Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer

987 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by randy, Dec 2, 2001

Bazel

Discussion Starter · Nov 26, 2001

Got my new black on black B5.5 in May. About 1 month after taking possession I noticed the chrome trim on the underside of the side windows starting to lift and buckle. I take it to the dealer, they refer me to their body shop and turns out the owner of the shop has a B5.5 about a month newer than mine with the same problem. He is not a happy camper and has ordered new trim sections for all of his windows but has been waiting for weeks cuz the parts are on back order from Germany. 3 out of 4 of the trim sections on my car should be replaced. The dealer is holding off ordering replacement pieces for my car until they see what happens with the body shop owner's car.
Anyone with a similar experience with their B5.5? I called VW Customer Service to file a complaint and the guy I talked with said this was the first he has heard of it. I have since seen other B5.5s with the same problem. If others have had this what was their fix?
Baz

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lip

· #2 · Nov 26, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (Bazel)

I would simply have them put black pieces on if you can. Might look pretty sweet.
I personally want to de-chrome the entire car.

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skelton

· #3 · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (Bazel)

What shampoo do you use to wash your Passat?
BTW, I can feel that the chrom trim is slightly loosen when I press it with my finger. I can feel there is a very narrow space between the trim and the base. Hope that the trims will stick well for years.

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Bazel

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (skelton)

I heard about Zymol car wash on this forum, tried it and love it. It is gentle on wax and after shammying it leaves the car looking great, with no soap spots or water spots which you see all the more on black.
With regard to the trim, it was when I was washing the car that I first noticed the window trim was not fastened properly. Below two of my windows the chrome trim has buckled in the middle such that soap, etc. wash squishing out when I was washing it. I realize that this is normal on some cars but the trim is actually "bowed" out from the body and there is a noticeable gap there. On another piece of trim, the end of the trim at the rear of the door has lifted. I will try to post pics.
This is the 3rd Passat here in this area that has this problem. C'mon, anyone else out there seen this on their B5.5 or newer?
Baz

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gervanlierop

· #5 · Nov 27, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (Bazel)

I must say that the trims on my two-weeks old (european) Passat aren't as shiny as they could/should be.
The problem, I think, is the plastic cover of the trim.
Ger

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marcusinfl

· #6 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (Bazel)

I got my new 2002 in Aug and now that you mention it, notice that the silver trip on the underside of the driver window
is a little "squishy" Should I worry? Let me know what happens with yours! Good luck

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E36BMW

· #7 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (marcusinfl)

Just checked ours out very closely...perfect. (We never use any type of carwashes either.)

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randy

· #8 · Dec 2, 2001

Re: Problems with window chrome trim on B5.5 and newer (E36BMW)

At the dealer, I noticed the trim that goes over the small window behind the rear doors (the "loop" part) was loose on several B5.5's.
You can see the "clips" underneath, and the chrome wasn't flush. Pushing on them didn't produce the desired snap to make it flush either. Also saw some merging trim pieces not lining up.
Damn chrome!

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