[BentZero]

There's a small cluster on the seat where the material has fallen. Car is less than two months old and super babied. Is this covered under warranty or will they try to blame it on me?

[chattanooga240]

That looks like a defect in workmanship to me, I would wager they would be willing to cover that at your local dealer.

[Tpeterson]

Only two months old any damage should be covered.Unless it looked like you took a knife to it. Only one way to find out,take it back to a dealer.

[BentZero]

Sweet, thanks for the replies guys. Dealer isn't exactly close. I didn't want to waste a trip.

[M235iguy]

with a car this new it better be! I would probably go straight to a service manager. Hopefully the writer will get it done. For some crazy reason if they said no ( i dont think they will ) I would then contact BMW warranty services / headquarters. Good luck..I'm sure it will be handled right away.

[B_Rice]

Should be covered without any problems.

[BPC]

do you wear a coat with a zipper on the side or on the back? like a pheasant pouch? it looks like something is rubbing there as you get in and out. I had this appear after only a few months with my seat - lt was my jacket rubbing it. i got touch up paint for the leather for a few bucks on eBay

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by BPC

do you wear a coat with a zipper on the side or on the back? like a pheasant pouch? it looks like something is rubbing there as you get in and out. I had this appear after only a few months with my seat - lt was my jacket rubbing it. i got touch up past for the leather for a few bucks on eBay

Nah, just plain old t shirt and shorts for me. It's in the 70's here.

[BPC]

Is that where the seat belt rubs ?

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by BPC

Is that where the seat belt rubs ?

Hmmm, like when I take it off? Could be. I'll try to notice that next time.

[XutvJet]

Sure looks to me like something somewhat sharp gouged it across the surface. The fact that it's in the same area but on different panels makes me think it was operator error and not a problem with the material.

[1LegitM235i]

As a damage preventive routine for my seat, I usually move my seat back far enough before I get out. So far I haven't damaged my seats with this routine.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Sure looks to me like something somewhat sharp gouged it across the surface. The fact that it's in the same area but on different panels makes me think it was operator error and not a problem with the material.

I have no idea what it could be though. I take my kids to school, but I watch them like a hawk. :/

[BPC]

like i said in my earlier post, i saw wear after only a few months and was able to tie it to my winter coat ( i am also in SC where winter is slight, but we do have some winter), it took me a while to figure out what it was, but i determined i was rubbing the seat with the zipper on my field coat. I then realized that this caused a full tear in my last car that i did not notice until i was ready to upgrade. I am not saying this is what you were doing. but think through your daily routine with the car and what is making contact with those areas.

it could be a defect, but it looks more like a reaction to external elements.

like i said before, they sell (cheap) touch up paint for all leather colors for bmw seats. while not perfect, i find i can live with it based on the fact that i have concluded it is my own doing.

again, that may not be the case for your problem. just offering my experience and solution.

your wear is on the outside (as opposed to the inside of the bolster as was the case with me). that makes me wonder about whether the seat belt is wearing there - as it is not a natural spot for user wear.

[BillD1953]

I have a new 228i, 3000 miles....seats are fine....BUT the way the side edges are designed on the seats (sharp angled edge) I can see it will be only a matter before a scuff,tear, wear will happen !

[BentZero]

Well, honestly if it's my fault that's fine. I can live with touching it up and I'll probably never notice it again. What I worry about is it spreading if it's a defect in the seat. I'm going to email the pics to my service manager Monday morning and see what they say. If they'll cover it then great. If not I'll just hit up Amazon to get some touch up sent to me by Wednesday. No biggie.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by BentZero

Sweet, thanks for the replies guys. Dealer isn't exactly close. I didn't want to waste a trip.

If your dealer isn't close, you may want to email a few pics ahead of time to the "client advisor" who sold you the vehicle to get him on your side to help in case there's any dispute as to who should be responsible for the repair.
Before my M235i, I had sensatec in my Z4 for 5+ yrs, in my 128i Cabrio for 6+ year and in my X1 for 3+ years and in every case the sensatec seats were as pristine on my final day of ownership as on the first - that stuff is virtually bullet-proof.

[morphomeman]

BMW Sport seats have had a problem with wear (and tear!) in this area for many years. It can be exacerbated if you keep the side bolsters in tight. I can't tell from the picture if that is the case here. This is always the first area to go, though. That said, my old 325 had sensatec seats and not a single blemish in over a dozen years, much sturdier than any leather. I would take the car into the dealer or maybe send pictures but make sure to let the bolsters out all the way before your do.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

BMW Sport seats have had a problem with wear (and tear!) in this area for many years. It can be exacerbated if you keep the side bolsters in tight. I can't tell from the picture if that is the case here. This is always the first area to go, though. That said, my old 325 had sensatec seats and not a single blemish in over a dozen years, much sturdier than any leather. I would take the car into the dealer or maybe send pictures but make sure to let the bolsters out all the way before your do.

I wouldn't say that mine are tight, but they're certainly more inwards than outwards.

[Cyberdemon]

A few people have complained about similar issues and that type of mark makes it look like some type of abrasion. Could have been a rivet from jeans - even if it wasn't you (valet, wife, car wash guy, etc).

The dealer will probably just touch it up with a leather paint pen. Removing the entire upper seat upholstery is probably more than you want the dealer doing.

[kz1000]

My defective seatbelt that wouldn't retract poked a hole in the same spot. Didn't notice it until months later. Dealer said not covered under warranty, but they are replacing seat cover anyway. Watch that seatbelt buckle!

[BentZero]

Took it to the dealer and as expected they said that it's not covered. The more I think about it the more I think that this is BS. I've owned several cars with synthetic leather seats and not a single one of them has damage like this. Then throw in the fact that the car is less than two months old.

Anyway, I'll look for some leather touch up and hope that more damage doesn't occur.