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      07-26-2017, 08:48 PM   #1
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Fixing scuffs in leather seats

Just bought a used M3. My driver's side seat is all scuffed up. Rest of the car is immaculate.

The car has barely been used, only 5000km on it. Any tips on how to fix this? As its so new, do you think warranty would cover it? It's still under BMW warranty.
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Last edited by BJJfrog; 07-26-2017 at 08:49 PM.. Reason: Accidentally did photo twice
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      07-27-2017, 10:24 AM   #2
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unfixable. you can try reupholstering it. but i don't know how much BMW charges for that.
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      07-27-2017, 11:36 AM   #3
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5000 km and that much bolster wear? Was this a BMW car show car?
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      07-27-2017, 11:36 AM   #4
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You should?ve negotiated a new bolster before you bought the car.

Needs replacement.
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      07-27-2017, 12:09 PM   #5
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You can try to re-dye the area. Won't be 100%, but at least it's black and not a harder to match color.
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      07-27-2017, 12:42 PM   #6
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Try a good leather cleaner and conditioner first so you can see what the real damage is. I think much of what is in your picture will buff out. Seriously.
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      07-27-2017, 02:42 PM   #7
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First, clean the area and use Leatherique Rejuvinator on it: http://www.leatherique.com/products.html. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit for a few days. Then you will see what you are really dealing with.

If there are still noticeable scuffs (and there might be, looking at that picture), find a mobile leather restorer to re-dye that area. Dealerships use them all the time and good ones can fix this so you cannot tell it was damaged. The only problem with re-dying the leather is that you will likely have to have this done every few years.

Finally, take note and watch how you enter and exit the car! (I realize the PO did this.)
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      07-27-2017, 05:16 PM   #8
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Damn, whoever own it before you sure as hell didn't give a F about getting in and out of the car. I would of passed on the car..lol
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      07-27-2017, 05:21 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Who's on first View Post
You should?ve negotiated a new bolster before you bought the car.

Needs replacement.
This! Plus that's very unusual wear for a passenger bolster
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      07-27-2017, 05:55 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BenM4Dominate View Post
This! Plus that's very unusual wear for a passenger bolster
That's the driver's side - he is in Australia.
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      07-27-2017, 08:52 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jzmundy View Post
You can try to re-dye the area. Won't be 100%, but at least it's black and not a harder to match color.
No cuts/damage will still be visible.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Eloo818 View Post
unfixable. you can try reupholstering it. but i don't know how much BMW charges for that.
Ridiculous to reupholster. Leather will be different and holes/thread/stitching will be different.

Solution is easy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Who's on first View Post
You should?ve negotiated a new bolster before you bought the car.

Needs replacement.
With the incredible markup on BMW Parts (over 50%...at least in USA) this would have been the best bet. Or even a deal to purchase part at 50% off.

Ask a Dealer if they will go 50/50 on retail price of Part (essentially costing them nothing) at this point. The worse they can say is no.
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      07-28-2017, 03:51 AM   #12
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If not repairable try a used but better condition then that one!

Only $199

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-16-BMW-...1/292088330011
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      07-28-2017, 06:43 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damageprone View Post
5000 km and that much bolster wear? Was this a BMW car show car?
Nope, car is actually in almost-new condition except for this. I'll post photos once I get some good shots of it. No other marks on it. Previous owner kept it garaged most of its lift and was overweight so that might have had something to do with how he got in and out of the car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
Try a good leather cleaner and conditioner first so you can see what the real damage is. I think much of what is in your picture will buff out. Seriously.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
First, clean the area and use Leatherique Rejuvinator on it: http://www.leatherique.com/products.html. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit for a few days. Then you will see what you are really dealing with.
Car is going into BMW on Tuesday to get some warranty stuff sorted out (software upgrade, one roof rail lifting slightly - that's me being a pedant). I've asked them to look at the seat as well as I think they should be more durable than this. The car has had an easy life and the rest of it looks brand new. If they can't do anything about it I'm going to try these suggestions first. Hopefully it will buff out. Phone photo does make the damage look a lot worse than it is, but still... it bugs the hell out of me.

Thanks for all the tips. Hopefully it doesn't extend all the way to replacing the seat.
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      07-28-2017, 06:44 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
That's the driver's side - he is in Australia.
You got it, we drive from the passenger side
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      07-28-2017, 08:47 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlyMedicated View Post
If not repairable try a used but better condition then that one!

Only $199

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-16-BMW-...1/292088330011
Why go from a seat in need of repair to a seat that needs even more major repair?

And on top of that it's the wrong side.

You'll never get Leather and stitching to match for the first, so why invest $200 in the second (plus shipping charges to Australia from USA) for worse damage when leather and stitching still will not match?

This "solution" makes NO SENSE on multiple levels.

Last edited by GCinFLA; 07-28-2017 at 08:52 AM..
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      07-28-2017, 10:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GCinFLA View Post
Why go from a seat in need of repair to a seat that needs even more major repair?

And on top of that it's the wrong side.

You'll never get Leather and stitching to match for the first, so why invest $200 in the second (plus shipping charges to Australia from USA) for worse damage when leather and stitching still will not match?

This "solution" makes NO SENSE on multiple levels.
It's the wrong side and for an M4, not M3.
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      07-28-2017, 08:34 PM   #17
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That was for reference guys saying its possible to get a seat thats better condition. He can search for wrecked M4's in his region...People are saying rewrap and what not so if that was the case just stating a used seat could be a better option but the OP will see whats the cheapest and best way to get the OEM look again. The one in the ad is less wear than the OP's, just a few wrinkles but check online or wreck yards for one. Just giving advice on another option!
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      07-28-2017, 09:12 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlyMedicated View Post
That was for reference guys saying its possible to get a seat thats better condition. He can search for wrecked M4's in his region...People are saying rewrap and what not so if that was the case just stating a used seat could be a better option but the OP will see whats the cheapest and best way to get the OEM look again. The one in the ad is less wear than the OP's, just a few wrinkles but check online or wreck yards for one. Just giving advice on another option!
You need a serious eye examine.

The entire side is blown out. That's much worse than the OP.

Furthermore, I kept watch on all M3/M4 seats and replacement covers Worldwide on eBay for 120 days and the item you listed is close to it when it comes to replacement leather parts. Even full seats are scarce.

Also, car-parts.com and others seldom list seats from F8x/F3x. I've been searching there as well.
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      07-29-2017, 07:39 AM   #19
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Haha thats true I didn't even notice thats why I thought it would be an alternative. It was late and I was high just trying to help. What do you think is the best way? 50/50 on a new seat would be pricey no?

Quick search theres a seat here for 1000 us but then theres shipping.

http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

Or try a junk yard or used parts business thats in australia

https://www.google.com/search?q=junk...w=1440&bih=776

Or repair the leather, link shows many ways to
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...k1.z1k-01FJbAY
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      07-29-2017, 11:01 AM   #20
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The previous owner gave no fucks about that car. Have a hard time believing the rest is immaculate.
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      07-31-2017, 02:05 AM   #21
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Wonder if the previous owner liked to wear rhinestone covered pants
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      08-03-2017, 06:19 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allinon72 View Post
The previous owner gave no fucks about that car. Have a hard time believing the rest is immaculate.
Believe, what you want, I'm not here to convince you.

Anyway - tried some Meguiar's leather conditioner on it and it made it look a bit better but the scuffs are still there.

Earlier this week car went into the dealer to upgrade software under warranty so I asked if they could check it out to see if BMW can do anything about the seat. Got a call today from my SA that BMW are going to repair the seat at their cost as a gesture of goodwill. So thanks to BMW it will get sorted.
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