SW17LS

I'm sure. If you took them to any upholstery shop they should be able to re-cover them

Mbbarron

Can anyone help me find the best price for these parts (b pillars on a 2013 LS SWB AWD) on Ebay, etc? Trying to figure out what's the lowest that I could get away with for this repair... Thought I saw these parts for almost $500 a piece on Ebay and was wondering if they're more expensive on a 2013 than prior MYs. Hoping this is not a $1,000+ cosmetic repair.

caha14

At mylparts.com, each one comes out to $273.20 with the additional ClubLexus discount (via code CL5).

While the odds of success are low (mileage of car plus model year isn't part of the original service bulletin), I would still consider asking corporate for some assistance on the grounds that it's been a known issue, etc.

If you frame it right and have the right person on the phone, you never know: you may get a little credit toward replacement, they may provide labor and you buy the parts, etc. - or you may get nothing, but at least you will have tried.

Mbbarron

Which part is it in this diagram #1 or # 9?

caha14

Nine......

comotiger

I am fortunate in that there is no damage to my B-pillar after two years of ownership, and I bought the car used. I wonder if the snagging and nicking of the seatbelt latch is correlated with the use of the Easy Exit option. I hate the Easy Exit mode, which pushes the driver's seat back when the car is turned off, and disabled it from the very beginning. I can see how using this option, especially if the driver unbuckles before turning off the engine or buckles up after turning on the engine, could cause the latch to rub into the B pillar every time and damage the finish.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

mbarron: I doubt very much that Lexus will help you out with these B-pillar trim pieces. Not on a used car. I'd definitely work the salesman to get get them replaced before you buy the car. If that's the only issue blocking a sale, they should go for it.

SW17LS: This is totally unacceptable in a new car. I'd insist they be replaced under warranty.

Mbbarron

They didn't seem to want to budge on the b pillars, but I negotiated on other items instead. I got them to replace 2 front tires to match the rear ones, change the rear cabin air filter (which is only present with the UL pkg I believe and apparently missed when they replaced the other filters) and do a brake fluid flush which brings the scheduled service maintenance up to where it needs to be at 90K.

My husband found a local vehicle upholstery shop that we'll take it to for a quote.

comotiger

Hi Keith, I think Steve's post was about damage on his 2015 LS. I agree it should have been covered by warranty, although Lexus is probably claiming it is wear and tear. I don't think Steve has any B-pillar issues (yet) in his 2017 LS.

BTW, I will ask my question again. I wonder if this damage correlates with use of the Easy Exit setting. Do people see this damage on the passenger side too?

Mbbarron

I also thought your theory was spot on, however as you can tell from the pics that I posted in this post, in the 2013 that I'm buying the b pillars have damage on both sides.

comotiger

Thanks, Michele, I missed that point in your pics. Those are pretty deep marks. Really puzzling how they happen. From releasing the belt quickly and slamming into the B-pillar? From somehow snagging and bumping the pillar due to changing seat positions often?

caha14

And further, my '08 looked awful when I got it (replaced B-pillars under TSIB), and that feature didn't exist. I'm sure people rubbing against it doesn't help, but it's more seatbelt related than anything else.

SW17LS

Correct, no issues yet in the 2017...

BMW7_LS430

Replacement sounds expensive and it will probably get damaged too.
Wouldn't it be a better option to wrap them in either leather or vinyl? Maybe level bumps before wrapping.

Mbbarron

Got a quote from an upholstery repair shop. $300 for both front b pillars re-wrapped in a heavier matching vinyl. Not too bad of a price, but I'm going to wait to see if they get worse before doing it. Right now it doesn't even bother me since you can't see the damage while the doors are closed.