Dirt marks under door sills

Nikki · 12-22-2005, 11:53 PM

Does anyone else get these marks under their doors?
My car gets them and when I wash them off
they come back within a week and they're really hard to get off.
What is it??

govtec · 12-23-2005, 12:32 AM

i get them too. i think they're lube gunk for door hinges. i wash my car often so it comes off easily.

billgti · 12-23-2005, 12:33 AM

yeah i get those marks too..particularly noticeable on black cars. i think it's from water draining from the gaps between the doors and fenders.

SCA · 12-23-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgti

i think it's from water draining from the gaps between the doors and fenders.

You are correct. It looks much worse on a white car.

Nikki · 12-23-2005, 01:34 AM

Ok, so my car isn't defective, that stinks. I was going to go complain to bmw about it.

UncleWede · 12-23-2005, 01:43 AM

The coloration is the rustproofing they put in the doors leaking out. Keep washing, it gets less, but hasn't gone completely away yet.

HRC · 12-23-2005, 01:47 AM

Yea, it's the protective coating I think. I have it too.

Danny

jcoo085 · 12-23-2005, 06:45 AM

After washing I use a tyre pressure hose (my mind has gone blank and can't think what it's called) to blast any water out from all the little nooks such as around the doors, mirrors, grill, lights etc.

Otherwise you just have to make sure to dry those areas well.

LEDZEP · 12-23-2005, 06:51 AM

I think it's a combo of the protective coating applied during shipment and maybe a bit of hinge grease. You just have to keep cleaning it off, and it will lessen over time. Not desirable, but normal.

jcoo085 · 12-23-2005, 06:54 AM

It's also a collection point for road grime that can't be easily washed out.

e90fanatic · 12-23-2005, 06:59 AM

i don't wash my car a lot, and with the snow and ice...doesn't help either. Probably just rain/melted snow flushing out some oil and dirt..I don't really notice it but I have clear bra installed in the entire rocker panel...

davinet78 · 12-23-2005, 07:02 AM

i dont get them yet
i hope it keeps that way

Broken1 · 12-23-2005, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinet78

i dont get them yet
i hope it keeps that way

I also don't seem to get it much...if at all. Must be a 320d thing then ;-) hehe

Weaselboy · 12-23-2005, 08:00 AM

I believe it is a wax-like rust preventive product running out the drain holes at the bottom edge of the doors. If you open your doors and look along the bottom edge you will find small slots along the bottom with this waxy gunk running out. These holes are to allow condensation to run out of the inside of the doors.

I got some solvent and cleaned the waxy substance off from around the outside of those drain holes real well, and that seemed to help prevent the drain marks down the outside of the car.

ase2dais · 12-23-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

Does anyone else get these marks under their doors?
My car gets them and when I wash them off
they come back within a week and they're really hard to get off.
What is it??

thks for the post, I need to check mine, kinda hard to notice for mine is SG

E90 · 12-23-2005, 09:54 AM

I get them as well.They are kind of hard to wash away.My car is alpine white so there you see them extremely well.They look ugly too.

SCA · 12-23-2005, 10:06 AM

My '92 525i still does this 14 model years later. Honestly, I don't think it will ever go away. When you combine the polluted rain with a car that has collected dust you are going to get this.

paullo · 12-23-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

My '92 525i still this 14 model years later. Honestly, I don't think it will ever go away. When you combine the polluted rain with a car that has collected dust you are going to get this.

that's depressing... i was told by my dealership that the rustproofing stains would eventually stop. guess not. in any regard, call your dealership and find out what they use to clean it off with. the last time i was in for a s/w update i asked, and they cleaned it with a simple wash mit and some spray in a bottle. easier than pressure washing it off.

mjh93sa · 12-23-2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

My '92 525i still this 14 model years later. Honestly, I don't think it will ever go away. When you combine the polluted rain with a car that has collected dust you are going to get this.

I'll second that. My '03 E46 suffers the same. It's just where water gets trapped in the doors, picks up a bit of dirt and grime and comes out later.

I find that opening and closing the doors a couple of times when chamoising the car off when washing tends to flush most of the water out and stop the immediate formation of these marks. Also having a good quality wax on the car helps when cleaning it off.

willpooted · 12-23-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

You are correct. It looks much worse on a white car.

Yup.

Mauricio · 12-23-2005, 03:06 PM

My car is 6 months old and has 14,000 miles and it finally stopped. It was a real problem at first. I read about it being that rustproofing in the doors and you can actually see it clearly dripping under the doors from a hole in the door panel. I think if you live in a warm climate (I live in Miami and it was a hot summer) it might have something to do with how easily it drips out.

BMW0 · 12-23-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

You are correct. It looks much worse on a white car.

Thank you very much for bringing that up, yes it does look really bad on the White E90s

Every car wash I gotta wipe those off

12-22-2005, 11:53 PM	#1
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Dirt marks under door sills Does anyone else get these marks under their doors? My car gets them and when I wash them off they come back within a week and they're really hard to get off. What is it?? Attached Images __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-23-2005, 12:32 AM	#2
govtec Brigadier General 39 Rep 647 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (7)	i get them too. i think they're lube gunk for door hinges. i wash my car often so it comes off easily.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 12:33 AM	#3
billgti Lieutenant 26 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	yeah i get those marks too..particularly noticeable on black cars. i think it's from water draining from the gaps between the doors and fenders.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 01:34 AM	#5
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Ok, so my car isn't defective, that stinks. I was going to go complain to bmw about it. __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 01:43 AM	#6
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	The coloration is the rustproofing they put in the doors leaking out. Keep washing, it gets less, but hasn't gone completely away yet.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 01:47 AM	#7
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	Yea, it's the protective coating I think. I have it too. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 06:45 AM	#8
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	After washing I use a tyre pressure hose (my mind has gone blank and can't think what it's called) to blast any water out from all the little nooks such as around the doors, mirrors, grill, lights etc. Otherwise you just have to make sure to dry those areas well. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 06:51 AM	#9
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I think it's a combo of the protective coating applied during shipment and maybe a bit of hinge grease. You just have to keep cleaning it off, and it will lessen over time. Not desirable, but normal. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 06:54 AM	#10
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	It's also a collection point for road grime that can't be easily washed out. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 06:59 AM	#11
e90fanatic Absolute0 168 Rep 5,078 Posts Drives: Has a Roundel Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TO/HK/NJ iTrader: (6)	i don't wash my car a lot, and with the snow and ice...doesn't help either. Probably just rain/melted snow flushing out some oil and dirt..I don't really notice it but I have clear bra installed in the entire rocker panel... __________________ To procede or not to procede......
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 07:02 AM	#12
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	i dont get them yet i hope it keeps that way __________________ e90 320d,arktis,lumber support, hifi speaker, alarm, dakota beige, 162 18", xenon with washer spray,window chrome trimmings, professional radio, 6 cd changer wood trimmings 6 speed manual.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 08:00 AM	#14
Weaselboy Major 76 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 2024 M340i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I believe it is a wax-like rust preventive product running out the drain holes at the bottom edge of the doors. If you open your doors and look along the bottom edge you will find small slots along the bottom with this waxy gunk running out. These holes are to allow condensation to run out of the inside of the doors. I got some solvent and cleaned the waxy substance off from around the outside of those drain holes real well, and that seemed to help prevent the drain marks down the outside of the car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 09:54 AM	#16
E90 Bemuri 3 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2013/320i AxDrive Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Finland H:ki iTrader: (0)	I get them as well.They are kind of hard to wash away.My car is alpine white so there you see them extremely well.They look ugly too. __________________ Alpine Weiss 320i,(man)sport package,17"Breyton Inspiration wheels,through load system,proff radio,hifi speakers,bi-xenons,auto air-condition,alarm,light package,pdc,rainsensor,cruise control,cup holders,heated seats,headlamp washers,tinted windows rear,Ac-Schnitzer aluminium pedals.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 10:06 AM	#17
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	My '92 525i still does this 14 model years later. Honestly, I don't think it will ever go away. When you combine the polluted rain with a car that has collected dust you are going to get this. Last edited by SCA; 12-23-2005 at 03:01 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2005, 03:06 PM	#21
Mauricio Private First Class 16 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, MT, SP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	My car is 6 months old and has 14,000 miles and it finally stopped. It was a real problem at first. I read about it being that rustproofing in the doors and you can actually see it clearly dripping under the doors from a hole in the door panel. I think if you live in a warm climate (I live in Miami and it was a hot summer) it might have something to do with how easily it drips out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote