[Min Mini]

Greetings all,


I have lately received my new F56 and noticed the following gap:

http://i.imgur.com/3T24vpO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dFnD7Gm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CBaROwS.jpg

Do you have a similar gap or maybe a smaller/bigger one? If you do, could you please upload a picture?

I doubt this gap came from factory. At first I suspected that an improper aftermarket installation of reverse parking sensors might have caused this, but since I have seen two additional ones with the same gap, I am unsure.

The ones at the dealer's showroom experienced no gap, but if I put my finger there it is obvious there is no permanent contact between the dashboard and the door seals.

Is it purely an aesthetic fault or does it have additional implications regarding the correct technical and mechanical operation of the car?


Thanks!

 

[caveman dave]

The gap should not be there, easy fix, pull the black rubber seal away from the body and push it back on.
Its only the door seal that's not on correctly.

 

[Min Mini]

I went to the dealer who did just that but the gap is still there.. They say the next move is to to disassemble and reassemble the entire dashboard.

Should I let them do that? On the one hand, such a gap is annoying, especially on a car made by BMW. On the other hand, it is risky to perform such an "operation" - I might receive the car with some rattles and scratches due to less than careful attitude of the workers, etc..

What say you?

 

[caveman dave]

I went to the dealer who did just that but the gap is still there.. They say the next move is to to disassemble and reassemble the entire dashboard.

Should I let them do that? On the one hand, such a gap is annoying, especially on a car made by BMW. On the other hand, it is risky to perform such an "operation" - I might receive the car with some rattles and scratches due to less than careful attitude of the workers, etc..

What say you?

Well all I can say then is that they did it wrong, over the gap should be a flap, the flap on yours is stuck behind and the door seal not pushed on far enough.

 

[siriuszero]

Sorry...slightly unrelated...just noticed yours has a key switch for the passenger airbags.... I haven't seen that before! Must be another regional difference. I find those interesting!

 

[Min Mini]

Well all I can say then is that they did it wrong, over the gap should be a flap, the flap on yours is stuck behind and the door seal not pushed on far enough.

The flap attempts to grip but the gap is too wide for it to latch on the plastic so it latches onto itself.

Does anyone else have this gap?


siriuszero, indeed you are correct! I never realized it isn't standard in some regions.

 

[siriuszero]

siriuszero, indeed you are correct! I never realized it isn't standard in some regions.

What does it do? Turn off the passenger airbag? Does your passenger seat not have a sensor for that?

I'm sure stuff like this is because of varying laws and standards from country to country.

Interesting stuff to me

 

[fatherfork]

I went to the dealer who did just that but the gap is still there.. They say the next move is to to disassemble and reassemble the entire dashboard.

Should I let them do that? On the one hand, such a gap is annoying, especially on a car made by BMW. On the other hand, it is risky to perform such an "operation" - I might receive the car with some rattles and scratches due to less than careful attitude of the workers, etc..

What say you?

Definitely do not let them disassemble your dash. I barely trust the dealer to perform my included oil changes satisfactorily.

That being said, mine does not have this gap, although I can see how some might. The rubber seal is barely hanging on right there. I would ignore it because "fixing" it may cause many unintended consequences.

 

[jeremybingham]

Me too if you can't jiggle the rubber across a bit I'd live with it.

Airbag switches yes switches airbag off for baby seats.(rear racers)

 

[Min Mini]

The switch is for baby seats indeed (the passenger seat does have sensors, but for seat belt warning). When the switch is set to "off", an indicator light is lit where the rear view mirror is.

As for the gap, is it not strange that at the dealer's all the cars had no such gap? Maybe they have carefully chosen them for that reason?

On a personal note, I must say it is rather disappointing to find such a QC issue/design flaw on a (presumably) BMW..

 

[jeremybingham]

Yes. It's def not right.looks like it might just need the rubber adjusting though??

 

[SylleGS]

The switch is for baby seats indeed (the passenger seat does have sensors, but for seat belt warning). When the switch is set to "off", an indicator light is lit where the rear view mirror is.

As for the gap, is it not strange that at the dealer's all the cars had no such gap? Maybe they have carefully chosen them for that reason?

On a personal note, I must say it is rather disappointing to find such a QC issue/design flaw on a (presumably) BMW..

It does also works as airbag sensor, then the passenger airbag wont go off, if there isn't any passengers in the seat.

Its not a design fault, probably just a bad door seal. Get the dealer to replace it with a new one, then you will be good to go.
It's not a known fault, you are probably just unlucky. But it's a "light" fault.

 

[Min Mini]

I have spoken with the dealer, and they updated me that after a thorough enquiry the Germans are saying the plastic bit that encloses the airbag switch is deformed. They are sending a new part for my car.

I will update this thread as necessary.

 

[smoley58]

Dealer

My suggestion would be to discuss with the service manager your major concern of the work being done on the dashboard. I would ask that they have the most senior and experienced technician who does the repair. Again, highlight your concern so they take special care and interest and of course review the work once completed with the service manager.