Glad to be on this forum. This is my first post. I just bought my fourth BMW a week ago. A 2009 335d. It’s an awesome car. I like it more then the 2011 M3 I had (I liked the 540i I had more then the M3 that’s why it’s gone and there still a 540i in my garage). The car is in great shape except for one weird thing... the passenger side interior door handle is sticky. The rubber coating around the inner part of the handle is breaking down and sticks to your hand when you shut the door. Is this a common problem with these cars when they get some age or is mine an odd problem? Thanks in advance.
What rubber coating you have the chrome lever and the black plastic piece it attaches to
5D775F5C-DB44-432A-82B0-AD715EB4F13E.jpg The handle you grab to shut the door. The rubber on the back side is actually peeling off. I took a wet towel to it and it started peeling from the plastic. Hopefully you can see in the picture how much came off. I don’t want to have to buy a new door panel to replace it but I also don’t want to buy a used one and have it happen again.
Yep. 2009 335. FRont Passenger handle is Like silly puddy. IT started about 6 months ago. I went Low tech and wrapped it w/ Paracord. It doesn't look awesome but doesn't feel gro- ss either.
Last edited by ndindynd; 06-02-2019 at 01:01 PM.
The grab handle part of the arm rest I've seen them get sticking after trying to clean it with cleaners opposed to using hot water and soap, as suggested by one my techs.
You can order a replacement part as it it relatively inexpensive. However, have you tried scrubbing it with Dawn soap and water? That worked on some sticky stereo knobs for me.
Is the grab handle sold separate from the door panel? I haven’t looked into it yet I just assumed it was sold as one. I’ll give dawn a try just to get some of the stickiness off but it’s going to need to be replaced at some point I think.
I believe it's available separately.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
You need part 18. Part 4 is just the outer cover. Part 18 is the actual inner grab handle that is mounted to the door panel.
Don't quote me on it, but I believe it's "plastic welded". Meaning those 4 posts that stick out, go through the door panel, then are melted and mashed flat against the door panel to hold it in place. You can either re-melt them and pull off the old one, or just use a fat drill bit, or even a scuffing/grinding pad on a die grinder. Then you put on the new one, and melt the posts with a hot iron. I've got a butane torch with what's called a "hot knife tip" that I use. Or they may sell some large sheet metal nuts that will grip the plastic and hold it tight.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
Finally got the time to call BMW this week. The parts guy said they made an updated grab handle. I ordered it. Should be here this week.
I just replaced my wife's and did a video on it. Total time was 25 min and only cost 22.00 and uses screws instead of melting tabs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2l87lykjrg
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