[clivem2]

My X3 with sports seats has done 1,600 miles, the front passenger seat (about 800 miles use) looks like it's done 60,000miles. The main central area of leather on the seat squab developed a light crease very early on and has stretched such the the leather is not a tight fit, it looks like a seat from a much older car now. It's not really terrible.....yet...but it isn't right, it looks more pronounced in real life than in the pic. The left support bolster isn't great either. What remedial action is the dealer likely to take? Is there a crafty way to tighten the leather or will they need to have a specialist re-trim the seat?



Edit: I should add that this is my 4th BMW in a row with leather sports seats. None of the previous cars had this much stretching of the leather after 3 years. Maybe a coincidence but the dealer had to "de-creak" that seat, they used silicon lube on the springs, I wonder if the squab interior is not sitting correctly.

[Mako]

My old m roadster and coupe had this, bought both used, my dads old m3 and 2009 m3 did as well. I think it's pretty common with BMW.

[BIMMER UK 76]

Our sales director recently had his passenger seat base changed under warranty for premature wear reasons (2010 F11)

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by clivem2

My X3 with sports seats has done 1,600 miles, the front passenger seat (about 800 miles use) looks like it's done 60,000miles. The main central area of leather on the seat squab developed a light crease very early on and has stretched such the the leather is not a tight fit, it looks like a seat from a much older car now. It's not really terrible.....yet...but it isn't right, it looks more pronounced in real life than in the pic. The left support bolster isn't great either. What remedial action is the dealer likely to take? Is there a crafty way to tighten the leather or will they need to have a specialist re-trim the seat?



Edit: I should add that this is my 4th BMW in a row with leather sports seats. None of the previous cars had this much stretching of the leather after 3 years. Maybe a coincidence but the dealer had to "de-creak" that seat, they used silicon lube on the springs, I wonder if the squab interior is not sitting correctly.

They should provide a new seat under warranty they had to change my drivers seat in the X6 for the same reason, no problem sir new seat on order.

[clivem2]

Thanks. When it goes in again for the wind noise to be fixed, I'll discuss the leather with them too. The seats in my 335i vert, which just went back after 3 years, were in much better nick.

[torzeck]

Thanks for bringing this up. Mine has this sag/wrinkle as well. My previous e90 had it too. I thought it was just a common BMW characteristic and my rear end. Next service I will show it to the the dealer.

[Powerrunner]

Please keep us posted since this just is not right!

[Dukat]

I've had mine for 2 weeks and I'm starting to see some stretching. As much as it sucks that's leather for you. Let us know if you get them to replace it and what you had to say to get it done.

[clivem2]

I understand the comments about, "it's just BMW leather or this happens with leather" but....

Whilst it's a natural product and you will get variations - BMW is a premium brand and priced accordingly. My TWO 330i verts and my 335i vert didn't have this level of stretching after 3 years. Yes they aged a little but they did this gracefully, the leather became more supple with very light wrinkles (smile lines), they just looked pleasantly lived in.

What I think has happened with my passenger seat is that the leather hasn't be treated thoroughly. I'm no expert on leather but presumably they must pre-stretch it in a effort to stop this happening. I've just got rid of a 12 year old RAV4 wth 100,000 miles on it. The stretching of the leather on the driver's seat was less than my BMW passenger seat which has been sat on for just 800 miles. This isn't something that I would expect from Audi, BMW or Mercedes etc. I have to complain, not only to get this fixed but also so BMW know there is a potential problem with what may be new suppliers for the X3. It's just one of those QA things that needs to be tidied up.

[sparoz]

I hope mine doesn't go like that. My longest ownership of a BMW was six years and never had that happened.

[Dukat]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I'm no expert on leather but presumably they must pre-stretch it in a effort to stop this happening.

Good point. All manufacturers of all products seem to be making everything cheaper with a 'don't care' attitude these days.

Hopefully they can resolve it for you and we'll be able to follow your example and get ours swapped as well.

[ctski1]

Has anyone with this issue think about just dropping few lbs.? lol
Just kidding...don't want to offend anyone..

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by ctski1

Has anyone with this issue think about just dropping few lbs.? lol
Just kidding...don't want to offend anyone..

For the record I'm more Euro size than US size.....whilst I could do with dropping about 15 lbs, I'm not heavy and nor is my wife or son who normally occupy the passenger seat. And....I'm the same weight as I was with my previous BMWs which didn't have the saggy bottom, sorry saggy leather.

[ctski1]

Originally Posted by clivem2

For the record I'm more Euro size than US size.....whilst I could do with dropping about 15 lbs, I'm not heavy and nor is my wife or son who normally occupy the passenger seat. And....I'm the same weight as I was with my previous BMWs which didn't have the saggy bottom, sorry saggy leather.

I hear ya...I could dorp a few lbs. myself.

My wife has an older 3-series, and the stitching on the driver side seat came apart. She is a size 2 (US). Just to show that in fact BMW can do a better job with their seat construction.

[JOHNBMWM5]

No Fuss just go in and ask for a replacement seat as it is faulty!!, and thats it new seat end off.
My dealership always keeps me happy.

[Dukat]

I put my knees on the back seat once when I had to reach over and that stretched the leather. If 5 seconds of knee in the seat did that I'm afraid what happens after several years of use.

[BXM3W]

When I test drove an Audi Q5 the tester was a few months old, but the seats made the car look much older than that as they looked worn and stretched out. Although not a top line feature, I definitely dinged them for it when deciding which vehicle to purchase. Hopefully BMW sees this as a defect vs wear and tear.

[clivem2]

I'm due to visit the dealer tomorrow, I'll let you all now how it goes.

There's quite a noticeable gap between the seat padding and leather. The padding surely should still be tight against the leather on a car that's 6 weeks old. I hope the dealer thinks the same way!

[h0mersimps0n]

I know I'm going to get tha-wacked for this but it does kind of make an argument for Leatherette Maybe less glamorous, comfortable and smell-licious but definitely durable.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by h0mersimps0n

I know I'm going to get tha-wacked for this but it does kind of make an argument for Leatherette Maybe less glamorous, comfortable and smell-licious but definitely durable.

I suspect that in Europe I'd have to order a taxi (cab) spec to get leatherette. I'm not sure whether the sign on the roof can be deleted.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by h0mersimps0n

I know I'm going to get tha-wacked for this but it does kind of make an argument for Leatherette Maybe less glamorous, comfortable and smell-licious but definitely durable.

I had some girl friend 40 years ago wearing that

[clivem2]

I've been to the dealer They are ordering a seat cover, they say they can only order seat parts, not a complete seat. They are nervous about how well they can install a new cover but that's really their problem. They said given the age of the car the leather stretch is excessive. I asked whether I was being too picky, they said I'm not.