Trapped rag in my car!!!!!

Jayda · 11-02-2011, 03:42 PM

OK, noticed this today. It is a trapped rag! It is trapped in the vented portion of the front bumper. It is in the vented portion beneath the kidney grill and just above the lower lip of the front bumper. I am not happy. New to me car (six days old), CPO with only 4,500 miles. How was this missed (and how the heck did it get in there)? I'm taking it to my local BMW tomorrow. Please tell me this is easy to get out. The selling BNW dealer 200 miles away agreed to pay costs associated with removing it.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-02-2011, 03:48 PM

This should not be a problem for the BMW boys, they have a borescope and can attach a hook to it and fish it out from the engine compartment or from below I am sure. No worries, they will look after you.

Let us know how it goes.

PS. In case there is no access have them fish it out thru the grill and cut each exposed piece as it is fished thru the opening until such time that it is all out. They have to do that for you I cannot see that it got there any other way except left in there by someone at the factory.

It be very interesting to know what the BMW boys / men tell you

Jordanpryce · 11-02-2011, 04:00 PM

just unclip the kidney grill and reach in for it.

Jayda · 11-02-2011, 04:02 PM

Wow, I never considered this was there from the factory! I seem to have all the weird stuff happen to me. I noticed it because I find myself glancing back at my car these days when I park. Today the angle and the light was just right and it was visible.

Jayda · 11-02-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanpryce

just unclip the kidney grill and reach in for it.

It is the vented portion beneath the kidney grill.

Jayda · 11-02-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanpryce

just unclip the kidney grill and reach in for it.

It is the vented portion beneath the kidney grill.

BMWZ4 · 11-02-2011, 04:09 PM

Seriously doubt its been there since coming off the line in germany. You could do this yourself quite easily by removing / loosening the clips on the bottom plastic "skid plate". Probably take you a half hour and save the two hour drive.

ManiacGT · 11-02-2011, 05:44 PM

Lol @ drama over a trapped rag. Complain when you have a serious problem! Cracked wheels, broken engine, dct issues, exhaust issues, screen issues, rattles, and more.. Those are problems to complain about!

F87LUV · 11-02-2011, 07:17 PM

Ummm seriously?

Jayda · 11-02-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Lol @ drama over a trapped rag. Complain when you have a serious problem! Cracked wheels, broken engine, dct issues, exhaust issues, screen issues, rattles, and more.. Those are problems to complain about!

True! But this whole thing is just funny to me! My husband and I got it out by crafting a hook and feeding it through the kidney grill. Took about 15 minutes but saved a trip to BMW. I know it's a little thing but.....I just got the car and I would think the CPO process would have caught that. By the looks of the rag it has been there quite a while. So now I'll sit back and wait for a real crisis......like a problem with the fuel pump!

Dr Stig 2 · 11-03-2011, 12:20 AM

If it had been there very long then it would have set like concrete.
Rags that get dirty (eg road grime) and get repeatedly wet and dry tend to solidify like a dry chamois. If it was still very flexible then odds are it has not been there very long at all.

z4z4z4 · 11-03-2011, 01:27 AM

Next person that finds a wayward rag should open the hood, remove the 4 screws that attach the intake to the radiator and reach down and get it.

ZheHbKa · 11-03-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

This should not be a problem for the BMW boys, they have a borescope and can attach a hook to it and fish it out from the engine compartment or from below I am sure. No worries, they will look after you.

Let us know how it goes.

PS. In case there is no access have them fish it out thru the grill and cut each exposed piece as it is fished thru the opening until such time that it is all out. They have to do that for you I cannot see that it got there any other way except left in there by someone at the factory.

It be very interesting to know what the BMW boys / men tell you

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-03-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

True! But this whole thing is just funny to me! My husband and I got it out by crafting a hook and feeding it through the kidney grill. Took about 15 minutes but saved a trip to BMW. I know it's a little thing but.....I just got the car and I would think the CPO process would have caught that. By the looks of the rag it has been there quite a while. So now I'll sit back and wait for a real crisis......like a problem with the fuel pump!

Well done ... I bet you supervised this activity step by step

35iDriver · 11-03-2011, 01:17 PM

In 1976 my father bought a new 1976 Dodge Ramcharger. 2 years later, we found a newspaper behind one of the the plastic pop outs. It was just sitting there in between the sheetmetal.

Either a lazy Dodge assembly line person or one with a sick sense of humor.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-04-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35iDriver

In 1976 my father bought a new 1976 Dodge Ramcharger. 2 years later, we found a newspaper behind one of the the plastic pop outs. It was just sitting there in between the sheetmetal.

Either a lazy Dodge assembly line person or one with a sick sense of humor.

I think at Dodge they have no cafeterias so the men use the cars to take the coffee break

just kidding ... at a Ford (was on the news and may have been in the US I am not sure any more) plant they cut a bunch of fellows meeting at lunch time for a beer break at a highway rest stop once the break was over they all went back to work. The entire episode was filmed by the news (factory - beer store - rest stop - party and beer lunch - return to the factory assembly line) no wonder if this happens that you find stuff in new cars.

BMWZ4 · 11-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Actually rolf, nothing like this has made news in canada, that i've ever heard of......i think you may be confusing this with those two u.s. News stories from 2010......unless you have a link to share?

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-04-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Marien

Actually rolf, nothing like this has made news in canada, that i've ever heard of......i think you may be confusing this with those two u.s. News stories from 2010......unless you have a link to share?

Thanks Dave, you are quite right it was in the US (I am near the US border so I saw it on our local news).

Anyway thanks for the Heads Up

Memphis1 · 11-04-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

OK, noticed this today. It is a trapped rag! It is trapped in the vented portion of the front bumper. It is in the vented portion beneath the kidney grill and just above the lower lip of the front bumper. I am not happy. New to me car (six days old), CPO with only 4,500 miles. How was this missed (and how the heck did it get in there)? I'm taking it to my local BMW tomorrow. Please tell me this is easy to get out. The selling BNW dealer 200 miles away agreed to pay costs associated with removing it.

i think the turbo cooler creates a vacuum effect with the spoiler, because i've found cigarettes, leaves, rags and feathers in there... weird.

TPadden · 11-07-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Thanks Dave, you are quite right it was in the US (I am near the US border so I saw it on our local news).

Anyway thanks for the Heads Up

...... and it wasn't Ford either, it was taxpayer bailed out Chrysler

.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/23...t-lunch-break/

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-07-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPadden

...... and it wasn't Ford either, it was taxpayer bailed out Chrysler

.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/23...t-lunch-break/

Quite right that is the clip they showed on the news here too ... glad I've never got a jeep as my DD

MDLFCS · 11-11-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memphis1

i think the turbo cooler creates a vacuum effect with the spoiler, because i've found cigarettes, leaves, rags and feathers in there... weird.

The Z4s are street sweepers? I guess we could bill municipalities for our services

.

11-02-2011, 03:42 PM	#1
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Trapped rag in my car!!!!! OK, noticed this today. It is a trapped rag! It is trapped in the vented portion of the front bumper. It is in the vented portion beneath the kidney grill and just above the lower lip of the front bumper. I am not happy. New to me car (six days old), CPO with only 4,500 miles. How was this missed (and how the heck did it get in there)? I'm taking it to my local BMW tomorrow. Please tell me this is easy to get out. The selling BNW dealer 200 miles away agreed to pay costs associated with removing it. Attached Images __________________ 2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
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11-02-2011, 03:48 PM	#2
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	This should not be a problem for the BMW boys, they have a borescope and can attach a hook to it and fish it out from the engine compartment or from below I am sure. No worries, they will look after you. Let us know how it goes. PS. In case there is no access have them fish it out thru the grill and cut each exposed piece as it is fished thru the opening until such time that it is all out. They have to do that for you I cannot see that it got there any other way except left in there by someone at the factory. It be very interesting to know what the BMW boys / men tell you __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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11-02-2011, 04:00 PM	#3
Jordanpryce Private 8 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 30i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	just unclip the kidney grill and reach in for it. __________________ 2013 Boxster - 2000 BMW Clownshoe M Coupe - 1998 BMW M3 E36 2015 Macan S Black/Black Gone: 93 RS America, 75 Carrera, 71 914-6, 65 356C among others
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11-02-2011, 04:02 PM	#4
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Wow, I never considered this was there from the factory! I seem to have all the weird stuff happen to me. I noticed it because I find myself glancing back at my car these days when I park. Today the angle and the light was just right and it was visible. __________________ 2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
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11-02-2011, 04:09 PM	#7
BMWZ4 Major General 1908 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Seriously doubt its been there since coming off the line in germany. You could do this yourself quite easily by removing / loosening the clips on the bottom plastic "skid plate". Probably take you a half hour and save the two hour drive. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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11-02-2011, 05:44 PM	#8
ManiacGT Major 85 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Lol @ drama over a trapped rag. Complain when you have a serious problem! Cracked wheels, broken engine, dct issues, exhaust issues, screen issues, rattles, and more.. Those are problems to complain about!
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11-02-2011, 07:17 PM	#9
F87LUV Lieutenant General 3689 Rep 15,081 Posts Drives: '16 M2, '23 GT4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 Porsche GT4 [5.00] 2016 BMW M2 [8.66]	Ummm seriously? __________________ IG: Trackinheels
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11-03-2011, 12:20 AM	#11
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane 53 Rep 1,464 Posts Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW Z4 35is [10.00] 2013 BMW X5 30d [0.00]	If it had been there very long then it would have set like concrete. Rags that get dirty (eg road grime) and get repeatedly wet and dry tend to solidify like a dry chamois. If it was still very flexible then odds are it has not been there very long at all. __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia
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11-03-2011, 01:27 AM	#12
z4z4z4 Lieutenant 45 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes iTrader: (1)	Next person that finds a wayward rag should open the hood, remove the 4 screws that attach the intake to the radiator and reach down and get it. __________________ Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3 PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
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11-03-2011, 01:17 PM	#15
35iDriver Private First Class 4 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	In 1976 my father bought a new 1976 Dodge Ramcharger. 2 years later, we found a newspaper behind one of the the plastic pop outs. It was just sitting there in between the sheetmetal. Either a lazy Dodge assembly line person or one with a sick sense of humor.
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11-04-2011, 10:38 AM	#17
BMWZ4 Major General 1908 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Actually rolf, nothing like this has made news in canada, that i've ever heard of......i think you may be confusing this with those two u.s. News stories from 2010......unless you have a link to share? __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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