[evilpanda]

Anyone else have the same issue? I just noticed it this morning when I felt something rough by my head.

[bryan_G01]

nope. What hair products you been using that eat leather?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

nope. What hair products you been using that eat leather?

Yeah aside from the peeling there looks like some significant staining.

[evilpanda]

I've used the same hair product over the years and none of my cars that have leather had this issue. I'm not the original owner so I'm not sure if the previous owner used some kind of hair product or cleaning wipes that may have cause this?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by evilpanda

I've used the same hair product over the years and none of my cars that have leather had this issue. I'm not the original owner so I'm not sure if the previous owner used some kind of hair product or cleaning wipes that may have cause this?

Alcohol wipes and baby wipes totally peeled my gf's Honda Accord leather - real low quality thin stuff.

[3rdcoast228i]

Yeah that definitely looks like chemical damage.

[Questofthetune]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Alcohol wipes and baby wipes totally peeled my gf's Honda Accord leather - real low quality thin stuff.

I think alcohol and cleansing wipes destroy the finish and dry out the material, this looks like a corrosive substance.
OP random question but have you ever had bug spray with deet on your head? It peels paint and finished.

[lennyf]

I find the leather on my M240 rather suspect......
The red is beautiful but the leather quality is more leatherette than leather.

my 2 cents

[bryan_G01]

OP

the good thing is, you can buy a headrest off ebay.

[evilpanda]

Originally Posted by Questofthetune

I think alcohol and cleansing wipes destroy the finish and dry out the material, this looks like a corrosive substance.
OP random question but have you ever had bug spray with deet on your head? It peels paint and finished.

Don't think so. I usually just have styling gel on my hair but I don't always use it and the car I only use a few times a week.

I haven't really cleaned the leather on this car since I got it in Feb so I haven't use any kind of chemical on it.

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

OP

the good thing is, you can buy a headrest off ebay.

I'll try looking for one. So far I've seen a few in black leather but not red.

[overcoil]

Evilpanda, have it repaired or replaced. Pretty sure they make a dyed material that can be painted on after scraping off the problem area, or find if dealer can order a whole replacement piece or just upholstery fabric that can be exchanged on the headrest.

[bryan_G01]

do you were a lot of snap back hats? That might have done it.

[mdputnam]

I have the same problem:


Dealer won't fix it, the regional manager says it is not a manufacturing defect. That's not really a problem since BMW lists the Oyster colored head rests as NLA. So, even if they were willing to replace it they can't. I'm looking into getting the 3/4 series headrests in Oyster but they are pricey. I've taken it to a leather repair shop that the BMW dealer uses an he said he can respray it, apparently the solid color coat and the clear topcoat have pealed off, but it won't be a perfect match, close but not perfect.

And no I don't use any hair products other than shampoo, I do wear a baseball cap with the top down.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by evilpanda

Anyone else have the same issue? I just noticed it this morning when I felt something rough by my head.

I wonder how you just noticed it when it looked like that? I mean it had to get there gradually, no?

I have the Coral red leather with 9500 miles, and after 2 years 4 months it still literally looks brand new. That said, I am extremely OCD about the car in general, so I am super careful at all times.

But sorry about your interior. Seems like it should be a warranty issue.

[123Britt]

I have the Coral Red with the same issue -- BMW dealership said it was my problem.

Toss another log on the fire as to why I am not a dealership type.
.
.
I noticed mine on a hot day -- lots of sweat and felt the headrest become sticky.

It is manufacturing flaw for sure.
.
.

[redontheline]

Same exact issue here on a 2016 coral red headrest. I use name brand hair product/spray but not really on the back of my head. I had noticed the discoloration and some tackiness early on but I barely touched my fingernail to it by accident and came away with bright red gummy leather. Not happy to hear they are hanging everyone out to dry on this.

[zipphreak]

I have the same issue with my headrest! I've had it since about 9000 miles or so. I don't use any hair products. I noticed one day wearing a hat, that the back of my hat was red. I wasn't sure if it was something on the hat, or what.. But now it's a mess. I'll post a picture shortly.

I'd like to start a small class action lawsuit!

[SlickShift]

What products do you all use to clean the leather?

[cxp213]

Very interesting. I recently scraped my headrest a little with my finger nail while reaching behind my head and took a tiny bit of the leather off. It really bothered me how these are so easily damaged. Luckily, I don't think I've seen any discoloration or peeling elsewhere. I put wax or pomade in my hair but usually don't put my head on the headrest.

[Gepeto]

Same issue. Happened all of a sudden.

Definitely not normal wear and tear. Dealer says BMW Canada doesn’t want to replace it on warranty.

Dealer offers me 10% off MSRP. The headrest is $575CAD.

Dealer also nicely offers free installation to me, for a headrest.

Complaint to BMW Canada sent... This is so unacceptable for what is supposedly «*leather*» - unbelievable. I own a lot of leather stuff, nothing has ever peeled this fast.

My car had about 15-20K miles when this started, and it’s on the passenger side where there is rarely anyone.

[Kolyan2k]

Those are some nasty headrests lol, what the hell do you use on your hair? I have brown leather and mine look like new. Good thing its the headrest, easy to replace.

PS. dealer replaced my seat due to bolster wear under warranty and I am not even the original owner, not did I purchase the car from BMW.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I would doubt people are using a lot of product on the back of the head, I imagine the more likely culprit is poor quality materials.

I've had the top of my steering wheel get discolored though.