F13 M6 door card repair advice

[kevinlindemann]

Sorry guys, back to annoy everyone again.

A bit of background is here:

https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2034942

BMW have come back to me saying they'll investigate the matter. Tl;dr my M6 was in for diagnostics for a non-functioning speaker in the driver's side door, I took a video and loads of photos of the door card in advance per the advice in the original thread (thanks again guys) but unfortunately the door card was damaged whilst in the care of my BMW garage (I have proof of its state when it was dropped to them via the video). I've re-attached the photo of the damage to this post, and have heard back from the head of after sales. In addition to the investigation he'll carry out, he's assured me he has a specialist repair facility that can sort the damage without the door card needing replacement.

I'm 100% a BMW nerd, but not a car repair expert – however cannot see how you'd repair a gouge in a leather-covered door card without filling it in with something, then re-spraying it with dye, ultimately compromising any end result especially over time.

Does anyone else have either experience with this sort of repair, or an opinion/view on what BMW are suggesting? I'm planning to go around to this garage when the MD/head of business is back from holiday next week to discuss in-person – as back and forth over email is something I have neither the time nor interest in. I just want this resolved, and resolved properly.

To add two aspects of insult to injury, my M6 is individual (just the interior trim, so the door card is bespoke) and now when I pull the door closed once in the car, the door card creaking like it hadn't before – and that you wouldn't expect of what was a £105K car when new. I'm of course going to try my best to keep a level head with the garage for somehow managing to significantly impact my most prized BMW possession, but hugely appreciate any advice anyone has. Thanks again all.

[Opie55]

It's not cut, but the fibers have been compressed. It's possible steam might relax it enough that it will look 95% better. I think a filer would be visible there when the light hit it. I'd be curious what technique they use.

[kevinlindemann]

Cool, thanks for the advice Opie55 - will give them a grilling on how they plan to repair it next week. Steam makes sense and I'd be happy to have it look even 80% improved - rather than needing the door card to be fully replaced. Will come back to the post once I have more info.