[Swiss tone]

Just noticed when my wheels were off. The 'concertina' black plastic 'bellow' circular covers (that protect the shocker rods) are split in a couple of places on each wheel position. The bottom section is split almost all the way round on a couple of them.

The material seems very flimsy and nothing like the stronger plastic of my other cars? Weird why they would make them of lesser material unless weight saving?

I would assume it's not an easy job to change them due to the suspension strip down so anyone got any idea's or just forget about it?

They are open ended so can't stop all debris? Will it cause any major issues to the rods?

My car is a daily but i can't help but think that this shouldn't happen to a 2015 with 16k miles. It's out of the 3 year manufacturer warranty but do you think there is a 'not fit for purpose' claim there?

I guess wrapping tape round them isn't going to work well.

[chris_1M]

Same here.
I'll have them replaced under warranty.
'15 with 60.000 km.
Seems common.

[Iain123]

Just noticed mine last weekend during a tyre change.
It’s like they are made of wet tissue paper!

[jcpca356]

Happened to me. Covered under service bulletin, not sure if it's covered after warranty expiration.

[Swiss tone]

Cheers guys,

I do have an aftermarket warranty from when i bought the car. They arn't as good as a manufacturers warranty though. Usually has words like 'complete failure' only covered? I didn't also notice that it has a £1000 maximum claim so also might be an issue. Anything major and i'm stuffed!

Wonder if ok to leave as is?

Really odd that they would make out of such thin material.

[Swiss tone]

Originally Posted by jcpca356

Happened to me. Covered under service bulletin, not sure if it's covered after warranty expiration.

Is that a uk service bulletin?

I’ve spoken to my local main dealer and they said they haven’t heard of an issue and can’t see a service bulletin?
Do you know how bigger job it is to change them and rough cost? I ask because my warranty has a £1000 limit.

Maybe a way to repair them in situ so don’t disturb anything?

[Iain123]

Had a look online to see if there was shock absorber boots that are designed to be ‘clipped around’ rather than slid on from the bottom but can’t see anything. You could experiment by slicing a universal one and securing it with cable ties but at the end of the day they are just dust covers. Probably more of an issue if you lived in sandy Dubai.

(What is shocking is that BMW thought that the boots were of an acceptable quality....)

[Swiss tone]

Yes I did think about getting some bike fork gators and as you say, could split and tie wrap. Another option is to ‘stitch’ the bits back together and use some solvent adhesive. Might just rip though?

If I get a good solution then I’ll take some pics.

Road salt in the winter probably the biggest issue corroding the rods.

[Swiss tone]

Update on a possible solution to correct minor splitting:

There is some special silicone tape made by Arlon and called Mox tape. It's a black gel type tape that is about and inch wide used in the aerospace industry for wrapping cables. It bonds to itself to form a permament fix. If only wrapping a an inch high area where the covers have split, it should allow them to still mnove adequately.

If you are out of manufacturers warranty, save a major strip down.

I'm going to have a go when the weather improves so will post some pics if of any help?

[fishpond]

Originally Posted by Swiss tone

Just noticed when my wheels were off. The 'concertina' black plastic 'bellow' circular covers (that protect the shocker rods) are split in a couple of places on each wheel position. The bottom section is split almost all the way round on a couple of them.

The material seems very flimsy and nothing like the stronger plastic of my other cars? Weird why they would make them of lesser material unless weight saving?

I would assume it's not an easy job to change them due to the suspension strip down so anyone got any idea's or just forget about it?

They are open ended so can't stop all debris? Will it cause any major issues to the rods?

My car is a daily but i can't help but think that this shouldn't happen to a 2015 with 16k miles. It's out of the 3 year manufacturer warranty but do you think there is a 'not fit for purpose' claim there?

I guess wrapping tape round them isn't going to work well.

My car was in for serviced last week and BMW quoted GBP 1242.32 to replace the split cover. Luckily I have the extended warranty otherwise that would have been painful.

[Swiss tone]

Update:

All 4 covers now changed

Lucky that was a combination of BMW contribution and the remainder by my after market warranty from when I bought it.

Photo below (expanded with weight off wheels) of how bad they were and certainly not fit for purpose as mine was only 17k miles and 4 1/2 years old.

It does look like the material is slightly different from my original so maybe an improved design?

They are obviously not doing there job and if not replaced, I wonder how long it would be before corrosion would get into the shocker and the seal?

Get claiming now guys while it’s still relatively new!

[Swiss tone]

Originally Posted by fishpond

My car was in for serviced last week and BMW quoted GBP 1242.32 to replace the split cover. Luckily I have the extended warranty otherwise that would have been painful.

Was that price to replace all 4?

My price was a tiny bit less but for all 4 and best part of a days job at the main dealer. Least we both got it sorted now.

[Kev.k]

Is there a independent garage that had a good reputation with the i8?

I’m looking at a 2015 car with relative high miles (40k) for a i8. This is bound to be a issue.

The car is not from a main dealer. I would never let their trained monkeys lose on my car unless I had to because of warranty.

[F5506m]

My car is a 2019 with 2,000 miles and the covers on the front wheels were all bunched up. I pulled them down to cover the rods (much better now); But overall a very bad design even after the updates in 2019.

[Swiss tone]

Originally Posted by Kev.k

Is there a independent garage that had a good reputation with the i8?

I’m looking at a 2015 car with relative high miles (40k) for a i8. This is bound to be a issue.

The car is not from a main dealer. I would never let their trained monkeys lose on my car unless I had to because of warranty.

I guess it depends what you need doing. For a routine service, my independent BMW specialist is very capable of servicing the 1.5 engine especially as it’s an engine they are used to.

What other specialist elements need servicing? The electronics and electric motors don’t need servicing do they? The brakes etc are also standard stuff.
Unless you have a problem that needs main dealer input, save yourself the money.

40k miles also isn’t a problem in my view, seen quite a few with 70-80k without any issues.

I think people over complicate things.

[fishpond]

Originally Posted by Swiss tone

Was that price to replace all 4?

My price was a tiny bit less but for all 4 and best part of a days job at the main dealer. Least we both got it sorted now.

Nope - that was just for one!

My dealer always tries to overcharge... even on standard servicing. Just before the lock down, I had my car serviced and they quoted me approx GBP 350 more than the price on the BMW Service website. They were forced to adjust the bill when I pulled them up on it.

Having a warranty is a must have with an i8 IMO.

[Swiss tone]

Originally Posted by fishpond

Nope - that was just for one!

My dealer always tries to overcharge... even on standard servicing. Just before the lock down, I had my car serviced and they quoted me approx GBP 350 more than the price on the BMW Service website. They were forced to adjust the bill when I pulled them up on it.

Having a warranty is a must have with an i8 IMO.

Blimey, that is expensive, mine was that price for all 4 and it’s funny as should be at least similar with both being main dealer. It took them one day and they are £35 each so how could all 4 cost over £4K!

Good you also got done under warranty but proper warranties aren’t cheap so I guess you have to weigh it up. It’s not a critical part so could have been left I guess.