2918 M4 Leather Interior Care

[pfrederi]

Hello All
Once again Im new to the forum and a new M4 owner. I find myself making excuses to go take a drive in this thing. I enjoy this car so much. the interior is just as i want it and i would like to keep it that way for as long as possible. this car is like a work of art to look at. But Im not scared to drive it either. i didnt buy it to just sit there and look at. Anyways I would luv some valuable input on how to treat and take care of the leather interior including seats and dash with the doublesticthing without discloring the doublestictching. I ask because I own a 95 E36 M3 as well and when i got it years ago i was just as enthusisatic on keeping the car and its leather (dove grey leather on avus blue exterior) interior in great shape but over the years the drivers seat leather has been torn to shreds. I understand that partly because thats the seat thats used the most but damn. I treated the leather and cleaned but slacked off some. I guess part due to the car was parked outside because i didnt have a house then to park it in a garage so its seen a lot of heat/cold cycles. Ami the only one that thinks that for the price of these cars BMW should reinforce the parts of the drivers seat that get hammered a lot especially on leaving and entering the car. By that i mean the lumbar seat area closest to the outside of the car. It cant be helped that it gets hit on entry and exit evrytime. Seems like it should be bolstered or reinforced somehow so the leather does not wear out as fast comapred to the rest of the seat. Or ami the only one that thinks that way lol

Can anyone recommend a good product and routine to take care of the leather seats and dash without overdoing it with leather products. Ive tried top leather products (Leatherique, Lexol) before and some make the leather look too shiny and leave a lot of residue. I just want something natural to keep it looking the way it is now. Not shiny but clean and pliable. Any good recommendations please??

Thansk in advance

[explore.more]

Everyone will have their own preference in brands, so that's going to get a lot of different responses.

I've been detailing vehicles on the weekends for over 5 years and have used a lot of different products. It all depends on your budget really. I've found that the higher priced products aren't always worth it.

I've been using Wolfgang leather cleaner & conditioner for a while now, and I've been happy with the results. No greasy final product, and it's budget friendly.
https://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-leather-combo.html
I've been using Nextzett interior cleaner for years now. It'll get rid of any of the dirt and grime on the interior areas, and leave a matte finish. It used to be under the name Einzett. https://www.autogeek.net/1z-einzett-...t-premium.html

[hellokitty]

+1 for nextzett interior cleaner.

[Shubacca]

After some reading around on this and other forums I went with this:

Chemical Guys SPI_109_16 Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner Kit for Use on Leather Apparel, Furniture, Car Interiors, Shoes, Boots, Bags & More (2 - 16 Oz Bottles) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TJ3HUG...UTF8&psc=1

Well reviewed and inexpensive. Only 1/2 way through using it but it seems to do the job.

[NickyC]

Nothing.

A microfiber towel with warm water once a week. All the other stuff strips the leather. I keep everything looking brand new for years with this method, especially the steering wheel, shift knob, etc.

[JagR2611]

Originally Posted by pfrederi@hotmail.com

Hello All
Once again Im new to the forum and a new M4 owner. I find myself making excuses to go take a drive in this thing. I enjoy this car so much. the interior is just as i want it and i would like to keep it that way for as long as possible. this car is like a work of art to look at. But Im not scared to drive it either. i didnt buy it to just sit there and look at. Anyways I would luv some valuable input on how to treat and take care of the leather interior including seats and dash with the doublesticthing without discloring the doublestictching. I ask because I own a 95 E36 M3 as well and when i got it years ago i was just as enthusisatic on keeping the car and its leather (dove grey leather on avus blue exterior) interior in great shape but over the years the drivers seat leather has been torn to shreds. I understand that partly because thats the seat thats used the most but damn. I treated the leather and cleaned but slacked off some. I guess part due to the car was parked outside because i didnt have a house then to park it in a garage so its seen a lot of heat/cold cycles. Ami the only one that thinks that for the price of these cars BMW should reinforce the parts of the drivers seat that get hammered a lot especially on leaving and entering the car. By that i mean the lumbar seat area closest to the outside of the car. It cant be helped that it gets hit on entry and exit evrytime. Seems like it should be bolstered or reinforced somehow so the leather does not wear out as fast comapred to the rest of the seat. Or ami the only one that thinks that way lol

Can anyone recommend a good product and routine to take care of the leather seats and dash without overdoing it with leather products. Ive tried top leather products (Leatherique, Lexol) before and some make the leather look too shiny and leave a lot of residue. I just want something natural to keep it looking the way it is now. Not shiny but clean and pliable. Any good recommendations please??

Thansk in advance

Originally Posted by pfrederi@hotmail.com

Hello All
Once again Im new to the forum and a new M4 owner. I find myself making excuses to go take a drive in this thing. I enjoy this car so much. the interior is just as i want it and i would like to keep it that way for as long as possible. this car is like a work of art to look at. But Im not scared to drive it either. i didnt buy it to just sit there and look at. Anyways I would luv some valuable input on how to treat and take care of the leather interior including seats and dash with the doublesticthing without discloring the doublestictching. I ask because I own a 95 E36 M3 as well and when i got it years ago i was just as enthusisatic on keeping the car and its leather (dove grey leather on avus blue exterior) interior in great shape but over the years the drivers seat leather has been torn to shreds. I understand that partly because thats the seat thats used the most but damn. I treated the leather and cleaned but slacked off some. I guess part due to the car was parked outside because i didnt have a house then to park it in a garage so its seen a lot of heat/cold cycles. Ami the only one that thinks that for the price of these cars BMW should reinforce the parts of the drivers seat that get hammered a lot especially on leaving and entering the car. By that i mean the lumbar seat area closest to the outside of the car. It cant be helped that it gets hit on entry and exit evrytime. Seems like it should be bolstered or reinforced somehow so the leather does not wear out as fast comapred to the rest of the seat. Or ami the only one that thinks that way lol

Can anyone recommend a good product and routine to take care of the leather seats and dash without overdoing it with leather products. Ive tried top leather products (Leatherique, Lexol) before and some make the leather look too shiny and leave a lot of residue. I just want something natural to keep it looking the way it is now. Not shiny but clean and pliable. Any good recommendations please??

Thansk in advance

Colourlock or Leatherique - Tried & true.

Several informational and DYI type videos out there on both. If you have time, check out Obsessed Garage & Esoteric.

[icebiker]

On the other side of the coin, try modifying your entry technique. I insert my right foot first, then grab the steering wheel with my right hand and use it to hold the rest of my body away from the outer bolsters until my rear end is seated. This way I avoid the typical rubbing against the bolster that causes fading, wear or cracking. As for leather care I use Lexol and seems to be holding up well.

[hC1001]

The leather is coated so conditioners dont do anything except rub onto your cloths as you sit in the seat.

A diluted mild interior cleaner is what i use.

[MW F82 ///M4]

I use the BMW branded leather care on my 2018 and have been very happy with it. I’ve used leatherique in the past on my older bmws that needed some rehab, and it’s a fantastic product for that purpose.

I also use a modified entry and exit technique when using the vehicle to avoid beating up the bolster. Goofy but over time it really does save the leather.

[pfrederi]

Hey Thanks for all the valuable feedback guys. Ill definitely try a couple of the suggestions and products and see what works best for me. Much Appreciated.

As an added note I did figure out method of sorts to help so I dnt beat up my leather too bad on exit and entry. I figure if i program my seat buttons in a manner to have one for when im driving in the car and one for when im exiting i can stand a better chance.

In other words I pgm my seat button:
1) for when im driving (which is more constricted) and my seat button
2) to be more wide open with the seat far back and the bolsters all the way out to give me more clearance on entering and exiting the vehicle.

So now when I enter and exit the vehicle I just hit one of the two buttons and when im rdy to drive i hit the seat button 1. Its a lil more added steps but i think itll be worth it. Again I dnt know why a car at this price point does not have a setting like my infinti that when i enter and leave the vehicle it automatically does that to give you clearance and sets the seat back to your setting automatically when you enter the vehicle. It even moves the steering wheel out of the way back and up.

Thanks

[RoundelM3]

Griot's 3-in-1 leather care, either spray or lotion. Smells great, too.

[Shubacca]

Originally Posted by pfrederi@hotmail.com

Hey Thanks for all the valuable feedback guys. Ill definitely try a couple of the suggestions and products and see what works best for me. Much Appreciated.

As an added note I did figure out method of sorts to help so I dnt beat up my leather too bad on exit and entry. I figure if i program my seat buttons in a manner to have one for when im driving in the car and one for when im exiting i can stand a better chance.

In other words I pgm my seat button:
1) for when im driving (which is more constricted) and my seat button
2) to be more wide open with the seat far back and the bolsters all the way out to give me more clearance on entering and exiting the vehicle.

So now when I enter and exit the vehicle I just hit one of the two buttons and when im rdy to drive i hit the seat button 1. Its a lil more added steps but i think itll be worth it. Again I dnt know why a car at this price point does not have a setting like my infinti that when i enter and leave the vehicle it automatically does that to give you clearance and sets the seat back to your setting automatically when you enter the vehicle. It even moves the steering wheel out of the way back and up.

Thanks

Do you have BimmerCode? If you do you can set up "exit seat" where the seat will move back after the ignition is turned off and the door is opened. You can choose the distance in mm that the seat moves. The one got ya is that if you start the car with the door open, the seat will not move into the last memory position. Not a big deal you can just press your memory setting and it goes.

[JagR2611]

Originally Posted by Shubacca

Do you have BimmerCode? If you do you can set up "exit seat" where the seat will move back after the ignition is turned off and the door is opened. You can choose the distance in mm that the seat moves. The one got ya is that if you start the car with the door open, the seat will not move into the last memory position. Not a big deal you can just press your memory setting and it goes.

Originally Posted by Shubacca

Do you have BimmerCode? If you do you can set up "exit seat" where the seat will move back after the ignition is turned off and the door is opened. You can choose the distance in mm that the seat moves. The one got ya is that if you start the car with the door open, the seat will not move into the last memory position. Not a big deal you can just press your memory setting and it goes.

I have BimmerCode but haven't used it recently. Is "exit seat" a new feature / option? I pulled demo mode up and see it but don't remember it being there last time I was using it. My AMG has this feature built in and I couldn't believe my F80 didn't. Any specific requirements or will it work with all F8X?

[Shubacca]

Originally Posted by JagR2611

I have BimmerCode but haven't used it recently. Is "exit seat" a new feature / option? I pulled demo mode up and see it but don't remember it being there last time I was using it. My AMG has this feature built in and I couldn't believe my F80 didn't. Any specific requirements or will it work with all F8X?

*In demo mode* it's under "Seat Module Driver", "Easy Entry". Nothing special required to code this, I did it as soon as I got the car ('17 M3 Comp). Works great! Give it a go. Sorry I don't remember if it's called something different with an actual vehicle connection.

[JagR2611]

Originally Posted by Shubacca

*In demo mode* it's under "Seat Module Driver", "Easy Entry". Nothing special required to code this, I did it as soon as I got the car ('17 M3 Comp). Works great! Give it a go. Sorry I don't remember if it's called something different with an actual vehicle connection.

Appreciate the post & response! I will give it a go. Thank you.

[pfrederi]

Originally Posted by Shubacca

Do you have BimmerCode? If you do you can set up "exit seat" where the seat will move back after the ignition is turned off and the door is opened. You can choose the distance in mm that the seat moves. The one got ya is that if you start the car with the door open, the seat will not move into the last memory position. Not a big deal you can just press your memory setting and it goes.

Ill have to try that as well. I didnt know about Bimmercode App but definitely will have to check that out and see how that works out for me. Seems like a lot of different apps and accounts to keep track of. they told me to download the My BMW app alonf with a couple other accounts to register for nut ill definitely check it out.

Thx

[pfrederi]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Nothing.

A microfiber towel with warm water once a week. All the other stuff strips the leather. I keep everything looking brand new for years with this method, especially the steering wheel, shift knob, etc.

Ive tried that so far and i think i like it. it doesnt add any oily residue and takes off any dirt from the top layer and leather looking like it was with that still new car smell with no added perfumes and stuff. however I am concerned if just water on a rag will eventually dry out and contribute to cracking the leather or no??

Thanks

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by pfrederi@hotmail.com

Ive tried that so far and i think i like it. it doesnt add any oily residue and takes off any dirt from the top layer and leather looking like it was with that still new car smell with no added perfumes and stuff. however I am concerned if just water on a rag will eventually dry out and contribute to cracking the leather or no??

Thanks

I have not had that happen. I even keep the matte look to the steering wheel leather long term with just this method once a week!

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Nothing.

A microfiber towel with warm water once a week. All the other stuff strips the leather. I keep everything looking brand new for years with this method, especially the steering wheel, shift knob, etc.

Same, keep it simple and just develop a routine and the interior will always look like new.

I use the same method on my Alcantara steering wheel. 2 years later, still looks showroom fresh and feels exactly the same as when new.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Same, keep it simple and just develop a routine and the interior will always look like new.

I use the same method on my Alcantara steering wheel. 2 years later, still looks showroom fresh and feels exactly the same as when new.

Yep right on!

[pfrederi]

Yeah Im liking the simple method. Not saying the others mentioned are not good as well but if this one works ill continue using it and keep it simple. If anything i may once in a blue moon add a tiny bit of conditioner real small amt just to add tad of keep up to the leather but thats it.

Thx again

[kcha]

Nextzett interior cleaner for quick wide down

Gyeon mild leather cleaner mild & leather coat for cleaning & protecting
Meguiars apc diluted 10:1 for carbonstructure surface