Anyone else have this problem? I have teh Lapis Blue/Black seats, and the black left bolster is wearing out. The top layer is peeling off, and it has several cracks in the leather. Anybody have any luck getting this fixed?

Thanks

Viraf

 

How old is the leather? Can you post a picture? The wear in that spot probably comes from sliding in and out of the seat.

 

My leather is also wearing out and cracking...mini said it was 'normal'

 

I had a couple BMWs that did that. You got to not rub against that part when you get in and out.

I think the best way to fix it is to replace that chunk of leather. Heavy Lexoling can slow down the damage.

 

>>I had a couple BMWs that did that. You got to not rub against that part when you get in and out.

You're kidding, right? Nobody should have to "not rub" on the bolster of a leather seat. That's ridiculous - other car's leather bolsters last for years without degrading.

>>
>>I think the best way to fix it is to replace that chunk of leather.

Not a typical leather fix because of the side airbag.


The dealer should replace the seats.

 

Happens with leatherette as well... have some cracks forming after only a year and a half. Will be using vinyl cleaner/protectant more often...

 

My leather seat bottoms have huge ripples in them now.

Makes me wonder exactlu what kind of animal skin was used for this leather?

My best guess is that MINI used catfish leather

 

I think what BMW recommends is to "not touch the seat in any way. If you do touch it expect heavy excessive wear. This is within guidelines."

That is the lame statement I got from BMW. I also had a scatch in the leather along the bolster. They wanted to blame it on me, except that I never keep anything in my pockets. I complained long enough and they finally replaced the leather cover under warranty.

I also have the Lapis blue leather.

 

>>Anyone else have this problem? I have teh Lapis Blue/Black seats, and the black left bolster is wearing out. The top layer is peeling off, and it has several cracks in the leather. Anybody have any luck getting this fixed?
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Viraf

I have similar wear on my driver's seat of same color. I will check with dealer on next time in. Until then I will treat it to stem the damage. This is a $20,000 car not an Aston-Martin, so I don't expect the highest grade Connolly hide.

 

>>I have similar wear on my driver's seat of same color. I will check with dealer on next time in. Until then I will treat it to stem the damage. This is a $20,000 car not an Aston-Martin, so I don't expect the highest grade Connolly hide.

I agree - never expected Connolly, but it's a $1300 option on a $20,000 car, which ain't cheap. My friend's Golf seems to have a more durable, higher quality leather than my MCS. After 7 weeks and all of 2000 miles, the left side of the driver's seat is already cracking slightly and showing what I consider to be abnormal signs of wear for such a short period of time.

That said, the car still rocks... rattles and rolls!

David

 

I'm skipping the leather on my new order and having it done aftermarket. For a few hundred dollars more I can get some quality upholstery. MINI really skimped on this feature!

 

The leather in my MCS (Lapis blue/black gravity leather, car is 8 weeks old with 2800 miles on it) is nicer than the leather that was in my former Jetta but not as nice as the leather in my wife's New Beetle (go figure that...) I noticed a little wear pattern (creases that stay) forming on my driver's bolster early on.

I have begun following the instructions found HERE for care and feeding of the leather upholstery.

Upon shutting the car off, I slide the seat all the way back before I get out. That way my backside doesn't rub against against the bolster when I get in and out.

Any time I have the car at a MINI dealer, I will make sure to show the service advisor the wear and have him document it.

Beyond the above, I've decided it's not worth losing sleep over.

 

>>Happens with leatherette as well... have some cracks forming after only a year and a half. Will be using vinyl cleaner/protectant more often...<<

That's definitely the first such complaint I've heard. My leatherette, after 18 months and 15,000 miles, looks exactly as it did the day I took delivery of the car. I couldn't be happier with it. Do you park in direct sunlight a lot? I'm surprised to hear of your problem.

 

Mine is definately waring. But I am sure this is down to my fat **** constantly pressing on it!

_________________
<img src="http://www.chipside.com/ebay/persona....gif">

 

>>That's definitely the first such complaint I've heard. My leatherette, after 18 months and 15,000 miles, looks exactly as it did the day I took delivery of the car.

chrisnl, do you treat your leatherette? If so, what do you use and how often do you use it?

 

Is it possible the difference between those whose seats are wearing and those that aren't the type of seats? After reading this post, I went out and check my leather seats, I have the panther black, cordoba biege REGULAR leather seats, not sport seats. Almost no difference between passenger seat and drivers seat. Very litttle, if any wear. The bottom cushion, left side of the drivers seat shows slightly more grain than the other seat, but that's it. I have conditioned them twice since I got the car. Build date 03/02, miles 17,000.

 

>>I had a couple BMWs that did that. You got to not rub against that part when you get in and out.
>>
>>I think the best way to fix it is to replace that chunk of leather. Heavy Lexoling can slow down the damage.

Its a Mini - kind of hard not to rub against the leather getting in and out of the car. If I had to move the seat back and forth getting in and out of the car, it would drive me or anyone else crazy! Bottom line is that it's cheal leather - kind od disappointing, considering they charge 1300.00 for relatively small areas of leather coverage.

Well, the airbag light came on again - 3rd time, so I guess they will look at the leather at that time.

 

>>chrisnl, do you treat your leatherette? If so, what do you use and how often do you use it?<<

(previous leatherette cleaning thread)
I use Meguiar's Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber Protectant, and probably do it once every other month or so, less often in winter. Works great as long as you apply it with a cotton rag or a sponge. With a paper towel it's a pain in the ***. Works great on the seats, dash, and doors - anywhere with that textured plastic stuff.

 

One way to help prevent damage to the seat when you're getting out of the car is to put your left hand on the door sill, and shift your weight to it as you get out. This helps keep you from dragging your butt and back on the seat.

 

My dealer replaced the lower seat cover on my Panther Black leather driver's seat (2002 MCS) due to the persistent wrinkles/creases. It was replaced under warranty with no questions asked, at ~25,000 miles. I think the factory leather is just crappy. It should hold up a heck of a lot better for $1300.

 

I got the same song and dance from the BMW service advisor about my worn bolster and wrinkled seat at about 16,000 miles. NORMAL WEAR ! Its BS and I knew it was coming but I had to ask anyway. The fun part was when he saw the notrous bottle between the seats. I told him I was old and it was oxygen. Do you think he bought it?

 

I agree with Kevin R. I had a 2000 BMW M Roadster for a time. The seats are much like the sport seats in the MCS. I had to slide the seat back in the M so that when I got in, my jeans didn't rub the leather.

The M was starting to show some wear on the driver side edge of the seat, and the MCS will do the same thing.

I'm just real careful when getting into the MCS now. Just kinda ease down into the seat without making contact with the edge, and this will help the leather last much longer IMO. :smile:

 

>>I had a couple BMWs that did that. You got to not rub against that part when you get in and out.
>>
>>I think the best way to fix it is to replace that chunk of leather. Heavy Lexoling can slow down the damage.
____________________
I have cloth upholstery and I, too, notice a slight scuffing of the driver side bolster. I agree it is from rubbing one's back against it while getting in and out. And it's very difficult to avoid this because of the wide door which forces one brace oneself when getting out. If there was an overhead handle (not possible because of the airbag) it would have helped.

 

I noticed while cleaning my Mini this weekend that the bolster on the drivers seat was cracked and it looks like the top layer has started to peel away in places. It is only on the black leather bolster - the cordoba leather looks OK. I have used Zaino's leather product since new. I assume I will get the same answer re warranty coverage as others have. Live and learn! :???:

 

Ahhh. this is precisely why I am about to shop for a cover for the driver's side seat. The cordoba and black leather seats are great looking, but when they turn to sweude and then to holes, they won't look so hot. This is inevitible with time for any leather seat that gets heavy use (like a drivers seat). Add to this the very steep and tall bolstering, large door to swing out of the way, shoulder belt positioned so far behind you, and a firm behind clad in old fashioned stiff levi canvas jeans. How can you expect the leather to last any longer than the sticky Falken tires that are apt replacements for the heavy run flats that should not be sold on a sports car? I've just begun to search. Has anyone bought a driver's seat cover. I'm not interested in a sheepskin fluffy cover.
I do agree with the seat sliding suggestion. I have been practicing the same in order to get out of the car when parked in the portable fabric garage as seen in Harbor Freight. The garage is just wide enough, and long enough to allow the end bay to become a separate bike storage room on the other end. I moved the end panel in, and used the door panel over at the bike end, leaving the car opening open. Not bad for $200.