2,000 miles-leather wear 20-way multi-contour seats

[ABMW]

All,

I have just 2,000 miles on my 2011 X5 35D with 20-way comfort seats, in sand beige nevada leather. I was giving the car a bath the other day, and I was shocked to find wear on both the front passenger and front driver seats on the front corner, pointing toward each respective door, to the point that the dye is missing from the leather itself (as if it cracked off, due to natural creases of the seat contours)

The area of concern is about 5 mm in diameter per side. I use the vehicle exclusively for business, 100%. Generally I'm wearing a suit. The fabric that comes in contact with the seats is very soft and no one every "climbs" into the car, no kids, just clients or colleagues who are similarly dressed, etc.

I keep the leather extremely well conditioned using lexol leather cleaner, followed by lexol leather conditioner, using a clean microfiber cloth and a high quality "leather sponge applicator." There's no wear anywhere else on the vehicle. I worked at a detail shop as a kid, so there's not much I haven't seen, but this is a new one, for a car of this mileage.

I'm worried about what it will look like 1-year from now, as the vehicle is less than 5-months old, and obviously I'm not driving it much, given it's mileage.

The steering wheel's leather is immaculate, as is the rest of the vehicle's leather, paint, and tactile surfaces.

Is anyone having a similar experience with their seats? The driver's side seat actually seems like its under, some stress, at the seams in the area of the wear. I've not had the best experience with my dealer, as some of you know, so I'm not sure how to approach this issue with BMW.

I'd like to find out if this is a common issue, before talking to them. For a $75k vehicle, with 2k miles, that's been babied beyond belief, it seems a bit ridiculous for the materials to be wearing so soon.

I could see justifying the wear if i were jumping in and out of the vehicle, wearing construction clothing, or dirty jeans, but a pair of slacks and sport-jacket? It doesn't add up, especially given that it's not a part of the seat where any part of my body touches when entering, exiting, or driving the vehicle, and it's on the exact same spot on the passenger side.

I can take photos, if that would help, and if no one has any idea of what I'm talking of. I doubt BMW is going to pony up the cost of two leather covers for the seats without a hell of a lot of fuss, but that's what it appears to require, to repair the issue. I know leather can be touched up, but it's extraordinarily hard to do so in a manner that is not noticeable, in my experience.

Thanks all for any info pertaining to the issue.

[alexmish]

i think you should post some pictures...

[Lubehead]

Happened on my 2010 x35d. The dealer ordered and replaced the seat bottom, stating that it was a one time courtesy. Mileage was around 10-12k when it showed up.

[Kloogy]

I had a section of my drivers seat get a bit rough on my E92 , and the dealer also replaced the section with no issues.

[mouivann]

posted some pic of the same issue about 2 weeks ago. will let the SA know on my next service. hope they will replace my too.

[335xray]

Shesus Mouivann!

It says right in the manual, don't use a cheese grater on the seats!

How many miles are on your X? That looks like horrible wear. Hope the dealer takes care of you. The worst I have seen is denim staining on the edge of the seat from sliding in and our with jeans on and black staining on the seat back from black leather belts.

Wow.

X

[rh71]

wow that's crazy considering I have the sport seats with the raised side bolsters which get rubbed all the time and don't see that happening. Is the leather somehow different?

[mouivann]

2008 with 35k without the sport seats. it's the only place that gets rub the most going in and out of the car.

[nynd]

That looks crap - probably an issue with the leather. I had black nevada on my 2008 and it was more rugged as opposed to the nappa and looked fade free when I sold it. There has to be something unique with yours. You sure you didn't use an powerful cleaners (dealer will probably ask you as well)?

[mouivann]

just leather cleaner and conditioner.