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      04-14-2021, 08:12 PM   #1
colox5
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Poorly installed lidar sensor cover plate?

Hey all, quick one. We noticed our X5 was missing the plastic cover plate for one of the lidar sensors on the front, I thought, but turns out it is the cover for the front bumper tow hook. 6K miles on the X5 and we assumed it was poorly installed. My wife took it to the dealer today to get fixed and they charged her for the part and labor. They claim we must have hit something...I feel like we would have heard hitting something that substantial that would knock this plate off. Anyone have experience here?

I'm planning to call back and argue that we should not have had to pay for it. First off, we have an extra warranty on top of the standard, plus, I think it could have equally been poorly installed vs something potentially knocking it off while driving. It's relatively inexpensive, so not a big deal, but it's the principle that's bothering me. What do you think, should we have had to pay for this?

**I'm trying to attach and image but it's only giving me the option to share a link to an image which I did via Google Drive, but that didn't seem to work.**


Last edited by colox5; 04-14-2021 at 10:10 PM.. Reason: Image not showing
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      04-15-2021, 12:26 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colox5 View Post
Hey all, quick one. We noticed our X5 was missing the plastic cover plate for one of the lidar sensors on the front, I thought, but turns out it is the cover for the front bumper tow hook. 6K miles on the X5 and we assumed it was poorly installed. My wife took it to the dealer today to get fixed and they charged her for the part and labor. They claim we must have hit something...I feel like we would have heard hitting something that substantial that would knock this plate off. Anyone have experience here?

I'm planning to call back and argue that we should not have had to pay for it. First off, we have an extra warranty on top of the standard, plus, I think it could have equally been poorly installed vs something potentially knocking it off while driving. It's relatively inexpensive, so not a big deal, but it's the principle that's bothering me. What do you think, should we have had to pay for this?

**I'm trying to attach and image but it's only giving me the option to share a link to an image which I did via Google Drive, but that didn't seem to work.**
The tow hook cover (Part #2 diagram) pops in place and there's a retaining "strap" part of the cover (See Photo 2) that slips through the metal intake trim (See Photo 4) which temporarily keeps it from dislodging from vehicle (the cover will usually dangle by the retaining strap) but the cover is designed to be easily removed to gain access.

There's mark on the tow hook cover (See Photo 3) and if you press, push, apply pressure at the that spot, it'll pop open for access. It doesn't require a lot of pressure but it shouldn't dislodge under normal driving. Part is relatively inexpensive and I purchased a spare incase of incidents.

Most of the time owners who run their vehicle through a car wash, the car wash brush that cleans the lower front of the vehicle is the culprit for many lost tow hook covers. The brush can pop the cover, cover dangles, the brush makes another pass and knocks the cover off the vehicle.
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Last edited by Auricom; 04-15-2021 at 12:59 AM..
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      04-15-2021, 09:42 AM   #3
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And as a side note:









Bad Idea

Last edited by Paladin1; 04-15-2021 at 10:04 AM..
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      04-15-2021, 10:05 AM   #4
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Beyond paint protection and the trying to prevent the introduction of swirl marks from reused towels, is there any other reason this is often said?
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      04-15-2021, 10:16 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phillydilles View Post
Beyond paint protection and the trying to prevent the introduction of swirl marks from reused towels, is there any other reason this is often said?
Well, for one thing, it may knock off your tow hook cover.

That aside, swirling brushes contain all the dirt from the last filthy Honda Civic they washed, may dislodge other parts (trim, mirrors, antenna) that stick up off the surface, and yes, may eventually ruin your paint. Other than that, they work well.

Scotty says:



And objectively:

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      04-15-2021, 11:31 AM   #6
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My X5 is swirled big time. I have no time to hand wash. The clear coat is definitely softer on the G05 vs. F15. Its a bummer, but I use my X5 as a practical vehicle and run through the brush car wash at least 2 times per week.
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      04-16-2021, 09:42 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paladin1 View Post
Well, for one thing, it may knock off your tow hook cover.

<trim'd>
Paladin - Thanks for the vids - loved that 2nd one.
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      04-16-2021, 10:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MustGoFast View Post
Paladin - Thanks for the vids - loved that 2nd one.
You bet! One thing not mentioned is the brushless washes that use high pressure streams to blast dirt off your car - less abrasive (and less effective) but still not completely harmless to loose bits of trim and seals. I do use those occasionally to blow off winter salt from the undercarriage when hand washing is problematic, but try to minimize.
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      04-16-2021, 02:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paladin1 View Post
You bet! One thing not mentioned is the brushless washes that use high pressure streams to blast dirt off your car - less abrasive (and less effective) but still not completely harmless to loose bits of trim and seals. I do use those occasionally to blow off winter salt from the undercarriage when hand washing is problematic, but try to minimize.
Yeah I rarely take the time to handwash (maybe rarely have the time) - so I am a fan of the touchless as they seem to be the better alternative.

I was considering ceramic coating on this one but need to see if that will conflict with usage of said touchless washes as I'm not paying them to commit to hand washing all year round especially when it's shitty hear like 8 months a year!
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      04-16-2021, 02:32 PM   #10
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Many, probably most, touchless washes use chemicals that can degrade the ceramic coating. I found one yesterday that supposedly doesn't and plan to use that when I get my new one ceramic coated. Before doing that though, I'm going to talk to a few different installers and see what they say.
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      04-16-2021, 02:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurtleBoy View Post
Many, probably most, touchless washes use chemicals that can degrade the ceramic coating. I found one yesterday that supposedly doesn't and plan to use that when I get my new one ceramic coated. Before doing that though, I'm going to talk to a few different installers and see what they say.
So far ceramic coating has held up well (I dry immediately by hand). After some experimentation (including last F15), I discovered a lot of the problems with the touchless washes relates to any kind of "wax" coating offered - not only does it potentially mar the finish, but it's almost impossible to remove. If there is an option NOT to select it, best skipped, or look for a wash without it.
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      04-16-2021, 02:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paladin1 View Post
So far ceramic coating has held up well (I dry immediately by hand). After some experimentation (including last F15), I discovered a lot of the problems with the touchless washes relates to any kind of "wax" coating offered - not only does it potentially mar the finish, but it's almost impossible to remove. If there is an option NOT to select it, best skipped, or look for a wash without it.
Yes, that was another selling point of the wash I found. At many the only option without wax/shine/etc. is the low end and it doesn't include extra rinses or drying. At this one the second highest wash comes without wax but has everything else.
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      04-21-2021, 02:45 PM   #13
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Thanks all! Need to pay more attention to the car wash clearly.
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