2009 BMW 750i: Re-Broken Cupholder Cover

MMM, lovely. On the subject of interior quality, look at that plastic dash graining- it's like if General Motors tried to one-off a Nissan Versa. I don't think I've been inside a BMW built in the past 4 years that hasn't felt like a piece of crap.

I was just in a 535xi, and they are anything but low quality.

That is real wood.

bimmerjay: I brought that up last time.

that looks so cheap

"Broken" = not a warranty matter per BMWNA and other manufacturers. A defect in workmanship or materials is a warranty matter. Spread the word, folks. :o)

Real wood looks so cheap.
We're spoiled by artificial designer "wood" these days.
Real wood no longer impresses us.

What suby? I don't recall a dealership not willing to fix all broken parts under bumper to bumper warranty for free. Perhaps the dealership eats the cost. Probably not. They'll at least fudge the documents enough so the manufacturer pays.

Bimmer breaks the cupholder cover. Taurus breaks the mirror. These cars really are in competition.

What's up with all the pieces falling off of your long-term vehicles?

What exactly are you trying to say here, Schmidt?

It's called English. Learn it.

So, the cover is broken, yet you don't have a complaint about it? If this were any other car, there would be an essay about atrocious build quality.

This must have been another case of "User Error".

@drewsrx,

"So, the cover is broken, yet you don't have a complaint about it? If this were any other car, there would be an essay about atrocious build quality.

This must have been another case of "User Error"."

It was already complained about when it actually broke. It has been broken since although Mr. Romans thought he fixed it at the time. Have a read-

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/04/2009-bmw-750i-broken-cupholder-cover.html

"But the cupholder cover is still flimsy in my opinion. And if this were my recently purchased $90,000 BMW -- and I were one of those people who couldn't be bothered to fix things on my own car -- I think I'd be pretty disappointed about the quality here."

Seriously, the moaning about "bias" is getting really old. If you want to see bias you'll see it no matter what anybody says.

Inexcusable in a $15k Hyundai. Why is it tolerable in a $mega BMW?

This car is about driving, not having interior components stay in place. Let not forget that folks.

Bimmer:

That quote you provided shows the BMW favoritism. Wake up man. He said if he wasnt the type who fixes things himself he would be a disappointed. Its a disappointment regardless of how the issue is addressed. I just want to know why pieces coming off in a BMW don't seem to make the staff weary of BMW quality but if the same thing happens in the CTS or Aura they are quick to say "this isnt exactly confidence inspiring considering American automakers are trying to convince us they make quality product". Don't make me go back and find the quotes.

BMW pieces come off and its just an excusable anomaly. Must be driver error!

You know it just kills them to have to design the cupholders in the first place...

Wow. That is pathetic. Stuff falling off inside of a $90k 7-series and a $60k M3. How do the Euro-apologists explain this?

1487: They will always come back with " Well they engineer the car for excellent driving dynamics so a few trivial things that go wrong are easy to overlook."

Kind of like how Corvette interiors are laughable and the steering wheel is from the Malibu and the seats suck ass, but noone cares or makes a big deal about it because 'vette's offer awesome performance for the money.

@ audisport. Zing!!

bkochuk - Agreed 100%, I think it's well established that the Germans feel both hands should be on the wheel and not preoccupied with a Dunkaccino.

I think I would find this inexcusable in any vehicle this day and age - no matter the cost or point of manufacture.

Let's let the dealer have a go at fixing it (instead of Edmunds staff), and if it happens again, then we can get REALLY upset! =)

1487, Brent also had a follow-up comment... "But the illusion of luxury largely disappeared when I had this otherwise obvious plastic cover in my hand."

Here, I'll fill in the gaps on what the Edmunds IL editors *should* have said on this problem:

"This cupholder cover falling off is the worst thing that could possibly happen. I now hate this car and everyone that owns a BMW."

"The cupholder cover fell off on the 750i. This clearly means 1487 is always right and the Aura is awesome."

"The cupholder door fell off. Boy do I love the CTS."

"This would have never happened in a non-BMW."

"This cupholder cover falling off clearly shows that GM's quality is better."

"BMW is no better than anyone else, as evidenced by the dislodged cupholder door. They drive the same, look the same, and are the same as their competitors. Oh but they cost too much so they suck."

"BMW's quality is terrible. When the left rear passenger door fell off on the 405 yesterday, I thought 'minor issue, we'll correct it at the next service'. But this cupholder door falling off is without a doubt the end of BMW."

Hopefully that about covers it.

"Kind of like how Corvette interiors are laughable and the steering wheel is from the Malibu and the seats suck ass, but noone cares or makes a big deal about it because 'vette's offer awesome performance for the money."

What parallel universe are you in? EVERY review of the vette criticizes the interior and seats. Did you not read IL's review of the 2009? Even so, thats not the same thing because we are talking about build quality, not interior design. And the vette doesn't share a steering wheel with the Malibu in case you were wondering. I think the vette's interior crapiness is debatable. Compared to what? Count me as one who is not impressed by the interior of the $67k M3. Is is really that much better? I see lots of black plastic and vinyl in both. Compared to the GTR? I see lots of black plastic and a large nav screen.

I'd be disappointed to find any pieces of the interior falling apart after recently purchasing a new vehicle. Regardless of price.

@1487: "This car is about driving, not having interior components stay in place. Let not forget that folks."

If I pay $90K for a new BMW I would expect basic interior components to stay in place, regardless of what the car is designed to do.

agreed, i was being sarcastic. BMW knows this stuff is excusable. Most BMW owners dont believe in constructive criticism or acknowledgement of shortcomings. These people tried to defend idrive in many cases. C&D got letters from BMW owners justifying idrive and saying the fault lies with the reviewers for not being smart enough to understand idrive complex interface.

Pretty hard to enjoy the drive with parts flying off at every curve.

LOL!

Its inexcusable on every car from an Aveo to a 7 series. New parts should not be breaking or falling off, regardless of whether its a German car, a Japanese Car, or an American car.

FWIW, I hate wood in any car and it really turns me off of the interior of this 7 series. I'm sure its more expensive to install and therefore may seem more luxurious to people, but it looks like cheap plastic and thats what would concern me the most.