Rear defroster coloring, possibly damaged?

Icarium81 · 06-27-2019, 05:46 AM

We went to get our 2018 330i windows tinted, and the tinting place called to let us know that the defroster element(??) Has either damage or a manufacturer defect. About 3/4 is just like it should be, but the remaining 1/4 is not orange, but a dark brown.
We just got it a month ago, and have only had a few chilly days, so minor condensation has been about the only time I've flicked on the rear defrost and it seemed to work fine.
So I'm wondering if anyone has noticed the same sort of discoloration and had any issues. Would love to have BMW replace it under defective manufacturing, as opposed to putting it through our insurance.

Billfitz · 06-27-2019, 07:00 AM

If it works it works. Discoloration would be considered cosmetic, and probably wouldn't qualify for warranty replacement. Just make sure it works, before you have it tinted, as once tinted warranty is a no go for sure.

Icarium81 · 06-27-2019, 07:04 AM

Yeah as I said it seemed to have worked just fine for the condensation/fog, but we do get some nasty winters here and that would be the real test.
Think we'll take it to BMW and see if they can take a peek at it and say if it's alright or not and get it in writing before we tint.

Billfitz · 06-27-2019, 09:41 AM

If it works on condensation it works.

Wires · 06-28-2019, 06:53 PM

I'd say the coating was slightly scraped off (my experience is its orange underneath, with a brown coating for protection.)

If it heats, then it's fine.

06-27-2019, 05:46 AM	#1
Icarium81 Lieutenant 259 Rep 517 Posts Drives: 2018, 330i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Nova Scotia iTrader: (1)	Rear defroster coloring, possibly damaged? We went to get our 2018 330i windows tinted, and the tinting place called to let us know that the defroster element(??) Has either damage or a manufacturer defect. About 3/4 is just like it should be, but the remaining 1/4 is not orange, but a dark brown. We just got it a month ago, and have only had a few chilly days, so minor condensation has been about the only time I've flicked on the rear defrost and it seemed to work fine. So I'm wondering if anyone has noticed the same sort of discoloration and had any issues. Would love to have BMW replace it under defective manufacturing, as opposed to putting it through our insurance.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-27-2019, 07:00 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,081 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	If it works it works. Discoloration would be considered cosmetic, and probably wouldn't qualify for warranty replacement. Just make sure it works, before you have it tinted, as once tinted warranty is a no go for sure.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2019, 07:04 AM	#3
Icarium81 Lieutenant 259 Rep 517 Posts Drives: 2018, 330i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Nova Scotia iTrader: (1)	Yeah as I said it seemed to have worked just fine for the condensation/fog, but we do get some nasty winters here and that would be the real test. Think we'll take it to BMW and see if they can take a peek at it and say if it's alright or not and get it in writing before we tint.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2019, 09:41 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,081 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	If it works on condensation it works.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2019, 06:53 PM	#5
Wires Brigadier General 1646 Rep 4,876 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I'd say the coating was slightly scraped off (my experience is its orange underneath, with a brown coating for protection.) If it heats, then it's fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote