To Cosmoline or not to Cosmoline, that is the question!

TiresOnFire · 10-20-2014, 05:05 PM

As my European Delivery vehicles are nearly to the dealer and I spend my days reading about the shipping process I've added a new word to my vocabulary; "Cosmoline", being the waxy substance applied to the vehicle for shipping protection. I also read that ED vehicles don't get the Cosmoline treatment - and I think I'm happy I didn't get it. Can anyone shed light on the pros and cons of shipment with or without Cosmoline. What I think I know so far:

Pro:
Protective coating from salt spray (does that much salt spray get inside the ship?)

Con:
Hard to remove from nooks and may drip for a while.
Smells as it burns off exhaust.
Not environmentally friendly.

So, since BMW coats non-ED cars with Cosmoline, being the majority of their shipments, there must be a good reason... And that would be...? And, what were my cars susceptible to by not having Cosmoline?

Thanks.

bmwperson · 10-20-2014, 05:38 PM

I was thinking about cleaning my rifle

n55x3 · 10-21-2014, 08:06 AM

BMW doesn't 'coat' an entire car in cosmoline. I think that picture above is from polution or just being out in the elements for long time. Cosmoline is a by-product of the manufacturing process. You'll find it inside the door shells for example. Or inside the beams on the hood. It drips out when it gets really hot outside and easily wipes off. Nothing to worry about. Furthermore, I'd be surprised if BMW used a different manufacturing process for ED cars than shipped cars. We bought an X3 directly from Spartenburg, no shipping or anything and it still rolled of the line with cosmoline inside the door cavities.

10-20-2014, 05:05 PM	#1
TiresOnFire Private First Class 32 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2015435i,2015550i,2017M240i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0)	To Cosmoline or not to Cosmoline, that is the question! As my European Delivery vehicles are nearly to the dealer and I spend my days reading about the shipping process I've added a new word to my vocabulary; "Cosmoline", being the waxy substance applied to the vehicle for shipping protection. I also read that ED vehicles don't get the Cosmoline treatment - and I think I'm happy I didn't get it. Can anyone shed light on the pros and cons of shipment with or without Cosmoline. What I think I know so far: Pro: Protective coating from salt spray (does that much salt spray get inside the ship?) Con: Hard to remove from nooks and may drip for a while. Smells as it burns off exhaust. Not environmentally friendly. So, since BMW coats non-ED cars with Cosmoline, being the majority of their shipments, there must be a good reason... And that would be...? And, what were my cars susceptible to by not having Cosmoline? Thanks. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-20-2014, 05:38 PM	#2
bmwperson Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 4wheels Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Pl iTrader: (0)	I was thinking about cleaning my rifle __________________ -- 1997 BMW M3 Single turbo 723whp GT42R 2000 BMW M5 - Daily 2014 BMW 335i xDrive 6spd loaded
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-21-2014, 08:06 AM	#3
n55x3 Captain 72 Rep 876 Posts Drives: n55 BMWs Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: us - ohio iTrader: (0)	BMW doesn't 'coat' an entire car in cosmoline. I think that picture above is from polution or just being out in the elements for long time. Cosmoline is a by-product of the manufacturing process. You'll find it inside the door shells for example. Or inside the beams on the hood. It drips out when it gets really hot outside and easily wipes off. Nothing to worry about. Furthermore, I'd be surprised if BMW used a different manufacturing process for ED cars than shipped cars. We bought an X3 directly from Spartenburg, no shipping or anything and it still rolled of the line with cosmoline inside the door cavities.
	Appreciate 0 Quote