[Nikki]

The topic has been discussed but here is the poll.


The situation is that the aluminum trim is easily scratched by the seatbelt. I try every single time to carefully place the seatbelt away, yet within a month I already have a ton of scratches all over my trim. I think it may also have to do with where I sit (all the way forward and all the way up) because it seems impossible for me to retract my seatbelt without hitting the trim.

Do you guys think that the dealer will repace this piece if enough people complain, or are simple cosmetic things like this not enough to warrant a bulletin?

[SCA]

Specifically which piece is getting scratched by your seatbelt? The door panel trim?

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by SCA

Specifically which piece is getting scratched by your seatbelt? The door panel trim?

Yes, everytime I take my seatbelt off it hits the aluminum trim piece on the door.
Even when I carefully try to place the seatbelt back where it belongs there really isn't enough room to get by without brushing against it.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Nikki

Yes, everytime I take my seatbelt off it hits the aluminum trim piece on the door.
Even when I carefully try to place the seatbelt back where it belongs there really isn't enough room to get by without brushing against it.

Ouch! That's not good...

[LEDZEP]

Hey, wasn't there a planetary shortage of aluminum just a while ago?

I can't answer because I have wood trim. This is one of the reasons why.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Hey, wasn't there a planetary shortage of aluminum just a while ago?

Word on the street is that there still is.

[Broken1]

I don't think a dealer or BMW would replace the trim for you. They would say it's cosmetic and not usual wear and tear damage.

IMO - it would be like trying to get the dealer to fix a dent in your paintwork
*sigh*

Try and find out how much that trim piece costs? Maybe you could replace it, and get a clear bra installed over it or something? (hehe you never know)

[Broken1]

Oh yes...
and how bad are the scratches? Any pics?

[jmcphillips1]

And that is one main reason I got Burl Walnut and not aluminum.

[Bimmerista]

Nikki,

I do think that your seat position has something to do with it.

Mine is set further back and my seatbelt never touches the trim.

Not that it is your fault-it has to do with the position of the trim.

BTW wise guys, it could well happen to the wood trim as well, depending on the seat position. .

I do not think that your dealer can help, but you can try (nothing to loose).

Might I sugggest you look into geting a seat belt retainer, available as an accessory; this should help prevent further damage.

[afocoryw20]

Nikki can you please post a pic of it? I'm curious to see where it is happening.

[Nikki]

Here you go, there are two different spots where it scratches.
I have 200 miles on my car.

As far as that clip goes, do you think it would help?

Also, an unrelated question, but is there no way to adjust the height of the seat belt holder? I couldn't find any way to move it and I think that's so odd if it doesn't move.

[longtran]

woah, i didnt see the pictures before i voted. i better go check my car. lol... wait. then again, i use the seat bealt clip thingy to keep the seat belt pretty high up. maybe you should try that. i see that yours is low so maybe thats why its scratching.

[jmcphillips1]

There use to be a plastic guide to hold the clip at a certain height but maybe they do not use it anymore. That is a shame could come in handy and have prevented your problem

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by longtran

woah, i didnt see the pictures before i voted. i better go check my car. lol... wait. then again, i use the seat bealt clip thingy to keep the seat belt pretty high up. maybe you should try that. i see that yours is low so maybe thats why its scratching.

so you bought the seat belt holder? does it work?

[afocoryw20]

What Longtran said is excatly what you need to do. I would adjust it so that the seat belt clip is above your armrest. Save yourself the $ on the oem clip. Sorry to see the scratches.....

[Nikki]

There's an adjustment on the clip?
I thought you were referring to the OEM accessory.
Hmm, I'll have to go take a look at it later.
That would really piss me off if all I had to do was adjust some clip to avoid this.
Good thing it's not too noticeable and it's a lease lol.

[mikpap]

First of all there is an adjustment clip in your seat belt so you have the option to change the height. But I think you have the choice to invert the outside to inside of the metallic portion of the seat belt. Try it. It should work better.

[Bimmerista]

I inverted the clip

[icedragon]

I was also worried that the seat belt might scratch my trim. So I put clear-bra over the trim. No problems so far.

[tonee8519]

nikki, my scratches are almost identical to yours- it's definately from the seat belt.

[puck724]

so THAT is what the plastic thingamabobber is for...i was wondering what the hell it is...im gunna check it later. so for no scratches on my alumminum, but ive been anal about not just throwing the buckle back when im done. my pilot had a crapload of scratches on the pillar because i kinda just flung it back...