Driver's Seat Wearing Out (Leather, Sports Package)

martieg · 10-28-2007, 10:30 PM

I have a '06 330i with Premium Package and Sports Package.
It comes with the sports bucket in leather. I have black leather.
Anyway, I noticed the outer vertical edge is wearing out (this is the edge that I slightly rub every time I enter or exit the vehicle).

I'm disappointed because the car is only 18 months old, just over 12,000 miles. I have had other cars with leather seats before and this hasn't happened to me before.

Is that happening to you guys? Am I doing something wrong?
Do you think this is covered by the warranty?

Grumpa72 · 10-28-2007, 10:33 PM

This happens to every car that has side bolsters (the part that hits your butt) unless you put the seat waaayyy back each time. My 14 year old Acura with black leather seats and big bolsters has virtually no wear because I put the seat back far enough that I don't rub them getting in.

It takes a bit of time to make this an automatic process.

Gary

martieg · 10-28-2007, 10:36 PM

Thanks - I'll try to do that before it gets worse.
However it's already a bit damaged - any ideas how to fix it or make it look better?

CALIF65GM · 10-28-2007, 11:04 PM

Same issue here, but mines almost 2-yrs exactly.

-Ryan- · 10-29-2007, 12:19 AM

One of the main reasons I prefer leatherette. All my cars with leather start showing wear quickly right there.

jetblk328i · 10-29-2007, 05:37 AM

you can try briunging it to dealer because of abnormal wear on seatin services lol if ur dealers nice they might help you.

epiphone3 · 10-29-2007, 08:20 AM

best recommendation is to just try and figure out an easy way to enter and egress the car without rubbing on the bolster... my car is just about 2 years old and has 39,000 km on it and I don't have a single mark on the seat bolster. I just figured out how to get in and out without rubbing and made sure to get in and out that way always and now it is just natural.

noro · 10-29-2007, 08:51 AM

That's another good reason to get leatherette. What I used to do in my old car is attempt to not put a lot of pressure on the bolster while getting into the seat.

Mace · 10-29-2007, 09:00 AM

Actually, the correct answer to this problem is an entry/exit feature like Inifiniti has. Turn the car off and the driver's seat moves all the way back and the wheel tilts up. Start the car and the seat moves to whatever preset position corresponds to the key being used. This makes it much easier to get in/out of highly bolstered seats and I'm disappointed BMW hasn't figured this out.

As far as care is concerned I'd recommend keeping them clean with saddle soap and then a good leather treatment. This keeps the surface from drying and becoming brittle plus many times what appears to be damage is actually dirt which cleans off fairly easily with the saddle soap. Even if the leather is worn, the saddle soap and leather treatment will give it the best chance of taking the wear without breaking down.

wj4 · 10-29-2007, 09:58 AM

^The steering wheel tilts up on my friend's E39 M5.

Gort · 10-29-2007, 10:09 AM

Mine is doing it too and because I wear jeans a lot, I'm also getting some blue color transfer to the leather. Any ideas what get that out without screwing up the leather?

scooby9 · 10-29-2007, 10:40 AM

I wonder if the leather is the same for 07? The leather in my car feels so incredibly stiff and resilient. I brush against the left bolster every time I enter the vehicle but there is no wear as of yet. I almost thought it was Leatherette but when I compared with my friend's car, I definitely have leather.

AcmeExplosives · 10-29-2007, 10:45 AM

I've read in Roundel that BMW has had a long, bad history of seat construction and durability. I have no idea what the seats were like 20 years ago but, I assume they are better now. The leather on the seat bolsters of my 2001 E46 wore quickly. But, as mentioned above...if you take the time to enter & exit the car in a deliberate manor...you shold be able to slow down the wear quite a bit.

TTG · 10-29-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinTurbo335i

im glad iv gotten leatherette

+1...... On the new 3 series, they feel the same but you pay more for the other which doesn't look so good after a year or two....

leftcoastman · 10-29-2007, 11:21 AM

If you have the memory seats, do what I do:

Setting 1: Driving Position
Setting 2: Seat all the way back, backrest all the way back.

Hit #2 when you are about to leave the vehicle then Hit #1 after you get back in.

VIDoug · 10-29-2007, 11:24 AM

Try this: Place your left hand on the seat bolster as you enter. The back of your hand will shield the seat from wear and tear. I've done this with good success with every car I've owned since I my 98 M3. The M3 seat was a mess due to the pocket rivet on my jeans tearing up the leather as I got in.

AcmeExplosives · 10-29-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIDoug

Try this: Place your left hand on the seat bolster as you enter. The back of your hand will shield the seat from wear and tear. I've done this with good success with every car I've owned since I my 98 M3. The M3 seat was a mess due to the pocket rivet on my jeans tearing up the leather as I got in.

ABSOLUTELY! The biggest culprit for me where those damn pocket rivets on Levis.

Gort · 10-29-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIDoug

Try this: Place your left hand on the seat bolster as you enter. The back of your hand will shield the seat from wear and tear. I've done this with good success with every car I've owned since I my 98 M3. The M3 seat was a mess due to the pocket rivet on my jeans tearing up the leather as I got in.

I tried doing that and it didn't work....

thekurgan · 10-29-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooby9

I wonder if the leather is the same for 07? The leather in my car feels so incredibly stiff and resilient. I brush against the left bolster every time I enter the vehicle but there is no wear as of yet. I almost thought it was Leatherette but when I compared with my friend's car, I definitely have leather.

+1, I've been using the Zaino "leather in a bottle" regularly since the late summer and there is no wear, but I will take the advice given here and enter/exit with more care as I doubt warranty will cover something like leather wear.

dlwhite · 10-29-2007, 11:36 AM

There has been some good advice here..I'll just add my 2 cents.
All 3 of our cars have leather 20, 3 and .5 years old.
I aim my keister for the middle of horizontal seat and then twist and slide back.
I am a big boy and this only works with the seat maxed back.

Also if the Dealer doesn't give you any satisfaction, maybe an aftermarket upholstere can match and replace a section !?1

Mace · 10-29-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

I tried doing that and it didn't work....

Exactly the picture I had in my mind when I tried to figure out how you'd do that.

David1 · 10-29-2007, 12:36 PM

It can be redyed, no big deal.

10-28-2007, 10:30 PM	#1
martieg Texas 311 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Driver's Seat Wearing Out (Leather, Sports Package) I have a '06 330i with Premium Package and Sports Package. It comes with the sports bucket in leather. I have black leather. Anyway, I noticed the outer vertical edge is wearing out (this is the edge that I slightly rub every time I enter or exit the vehicle). I'm disappointed because the car is only 18 months old, just over 12,000 miles. I have had other cars with leather seats before and this hasn't happened to me before. Is that happening to you guys? Am I doing something wrong? Do you think this is covered by the warranty?
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10-28-2007, 10:36 PM	#3
martieg Texas 311 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Thanks - I'll try to do that before it gets worse. However it's already a bit damaged - any ideas how to fix it or make it look better?
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10-28-2007, 11:04 PM	#4
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	Same issue here, but mines almost 2-yrs exactly. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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10-29-2007, 12:19 AM	#5
-Ryan- First Class Privates 29 Rep 437 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rancho Mirage, CA iTrader: (1)	One of the main reasons I prefer leatherette. All my cars with leather start showing wear quickly right there. __________________ \| Matte Black Grilles and Side Vents \| Painted Reflectors \| Remus Race Exhaust CF Tips \| CF Emblems \| 19" Volk TE37 \| KW \| More to come...
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10-29-2007, 05:37 AM	#6
jetblk328i Colonel 309 Rep 2,458 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central PA iTrader: (1)	you can try briunging it to dealer because of abnormal wear on seatin services lol if ur dealers nice they might help you.
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10-28-2007, 10:33 PM	#2
Grumpa72 Private First Class 1 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Moon Township, PA iTrader: (0)	This happens to every car that has side bolsters (the part that hits your butt) unless you put the seat waaayyy back each time. My 14 year old Acura with black leather seats and big bolsters has virtually no wear because I put the seat back far enough that I don't rub them getting in. It takes a bit of time to make this an automatic process. Gary
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10-29-2007, 08:20 AM	#7
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 112 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	best recommendation is to just try and figure out an easy way to enter and egress the car without rubbing on the bolster... my car is just about 2 years old and has 39,000 km on it and I don't have a single mark on the seat bolster. I just figured out how to get in and out without rubbing and made sure to get in and out that way always and now it is just natural.
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10-29-2007, 08:51 AM	#8
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	That's another good reason to get leatherette. What I used to do in my old car is attempt to not put a lot of pressure on the bolster while getting into the seat. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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10-29-2007, 09:00 AM	#9
Mace Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 239 Posts Drives: '11 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Actually, the correct answer to this problem is an entry/exit feature like Inifiniti has. Turn the car off and the driver's seat moves all the way back and the wheel tilts up. Start the car and the seat moves to whatever preset position corresponds to the key being used. This makes it much easier to get in/out of highly bolstered seats and I'm disappointed BMW hasn't figured this out. As far as care is concerned I'd recommend keeping them clean with saddle soap and then a good leather treatment. This keeps the surface from drying and becoming brittle plus many times what appears to be damage is actually dirt which cleans off fairly easily with the saddle soap. Even if the leather is worn, the saddle soap and leather treatment will give it the best chance of taking the wear without breaking down.
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10-29-2007, 09:58 AM	#10
wj4 Major General 339 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	^The steering wheel tilts up on my friend's E39 M5.
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10-29-2007, 10:09 AM	#11
Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto 30 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2017 X3-35i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: A Bipolar Planet iTrader: (0)	Mine is doing it too and because I wear jeans a lot, I'm also getting some blue color transfer to the leather. Any ideas what get that out without screwing up the leather?
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10-29-2007, 10:40 AM	#12
scooby9 Major 62 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada iTrader: (6)	I wonder if the leather is the same for 07? The leather in my car feels so incredibly stiff and resilient. I brush against the left bolster every time I enter the vehicle but there is no wear as of yet. I almost thought it was Leatherette but when I compared with my friend's car, I definitely have leather. __________________ *2007 BMW 335xi 6MT TiAg*
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10-29-2007, 10:45 AM	#13
AcmeExplosives Private First Class 3 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Devon, PA iTrader: (0)	I've read in Roundel that BMW has had a long, bad history of seat construction and durability. I have no idea what the seats were like 20 years ago but, I assume they are better now. The leather on the seat bolsters of my 2001 E46 wore quickly. But, as mentioned above...if you take the time to enter & exit the car in a deliberate manor...you shold be able to slow down the wear quite a bit. __________________ '08 E93 335Cv 6 speed manual \|Space Gray\|Black\|Walnut\|ZPP\|ZSP\|CA\| Heated\|Nav\|iPod
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10-29-2007, 11:21 AM	#15
leftcoastman Lieutenant Colonel 52 Rep 1,714 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Near some canyons iTrader: (1)	If you have the memory seats, do what I do: Setting 1: Driving Position Setting 2: Seat all the way back, backrest all the way back. Hit #2 when you are about to leave the vehicle then Hit #1 after you get back in.
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10-29-2007, 11:24 AM	#16
VIDoug Private 6 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2015 228i MSport,THP, PP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver Island iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	Try this: Place your left hand on the seat bolster as you enter. The back of your hand will shield the seat from wear and tear. I've done this with good success with every car I've owned since I my 98 M3. The M3 seat was a mess due to the pocket rivet on my jeans tearing up the leather as I got in. __________________ VIDoug Vancouver Island 2015 228i MSport, THP, PP, MG
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10-29-2007, 11:36 AM	#20
dlwhite First Lieutenant 31 Rep 324 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite 2007 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00]	There has been some good advice here..I'll just add my 2 cents. All 3 of our cars have leather 20, 3 and .5 years old. I aim my keister for the middle of horizontal seat and then twist and slide back. I am a big boy and this only works with the seat maxed back. Also if the Dealer doesn't give you any satisfaction, maybe an aftermarket upholstere can match and replace a section !?1 __________________ 1987 Black on Black Mitsubishi Starion ESiR 2007 Sparkling Graphite 335xi
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10-29-2007, 12:36 PM	#22
David1 Brigadier General 816 Rep 3,957 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	It can be redyed, no big deal.
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