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      03-16-2015, 02:03 PM   #1
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Problem with new contrast leather stitching tear....

After 1 month with my 2015 X3 28i with 2,500km on it, the contrast stitching is already teared...

First my courtesy light under passenger seat fell off (found after 2 weeks) which I had to snap them back myself. Now this....

As a first time BMW customer, I must say I am a little disappointed. I had at least 4 cars for the past 20 years all with leather and none of them had problem with stitching after few years. For the record, this happened after my 500km road trip and my wife was sitting on that spot with kids.
She is barely 100lb and never carry keys or anything sharp in her pants.

I wonder if dealer would do anything with this or should I complain to BMW Canada? Any suggestion?





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      03-16-2015, 02:25 PM   #2
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Looks like a factory defect, I would try the dealer first.
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      03-16-2015, 04:46 PM   #3
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The stitching came off, and it's not even cut. I say it's a factory defect. BMW seats are made by a 3rd party. Contact the dealership and see what they say.

I'm very disappointed with my X3 also. Got it last month, and it went back to the shop 3 times already. Now, the dealer tell me they don't know what the hell is wrong w/ my car.
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      03-16-2015, 05:29 PM   #4
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It looks like a factory defect and should be 100% covered, but please post a picture of your butt so any doubts may be assuaged.

The internal thread has broken, causing the defect shown in the image.
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      03-16-2015, 06:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingless View Post
It looks like a factory defect and should be 100% covered, but please post a picture of your butt so any doubts may be assuaged.

The internal thread has broken, causing the defect shown in the image.
lol. that made me laugh.

I will go talk to dealer this Saturday and update the result for sure.
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      03-16-2015, 06:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingless View Post
It looks like a factory defect and should be 100% covered, but please post a picture of your butt so any doubts may be assuaged.

The internal thread has broken, causing the defect shown in the image.
His wife sat there! So I assume you mean his wife's butt lmao
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      03-16-2015, 09:07 PM   #7
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Please don't post an image of the wife's butt on-line w/o her permission.

The failed internal thread is part of a complicated internal assembly.

That failed stitch retains the visible part of the seat cover to an internal panel. That internal panel is used to shape the appearance of the seat cushion, pulling the seat cushion towards the interior, at the stitch, while the springs and padding push the seat cushion outwards.

The problem resolution is the key.

It is possible to expend LOTS of hours to remove the seat, disassemble the seat cushion and re-stitch that failed assembly. IMO, the issue would be the appearance of that repair. There would be multiple holes visible from the repair, the new ones from the new thread, plus the empty ones from the factory thread.

IMO, the only repair that would have acceptable appearance is to replace the seat cushion leather. Also, the replacement would be from a different lot, so then matching the color would be a concern. The other issue would be the quality of the repair, because this is a VERY different skill set than used by a mechanic.
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      03-17-2015, 05:07 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingless View Post

IMO, the only repair that would have acceptable appearance is to replace the seat cushion leather. Also, the replacement would be from a different lot, so then matching the color would be a concern. The other issue would be the quality of the repair, because this is a VERY different skill set than used by a mechanic.
I had a seat base (squab) cover replaced on my 2011 X3 when it was only a few weeks old. This was due to it becoming very saggy. It was an improvement but it didn't match the texture rest of the leather in the car. Also it's quite tricky to stretch a new cover over the seat, make sure they dealer sub-contracts the job to a leather specialist. All BMW dealers should have a leather specialist they call in for repairs - of course this will cost them money and I have no idea whether the warranty will pay for that level of work.
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      03-17-2015, 09:32 AM   #9
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the bottom piece leather is separate section, it can be replaced.
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      03-17-2015, 10:16 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clivem2 View Post
I had a seat base (squab) cover replaced on my 2011 X3 when it was only a few weeks old. This was due to it becoming very saggy. It was an improvement but it didn't match the texture rest of the leather in the car. Also it's quite tricky to stretch a new cover over the seat, make sure they dealer sub-contracts the job to a leather specialist.
That is a valid concern.

The hides used for the interior need to be matched, for color, sheen and texture, so the interior is uniform.

It MAY be possible for a skilled interior craftsman to repair the damage for an invisible end result.

The broken bobbin thread is dangling on the interior. It might be possible to secure the ends of that thread to prevent additional unraveling. Then it might be possible to reattach the top thread to the panel, using a new interior thread, also securing the ends on the interior to prevent unraveling.

The repair method would ensure that the leather remains matched.
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      03-21-2015, 02:00 AM   #11
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Went to BMW service today and SA took a picture and call up leather repair specialist in front of me. Book next Thursday for repairing.

He told both the specialist and the service manager about my car being VERY NEW and will definitely cover by warranty!!!

I asked if he seem this type of problem before and answer was positive....
I hope there won't be more of these....
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      03-24-2015, 05:51 PM   #12
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more update for this problem.

Got a call from service that this repair job might take over-night but not 100% sure as the seat needs to be removed to perform this repair.

however, SA not sure if I am qualified for a free loaner or not. If car needs to stay overnight, it will be covered.

If car doesn't need to stay over night, they will provide shuttle for me back to work (10km away) or if I decided to take loaner anyway, it will be $31 charge....

Does anyone get charged for loaner? Especially when it's a warranty job?
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      03-24-2015, 06:34 PM   #13
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Every time when I take a loaner I'm charged $31.00 no matter if it's warranty or not. They introduced it a couple years ago. Cheap bustards.
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      03-24-2015, 07:00 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziba View Post
Every time when I take a loaner I'm charged $31.00 no matter if it's warranty or not. They introduced it a couple years ago. Cheap bustards.

Langley BMW?

It doesn't make sense if it's warranty service as if it wasnt because of the quality, I do not have to make that trip at all....
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      03-24-2015, 07:34 PM   #15
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Not only is it colder than a witch's breast in Canada, you also have to pay for a service loaner car?

Here it is warm, sunny and we get free loaner cars. (Plus there are bikini girls on the beach all year round, please stay in Canada to NOT add to the roadway traffic.)

Good luck w/ the repair. Please post images of the completed job.
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      03-25-2015, 07:12 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ecsw View Post
Langley BMW?

It doesn't make sense if it's warranty service as if it wasnt because of the quality, I do not have to make that trip at all....
Yes Langley.
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      03-25-2015, 07:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingless View Post
Not only is it colder than a witch's breast in Canada, you also have to pay for a service loaner car?

Here it is warm, sunny and we get free loaner cars. (Plus there are bikini girls on the beach all year round, please stay in Canada to NOT add to the roadway traffic.)

Good luck w/ the repair. Please post images of the completed job.
Lucky you I'm jealous. I'll have to go and visit you there
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      03-25-2015, 10:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziba View Post
Lucky you I'm jealous. I'll have to go and visit you there
Will you be the one in the mukluks?
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      03-26-2015, 03:50 PM   #19
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^ lol.

Here is the update for my repair.

Pass by 2nd dealer yesterday to confirm they also want administrator fee of $25+tax even if it's warranty job so I decided to stay with the one closer to my work (Langley).

Leather specialist was there on time looking at my seat. It took him 10 minutes to remove my back seat which is crazy fast.... unfortunately it will be more than a day to make stitching perfectly fit. My SA gave me an option to drive my X3 back if I am okay without back seat but I refused because I need to take kids to school in the morning.

SA provided me a loaner (335i with M package). While he ask me if I understand there is an "admin fee" charge, I replied "I understand. Even though I don't like it, I will pay for it. I will just complain to BMW Canada as my car is simply a month old when problem happened and I am being charged for a warranty out of quality issue from BMW". SA looked at me and smile nicely and say "I understand your frustration, I will waive it for you for this incident". Very nice SA for sure. I told him I understand it's reasonable to charge it for maintenance service but warranty service for month old BMW is just silly.

The loaner 335i xdrive has sports seat which I would have ordered if I knew it as an option.... Very firm and supportive seat and I loved it the minute I sat in.
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      04-01-2015, 04:58 PM   #20
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Update after 6 days.

SA called and apologize for the repair attempt by specialist was failed. He ordered a new rear seat and told me it's coming from German and will take 2 weeks to get here.

My car was there for 6 days and i thought it would at least be a complimentary car wash....
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      04-01-2015, 06:25 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ecsw View Post
Update after 6 days.

SA called and apologize for the repair attempt by specialist was failed. He ordered a new rear seat and told me it's coming from German and will take 2 weeks to get here.

My car was there for 6 days and i thought it would at least be a complimentary car wash....
[ecsw;17670643] 2 weeks sounds pretty quick, I've much longer for other parts. I specially request NO WASH at service. They put it through an automatic wash.
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      04-01-2015, 06:27 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ecsw View Post
Update after 6 days.

SA called and apologize for the repair attempt by specialist was failed. He ordered a new rear seat and told me it's coming from German and will take 2 weeks to get here.

My car was there for 6 days and i thought it would at least be a complimentary car wash....
ecsw 2 weeks sounds pretty quick, I've dared much longer for other parts, hope so buddy. I specially request NO WASH at service. They put it through an automatic wash.
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