[nathantx]

Hi Everyone

I have a 2006 BMW 325i with the Dakota/Schwartz interior. I bought an OEM BMW replacement part (#51167145681) for the rear console trim where the rear vents and ashtray go in because mine was scuffed up with the painted coating, and after putting on the replacement part I realized it was a completely different shade of black.

Is this a common issue for OEM BMW interior parts? I realize it's a part being produced 8 years after the original part, but I thought it would at least be a close match. Because the center console meets it at the sides, and the existing vents/faceplate/ashtray fit into the trim, it made my interior look two-tone/crappy.

I checked the part number and everything matches up for what should be an exact replacement for the black trim, but it's a completely different color shade. I even thought maybe it was an unpainted part, but I checked at the edges of the trim piece and could see the cut-off line where it had been painted by the factory. I contacted my local BMW dealership and they said that genuine BMW parts should match the existing interior. The guy thought maybe my interior was faded and that's why it doesn't match, but it's actually the opposite way around (my interior is a deeper/shinier black and the replacement part was dull blackish grey).

Any idea?

[usna2k]

Shinier? Did someone Armor-all your interior?

[9352e90]

There is variation in production over time with plastic interior parts. When I replaced my driver side vent the black was a little lighter then the other vents on the dash.

[Thrakos]

It's no different than anything else that's exposed to the sun - with time, it fades.. a brand new part vs an eight year old part will be noticeably different.

[nathantx]

Originally Posted by usna2k

Shinier? Did someone Armor-all your interior?

The interior isn't armorall'ed but the blank faceplate between ashtray and the ashtray fascia itself is a bit shiny

[nathantx]

Originally Posted by Thrakos

It's no different than anything else that's exposed to the sun - with time, it fades.. a brand new part vs an eight year old part will be noticeably different.

The thing is, the part is faded in comparison to the interior color in my car, I would think it would be the other way around, too.

[nathantx]

Originally Posted by 9352e90

There is variation in production over time with plastic interior parts. When I replaced my driver side vent the black was a little lighter then the other vents on the dash.

I replaced my driver side vent and passenger side vent and they aren't noticeable different. Maybe it has to do with the size of the trim makes it more obvious. According to BMW there shouldn't be a difference but I can't keep my interior mismatched like that, it seriously looks like a mixed parts car with it on. Wondering if I should buy from another source or if they're all going to be like that.

[spencers]

If what you already have is shinier than your replacement part, someone put some sort of dressing (armorall, etc) on your trim.

The part you ordered (51167145681) is the same color that came on your car from the factory.

Post a picture of how it looks. We could probably help better from there.

[nathantx]

Photos attached

[nathantx]

The more I look at the photos, the more I think I was sent a gray trim piece in a BMW-sealed box with "Schwarz" written on the description label. Ordered from here: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-325...nsole/ES83930/

[bender rodriguez]

My freaking start button trim peeled off until it was bare white.

[sandjam]

Originally Posted by nathantx

The more I look at the photos, the more I think I was sent a gray trim piece in a BMW-sealed box with "Schwarz" written on the description label. Ordered from here: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-325...nsole/ES83930/

The color of the new part is correct. It looks like someone put on the dreaded used car reconditioning dressing. It's a shiny coating that used car dealers put on to hide worn parts. It's not like armour all, it's almost like a shellac, horrible stuff. It changes the original color to a darker shade and shiny finish. It cannot be removed. It chips. My uncle used it for years in his used car business. Did you buy your car used?

[nathantx]

I did buy it used - wouldn't the tell-tale sign of that be that the tabs that aren't accessible to be wiped/sprayed down don't match? When I took the original/scuffed one off it was still darker black on the tabs.

[nathantx]

The leather even looks mismatched to the new trim piece to me - would they really dress every crevice of that rear console, because the inside of the ashtray, locking tabs, ac vents, everything are that darker shade of black.

[sandjam]

Originally Posted by nathantx

I did buy it used - wouldn't the tell-tale sign of that be that the tabs that aren't accessible to be wiped/sprayed down don't match? When I took the original/scuffed one off it was still darker black on the tabs.

That's true. I guess you could replace all the plastic but that would cost a fortune. You could take out the console and refinish it with interior paint. Did you try to return the part and get another one. I think it will be the same, I had a 2000 325i with black interior and it looked like your new part. It's a mystery.

[nathantx]

Rounded up some pictures from the internet, I still don't think the replacement part I received is the correct color. It looks like the trim in cars with the grey seats/carpet.

[sysu]

good job

[9352e90]

Wow, the difference is way more noticeable then I was expecting. It's defiantly more then plastic dressing, that could have contributed, but there is still a very noticeable difference. I'm fairly certain though that there was never a gray color that was slightly lighter then the black. There is black, tan, and the light grey (which is in the cars with grey leather). I do think that that is the correct part, but the color variation is incredible.

[nathantx]

Originally Posted by 9352e90

Wow, the difference is way more noticeable then I was expecting. It's defiantly more then plastic dressing, that could have contributed, but there is still a very noticeable difference. I'm fairly certain though that there was never a gray color that was slightly lighter then the black. There is black, tan, and the light grey (which is in the cars with grey leather). I do think that that is the correct part, but the color variation is incredible.

Yeah, it looks horrible when installed - did it under dark light then noticed after it was already clipped on - immediately switched it back.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? I guess I can try to order from a different source and just see how it goes.

[9352e90]

Reordering from a different supplier is really your only option. You might get a part from a different production lot that matches better.

[Averdi]

That's definitely not supposed to be black...maybe grey. I say bring it to the dealer and show them!