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Found a simple solution for my BMW X3's sticky / melting door handles

21st March 2025, 17:03 by Kanad Kalasur

These silly but annoying miscellaneous bits are an eye-sore and are also the first touch points as soon as you are seated

BHPian facelyft recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Sticky / melting door handles on my X3

I found a simple (cost-effective, I must say) solution to my bimmer's interior door handles. Like many BMW owners around the world, I initially tried replacing them at the authorized service center. However, since we are discussing a replacement (iX1 LWB @ 49.00L), decided not to burn my pockets at this stage of ownership.

These silly but annoying miscellaneous bits are an eye-sore and are also the first touch points as soon as you are seated. These melting door handles reduces the overall appeal of the car. Yes, specifications, brand value, mechanical fitness, odo readings are important for resale value; but, these "aesthetics" are damn important too. I always believe, these "miscellaneous bits" always fetch those extra few thousands when I find a buyer.

It was a week day and I had to do a long, tiring trip to Secunderabad railway station. After dropping my friend's at the station, on my way back through Kompally main road (Nagpur national highway) a car accessory store, Car Mart caught my attention where a '07 7-series is parked outside their store in a cloud of dust; thanks to national highway road works.

After a quick conversation, I gathered courage to leave all 3 door pads at the store overnight. Folks removed the door pads cleanly without damaging anything. Half the job done. I went back to the store again on Monday and let the pictures do the talking.

Passenger side

Rear left

Rear right

Since there is a plastic cup inside the top rubber lining; I asked the installation guy to just trim the worn out rubber lining. I am fine with exposed plastic cup no the driver's side.

Driver side (no modification here, just a trim)