Leather bubbling

E21E46F83 · 10-25-2019, 08:34 PM

Has anyone else had a problem with the extended leather bubbling on their vehicle?

My car is now out of warranty, and I have two areas where this has occurred. There’s a small area on the dashboard that's lifting and an area on the upper rear door that has a large bubble the size of a silver dollar. My dealership quickly approved the replacement of the dashboard as a courtesy, but when I showed them the second spot, I was told that it cannot be replaced under warranty.

What's my next step? I'd like to escalate this, the leather shouldn't be bubbling after four years in an 80k car.

NightHawk_55 · 10-26-2019, 06:57 AM

Not sure why they would even reject the claim after approving the other. I would contact Service manager about the issue. Maybe send a few emails to upper management. Goodluck!

RickFLM4 · 10-26-2019, 07:52 AM

Warranty is over and they are already replacing the dash as a courtesy. You can escalate but not sure what your standing is unless there is a recall or service bulletin addressing your issues or if you identified it to them before the warranty expired and have a record of such.

E21E46F83 · 10-26-2019, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Warranty is over and they are already replacing the dash as a courtesy. You can escalate but not sure what your standing is unless there is a recall or service bulletin addressing your issues or if you identified it to them before the warranty expired and have a record of such.

The car was still under warranty when I brought both Issues to their attention. The dashboard was viewed in person by the service associate and the dealership is supposedly replacing the dashboard free of charge, not going through BMW. A few days later I found the second spot in the rear And emailed them photographs within the warranty.. At that point the service associate said that they'll need to submit both as a warranty claim but originally the dashboard was going to be paid by the dealership as a courtesy. I don't understand why the dealership would personally pick up the cost for a new dashboard. I am a repeat customer but I've only purchased three cars in the past 20 years from them. BMW should be taken care of both items as a warranty claim, not the dealership as a courtesy.

RickFLM4 · 10-26-2019, 10:32 AM

Then I would ask the dealership service manager for a more explicit explanation as to why (specifically) it is not covered under warranty and also ask if they ran this through BMWNA. There is no reason for a dealership to decline a warranty repair since they get reimbursed. So they have to be concluding it was something done to the leather or environmental issues from having the top down that caused the issues, unless there is something in the warranty that excludes leather (which I am not aware of).

SD ///M4 · 10-26-2019, 01:26 PM

FYI, if you have leather on your dashboard, this is the "Full Leather" option, not the standard "Extended Leather", which did not include leather on the dashboard.

BMW's naming convention on their leather options has changed over time. In addition to my M4 with the Full Leather option (leather on the dash and elsewhere) I have a 2006 Z4 M Roadster with the "Extended Leather" option which offered more leather than the standard leather, including leather on the visors, the door cards, and the roll hoops, but not on the dashboard.

FWIW, I always use a sunshade on the windshield when parking the car in the sun. The San Diego sun is far more intense than the sun in New England, but every little helps in shielding the leather from the sun.

jvfc2332 · 10-26-2019, 04:27 PM

Had this occur on the doors on my 2015 f83. They replaced it as good will.

domino_z · 10-26-2019, 06:51 PM

Glue is failing and tends to happen when exposed to heat/direct sun over time

That looks like a pretty easy panel to remove and bring to a trimmer to re-glue - the leather itself is fine

E21E46F83 · 10-26-2019, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

FYI, if you have leather on your dashboard, this is the "Full Leather" option, not the standard "Extended Leather", which did not include leather on the dashboard.

BMW's naming convention on their leather options has changed over time. In addition to my M4 with the Full Leather option (leather on the dash and elsewhere) I have a 2006 Z4 M Roadster with the "Extended Leather" option which offered more leather than the standard leather, including leather on the visors, the door cards, and the roll hoops, but not on the dashboard.

Thanks, yes that's what I meant to say. It is the full leather option

E21E46F83 · 10-26-2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domino_z

Glue is failing and tends to happen when exposed to heat/direct sun over time

That looks like a pretty easy panel to remove and bring to a trimmer to re-glue - the leather itself is fine

Funny, that's what I actually suggested to the dealership when I first showed them where the leather was lifting. I figured they could just re-glue. I'll pursue that option if they dont replace the rear. I'm taking the car in Monday for a senior advisor to look at it.

NashvegasR · 10-27-2019, 05:33 PM

I was so interested to read this today. I have a 2016 F83 convertible, and it's still under warranty

I also have the additional leather on the dash and door caps/etc. (full or extended, whatever it's called)

My drivers door is bubbling pretty much exactly like your rear panel there.

I was thinking its trim, they wont even cover it under the 4 yr / 50K warranty. Perhaps I need to go to the dealer !

PS Mine's also black leather (I guess they all are in these places)

SD ///M4 · 10-27-2019, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

I also have the additional leather on the dash and door caps/etc. (full or extended, whatever it's called)

It's the Full Leather option, that's been established. Probably a good idea to know what options are on your car.

IK6SPEED · 10-28-2019, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NashvegasR

I was so interested to read this today. I have a 2016 F83 convertible, and it's still under warranty

I also have the additional leather on the dash and door caps/etc. (full or extended, whatever it's called)

My drivers door is bubbling pretty much exactly like your rear panel there.

I was thinking its trim, they wont even cover it under the 4 yr / 50K warranty. Perhaps I need to go to the dealer !

PS Mine's also black leather (I guess they all are in these places)

Since when does BMW not cover trim in a 50k/4 Year warranty.

Of course it should be covered if a defect and not caused by negligence.

tanzm4_ · 10-28-2019, 02:54 AM

If you guys have that problem about the leather bubbling go to the dealer they will fix it, I just got that done on my Full Merino leather. Same issue with the top door panel having air on my '16 f82

E21E46F83 · 10-28-2019, 01:08 PM

I dropped off my car at the dealership today. The dashboard that they pre-ordered has come in and they are installing it today and tomorrow. I guess after that they're going to submit the final claim for the leather dash to BMW and if BMW reimburses the dealership they will go ahead and order the rear piece. If BMW for some reason does not pay for the dashboard, the dealership has already decided that as a courtesy they will pick up those costs, they just don't want to pick up the cost of the rear piece as well. That's why they are waiting for a reimbursement from BMW on the dashboard before they order the rear piece. I was very surprised that they would replace the dash if Bmw North America does not cover it. I saw that the replacement was over $4000, not sure if that is includes their labor

NashvegasR · 10-28-2019, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvfc2332

Had this occur on the doors on my 2015 f83. They replaced it as good will.

Hey - do you by ANY chance have pictures of this happening to your doors ?

IK6SPEED · 10-28-2019, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E21E46F83

I dropped off my car at the dealership today. The dashboard that they pre-ordered has come in and they are installing it today and tomorrow.

I saw that the replacement was over $4000, not sure if that is includes their labor

The Leather Dashboard is just under $2800 MSRP and install is 8-10 hours.

If everything is not tightened down correctly, you will have squeak city.

NashvegasR · 10-28-2019, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Since when does BMW not cover trim in a 50k/4 Year warranty.

Of course it should be covered if a defect and not caused by negligence.

OK that's great to know.

Beemerm3 · 11-24-2019, 12:40 AM

never knew about how leather can do that.

NashvegasR · 11-24-2019, 03:46 PM

Also -- update on my end -- dealer is replacing a drivers door panel on mine for the top leather bubbling up (2016 F83). Very happy about that!

I hope that this doesn't spread to the dash, rear panels !

10-25-2019, 08:34 PM	#1
E21E46F83 Enlisted Member 24 Rep 35 Posts Drives: F83 ED Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0)	Leather bubbling Has anyone else had a problem with the extended leather bubbling on their vehicle? My car is now out of warranty, and I have two areas where this has occurred. There’s a small area on the dashboard that's lifting and an area on the upper rear door that has a large bubble the size of a silver dollar. My dealership quickly approved the replacement of the dashboard as a courtesy, but when I showed them the second spot, I was told that it cannot be replaced under warranty. What's my next step? I'd like to escalate this, the leather shouldn't be bubbling after four years in an 80k car. Attached Images
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10-26-2019, 06:57 AM	#2
NightHawk_55 New Member 17 Rep 23 Posts Drives: F80 YAS Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Memphis iTrader: (0)	Not sure why they would even reject the claim after approving the other. I would contact Service manager about the issue. Maybe send a few emails to upper management. Goodluck!
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10-26-2019, 07:52 AM	#3
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10971 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Warranty is over and they are already replacing the dash as a courtesy. You can escalate but not sure what your standing is unless there is a recall or service bulletin addressing your issues or if you identified it to them before the warranty expired and have a record of such. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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10-26-2019, 10:32 AM	#5
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10971 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Then I would ask the dealership service manager for a more explicit explanation as to why (specifically) it is not covered under warranty and also ask if they ran this through BMWNA. There is no reason for a dealership to decline a warranty repair since they get reimbursed. So they have to be concluding it was something done to the leather or environmental issues from having the top down that caused the issues, unless there is something in the warranty that excludes leather (which I am not aware of). __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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10-26-2019, 01:26 PM	#6
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	FYI, if you have leather on your dashboard, this is the "Full Leather" option, not the standard "Extended Leather", which did not include leather on the dashboard. BMW's naming convention on their leather options has changed over time. In addition to my M4 with the Full Leather option (leather on the dash and elsewhere) I have a 2006 Z4 M Roadster with the "Extended Leather" option which offered more leather than the standard leather, including leather on the visors, the door cards, and the roll hoops, but not on the dashboard. FWIW, I always use a sunshade on the windshield when parking the car in the sun. The San Diego sun is far more intense than the sun in New England, but every little helps in shielding the leather from the sun. __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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10-26-2019, 04:27 PM	#7
jvfc2332 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 15' F83 YMB, 15' Z4_35i, 19%E2 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Stevenson Ranch,Ca. iTrader: (0)	Had this occur on the doors on my 2015 f83. They replaced it as good will.
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10-26-2019, 06:51 PM	#8
domino_z Lieutenant Colonel 1240 Rep 1,972 Posts Drives: F-Pace SVR Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Glue is failing and tends to happen when exposed to heat/direct sun over time That looks like a pretty easy panel to remove and bring to a trimmer to re-glue - the leather itself is fine
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10-27-2019, 05:33 PM	#11
NashvegasR Lieutenant 174 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 F83 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (4)	I was so interested to read this today. I have a 2016 F83 convertible, and it's still under warranty I also have the additional leather on the dash and door caps/etc. (full or extended, whatever it's called) My drivers door is bubbling pretty much exactly like your rear panel there. I was thinking its trim, they wont even cover it under the 4 yr / 50K warranty. Perhaps I need to go to the dealer ! PS Mine's also black leather (I guess they all are in these places)
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10-28-2019, 02:54 AM	#14
tanzm4_ Second Lieutenant 175 Rep 256 Posts Drives: '18 M4 ZCP - Tanzanite Blue Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	If you guys have that problem about the leather bubbling go to the dealer they will fix it, I just got that done on my Full Merino leather. Same issue with the top door panel having air on my '16 f82
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10-28-2019, 01:08 PM	#15
E21E46F83 Enlisted Member 24 Rep 35 Posts Drives: F83 ED Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0)	I dropped off my car at the dealership today. The dashboard that they pre-ordered has come in and they are installing it today and tomorrow. I guess after that they're going to submit the final claim for the leather dash to BMW and if BMW reimburses the dealership they will go ahead and order the rear piece. If BMW for some reason does not pay for the dashboard, the dealership has already decided that as a courtesy they will pick up those costs, they just don't want to pick up the cost of the rear piece as well. That's why they are waiting for a reimbursement from BMW on the dashboard before they order the rear piece. I was very surprised that they would replace the dash if Bmw North America does not cover it. I saw that the replacement was over $4000, not sure if that is includes their labor
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11-24-2019, 12:40 AM	#19
Beemerm3 First Lieutenant 59 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 16' BMW m3 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0)	never knew about how leather can do that.
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11-24-2019, 03:46 PM	#20
NashvegasR Lieutenant 174 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 F83 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (4)	Also -- update on my end -- dealer is replacing a drivers door panel on mine for the top leather bubbling up (2016 F83). Very happy about that! I hope that this doesn't spread to the dash, rear panels ! Last edited by NashvegasR; 11-25-2019 at 02:15 PM..
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