Poor leather quality

[SEXY-BEAST]

Has anyone noticed the general bad quality of the leather in BMWs lately? Everything from fragility from normal wear as well as just poor leather appearance in general (such as blemishes in the grain). I've noticed this in all the BMWs I've owned and I'm pretty careful about how I get in and out of the car as well as keeping it maintained. Maybe I've just had bad luck with the leather but I haven't seen this in Porsche and Mercedes cars. For a car that costs this much, I'm expecting more.

[shiv.nandak]

Had no issues with light colored leather in the M4. Are you using leather cleaner and conditioner to maintain the leather?

[minn19]

Originally Posted by shiv.nandak

Had no issues with light colored leather in the M4. Are you using leather cleaner and conditioner to maintain the leather?

^This, I maintain them the same way and I have no issues with my current or past BMWs (either M or non M).

[Miller1989]

Have had 4 BMW's. 2016, 2017, 2018x2 and havent noticed any issues with leather. Top notch.

[RickFLM4]

I also have not had issues in my 2015 (SO full leather) or 2018 (SS full leather). Leather will always wrinkle and crease - there is no avoiding that, so I don't consider those problems. I lease and turn the car in after 3 years so maybe problems show up later and I just never see them.

[SakhirM4]

Have had a dozen BMWs with leather and never had a problem.

Have had my M4 for 4.5 years and the leather looks like new. Have full black leather.

[Fast4d]

I notice the seat bottom leather is no longer tight. I wonder if I park in the sun more or use heat they will tighten up.

[THEROK]

Zero probs, other than undone driver side stitching on delivery. They simply replace the leather cover, not the entire seat itself, installed by the dealer tech. I noticed it's not as tight in some areas as the passenger seat and vice versa, but I really don't care *that* much.

[allinon72]

'15 16k miles, you can't even see a crease unless you get 6" away.

[six-n-twins53]

Mine looks wonderful. Feels great. Now my m2 was similar to basketball leather

[NYBulldog]

I think the issue of where lies a bit more with the filling and backing. My Panamera Turbo's seats were stiff but so ergonomic and you sank into them. My M3 seats feel like it has more give but the corners are hard. The Panamera seemed to look much tighter. The only leather I've hated so far has been the one in my X5 diesel, Oyster... maybe I'm not built for light colored leathers.

[nbennettksu]

Silverstone interior, 15k miles, 2015 vehicle, no discoloration and perfecto shape. I also wear jeans and don't use a towel like some of the people with Silverstone

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

I think the issue of where lies a bit more with the filling and backing. My Panamera Turbo's seats were stiff but so ergonomic and you sank into them. My M3 seats feel like it has more give but the corners are hard. The Panamera seemed to look much tighter. The only leather I've hated so far has been the one in my X5 diesel, Oyster... maybe I'm not built for light colored leathers.

I agree bolsters are way to stiff compared to rest of seat. Honestly I'd rather a full padded (minimal cushioned) seat in a sports car. The cushioning of the seats just makes me kind of sink in and get some pain after hour plus crusing.

[paliknight]

Have to agree with OP. My practically new F80 had side bolster warping and dealer said its normal wear and tear at delivery. car had 200 miles on it when I noticed it completely since I barely drive it. I made a thread about it if you wanted to see my issues along with other forum members.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

It's strange the experiences are so different. Literally zero wear and one of the most comfortable seats I've been in. Even more comfortable than my G01 X3.

That's because there's a ton of variables outside of the leather quality. If you enter this car like you do a rental car, the bolsters are going to look bad in short order. You have to enter very carefully without sliding across the bolsters if you want to maintain the leather. Climate is also a big factor, as is if the car is a weekend driver or daily driver.

[ext]

For now, I just cover my bolsters with spare microfiber cloths that I keep in the car. I wear jeans almost every day, and without covering those or being careful, it could be easy to scrape them on entry. Other than that, which is normal wear and tear, my leather quality has been fine.

[Jim B]

After 4 years and 28,000 miles, the SO leather on my M4 is still holding up just fine.

[Red335i]

Originally Posted by SEXY-BEAST

Has anyone noticed the general bad quality of the leather in BMWs lately? Everything from fragility from normal wear as well as just poor leather appearance in general (such as blemishes in the grain). I've noticed this in all the BMWs I've owned and I'm pretty careful about how I get in and out of the car as well as keeping it maintained. Maybe I've just had bad luck with the leather but I haven't seen this in Porsche and Mercedes cars. For a car that costs this much, I'm expecting more.

The leather on my arm rest and drivers arm rest are peeling off. Now I have the carbon fiber interior so not sure if these items are leather. I Have about 99k miles, maybe I used up it’s usefulness.

[High Octane]

The leather looks fine on my 2015, besides the side bolster. I just figured it had to do with my getting in weird because of the extremely long doors the M4 has. My car is parked between 2 others in my garage so I can only open the door a bit, and I got to slide myself in.

[Audio Fan]

I'm on my 6th m car - all had/have leather. With high bolstered M seats, or any sport seat, you really should try to get in the car without crushing or rubbing against these very protruding thigh or back bolsters. They will wear, plus the M leathers tend to be nicer and softer, which I've found to be more susceptible to wear. I still like it, but I try to baby it when getting in and out of the car. It's a common issue/wear point on any sports car brand.

[Faceplant]

I’ll be honest. I just bought a f80. My friend told me to check the leather super carful, from the 2015s I checked, the leather was worn drastically. I ended up finding a clean “speed cloth” car. The Dakota on the bolsters is much stronger.

[SEXY-BEAST]

Originally Posted by shiv.nandak

Had no issues with light colored leather in the M4. Are you using leather cleaner and conditioner to maintain the leather?

The seats in my 2018 F82 are black and I clean and condition regularly with Leathermasters products. The Comp pack seats seem to be better than the regular F82 seats that were in my 2015.

My E92 had Silverstone seats and those were a complete nightmare to keep clean. Never will I buy a car with light colored leather seats again.