Leatherette cracking

asus389 · 10-26-2011, 01:58 AM

I got my car in 2009, its a 2006 with beige leatherette and sports package. The left side bolster of the driver's seat seems to be splitting in the middle of the side (ie not at the seam). This is the second time this has happened since I got the car. It was fixed under warranty in 2009, but now I'm looking at $150 to have it "repaired". Does anyone know if these "repairs" work? Is there a less expensive way of doing this? And furthermore, is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Its not very confidence inspiring that every 2 years my seat seems to start falling apart...

bender rodriguez · 10-26-2011, 02:29 AM

I hear this works if you take the time on it..

http://www.google.com/products/catal...433&os=reviews

Royal Flush · 10-26-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asus389

I got my car in 2009, its a 2006 with beige leatherette and sports package. The left side bolster of the driver's seat seems to be splitting in the middle of the side (ie not at the seam). This is the second time this has happened since I got the car. It was fixed under warranty in 2009, but now I'm looking at $150 to have it "repaired". Does anyone know if these "repairs" work? Is there a less expensive way of doing this? And furthermore, is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Its not very confidence inspiring that every 2 years my seat seems to start falling apart...

Have you ever conditioned or cleaned your seats? You might want to use the multi-step restoration kits by Leather Masters or Leatherique. It's an easy DIY.

Bobble · 10-26-2011, 11:07 AM

Pics of repair please.

His seats are leatherette or so stated so no conditioning per say and certainly not leather products(that would be a waste). I assume you clean the vinyl regularly with a good gentle cleaner and treat with a UV protectant? If not you may want to start there, there's lots of info on DI's site or other detailing sites(AutoGeek, Autopia, Detailer's Domain etc), you can read and learn at your leisure.

On the price, depending on what they do that is actually a reasonable price but that depends on what is done and pics. Maybe an experienced pro can add to this but a picture of the damage sure would help. Good luck.

Brian_TII · 10-26-2011, 11:11 AM

You can try having it repaired again which will last awhile. A friend of mine actually does the repairs and generally says 6 - 12 months is what he feels comfortable with "promising" but a lot last longer. You can help prolong the life of the repair and the original stuff by keeping it clean, keeping a good protectant like 303 on it, and being careful about how much wear you put on it while getting in and out of it. There are shops that can recover the seats or you can buy the exact matching seat back from BMW:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...30&hg=52&fg=10

Royal Flush · 10-26-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobble

His seats are leatherette or so stated so no conditioning per say and certainly not leather products(that would be a waste).

Woops, missed that in the title and the thread. Although a lot of people have been known to use products for leather on leatherette.

asus389 · 10-26-2011, 11:34 AM

I think I have a bottle of meguiars vinyl and rubber conditioner/cleaner. I probably should use it more...

It seems like this spot is "smushed" when I am getting in and out of the sport seats. Perhaps thats whats going on. But I can't say I have ever seen it before in any other car. And its pretty un-avoidable when getting in and out.

Sorry for no pics, the car is actually in the shop for something else at this moment.

It looks pretty much like this though (although not currently as bad as pictured):

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...237-small-.jpg

Bobble · 10-26-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

Woops, missed that in the title and the thread. Although a lot of people have been known to use products for leather on leatherette.

Yes they have and it's just a waste of money but their money. I assumed the OP did not know differently so I threw it out there.

To OP yep you should at the least wipe down everything with a clean damp towel every wash and use the protectant at least once a month. Megs Ultimate is decent OTC as is Lexol's VinylX if you want OTC choices. The picture you posted almost looks like there's damage to the cushion causing the surface to buckle like that, when they repaired it was the foam intact and in good shape?

asus389 · 10-26-2011, 03:53 PM

My understanding is that last time they just replaced the side bolster on the seat because it was under the new vehicle warranty.

10-26-2011, 01:58 AM	#1
asus389 Captain 74 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	Leatherette cracking I got my car in 2009, its a 2006 with beige leatherette and sports package. The left side bolster of the driver's seat seems to be splitting in the middle of the side (ie not at the seam). This is the second time this has happened since I got the car. It was fixed under warranty in 2009, but now I'm looking at $150 to have it "repaired". Does anyone know if these "repairs" work? Is there a less expensive way of doing this? And furthermore, is there a way to prevent this from happening again? Its not very confidence inspiring that every 2 years my seat seems to start falling apart...
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-26-2011, 02:29 AM	#2
bender rodriguez Banned 155 Rep 1,995 Posts Drives: Audi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	I hear this works if you take the time on it.. http://www.google.com/products/catal...433&os=reviews
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2011, 11:07 AM	#4
Bobble Major 56 Rep 1,232 Posts Drives: Whatever POS the wife leaves Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Pics of repair please. His seats are leatherette or so stated so no conditioning per say and certainly not leather products(that would be a waste). I assume you clean the vinyl regularly with a good gentle cleaner and treat with a UV protectant? If not you may want to start there, there's lots of info on DI's site or other detailing sites(AutoGeek, Autopia, Detailer's Domain etc), you can read and learn at your leisure. On the price, depending on what they do that is actually a reasonable price but that depends on what is done and pics. Maybe an experienced pro can add to this but a picture of the damage sure would help. Good luck.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2011, 11:11 AM	#5
Brian_TII Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 06 e90 330i 6spd Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	You can try having it repaired again which will last awhile. A friend of mine actually does the repairs and generally says 6 - 12 months is what he feels comfortable with "promising" but a lot last longer. You can help prolong the life of the repair and the original stuff by keeping it clean, keeping a good protectant like 303 on it, and being careful about how much wear you put on it while getting in and out of it. There are shops that can recover the seats or you can buy the exact matching seat back from BMW: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...30&hg=52&fg=10
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2011, 11:34 AM	#7
asus389 Captain 74 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	I think I have a bottle of meguiars vinyl and rubber conditioner/cleaner. I probably should use it more... It seems like this spot is "smushed" when I am getting in and out of the sport seats. Perhaps thats whats going on. But I can't say I have ever seen it before in any other car. And its pretty un-avoidable when getting in and out. Sorry for no pics, the car is actually in the shop for something else at this moment. It looks pretty much like this though (although not currently as bad as pictured): http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...237-small-.jpg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2011, 03:53 PM	#9
asus389 Captain 74 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 11 E90 328i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i [0.00]	My understanding is that last time they just replaced the side bolster on the seat because it was under the new vehicle warranty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote