What is the difference between the metal and plastic exterior door handles?

[nitrouso]

So my 95 525i has black plastic exterior door handles while all the ones I see in the junkyard have metal ones. What is the difference? Can they be used interchangeably. I ask because my drivers side plastic door handle has a broken piece in it (ironically not the plastic handle part but a metal part inside it) and was wondering if I should switch out for the metal handles. The metal ones just feel meatier but they also don't appear to be the nice dark black that the plastic ones are and they also appear to scratch easily (vs the plastic ones which on my car seem to be unscratchable).

[sfgearhead]

I know there are differences internally. Whether or not you can swap them I don't know.

I have a good handle from a '94 car that should work in yours if you want it, $25 shipped and it's yours. Does yours look like the attached pic?

[nitrouso]

Is it metal or plastic handle?

[ross1]

I've never noticed plastic handles. Aftermarket crash parts?

[Binjammin]

The trim pieces are all the same. Only difference is how much they cost.

[nitrouso]

No, they arent aftermarket. They were there from the factory on my car (our family have been the only owners so I know this is true). To be honest I kind of like them because they are so easy to clean and make it look great(just pour back to black on it) and they seem impervious to scratching (unlike the metal ones where the paint gets scratched). If they are the same mechanism internally I might get a metal one just so I can get it quickly as all the cars at my junkyard have metal handles. Just took some excellent condition door panels from a Touring at the junkyard and when I take off the old door panels on my car to replace them, I want to replace the broken driver door assembly.

[kalevera]

Metal handles are used on earlier cars with the early style lock actuators. Not sure if there's production overlap, or if a retrofit is feasible, from memory the change corresponds with the mid '92 change in the type of lock actuator.

[sfgearhead]

Is it metal or plastic handle?

I'm almost positive they're plastic. They looked the same as the '95's that went back in the '94 door. I'll double check tonight.

[nitrouso]

I just went out and checked and the 94 touring I saw in the lot had a plastic handle like my 95 525. I'm beginning to think that they phased out metal door handles after 93 in favor of the plastic ones on the 94s and 95s. If yours is a plastic handle and is in good condition (no broken parts or gashes on the plastic) let me know and we can work out the shipping and payment. :)