[Nickies]

Anybody have experienced bolster cracking with Sensatec? I thought it was better than leather. Dealer said it may be covered by warranty.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Nickies

Anybody have experienced bolster cracking with Sensatec? I thought it was better than leather. Dealer said it may be covered by warranty.

Yes, after about 6 years with our 135i, also on the seat lower squab bolster with the underlying material mesh showing. Used a vinyl repair kit to fill the cracks as the car was a couple of years beyond warranty.

[John in VA]

A common Sensatec problem, especially on the driver's lower outside bolster. Vinyl isn't better than leather - just different.

[Nickies]

The dealer forwarded a request to BMW for replacement. Today, the SA has been told that this is not covered by the warranty.

Is this true? Should I escalate the claim to BMW NA?

My previous car was a Mini and they replaced the left seat cover under warranty without problem.

[E46ZHP2]

Wife's 13 X5 (170k mi) has similar wear issue (seat leather that is worn along outside edge). Was wondering if you can swap the driver and passenger cover. The worn part would then be on the inside edge along the console, hardly noticeable and protected from further wear. Driver cover wb like new for the next 100k.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Nickies

The dealer forwarded a request to BMW for replacement. Today, the SA has been told that this is not covered by the warranty.

Is this true? Should I escalate the claim to BMW NA?

My previous car was a Mini and they replaced the left seat cover under warranty without problem.

The black dye on my M235's steering wheel started delaminating on the top of the wheel after about 3 years of use. I never used anything other than a warm damp microfiber towel with a drop of hand soap in the water solution to clean the wheel (and the interior) and I don't use any hand moisterizers or other products on my hand nor touch the wheel with dirty hands. BMW didn't cover it. Claimed it as normal wear and tear. I've had no other issues with the leather in the car.

[Sharpie36]

87k on my 2015 build in scorching California, parked outdoors full time. Seats still look like new. No stretching, cracking, texture is all still there.

[Nickies]

I didn't received a convincing answer from the SA why BMW said this is not covered. He just told me BMW replied they have seen breaks in the fabric before in other claims. My problem is not related to abrasion and tear.

I have been told to appeal directly to Customer Relations Warranty Services.

[Mike F.]

Originally Posted by Sharpie36

87k on my 2015 build in scorching California, parked outdoors full time. Seats still look like new. No stretching, cracking, texture is all still there.

Similar situation here with my '06 330i, which made it to ~200K miles before the Sensatec started showing issues.

[230iZTR]

Im at around 56k mikes and my drivers side outer bolster is torn up like OP's. Probably from wearing jeans and dragging the rivets across the fabric I assume. I could take it to an upholstery shop to have it fixed, but I'm leaning towards upgrading to a set of Cobra Nogaro race seats sooner or later.

[Nickies]

I had a reply to my appeal on the bolster. I offered to send additional pictures to build up my case but they stay firm that no matter where the cracks are this is not covered by warranty.

The breaks in the fabric are not major in anyway. I will just wait and see if it's getting worse before I will have them fixed.

[Nickies]

Originally Posted by 230iZTR

Im at around 56k mikes and my drivers side outer bolster is torn up like OP's. Probably from wearing jeans and dragging the rivets across the fabric I assume. I could take it to an upholstery shop to have it fixed, but I'm leaning towards upgrading to a set of Cobra Nogaro race seats sooner or later.

My problem is not the outer side of the bolster but inside.