Melting Passenger Door Handle Solution!

DrC_UArk · 03-21-2019, 02:05 PM

After researching all possible fixes for the common E90 melting passenger door handle issue, I decided not to rip apart the door and replace with OEM. Instead, I got a pre-fab custom leather cover from leathersteering.com, mixed my own custom leather dye, dyed the cover to match existing interior, and installed. (the brownish tint on the arm rest is just a shadow, from above color match is as good as the rest of the door card)

I'm happy with the result. A few tiny wrinkles that I expect to go away on the first warm day...if they don't I can massage it a bit.

tlow98 · 03-21-2019, 02:40 PM

Well, that is a different solution.

I did the other method. Isn’t hard. Looks like OEM new.

N54Society · 03-21-2019, 02:45 PM

I can appreciate an alternative method but honestly, it doesn't look very OEM. I used a razor blade to clean up the inside of the handle from all the melted goo and then wiped it down with rubbing alcohol. Took an hour, tops just because I was trying not to cut any leather. I bought the outside of the handle from eBay for $10 and installation was a breeze. No removing the door panel. No melting tabs. Nothing. Just installed the OEM looking outside handle which snaps into place. No screws even. I can say with certainty that it's the "easiest" method. As far as looks, that's subjective but it looks OEM to me:

n0tm3 · 03-22-2019, 10:02 AM

you honestly probably did more work installing that than just taking the panel off and replacing the piece

ryan stewart · 03-22-2019, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0tm3

you honestly probably did more work installing that than just taking the panel off and replacing the piece

This and, no disrespect if you're happy with it, but that looks terrible.

The door comes off easily, drill out the plastic tabs and then just heat the shit out of a metal handle from a breaker bar to reset the new one and youve got a brand new handle.

The handles and the cupholders were the only real wearing items in my car and replacing those really refreshed the interior. My drivers handle still looks like butt but nobody else sees that so they are shocked how old my car is.

lnxguy · 03-24-2019, 08:26 AM

Taking the door panel off and swapping to a handle you can purchase off Amazon takes maybe 20mins. No melting of the new handle, it comes with screws.

blau808 · 06-14-2019, 04:33 PM

Looks wrinkly like a ball sac.

FLYIN4D · 06-15-2019, 08:51 AM

The car I am traveling to inspect and hopefully purchase this weekend has the same issue, but the guy half-assed taped it down using black electrical tape, so I'll be purchasing a new handle. For some reason I am having issues getting on Amazon and eBay to search this morning. Headed out the door right now for road trip. I'll be ordering a black one if I buy the car. Can someone post the links to where they bought their new passenger-side door handle, OEM or not...doesn't matter. Thanks in advance!

K9Leader · 06-15-2019, 07:23 PM

I did something similar. Yes, I could have replaced it but how long before it happens again? I think mine looks pretty good and, besides, covering things in leather is usually a good thing:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ht=door+handle

03-21-2019, 02:05 PM	#1
DrC_UArk Private 23 Rep 61 Posts Drives: '07 335xi Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fayetteville, AR iTrader: (0)	Melting Passenger Door Handle Solution! After researching all possible fixes for the common E90 melting passenger door handle issue, I decided not to rip apart the door and replace with OEM. Instead, I got a pre-fab custom leather cover from leathersteering.com, mixed my own custom leather dye, dyed the cover to match existing interior, and installed. (the brownish tint on the arm rest is just a shadow, from above color match is as good as the rest of the door card) I'm happy with the result. A few tiny wrinkles that I expect to go away on the first warm day...if they don't I can massage it a bit. Attached Images
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03-21-2019, 02:40 PM	#2
tlow98 Major General 2188 Rep 5,001 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Well, that is a different solution. I did the other method. Isn’t hard. Looks like OEM new.
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03-21-2019, 02:45 PM	#3
N54Society Major Private First Class 449 Rep 1,327 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: US, NA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy iTrader: (2)	I can appreciate an alternative method but honestly, it doesn't look very OEM. I used a razor blade to clean up the inside of the handle from all the melted goo and then wiped it down with rubbing alcohol. Took an hour, tops just because I was trying not to cut any leather. I bought the outside of the handle from eBay for $10 and installation was a breeze. No removing the door panel. No melting tabs. Nothing. Just installed the OEM looking outside handle which snaps into place. No screws even. I can say with certainty that it's the "easiest" method. As far as looks, that's subjective but it looks OEM to me: __________________ 2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets \| Stage 1 LPFP \| 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW \| Custom BuraQ + MHD tune \| 3.5Bar N20 sensor [SOLD] 2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: 5" Stepped FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP - MHD V7 E60 Tune running 100% E85 - VRSF DPs
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03-22-2019, 10:02 AM	#4
n0tm3 could-be bmw tech 17 Rep 71 Posts Drives: %E2%80%9809 335i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 435i xdrive [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	you honestly probably did more work installing that than just taking the panel off and replacing the piece __________________ Jet black e90 335i LCI \| MHD/xHP \| BMS DCI \| ER cp w/Synapse BOV \| ST coilovers \| mufflers are still there
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03-24-2019, 08:26 AM	#6
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Taking the door panel off and swapping to a handle you can purchase off Amazon takes maybe 20mins. No melting of the new handle, it comes with screws. __________________ '09 335D
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06-14-2019, 04:33 PM	#7
blau808 Second Lieutenant 89 Rep 254 Posts Drives: E90 F31 X5 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: PNW iTrader: (0)	Looks wrinkly like a ball sac.
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06-15-2019, 08:51 AM	#8
FLYIN4D In The Lane Next To You 27 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Heaven iTrader: (0)	The car I am traveling to inspect and hopefully purchase this weekend has the same issue, but the guy half-assed taped it down using black electrical tape, so I'll be purchasing a new handle. For some reason I am having issues getting on Amazon and eBay to search this morning. Headed out the door right now for road trip. I'll be ordering a black one if I buy the car. Can someone post the links to where they bought their new passenger-side door handle, OEM or not...doesn't matter. Thanks in advance! __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price has been forgotten. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW."
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06-15-2019, 07:23 PM	#9
K9Leader Captain 1051 Rep 782 Posts Drives: 2010 328ix E91, 2011 128i E82 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 128i [10.00] 2010 BMW 328i [10.00]	I did something similar. Yes, I could have replaced it but how long before it happens again? I think mine looks pretty good and, besides, covering things in leather is usually a good thing: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ht=door+handle
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