Wear of leather bolster

bmwak · 06-09-2011, 04:42 AM

Hi All.

I have noticed that the bolster of my Coral Red leather seats has developed a white mark (about 2 inches long) on the piping. I did clean it with AG leather Cleaner and used some Leather feed too but when I look back at the cloth, you can see small particles of red on the cloth. It appears that this is wearing off

The car is only a year old and covered 7,000 miles. I know the dealers are going to say that this is wear and tear and thus, not covered under warranty - but surely this is not 'normal' wear and tear for a car of this age and mileage?

Anyone had any luck with getting their leather seat or leather cover for that section replaced?

M3-FAST · 06-09-2011, 07:28 AM

I had the backrest of my 'fox red' drivers seat replaced FOC under warranty.

Similar mileage and age to yours

toxicnerve · 06-09-2011, 10:35 AM

Same thing happened to mine (also Coral Red). Replaced FOC under warranty too.

New one is started to show the same issue...might get it done again before the OEM warranty expires.

bmwak · 06-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Well took it to a dealer today (who were surprisingly like a local Indy, very friendly). They said that BMW will authorise it but they said that they don't want to disappoint me but when they do replace the backrest cover, it will never be a 100% perfect fit like factory (I.e. As it's put on by hand instead of machines, the leather may ripple a bit in some areas where it stretches). They said they are more than happy to do but personally don't recommend it as it may look worser than the bit of wear at the moment and then can't undo it.

Did you guys have your leather cover replaced back to perfection?

Did you guys have any problems like that?

BGM · 06-09-2011, 03:14 PM

sounds like they are incompetent tbh..

if that really is the case, ask for a new fucking seat!

bmwak · 06-09-2011, 03:22 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought initially but do appreciate the honesty as they could have just f**ked it up if I trusted them - as they would have got paid for the job.

I did ask for a new seat but they said they can't order it whole, every part of the seat is separate so would require manual assembly anyway and BMW won't authorise other parts of the seat if that part weren't defective.

M3-FAST · 06-09-2011, 05:22 PM

Mine was only the cover and I suppose looking back, it was not quite as tight as the passenger side but after a year more wear I really can't tell the difference

I would go for it, and once fitted, re adjust the way you get in and out of the car, especially in jeans

Dr Dave · 06-10-2011, 07:50 AM

The dealer is being completely up front with you re:leather replacement. I've done it myself and it is a horrible job and very difficult to get an OEM fit. I'd say fair play to the workshop for bringing this to your attention.

bmwak · 06-12-2011, 04:40 AM

Hmm, not sure now. You can buy leather dye that may sort it but if it gets worser then I guess it would become a problem to claim under warranty. I also don't want to wait on it as it's only just hit 7,000 miles so it will be easier to claim as abnormal wear now then say, 20,000 miles

M3-FAST · 06-12-2011, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwak

Hmm, not sure now. You can buy leather dye that may sort it but if it gets worser then I guess it would become a problem to claim under warranty. I also don't want to wait on it as it's only just hit 7,000 miles so it will be easier to claim as abnormal wear now then say, 20,000 miles

Get it done, the dealer are just being up front, you will barely tell a difference. Once dyed, you will struggle claiming IMO in the future.

Chris100 · 06-12-2011, 07:06 AM

I had exactly the same problem on mine and the dealer advise of the same thing regards fit etc, it has been replaced a few months now and to be honest I cannot notice a difference.

acerboo · 06-12-2011, 10:02 AM

just get it done as it will only get worse, think what it will look like in 2 years time, you need to be very careful when getting in and out of the car and try not to catch the bolster of the seat, they are very prone to wear and damage from zips etc.

coopersim · 06-12-2011, 05:26 PM

Had this issue on mine, at the time it was 1 year old 20k miles and the dealer wouldn't replace it, they said fair wear and tear, they did get it "repaired" and it never looked right - shiny and not quite leather like.

Now it's 3 years and 37k and it's worn back through.

I'd force the issue with the dealer and get them to change it.

bmwak · 06-13-2011, 05:13 AM

Thanks guys. The dealer has said they'll do it, but apparently you're only allowed one cover change per seat on new car warranty.

I think I'll just get it done - some valid points here and sooner or later it will have to be replaced so might as well get it done and re-adjust the way i sit to prevent it in the future

Funny thing is, my 1 Series that has seen 70,000 miles did not show any sign of wear on the black boston leather. Same shape, M-Sport seats too.

06-09-2011, 04:42 AM	#1
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Wear of leather bolster Hi All. I have noticed that the bolster of my Coral Red leather seats has developed a white mark (about 2 inches long) on the piping. I did clean it with AG leather Cleaner and used some Leather feed too but when I look back at the cloth, you can see small particles of red on the cloth. It appears that this is wearing off The car is only a year old and covered 7,000 miles. I know the dealers are going to say that this is wear and tear and thus, not covered under warranty - but surely this is not 'normal' wear and tear for a car of this age and mileage? Anyone had any luck with getting their leather seat or leather cover for that section replaced?
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06-09-2011, 07:28 AM	#2
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	I had the backrest of my 'fox red' drivers seat replaced FOC under warranty. Similar mileage and age to yours
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06-09-2011, 10:35 AM	#3
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Same thing happened to mine (also Coral Red). Replaced FOC under warranty too. New one is started to show the same issue...might get it done again before the OEM warranty expires.
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06-09-2011, 01:23 PM	#4
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Well took it to a dealer today (who were surprisingly like a local Indy, very friendly). They said that BMW will authorise it but they said that they don't want to disappoint me but when they do replace the backrest cover, it will never be a 100% perfect fit like factory (I.e. As it's put on by hand instead of machines, the leather may ripple a bit in some areas where it stretches). They said they are more than happy to do but personally don't recommend it as it may look worser than the bit of wear at the moment and then can't undo it. Did you guys have your leather cover replaced back to perfection? Did you guys have any problems like that?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-09-2011, 03:14 PM	#5
BGM Colonel 58 Rep 2,398 Posts Drives: F20 M140i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Farnborough, UK iTrader: (0)	sounds like they are incompetent tbh.. if that really is the case, ask for a new fucking seat!
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06-09-2011, 03:22 PM	#6
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Yeah, that's what I thought initially but do appreciate the honesty as they could have just f**ked it up if I trusted them - as they would have got paid for the job. I did ask for a new seat but they said they can't order it whole, every part of the seat is separate so would require manual assembly anyway and BMW won't authorise other parts of the seat if that part weren't defective.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-09-2011, 05:22 PM	#7
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	Mine was only the cover and I suppose looking back, it was not quite as tight as the passenger side but after a year more wear I really can't tell the difference I would go for it, and once fitted, re adjust the way you get in and out of the car, especially in jeans
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06-10-2011, 07:50 AM	#8
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 112 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	The dealer is being completely up front with you re:leather replacement. I've done it myself and it is a horrible job and very difficult to get an OEM fit. I'd say fair play to the workshop for bringing this to your attention. __________________
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06-12-2011, 04:40 AM	#9
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Hmm, not sure now. You can buy leather dye that may sort it but if it gets worser then I guess it would become a problem to claim under warranty. I also don't want to wait on it as it's only just hit 7,000 miles so it will be easier to claim as abnormal wear now then say, 20,000 miles
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2011, 07:06 AM	#11
Chris100 First Lieutenant 7 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Highline Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: N.Ireland iTrader: (0)	I had exactly the same problem on mine and the dealer advise of the same thing regards fit etc, it has been replaced a few months now and to be honest I cannot notice a difference.
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06-12-2011, 10:02 AM	#12
acerboo Brigadier General 179 Rep 3,923 Posts Drives: e92 335d lci Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kent iTrader: (2)	just get it done as it will only get worse, think what it will look like in 2 years time, you need to be very careful when getting in and out of the car and try not to catch the bolster of the seat, they are very prone to wear and damage from zips etc.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2011, 05:26 PM	#13
coopersim Captain 77 Rep 879 Posts Drives: 420d Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Glos. iTrader: (2)	Had this issue on mine, at the time it was 1 year old 20k miles and the dealer wouldn't replace it, they said fair wear and tear, they did get it "repaired" and it never looked right - shiny and not quite leather like. Now it's 3 years and 37k and it's worn back through. I'd force the issue with the dealer and get them to change it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2011, 05:13 AM	#14
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Thanks guys. The dealer has said they'll do it, but apparently you're only allowed one cover change per seat on new car warranty. I think I'll just get it done - some valid points here and sooner or later it will have to be replaced so might as well get it done and re-adjust the way i sit to prevent it in the future Funny thing is, my 1 Series that has seen 70,000 miles did not show any sign of wear on the black boston leather. Same shape, M-Sport seats too.
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