[knepsterd]

Car is 2015 m235. the bolster has really worn poorly.
Will the seat be replaced under warranty for poor workmanship or poor leather. Dakota doesn't hold up well.

[overcoil]

I have wear on my vinyl 235 seat bottom thigh bolster. As much as it might be the leather it maybe also the seat style, plus I'm always squeezed into my car by the car that parks next to me during the day. I'm just having a repair guy recommended by dealership do a putty type color correct repair. I don't have time for another dealer visit - so I'll pick up the tab.

[omera60]

Most probably not, they will say it’s normal wear & tear. I see you have the sport seats like me. I had the same issue just under a year of ownership. I talked to them about it but they said that its not covered. I was about to order the upholstery my self but the guy at BMW advised against it as it may not be a prefect fit and there maybe color difference between the new part and the rest of the car. I ordered the paint of the upholstery from BMW, once got it took it to my upholstery guy who helps us restore our classic cars, he applied it now you can’t understand it ever happened. I would also advise you that this is happening most probably because when you are getting in or out of the car your jeans or belt etc. is rubbing against the bolster so just move the seat to the most backward position and then get out and after you get in move it back to place and then buckle up.

[Lucky13]

Pretty common on sport seats, you should have seen my 2007 335 convertible. You really have to make an effort to enter with your body forward towards the steering wheel and frequently put leather treatment on that area. You can buy the BMW color leather dye on ebay for around $30-35 that will bring it back to the original color. I bought it for 2 different BMW’s and repairs it pretty good and its easy to apply and if you screw it up you can get it off with rubbing alcohol and start over. The company or guy is Seats Restore based in MN and I’ve used the Beige and Saddle and both matched my BMW seats.

[knepsterd]

thanks Lucky

[stevenvillatoro]

Same issue on Sensatec seats?

I'm pretty careful anyway, but it'd be good to know in case extra precaution is warranted. Thx!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Same issue on Sensatec seats?

I'm pretty careful anyway, but it'd be good to know in case extra precaution is warranted. Thx!

On leather at least another tip is not to drive with a wallet or card case in your back pocket.

[Dylan86]

'15 model, 45k kms and my interior looks new, still. No noticeable wear on either my side or the passenger. I'm 5'10 170, so it may help with bolster wear compared to someone who's in the heavier ranges. I do make constant efforts to slide myself up and around the bolster while entering/exiting to avoid this..

Same issues have been reported with the MK7 GTI/R's that have Dakota leather, and most who have kept theirs new have noted that they take added care when entering/exiting.. The bolsters on those seats are actually more "aggressive" especially on the bottom.

Pic taken at 35k, earlier this year when I installed my F30 headrests, but all still looks new. And despite what all has been said about coated surfaces, etc, I still use leather cleaner weekly, and condition overnight twice annually. I feel that it has made the leather "softer" and more comfortable, could just be me...

[Maynard]

I've seen some postings about dealers replacing these under warranty, while others call it wear and tear - seems to be worth asking them about it. And if I'm getting it right, the Dakota dissolves with alcohol (at least the vinyl top layer), so the advice about removing extra dye with alcohol could turn out very badly. Personally, I'd wait to repair it until it is either much worse, or right before selling it.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I've seen some postings about dealers replacing these under warranty, while others call it wear and tear - seems to be worth asking them about it. And if I'm getting it right, the Dakota dissolves with alcohol (at least the vinyl top layer), so the advice about removing extra dye with alcohol could turn out very badly. Personally, I'd wait to repair it until it is either much worse, or right before selling it.

Pretty sure step 1 on the Seatsrestore is clean area with rubbing alcohol to prep it, you don’t want leather cleaner or other agents from keeping the dye from sticking to the seat. Did an entire 5 series interior with it before selling it and an entire 3 series. I don’t know why the leather would be that different and he’s talking about a tiny area. I actually used Qtips for the cracked areas with no color and a light coat on a sponge to cover the exact same area on my 335 convertible. I would imagine if there is a “vinyl” coating its already toast in that area based on the picture.

[Spydeputy]

1st time the dealer replaced the leather piece damaged.
2nd time (Different BMW) dealer re-tanned the leather with the same results.

[Hasser]

I have this on mine. drivers side seat it has only done 14k miles!!!

shocking really

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Pretty sure step 1 on the Seatsrestore is clean area with rubbing alcohol to prep it, you don’t want leather cleaner or other agents from keeping the dye from sticking to the seat. .....

Check out this thread (and I think another similar one I did not look up) - and experiment at your own risk. If you pay a pro, at lest they will warranty the work in case s/t weird happens. Skipping the Dakota and going with Sensa is looking like a better and better move as this develops; if there is a bright side, it might bring the cloth/alcantara option to the states?

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1409601

[BEM-S4]

Whatever you do go to the dealer first to see if you can get replaced under warranty. Definitely don?t try some of the other solutions yourself and then take it to them after you?ve had a DIY attempt go wrong.

[mecodoug]

I had this on my '06 (at about 70K miles), but it was caused by me not removing my company ID from my belt before entering the car. So far, now that I am more careful I do not have this problem on my 2011 335d (125K miles, Dakota Leather) or my '17 M240i (16K miles, Sensatech). All 3 have sport seats.

I've always assumed wear in this location is from a hard object rubbing repeatedly (such as an ID attached to a belt via a clip.)

[p912guy]

I have a habit of putting by left hand on that portion of the seat bolster, protecting it as I get into the car, which seems to help. I had a similar problem on my MINI Cooper S with the Lounge Leather seats. I am not sure about getting into a coupe, but with the convertible and the top up, it can be a challenge squeezing into the car, without causing wear on the seat and not hitting your head on the driver's door window, especially with the parking spaces getting more narrow.

[Rayscott]

I had a local guy repair the bolster on my S2000. Looked new. I move my seat back when I get in and out and apply Leatherique, a leather conditioner, regularly. Go to the dealer first though.

[Dylan86]

That photo that the OP posted looks like it's been in contact with either a really rough jacket zipper, or gun holster? The leather looks really shiny too, which tells me that is hasn't been cleaned in a while. Not that it would help the scuff wear, but I'm guessing he didn't realize this was happening until it was too late . The creasing in that area tells a story that it's been compressed often as well.

There's no way that could happen unless you were dragging across it regularly.. Sucks but I learned myself with one of my first sporty cars w/ sport leather seats. I totally killed the bolster, but ever since I've been very careful entering/exiting.

Best practice is to use the door, steering wheel and floor to support most of your weight while you slide in/out.. I know for DD'ing this happen can be a hard habit to stick, though...

[mdputnam]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Pretty sure step 1 on the Seatsrestore is clean area with rubbing alcohol to prep it, you don’t want leather cleaner or other agents from keeping the dye from sticking to the seat.

I was the one who reported the skin products with alcohol and leather top coat problem. The leather repair guy said he sees a lot of damaged newer BMW seats from repeated use of hair and skin products with alcohol in them (see the head restraint thread). However, as part of the head restraint repair, before spraying my head rest he did swipe the area with an alcohol wipe. He said that this not only removes the oil grease from the leather top coat but slightly roughens/dulls the clear top coat so the new paint will stick to it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mdputnam

I was the one who reported the skin products with alcohol and leather top coat problem. The leather repair guy said he sees a lot of damaged newer BMW seats from repeated use of hair and skin products with alcohol in them (see the head restraint thread). However, as part of the head restraint repair, before spraying my head rest he did swipe the area with an alcohol wipe. He said that this not only removes the oil grease from the leather top coat but slightly roughens/dulls the clear top coat so the new paint will stick to it.

That is another thing to keep in mind, especially with winter coming. Hand lotion will destroy your steering wheel over time. I once had a boss who got similar new cars at the same time with his wife (both Lexus) and her steering wheel aged with leather flaking and falling off while his looked reasonably new.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

On leather at least another tip is not to drive with a wallet or card case in your back pocket.

Yep, a possible factor.

Then there is the finesse part of getting into and out of the car.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Yep, a possible factor.

Then there is the finesse part of getting into and out of the car.

On top of bolster I just meant so your seat itself looks better. I've had cars with a wallet shaped dent worn into the actual seat.