Is this covered under warranty?? VERY POOR LEATHER QUALITY (pics)

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 02:26 PM

I've had my 435 for only 7 months and I'm VERY disappointed in the leather quality. The following pics are of the driver's seat and the center console. Can this be replaced under warranty? My E92 335 6MT coral red leather never showed anywhere near this much wear, even after 27,000 miles! Any and all advice is much appreciated.

http://instagram.com/p/tyEwdeGxps/
http://instagram.com/p/tyEqXcGxpg/
http://instagram.com/p/tyEh-5GxpI/

justinnum1 · 10-05-2014, 02:36 PM

doubtful. based on the leather in my car, it would take sandpaper to replicate what you did.

SamS · 10-05-2014, 02:41 PM

WTF did you do to your car?

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinnum1

doubtful. based on the leather in my car, it would take sandpaper to replicate what you did.

This is crazy because I baby my interior! I never use any harsh chemicals of any kind and I never have more than one other person in my car. This happened over the past two weeks and I'm baffled. I only have 8K miles.

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

WTF did you do to your car?

Absolutely nothing but sit in it which is crazy

TheCamboRambo · 10-05-2014, 03:06 PM

Holy crap, is this the SensaTec leatherette or the actual leather?

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCamboRambo

Holy crap, is this the SensaTec leatherette or the actual leather?

Unfortunately this is the actual coral red Dakota leather

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 03:24 PM

Does anybody know if the dealer can cover this under warranty? I only have 8K miles, this leather should last MUCH LONGER than that.

kent11202 · 10-05-2014, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceberg4

I've had my 435 for only 7 months and I'm VERY disappointed in the leather quality. The following pics are of the driver's seat and the center console. Can this be replaced under warranty? My E92 335 6MT coral red leather never showed anywhere near this much wear, even after 27,000 miles! Any and all advice is much appreciated.

http://instagram.com/p/tyEwdeGxps/
http://instagram.com/p/tyEqXcGxpg/
http://instagram.com/p/tyEh-5GxpI/

Good grief! I don't know what happened here but I'd be VERY surprised if they didn't blame you. I wouldn't expect them to offer any kind of remedy. What's one customer to them - it's all about the bottom line - profit.

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kent11202

Good grief! I don't know what happened here but I'd be VERY surprised if they didn't blame you. I wouldn't expect them to offer any kind of remedy. What's one customer to them - it's all about the bottom line - profit.

This happened after detailing the interior, it's all out like the leather just rubbed off. All I ever used on the leather was Lexol conditioner and cleaner!

dubdemand · 10-05-2014, 03:59 PM

The finish on Dakota leather is painted rather than dyed. It looks as though the coating is coming off. Not sure if it's a manufacturer defect or a bad reaction to your leather 'care' - either way I don't think I'd mention it to the dealer!

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubdemand

The finish on Dakota leather is painted rather than dyed. It looks as though the coating is coming off. Not sure if it's a manufacturer defect or a bad reaction to your leather 'care' - either way I don't think I'd mention it to the dealer!

Painted?!?!?

Smdh, not good at all.

Steve33 · 10-05-2014, 04:08 PM

Google Lexol on BMW leather and there are mixed reports. Probably won't be covered honestly

CHCCubs · 10-05-2014, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve33

Google Lexol on BMW leather and there are mixed reports. Probably won't be covered honestly

Lexol shouldn't cause this. I used Lexol exclusively on my old E90 which had Chesnut Dakota leather and never had any issues. I use Sonax leather cleaner/conditioner on my F30, but doubt the Dakota leather has changed from what it was on the E90.

smithf80 · 10-05-2014, 04:13 PM

Just tell them you have no idea what happened and that you are pissed. I mean Lexol is a quality product that a lot of people use so it should not have been the cause of this.

DocB · 10-05-2014, 05:19 PM

If it is just the center console, they should be able to replace that at a cost much less than were it seat leather. Good luck.

IcebergM4 · 10-05-2014, 06:08 PM

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm going to stop by the stealership to see what they can do for me.
I didn't see anything on Ebay just in case I have to come out of pocket for the console. The seat really isn't that bad at all.

I'll keep you all posted.

DJ Rocc · 10-05-2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceberg4

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm going to stop by the stealership to see what they can do for me.
I didn't see anything on Ebay just in case I have to come out of pocket for the console. The seat really isn't that bad at all.

I'll keep you all posted.

The marks seem very weird to me, not like normal wear at all. There could be defect in the leather somewhere.

Though, In some of the pics especially the one with the center armrest, it almost seems like something mechanical got to it, either by poking or scraping, do you have a pet? Do you wear any metal or any thing sharp on your sleeves or jackets?

This is pretty weird.

Is it happening anywhere else other than where Contact is usually made?

Falafel Combo · 10-05-2014, 06:47 PM

This is almost certainly caused by excessive use. No way the leather wear pattern is 'normal', regardless of the quality of the leather used.

Labeef · 10-05-2014, 06:58 PM

Looks like patch work. I would say this is not covered by warranty unless you are the original owner.

Rautha · 10-05-2014, 07:32 PM

Worth having it looked at, especially since this occurred after only 7 months.

I had a spot on the seat cushion on my old E91 (sensa tec) that started to crack after 15 months and it was replaced under warranty. You have to push them a bit...for this type of issue the dealer can't authorize replacement without the regional rep looking at it or at photos the dealer takes and sends the rep.

If it looks like an obvious gouge from a sharp object, or they see signs of abuse it will be denied. However if its abnormal wear or what they determine to be a manufacturing defect, you have a chance.

Good luck

chiefneil · 10-05-2014, 07:49 PM

Holy crap! Nothing to be lost by taking it to the dealer and seeing what they say. We had some leather discoloration in our X5 back in 2002, and the dealer was resistant initially but ended up replacing it. Our SA said later on (years later) that it turned out to be a common issue with the X5, we were just the leading edge.

I've seen similar discoloration after I had my E36's seats "re-dyed" to fix cracks in the leather. It turned out to be a fairly crappy surface treatment that became all blotchy when I had it detailed later. Had to have the seats re-dyed by somebody better afterwards. This is a roundabout way of saying that maybe something damaged the leather before delivery and it had to be repaired via a re-dye.

10-05-2014, 02:26 PM	#1
IcebergM4 Major 361 Rep 1,060 Posts Drives: '23 M4C Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (1)	Is this covered under warranty?? VERY POOR LEATHER QUALITY (pics) I've had my 435 for only 7 months and I'm VERY disappointed in the leather quality. The following pics are of the driver's seat and the center console. Can this be replaced under warranty? My E92 335 6MT coral red leather never showed anywhere near this much wear, even after 27,000 miles! Any and all advice is much appreciated. http://instagram.com/p/tyEwdeGxps/ http://instagram.com/p/tyEqXcGxpg/ http://instagram.com/p/tyEh-5GxpI/ Last edited by IcebergM4; 10-05-2014 at 03:39 PM..
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10-05-2014, 02:36 PM	#2
justinnum1 Major General 651 Rep 5,803 Posts Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	doubtful. based on the leather in my car, it would take sandpaper to replicate what you did. __________________ F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
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10-05-2014, 02:41 PM	#3
SamS Banned 867 Rep 6,248 Posts Drives: Tesla M3 Perf + '18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	WTF did you do to your car?
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10-05-2014, 03:06 PM	#6
TheCamboRambo Private First Class 10 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 15' 335XI M Sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	Holy crap, is this the SensaTec leatherette or the actual leather? __________________ 15' 335i XDrive - M Sport, MPPK, Dynamic Handling Package, Tech Package, Driver Assist, Harmon Kardon, Sport Automatic, Heat Front Seats, Enhanced Bluetooth.
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10-05-2014, 03:24 PM	#8
IcebergM4 Major 361 Rep 1,060 Posts Drives: '23 M4C Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (1)	Does anybody know if the dealer can cover this under warranty? I only have 8K miles, this leather should last MUCH LONGER than that.
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10-05-2014, 03:59 PM	#11
dubdemand Captain 416 Rep 941 Posts Drives: F80 Individual Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (2)	The finish on Dakota leather is painted rather than dyed. It looks as though the coating is coming off. Not sure if it's a manufacturer defect or a bad reaction to your leather 'care' - either way I don't think I'd mention it to the dealer! __________________ Individual SY F80 / insta:@dubdemand
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10-05-2014, 04:08 PM	#13
Steve33 Captain 50 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2018 SQ5 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Google Lexol on BMW leather and there are mixed reports. Probably won't be covered honestly
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10-05-2014, 04:13 PM	#15
smithf80 Major General 2808 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	Just tell them you have no idea what happened and that you are pissed. I mean Lexol is a quality product that a lot of people use so it should not have been the cause of this. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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10-05-2014, 05:19 PM	#16
DocB Lieutenant 312 Rep 583 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	If it is just the center console, they should be able to replace that at a cost much less than were it seat leather. Good luck.
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10-05-2014, 06:08 PM	#17
IcebergM4 Major 361 Rep 1,060 Posts Drives: '23 M4C Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (1)	Thanks for all your help guys. I'm going to stop by the stealership to see what they can do for me. I didn't see anything on Ebay just in case I have to come out of pocket for the console. The seat really isn't that bad at all. I'll keep you all posted.
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10-05-2014, 06:47 PM	#19
Falafel Combo Banned 3773 Rep 6,673 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive50i Join Date: May 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (3)	This is almost certainly caused by excessive use. No way the leather wear pattern is 'normal', regardless of the quality of the leather used.
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10-05-2014, 06:58 PM	#20
Labeef Captain 265 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 320I Sport/Xenon Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Looks like patch work. I would say this is not covered by warranty unless you are the original owner.
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10-05-2014, 07:32 PM	#21
Rautha Private 13 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2014 328ixDrive touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Worth having it looked at, especially since this occurred after only 7 months. I had a spot on the seat cushion on my old E91 (sensa tec) that started to crack after 15 months and it was replaced under warranty. You have to push them a bit...for this type of issue the dealer can't authorize replacement without the regional rep looking at it or at photos the dealer takes and sends the rep. If it looks like an obvious gouge from a sharp object, or they see signs of abuse it will be denied. However if its abnormal wear or what they determine to be a manufacturing defect, you have a chance. Good luck
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10-05-2014, 07:49 PM	#22
chiefneil Lieutenant Colonel 772 Rep 1,502 Posts Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Holy crap! Nothing to be lost by taking it to the dealer and seeing what they say. We had some leather discoloration in our X5 back in 2002, and the dealer was resistant initially but ended up replacing it. Our SA said later on (years later) that it turned out to be a common issue with the X5, we were just the leading edge. I've seen similar discoloration after I had my E36's seats "re-dyed" to fix cracks in the leather. It turned out to be a fairly crappy surface treatment that became all blotchy when I had it detailed later. Had to have the seats re-dyed by somebody better afterwards. This is a roundabout way of saying that maybe something damaged the leather before delivery and it had to be repaired via a re-dye.
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