[Dukat]

Great news. Let us know how it goes.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by 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.

I got a complete Seat, they had no idea how to fit leather seat covers.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

I got a complete Seat, they had no idea how to fit leather seat covers.

It is a concern....I suppose if they screw it up (they have fitted seat covers before....with problems), they will have find a way to get a new seat.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by clivem2

It is a concern....I suppose if they screw it up (they have done it before), they will have find a way to get a new seat.

They tried to repair my seat at first, failed, then ordered a new seat.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

They tried to repair my seat at first, failed, then ordered a new seat.

It won't surprise me if I end up on the same route.

[electricjet]

greetings gents ... took delivery of a F25 & E90 in july and august ... both automobiles are showing the same above described problems
i got bmwna involved and will end up with either new seat bottoms or seats ... ... quality controll maybe ...

will keep you posted ...

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by 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.

It does morph back into place, though. I have a friend who is very thin, and her butt left a considerable circle of stretch in the leather after she got out of the car after 35 minutes of driving. In two hours it was gone.

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by clivem2

It won't surprise me if I end up on the same route.

I doubt your local dealer has the expertise to repair a piece of the leather and should sub-contract to a specialist. Many dealers in the South East use B-Trim but any local competent leather interior specialist should be able to do the job properly.

[Dukat]

I have 720 miles on my car, looked at the seats this morning, while not as bad as yours yet, at this rate they will be by the time I hit 1,400 miles. Got a feeling the replacement will do the same thing.

[clivem2]

I had the seat cover replaced. It looked fine at first but after a few days it's now worse than the original......back to the dealer. The one the driver's side is fine. If they both sagged it wouldn't be as bad but one taught and one saggy is no good.

[mge92]

[Bimar]

Taken mine in under warranty 1000 miles let's see for BMW claim it's normal.

[TuffLittleUnit]

I did 60,000 miles in my 2011 X3 over 3 years. When it went back the seats were still in excellent condition. The rear seats looked like new (despite frequent use) and the front ones (Oyster) only had a bit of blue dye rub off from my jeans (which comes off with a bit of Xymol). Although I love Oyster for an interior, I've gone for black on my next X3 because I can't be bothered scrubbing the blue dye out every month or two.

I'm currently in a 2 year old Audi A4 and the "leather" seats in that are pretty baggy and worn at the edges (just like the A5 I had a few years ago).

[gIzzE]

Best to steam the leather, that will pull it nice and tight, far better than a hot air gun.

I did use a hot air gun on my 16 year old Z3 seats, then reprayed them, look great again.
They were hard, shiny, cracked and sagging.

4 hours later and £50 worth of spray and looking fine......


Couldn't get the wrinkles out of the lower side bolster, but got them all out of the rest of the seat.

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Best to steam the leather, that will pull it nice and tight, far better than a hot air gun.

I did use a hot air gun on my 16 year old Z3 seats, then reprayed them, look great again.
They were hard, shiny, cracked and sagging.

Think this would work on my wife?

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Think this would work on my wife?

Haha, worth a try surely??

[TuffLittleUnit]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Think this would work on my wife?

PML

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I did use a hot air gun on my 16 year old Z3 seats, then reprayed them, look great again.
They were hard, shiny, cracked and sagging.

4 hours later and £50 worth of spray and looking fine......

What product did you used to spray them?

[gIzzE]

It was from this UK based company....

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Lea...ourant_Kit.php

I used the Medium kit but had over half of everything left.

[Monkey Punk]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is a premium executive car delivered at premium prices. You have every right to demand your money's worth. We all pay to play. As such, I think your humble question to the dealer/service department was completely unnecessary. If they want to keep your business, they better phone the home office and let them know their product is not keeping their advertised promises. Rant complete.

I hope the new seat works out better for you.

[clivem2]

I typically start out humble as an opening gambit then rapidly ramp up to contacting BMWs UK MD as needed. The leather on my pre-LCI was one thing. The wind noise was a much bigger issue. I got it improved but the pre-LCI was quite variable in terms of build quality / noise. My new LCI is far better though the leather could be tighter. Overall the LCI is so much better. I'd say wait for KCI versions of BMWs if you can. The regional manager looking at my issues suggested it takes that long for BMW to build fixes and optimizations into their cars. It's probably more a process issue than design issue.

[bimmeupscotty]

there seems to be a lot of variation in the quality of the seats in these X3s. My x3 has done barely 1500 miles and the front passenger seat thigh bolster is already creasing pretty bad. Just noticed now that the passenger side has started doing the same with even lesser use. The dealer has opened up a case with BMW, will see what happens. FWIW I have seen several older ( 2011-2013) X3s with the exact same nevada leather seats that still look impeccable after tons of use