Leatherette cracking...

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 10:11 AM

My driver seat ette' is cracking. On the seat bolster on the door side, obviously as you enter the car. It's cracking most where the bolster meets the flat of the seat. I'm not a huge guy either, 6'4'' 220lb. which isn't an abnormal weight that the seat would need to support.

Is anyone else experiencing this?? I thought a pro of the ette' is that it shouldn't crack, guess not.

I'll def. try to get my dealer to replace it as abnormal wear, especially if I opt to buy out the lease.

wrickem · 02-05-2009, 10:18 AM

I just saw this yesterday and remembered it because it surprised me since I thought that leatherette was pretty much indestructible

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227823

DrGP · 02-05-2009, 12:07 PM

If it is leatherette(I hate that word and think they should call it what it really is: VINYL) , it should be an easy repair. Maybe even replace the entire cover. BTW, what other manufacturers other than MB and BMW have the gaul to sell a car with vinyl seats? Everyone else does leather or cloth or alcantera.

bigmoneygrip · 02-05-2009, 12:09 PM

I had my leatherette seat on the drivers side replaced last week no problems.

I quite confused as to all the problems of the leatherette, I bought leatherette thinking it was more durable!!!!!

wrickem · 02-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

If it is leatherette(I hate that word and think they should call it what it really is: VINYL) , it should be an easy repair. Maybe even replace the entire cover. BTW, what other manufacturers other than MB and BMW have the gaul to sell a car with vinyl seats? Everyone else does leather or cloth or alcantera.

Back in the late '90's, I had a MB with "MB-Tex" seats which was basically perferated vinyl. That car had 287,000 miles and the vinyl seats looked factory new when it was going to the crusher. Not one tear or wrinkle. All it took was a little bit of Fantastic and a stiff brush to make them look new each year. I wish leather had those same properties.

rcracer_tx · 02-05-2009, 02:14 PM

Ok, I'll be the first to say:

I can't say I have ever seen cracked leatherette before. BMW should cover cover it if it is not obvious abose like a cut or tear from a sharp object.

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

If it is leatherette(I hate that word and think they should call it what it really is: VINYL) , it should be an easy repair. Maybe even replace the entire cover. BTW, what other manufacturers other than MB and BMW have the gaul to sell a car with vinyl seats? Everyone else does leather or cloth or alcantera.

What are you thinking? You really think Ford, Chevy, Chrysler etc. use real leather on their leather seats??? That stuff is no better then BMW's ette'

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmoneygrip

I had my leatherette seat on the drivers side replaced last week no problems.

I quite confused as to all the problems of the leatherette, I bought leatherette thinking it was more durable!!!!!

Good to hear. I'll be speaking with my SA about this soon. If you don't mind I may be PMing you if they give me a hard time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcracer_tx

Ok, I'll be the first to say:

I can't say I have ever seen cracked leatherette before. BMW should cover cover it if it is not obvious abose like a cut or tear from a sharp object.

I'll snap a few when I get home later.

6speedGaren · 02-05-2009, 04:10 PM

Same here, I have a 2" crack on my drivers seat that needs to be taken care of. I wonder if they reupholster or fix the existing crack. Also the arm rest has a tons of scratches on both sides from previous leasee, will they take care of those pannels too? Does anyone know?

No Highjacking fo shizzle

methodtim · 02-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcracer_tx

Ok, I'll be the first to say:

I do believe rcracer is asking for pics of your bum.

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6speedGaren

Same here, I have a 2" crack on my drivers seat that needs to be taken care of. I wonder if they reupholster or fix the existing crack. Also the arm rest has a tons of scratches on both sides from previous leasee, will they take care of those pannels too? Does anyone know?

No Highjacking fo shizzle

If your car still has an active warranty you should def. give it a shot. My car had it's center trim replaced due to nicks and imperfections.

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by methodtim

I do believe rcracer is asking for pics of your bum.

My poopie cwack??? He'll have to pm for those

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 05:07 PM

cracked seat

NDeedOne · 02-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

If it is leatherette(I hate that word and think they should call it what it really is: VINYL) , it should be an easy repair. Maybe even replace the entire cover. BTW, what other manufacturers other than MB and BMW have the gaul to sell a car with vinyl seats? Everyone else does leather or cloth or alcantera.

General Motors = Work Trucks hahahahaha, however, they call it vinyl...

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 05:11 PM

The cracks aren't horrible yet but eventually will be. There are a few other things I want replaced as well. Shifter knob(peeling), passenger door trim(dented), both a-pillar trims(dirty due to oily shop hands while at the dealer). I'm going for the whole sha-bang at buy-out if not sooner.

jpsum · 02-05-2009, 05:20 PM

Here's a tip if you want your seat to last longer.

When you park your ass down on that seat, avoid sitting on the edge of the seat. In other words, sit on the very center spot.

darkcloud · 02-05-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsum

Here's a tip if you want your seat to last longer.

When you park your ass down on that seat, avoid sitting on the edge of the seat. In other words, sit on the very center spot.

I do. I plop my ass dead center on the seat 80% of the time. Still cracked up.

jpsum · 02-05-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkcloud

I do. I plop my ass dead center on the seat 80% of the time. Still cracked up.

Then you should have gotten leather instead!

That way, you can lotion that baby up all the time to avoid cracking.

methodtim · 02-05-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsum

Then you should have gotten leather instead!

That way, you can lotion that baby up all the time to avoid cracking.

Ewww...

Kilgore Trout · 02-05-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkcloud

cracked seat

[

Yikes! I am really sorry you are having that problem.

To me, it almost looks like it tore right along seams.

darkcloud · 02-06-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Yikes! I am really sorry you are having that problem.

To me, it almost looks like it tore right along seams.

It sucks. Its about a half inch or less off the seam which is good. Problem is this will only get worse, much worse. I had a 1990 Jeep Wrangler with vinyl seats and as soon as the cracks came the seats went to hell not too long after. I'm sure the Jeep's vinyl was not as nice or thick at the time but still vinyl.

I will be getting a new seat or cover shortly if BMW likes it or not. 2 years and cracks, I'm not having that. Esp. since that Jeep didn't develop cracks until it was near 10 years old.

stephanie335 · 02-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrickem

Back in the late '90's, I had a MB with "MB-Tex" seats which was basically perferated vinyl. That car had 287,000 miles and the vinyl seats looked factory new when it was going to the crusher. Not one tear or wrinkle. All it took was a little bit of Fantastic and a stiff brush to make them look new each year. I wish leather had those same properties.

Agreed. My little brother has a '98 C-Class, he bought his car second hand and the seats are in pristine condition!

BMW seats should not do this!! That's insane... I definitely say bring it to the dealer to complain about it ASAP!!

E91AWD · 02-06-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkcloud

cracked seat

Looks like a manufacturing defect, not wear and tear (forgive the pun)

02-05-2009, 10:11 AM	#1
darkcloud Colonel 335 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 09 VW JSW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cleveland, oh iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Leatherette cracking... My driver seat ette' is cracking. On the seat bolster on the door side, obviously as you enter the car. It's cracking most where the bolster meets the flat of the seat. I'm not a huge guy either, 6'4'' 220lb. which isn't an abnormal weight that the seat would need to support. Is anyone else experiencing this?? I thought a pro of the ette' is that it shouldn't crack, guess not. I'll def. try to get my dealer to replace it as abnormal wear, especially if I opt to buy out the lease. __________________ retired 06 E90 325i New: 09 VW Platinum Grey Jetta Sportwagen 2.0T SEL w/DSG, panoramic sunroof and Ipod adapter
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02-05-2009, 10:18 AM	#2
wrickem Big Beaver Smile 2101 Rep 3,791 Posts Drives: What he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville nj iTrader: (0)	I just saw this yesterday and remembered it because it surprised me since I thought that leatherette was pretty much indestructible http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227823 __________________ ______________________________________________ Current- '21 430 , '19 911, 07 M6 ,'17 Jeep Wrangler, "23 Bronco OBXluxsquatch
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02-05-2009, 12:07 PM	#3
DrGP Lieutenant Colonel 137 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Sapphire 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE, PA iTrader: (0)	If it is leatherette(I hate that word and think they should call it what it really is: VINYL) , it should be an easy repair. Maybe even replace the entire cover. BTW, what other manufacturers other than MB and BMW have the gaul to sell a car with vinyl seats? Everyone else does leather or cloth or alcantera.
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02-05-2009, 12:09 PM	#4
bigmoneygrip Private 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 07 Montego Blue 328i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 221 heading south iTrader: (0)	I had my leatherette seat on the drivers side replaced last week no problems. I quite confused as to all the problems of the leatherette, I bought leatherette thinking it was more durable!!!!!
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02-05-2009, 02:14 PM	#6
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Ok, I'll be the first to say: I can't say I have ever seen cracked leatherette before. BMW should cover cover it if it is not obvious abose like a cut or tear from a sharp object.
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02-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#8
6speedGaren Private First Class 2 Rep 182 Posts Drives: ISO 330I Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indy 500 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 375I [0.00]	Same here, I have a 2" crack on my drivers seat that needs to be taken care of. I wonder if they reupholster or fix the existing crack. Also the arm rest has a tons of scratches on both sides from previous leasee, will they take care of those pannels too? Does anyone know? No Highjacking fo shizzle __________________ 2004 RIP 92 Supra 7MGTE 2009 RIP E90 325I
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02-05-2009, 05:07 PM	#12
darkcloud Colonel 335 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 09 VW JSW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cleveland, oh iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	cracked seat __________________ retired 06 E90 325i New: 09 VW Platinum Grey Jetta Sportwagen 2.0T SEL w/DSG, panoramic sunroof and Ipod adapter
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02-05-2009, 05:11 PM	#14
darkcloud Colonel 335 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: 09 VW JSW Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cleveland, oh iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	The cracks aren't horrible yet but eventually will be. There are a few other things I want replaced as well. Shifter knob(peeling), passenger door trim(dented), both a-pillar trims(dirty due to oily shop hands while at the dealer). I'm going for the whole sha-bang at buy-out if not sooner. __________________ retired 06 E90 325i New: 09 VW Platinum Grey Jetta Sportwagen 2.0T SEL w/DSG, panoramic sunroof and Ipod adapter
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02-05-2009, 05:20 PM	#15
jpsum Major 274 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	Here's a tip if you want your seat to last longer. When you park your ass down on that seat, avoid sitting on the edge of the seat. In other words, sit on the very center spot.
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