07 M45 Fake Wood Trim!!!

[goldensandm45]

I just suddenly realized that the driver and passenger wood trim is peeling off. What gives? I just can't justify a 50k+ car with fake wood trim. I wonder if the center wood is also fake? Does anyone know?

[antzrus]

If it's an '07 it oughta' be real wood-take it in for warranty work. If it's an '03 I didn't know they used fake wood. Which is it?

[M45Runner]

Yeah, that is what I am trying to figure out. You said 07 in your title, but in your profile, it is a '03.

[audtatious]

It's supposed to be a thin wood veneer in the '07 model.

[jsiminsk]

My passenger door trim did the same thing. Came out of work one day and it had completely peeled off the door but my local dealer took care of it no problem. I guess the glue just couldn't handle the speeds I drive my car.

[300freekzx]

Cheap Bastards cut corners on everything. Next they will use OBX for their exhaust.

[goldensandm45]

Yeah I'm guilty of not updating my profile. I still have my 03M (which apparently has real wood). Can't believe in my 07M45 the passenger and drivers wood trim is a fake laminate ( or is it a thin layer of real wood). The center ashtray area might be real wood? Who knows. Also why was infiniti originally charging the sport models an extra $600 for a fake wood trim option over aluminum? Probably a money making business.

[jbillion]

There is a noticeable difference in the quality of the wood in a 04 and an 07. I have smoked maple in my 04 and it is definitely real wood. I had an 07 for a loaner and it looks cheaper.The 07 still rocks with all of the electronic gadgets, but they really skimped out on the wood.

[tommy303]

My 08 M35 has three doors with wood veneer peeling. Thought I would just carefully peel off and re-glue with contact cement. Not a good idea the wood is thin and brittle and easily cracked.

Called the service at dealer and they said it is likely covered as warranty. Does anyone know if the repair is just new veneer or does the part a larger assembly including the crome trim and does it require removal of the door panels?

Nearest dealer is 100 miles away and would have to possibly leave the car for hours....I am also considering sport replacement trim kit from another source.

[audtatious]

I doubt they put on new veneer. It's probably the whole part(s). I would count on it requiring a few hours at least.

[SteveTheTech]

I have seen this on a few newer Ms. It is indeed a wood veneer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_veneer ), for many years they have used this type of component but recenetly the green movement has outlawed the glue they used to use. I personally never chewed on the glue between the wood sheet and the plastic trim but apparently someone did and they needed to update it but the glue is substandard, non toxic, but substandard.

Luckily there is no major concern and any ones that show signs of wear will get replaced without issue.

[cobblecanyon]

Called the service at dealer and they said it is likely covered as warranty. Does anyone know if the repair is just new veneer or does the part a larger assembly including the crome trim and does it require removal of the door panels?

The wood piece itself will pop off, the removal of the entire door panel is not necessary.

I had a wood trim piece on my driver side door that looked like it started to bubble. Called the service dept, since I have a 100K miles warranty, the service manager ordered a new piece and took my car in within 2 days. Watched them replaced it,,,took less than 5mins.

[tytamto]

Steve,

When did that procedure change? In other words, which model years are affected?

[Poyzinous]

Hey steve, and everyone, the M has Real wood over plastic. I'll post a pic of a cut out later. Or I'll just give it to you to cut up however you want. The Y34 models I'm not sure about.

[SteveTheTech]

Steve,

When did that procedure change? In other words, which model years are affected?

I don't know that was not something they mentioned to us. As the temperature is increased the veneer is starting to separate. It's really not a huge deal I really think the new ones have an updated part number (any confirmation to that Gabe ?)

Hey steve, and everyone, the M has Real wood over plastic. I'll post a pic of a cut out later. Or I'll just give it to you to cut up however you want. The Y34 models I'm not sure about.

Next time you give one out ask for the old one. Soft trim like that tends to get called back to maybe we can grab one and separate the trim to show our friends here.

[Poyzinous]

actually, the part has not been redesigned or updated. There may just be an assembly issue and thats why they have deteriorated. We've replaced 20 sets here are 1st and 2nd series M models. When an updated one appears I will alert everyone.

[SteveTheTech]

That is interesting. Not what I heard from my friend on the inside. That really throws my theory out the window to some extent. I really wonder why that is the only issue with the trim in all the years Infiniti has been using veneered trim inserts.

In any case trying to find out why will leave you tired and disenchanted, as not all the members of the Infiniti corporate do not share the same level of brand enthusiasm the guys in the trenches do.

[Poyzinous]

Want to know something weird? The fake wood trim pieces in the QX4 and I30's of 10 years ago cost 3 to 5 times as much as these real wood pieces. I'm going to do more research. Oh and just because the part number doesn't change doesn't mean the part is exactly the same. If there is no core design change, its just a higher quality equal replacement. See if the trim is made in korea or something, its probably communist. well seriously, its probably an assembly fix. New glue, stronger bond when its pressed, modified plastic, etc. I'll look into it though.

[dchantha]

So does anyone know how I can remove the wood panel? Blow dryer? -

[jswfl09]

All 4 peeled off the doors within a 6 month span between 10,000 and 18,000 miles on a family member's 2008 M35. Obviously, there was an assembly/part issue here which I am sure the FL sun and heat sped up the process of them falling off.

They were all replaced under warranty.

[BhamM35]

I have an '08 M35. All 4 doors are peeling. I have been waiting 12 weeks on new panels from Infiniti. Service department says there is a problem with M35's thus the long lead time on replacements. I hope the new ones have a better adhesive?

[dchantha]

I had all mine replaced with the new pieces from the dealer. I waited only 2 weeks. They replaced it with a better adhesive when I spoke with the dealer. Will you sell or trade me one of your piece that is peeling? If so, please let me know. I will pay for the shipping!


Modified by dchantha at 7:49 PM 9/15/2009

[Poyzinous]

I may have mentioned this before: the trim pieces are on backorder. Big backorder. Like Intergalactic backorder. I have 8 on order and all are extreme backorder

[nemo1]

I am having the same problem. Only 13k miles on my 2008 M35x Started with the front passenger and now the rear passenger. I have been waiting 2 months for the replacement part. the front came in today but not the rear replacement. the parts dept told me that they are seeing this happen on all the 2008 M35s and the replacement parts are hard to get.

[Bugman]

I just bought a 2008 M35 from a Lexus dealer in Dallas (I'm in Jackson, MS). The door trims were damaged when I got the car and the Dallas dealer had no parts. Drove it home and took to local dealer-they had all parts. They told me they would replace not only the wood-like trim but the material it was attached to (metal panel?). Took it in early am, got loaner car, and picked up around 4:30 pm. Looks good now. Wood trim was VERY thin, like heavy paper, not even as thick as cardboard. Looks good in place, hope it stays this time. Was warranty.

[SteveTheTech]

I've been working on only Infinitis for several years now and I frequently see (and own) many of the oldest models. Only when the top clear coat is compromised does the thin veneer covering begin to deteriorate. The reason the M is experiencing this is because there is a significant difference in the finish process on the top coats. Gone is the 1/4" or clear polymer based clear coat the older models used to come with. Now there is a paper thin layer of clear. How does this effect the veneer finish? It really doesn't what it indicates is they are trying to change the interior look and environmental impact of certain components. To do this they needed to change some of the interior adhesives, although the headliner will never fall (as anyone who owned an old GM can attest). When the interior is heated by the summer sun it seems that the glue between the veneer and backing surface becomes compromised, allowing the thin layer of clear to pull the wood from the plastic.

It seems that once the summer set in (whether the cars first or not) there is always a noticeable increase in this complaint. In all honesty it is only in this car 06+. It seems like they have been working on things for the 2011 M for a while now.

After replacement I have yet to see any repeat complaints of this type of issue. So at least anyone effect by this has a light at the end of the tunnel.

[dchantha]

Does anyone have their old wood trim panel they would like to sell or trade? I have new panels. Please let me know. I would like to use your old panel.

[rstarost]

Called the service at dealer and they said it is likely covered as warranty. Does anyone know if the repair is just new veneer or does the part a larger assembly including the crome trim and does it require removal of the door panels?

The wood piece itself will pop off, the removal of the entire door panel is not necessary.

I had a wood trim piece on my driver side door that looked like it started to bubble. Called the service dept, since I have a 100K miles warranty, the service manager ordered a new piece and took my car in within 2 days. Watched them replaced it,,,took less than 5mins.

Where can I get this piece for my door. Can i do this myself?

[rstarost]

Does anyone have their old wood trim panel they would like to sell or trade? I have new panels. Please let me know. I would like to use your old panel.

Do you have some for sale?