[Devourer31]

Hi, I have a 2013 328i with the Oyster Dakota Leather Seats.

I purchased the car since new and over time the leather is getting wrinkles
and creases on it. I do find it normal that leather tends to wrinkle
however, I find the ones on my car rather excessive.

I tried to address this issue to my SA whenever I took it for a service but they
always quickly dismissed my concern stating that it's normal for
leather to do that.

What do guys think? Am I being too picky for it?
The car currently has around 22k miles and the rear seats are rarely used.

[Aatish]

How many miles are on it?

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Aatish

How many miles are on it?

It has about 22,500 miles. I have it for about 2 years since I bought it on February 2014

[Aatish]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

It has about 22,500 miles. I have it for about 2 years since I bought it on February 2014

Heh, the pretty low for wrinkling to be occuring. If you don't mind me asking, approximately how much do the average occupants weigh?

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Aatish

Heh, the pretty low for wrinkling to be occuring. If you don't mind me asking, approximately how much do the average occupants weigh?

Well usually around 150-170 pounds at most.

[Aatish]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Well usually around 150-170 pounds at most.

Hmm, that shouldn't have happened under those conditions

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Aatish

Hmm, that shouldn't have happened under those conditions

Yeah that's what I believe too, the SAs when I went for a service think that it's normal.

[Blubaron79]

How often do you treat the leather? You should be applying conditioner at least monthly. Leather is skin and it dries out.

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

How often do you treat the leather? You should be applying conditioner at least monthly. Leather is skin and it dries out.

Hi, I always cleaned the leather every week with just the cleaner only. The seats have been protected with optiguard since it was new. I never conditioned the leather as dakota leather is a coated leather and the conditioner would just sit on the top from my past experiences with coated leather. The leather still feels soft and supple its just that wrinkling occurs.

[Aatish]

Do you leave the car in the sun for extended periods of time?

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Hi, I always cleaned the leather every week with just the cleaner only. The seats have been protected with optiguard since it was new. I never conditioned the leather as dakota leather is a coated leather and the conditioner would just sit on the top from my past experiences with coated leather. The leather still feels soft and supple its just that wrinkling occurs.

Hmm. That's weird. Doesn't look normal

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Hi, I always cleaned the leather every week with just the cleaner only. The seats have been protected with optiguard since it was new. I never conditioned the leather as dakota leather is a coated leather and the conditioner would just sit on the top from my past experiences with coated leather. The leather still feels soft and supple its just that wrinkling occurs.

All auto leather from the past 20 years, particularly in luxury cars is coated/treated. This isn't like the leather used to make your shoes for instance.

Even with coatings, you still need to condition your leather to keep it supple and help it regain it's shape following wear and sun.

Use a good conditioner monthly and see if you see any progress within 6 months.

Cleaning weekly is likely too much of a good thing. cleaners are wet, some have chemicals that may speed drying of leather, so even more important to use conditioner.

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Aatish

Do you leave the car in the sun for extended periods of time?

Never, always garaged.

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Hmm. That's weird. Doesn't look normal

Yeah, I'm just surprised that I see F30s having less wrinkle than mine.

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

All auto leather from the past 20 years, particularly in luxury cars is coated/treated. This isn't like the leather used to make your shoes for instance.

Even with coatings, you still need to condition your leather to keep it supple and help it regain it's shape following wear and sun.

Use a good conditioner monthly and see if you see any progress within 6 months.

Cleaning weekly is likely too much of a good thing. cleaners are wet, some have chemicals that may speed drying of leather, so even more important to use conditioner.

Thanks for the tip. I've always find contradicting things about this
on forums because many said that cleaning with water based cleaners is the only thing that the urethane coating needs as the oils from conditioner would not penetrate. I

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Never, always garaged.



Yeah, I'm just surprised that I see F30s having less wrinkle than mine.





Thanks for the tip. I've always find contradicting things about this
on forums because many said that cleaning with water based cleaners is the only thing that the urethane coating needs as the oils from conditioner would not penetrate. I

Totally understand, yes, there is a lot of misinformation on forums.

However, Bimmerpost acts almost as a peer reviewed forum; which is why I like it so much more than any other. Also, take a look at the rep score of the person sharing tips. Chances are the higher the score, the more helpful, or humorous the posts from that person has been. Not saying that newer members can't offer sound advice, just that you need to be more careful.

If a search shows that a poster has done so regularly on a topic, they may know a few things to share.

I'm passing down advice I've gotten, tried, and seen good results. Not an expert by any stretch, but I'm obsessed with detailing my cars.

[Busa1]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Hi, I have a 2013 328i with the Oyster Dakota Leather Seats.

I purchased the car since new and over time the leather is getting wrinkles
and creases on it. I do find it normal that leather tends to wrinkle
however, I find the ones on my car rather excessive.

I tried to address this issue to my SA whenever I took it for a service but they
always quickly dismissed my concern stating that it's normal for
leather to do that.

What do guys think? Am I being too picky for it?
The car currently has around 22k miles and the rear seats are rarely used.
[IMG]http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...pssf4wdcop.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...psrmrnc3p8.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...pspdyofxvp.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...psok0iwlw7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...pscxvctydp.jpg[/IMG]

See if the suggestions in the link below helps. Good luck

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ther-seat.html

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

All auto leather from the past 20 years, particularly in luxury cars is coated/treated. This isn't like the leather used to make your shoes for instance.

Even with coatings, you still need to condition your leather to keep it supple and help it regain it's shape following wear and sun.

Use a good conditioner monthly and see if you see any progress within 6 months.

Cleaning weekly is likely too much of a good thing. cleaners are wet, some have chemicals that may speed drying of leather, so even more important to use conditioner.

One thing I personally clean very often but have not conditioned is the steering wheel.

The MSport wheel really needs to be cleaned often or it will get shiny and tacky from all the greases and oils in your hands.

I clean mine using Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner usually two times a month, I haven't conditioned it once yet tho.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by smithf32

One thing I personally clean very often but have not conditioned is the steering wheel.

The MSport wheel really needs to be cleaned often or it will get shiny and tacky from all the greases and oils in your hands.

I clean mine using Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner usually two times a month, I haven't conditioned it once yet tho.

So true with the wheel, it does tend to pick up a sheen.

I use Griots leather cleaner on it; sort of a 2 in 1, but I recently used some of the old BMW conditioner that I have, then wiped off the excess real good. It isn't slick even after the conditioner. I use it since I'm down here in the Georgia heat.

If you use the conditioner maybe once every quarter or 6 months, that may do enough to keep it well lubricated.

The OPs seats almost look like they've taken on too much water, maybe from cleaning, not sure.

One thing I will say, not so sure I'd take a blow dryer to my seats, but mine are red, so....

[Devourer31]

Originally Posted by Busa1

See if the suggestions in the link below helps. Good luck

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ther-seat.html

I've looked at that thread once before I made my post here.
Did the towel trick once, it didn't work on the back seats. I want to try the heat gun trick but I live in an apartment, no plugs

Thanks anyway for the tip.

[Devourer31]

Just an update: I tried using a conditioner on it (Griots 2 in 1 Cleaner and Conditioner), there is no effect on the leather. The conditioner just sits on the top and making the surface slippery. I might have to visit a local upholsterer and try to get the leather steamed.

[redbullfan]

I think I may have the same problem too. Subscribed

[Devourer31]

Another update:

I spoke to a local auto upholstery specialist, and he mentioned that it isn't wear and tear, it is more on how the seats are loosely designed.
He could try to add some foam to remove the sagging however, he was being honest that it may cost thousands and the result may not be perfect.
He insist that this can be claimed through the dealer, rather than having him work on the leather. Another upholsterer I visited also said the same thing.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Devourer31

Another update:

I spoke to a local auto upholstery specialist, and he mentioned that it isn't wear and tear, it is more on how the seats are loosely designed.
He could try to add some foam to remove the sagging however, he was being honest that it may cost thousands and the result may not be perfect.
He insist that this can be claimed through the dealer, rather than having him work on the leather. Another upholsterer I visited also said the same thing.

Really hope he's right about a claim through the dealer. May want to contact BMWNA about it. They may be sympathetic.