	Just got a phone call. They wanted it in next Thursday but as I'm off on work it's the 28th. In for 2 days some download to do also, they will be replacing the bases only. That's fine with me. Was then told I'd have to pay £20 for a courtesy car!! 😳 Eh no, it's under warranty and its work needing done that's hasn't been caused by me so I won't be paying anything for your "courtesy" car!! That's the latest folks.

02-27-2013, 09:27 AM	#17
Mav12 New Member Drives: '12 F30 335i / '01 S54 Mcoupe Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London Posts: 24 iTrader: (0)	Are they planning on replacing it with the same type of base though?? I have rust too but i wouldnt want to risk scratching and redoing it again if it is not a permanent solution (i.e. a new and improved base)... Is this solution the answer from bmw? Or a dealer solution?

02-27-2013, 11:22 AM	#18
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	Answer from BMW, I assume it would be of a different batch / metal as the newer ones don't have this problem apparently. I maybe naively assumed it would not be a direct replacement but of a different material

02-28-2013, 01:18 PM	#20
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	No mention of a recall, cool dude I take it you're in the same predicament? Have you spoke to your dealer?

03-29-2013, 05:39 PM	#21
Andys83 Private Drives: 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	That's the bases replaced!!! Happy days!!!