[Thackers]

Had the car in today to look at my drivers side bolster piping which has faded/rubbed off in a couple of areas....I didn't expect this to be covered under warranty.

They said they would need the car for atleast 2 days but provide a free loaner.

They also said they would do the passenger side aswell to make sure it doesn't happen on the otherside.
Mary.. the service advisor said the part/ item was £750 + labour which would cost BMW circa £1200 - I asked what the part description was but the German description at the time meant nothing to me.


My question is for that price is it a full recover ..I intend to speak to the service manager as the dealership was in a rush to close as I was late collecting my car.

I just have reservations about the quality of repairs when it comes to thinks like leather upholstry...

Anyone any thoughts on what the repair will actually be or whether they wouldn't bother?

[teaston]

It will be new seat back covers, part number 5 here:

[teaston]

With vat looks about £300-350 each:

[Sabo]

I had it replaced on my E90 by dealer once the only issue i had it wasn't as tight and smooth then the original one but at least scratch free.

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by Saby

I had it replaced on my E90 by dealer once the only issue i had it wasn't as tight and smooth then the original one but at least scratch free.

Not sure if the risks worth it then if im honest.

Baggy seats potentially compared to a few scuffs that probably only ill notice.....

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by teaston

It will be new seat back covers, part number 5 here:

Cheers Teaston...I feel more nervous now ive got to make a decision to replace with it been f.o.c

[matt666]

It's going in the same place on mine, I had no idea it would be covered under warranty. I've ordered a scuff stick, looks like you can do pretty decent repairs with one.

Hope the leather's better quality than in the E90, pretty much every one I saw had worn leather on the bolster.

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by matt666

It's going in the same place on mine, I had no idea it would be covered under warranty. I've ordered a scuff stick, looks like you can do pretty decent repairs with one.

Hope the leather's better quality than in the E90, pretty much every one I saw had worn leather on the bolster.

18 months old soon, Would you go with a dealer replacement under warranty for a few minor scuffs on the piping..Apart from that the seats are mint?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Thackers

18 months old soon, Would you go with a dealer replacement under warranty for a few minor scuffs on the piping..Apart from that the seats are mint?

I would try a scuff stick first. I have done it before on black leather and it looked perfect! Will be harder to get a perfect colour match with red though i should think?

[matt666]

Depends how they're going to fix it and whether you'll notice it. As the previous poster said it might not look the same as the other panels. I had a rip done in my old car, a Merc, that was plastic leather and you couldn't tell it had been done.

I'd be tempted to have a go with a scuff kit first, I got mine from Gliptone or Liquid Leather. Not used it yet but it gets good write ups.

[matt666]

Originally Posted by teaston

I would try a scuff stick first. I have done it before on black leather and it looked perfect! Will be harder to get a perfect colour match with red though i should think?

Speak to these guys, they're really helpful over the phone. liquidleather.com/

You can mix it yourself, or even send them in a headrest and they will mix the perfect match for you.

[Thackers]

Thanks guys.

liquid leather look to be only 20 miles from my work so ill maybe give them a call..

[nordberg]

Which dealer Thackers?

[-AndyH-]

I can't see how the dealer would need the car for 2 days! You can replace the seats in a couple of hours.

Just to be clear - is the dealer saying this is not covered by the warranty?

[dubdemand]

I too had my drivers seat covers replaced by BMW under warranty (on my E92)... and yes the leather isn't as tight as the passenger seat since the repair! The new cover does look better but 8 months later its beginning to show the same signs of wear of the bolster again.

Not sure I'd bother if you can find a suitable repair solution and good colour match.

[NISFAN]

Had one of my F30 seat leathers replaced, looked perfect.

However, even if it is baggy, an auto upholsterer will set them tight, so I would get them to change it if they have offered. The scuffs will only get worse.

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by nordberg

Which dealer Thackers?

The dealers are JCT600.
IT IS covered under warranty though.

My concern was the finish a local dealer would achieve compared to the original build quality at the factory

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Had one of my F30 seat leathers replaced, looked perfect.

However, even if it is baggy, an auto upholsterer will set them tight, so I would get them to change it if they have offered. The scuffs will only get worse.

Thanks for the feedback.

Do you think they use a normal BMW technician or an external upholstey specialist?

[F30AM]

Get it changed.
I had my front passenger seat base cover changed as it was going 'bald'. Dealer did a perfect job and I wish I could have the driver's seat base cover changed as it is very, very slightly indented due to my very bony bum.
The guy who fixed my seat at BMW was the same guy who fixed by Ford Focus seat 14 years ago! Just an amazing coincidence.

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Get it changed.
I had my front passenger seat base cover changed as it was going 'bald'. Dealer did a perfect job and I wish I could have the driver's seat base cover changed as it is very, very slightly indented due to my very bony bum.
The guy who fixed my seat at BMW was the same guy who fixed by Ford Focus seat 14 years ago! Just an amazing coincidence.

Wow...!

Is it your F30 you've had recovered or Exx?
Can't believe the amount of others who've had the same issues.!

My Mazda6 leather seats still look great 9 years on..

[matt666]

I had a go with the Liquid Leather kit today. I took these pics after a good clean with Gliptone, that actually removed some light abrasions on its own.




The good news is the kit covers the scuffs really well. It is really tricky to get a good colour match though, the black Dakota leather has a grey tint to it and it looks different in different lights! The kit comes with white and blue mixers so you can get an exact match and after numerous tries I got something I was pretty happy with. This photo looks like it's made it go shiny - it hasn't.

[Thackers]

Originally Posted by matt666

I had a go with the Liquid Leather kit today. I took these pics after a good clean with Gliptone, that actually removed some light abrasions on its own.




The good news is the kit covers the scuffs really well. It is really tricky to get a good colour match though, the black Dakota leather has a grey tint to it and it looks different in different lights! The kit comes with white and blue mixers so you can get an exact match and after numerous tries I got something I was pretty happy with.

Looks good mate.
The scuff /discolouring on the piping looks to have gone.