Structural fatigue?

Does anyone know why the frame of my test car has a whitish cast around the hinges?

Could this be structural fatigue?

Photo?

Perhaps it is whitish where it has been machined to take the hinge?

I have not had any sign of this but I have had lower front and rear valance panels part. Dealer kindly fixed the issue

Not sure how to attach a file, so I'll link to it:

Does this look normal? This is on both B pillars on my test drive REx.
Looks like structural fatigue, doesn't it? Can it be?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B57oGhsDUwHsQXJnRm9WZkl2Mjg/edit?usp=sharing

Surge said:

Does this look normal? This is on both B pillars on my test drive REx.
Looks like structural fatigue, doesn't it? Can it be?

Click to expand...

My guess is that the intercabulated carbon matrix has bifurcated trilateral stressors on the hinge pin dipole causing a visible endomorphism. Only way I know how to fix it is with duck tape. However, you may want another opinion, perhaps from your dealer.

Joking aside- are others seeing this?

Both sides had this on my test car.

No one has responded yet?! Come on guys - is this an example of the plastic/CF structure exhibiting stress fatigue, or not?
(Click the link to see the photo)

I would suggest posting your pic on the i3 facebook group. It has a larger following, including a few BMW service techs.

If my i3 had been delivered I would have responded!

jtoast - Is the Facebook group page viewable by non members? I don’t have an account and don’t want one.

Hi Surge,

can't say I've seen it before, but it could be, besides delamination, a resin excess of some sorts.

Regards, Steven

MikeS said:

If my i3 had been delivered I would have responded!

jtoast - Is the Facebook group page viewable by non members? I don’t have an account and don’t want one.

Click to expand...

+1

Unfortunately no. I have an account that is pretty much only used for things such as this and company complaints when complaining via twitter didn't work.

I don't think so. It's like that on my car as well. The demo car was the same.

The composite is maybe delaminating, have your dealer look at it and compare to other cars in stock. But that does not look like a hinge in the photo, looks l like the rubber booth of electrical connections...

I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with it.

I looked at a brand new i3 just now in my stall, if you look along the door sill areas that are carbon fiber, you can see somewhat of a white-ish colar also at seems and such. I'd say its related to the manufacturing process, and not fatigue.

-Carl

nothing like that, it is not carbon failure. you can google carbon failures, it does not look like this.

Jetfuel said:

nothing like that, it is not carbon failure. you can google carbon failures, it does not look like this.

Click to expand...

My brand new BEV had that at each hinge (and other) areas, and so did the other cars on the dealer lot. Not a problem.....