Torn leather on 2012 model

I purchased a 2012 model last November and realized in September that I have tiny tears all over my back seat. I've even been using a seatcover. This is my third X5 and having owned the previous 2 for a total of 10 years (not using a seat cover) and never saw even a scratch on them. So, I'm kind of shocked that this happened.

Has anyone else with a 2012 had issues with the quality of their leather seats?

what do you mean by tiny tears? are they surface scuffs or slits that go all the through the leather?
Perhaps you can capture it in a picture.

Curious...a 'cover'... why???

Originally Posted by graceh

Has anyone else with a 2012 had issues with the quality of their leather seats?

Do you have the nappa leather or the nevada leather??

My sense is stuff happens. I have kids, so anything is possible. I had a one inch deep cut in seat caused by a pencil left in a back pocket. Auto repair station fixed it fine. They basically fill with a flexible vinyl compound or something like it, let is dry and lightly sand surface to blend it in. The product is the color of the seat. After that they applied a lacquer finish. It doesn't show like an obvious repair. My description may scare you off a little, but it shouldn't. Dealers do this frequently before they sell the car on. Link below isn't what I used, but gives you an idea of the process. I don't think there is a problem with their leather. The vevada is nice, but the nappa is really nice. Good luck.

So, your saying that your "seat cover" probably caused the tears, right? What kind of cover were you using (so that others can avoid it) and why were you using it? Dogs in the back perhaps? Their claws CAN work through most covers.

Originally Posted by ndabunka

Dogs in the back perhaps?

My though exactly...dog claws can create a lot of concentrated stress... still, could be a defective hide.

But absent an obvious cause, this should be a warrantable failure- just a defect in materials.

OP- post back the resolution!

A

I did take it to the BMW dealership. They said the seats aren't under warranty and the leather is not defective. They also suggested I buy the $444 seat cover from them. I also called BMW which was a total waste of time.

This car has the Nevada leather. I think my old car had the Nappa. Although the Nevada is nice and smooth, I would trade it in a heartbeat for the leather I used to have that was tough and would last longer than this has.

I'm attaching a picture. I don't believe the cover caused the issue. I only mentioned because this happened with the seats being covered 90% of their short 10 month life.

I am going to get them fixed and will post a picture once that is done. But I heads up to future owners, these Nevada seats are delicate and won’t take the abuse the older models could.

Thanks to you all for your comments

Originally Posted by graceh

I did take it to the BMW dealership. They said the seats aren't under warranty and the leather is not defective.

Did they put this in writing. on a work order?

Force them to do this, and force them to write either 'not under warranty' or 'leather damaged and not defective'...


Then go from there...

I am betting they just blew you off verbally, hence there is no paper trail. Once they commit in writing, you have a starting point.
.

Not certain what your concerns are? Leather...wears. If someone has something abrasive in their pocket (like a pocket knife), scars and scratches can (obviously) occur. Why would that be BMW's fault? There is a such a thing as 'wear & tear' and wear of leather would seem to fall into that category. If this had been a significant scar/tear along a seam or something, I could see a warranty case but your photos don't appears to show anything like that. Not certain what you were expecting.

You're right, leather wears but I expected my seats to take years to show this kind of wear, not months (especially since they were covered most of the time). Since I owned my previous cars 4 and 6 years without this happening, I was surpised these seats were not comparable and wanted to see if others had a similar experience.

Thanks ard. That's good advice.

Originally Posted by ndabunka

Not certain what your concerns are? Leather...wears. If someone has something abrasive in their pocket (like a pocket knife), scars and scratches can (obviously) occur. Why would that be BMW's fault? There is a such a thing as 'wear & tear' and wear of leather would seem to fall into that category. If this had been a significant scar/tear along a seam or something, I could see a warranty case but your photos don't appears to show anything like that. Not certain what you were expecting.

Actually based on the photo- which seemed to show light cracking or crazing within the pattern of the pores/features and not a pattern one might expect if something damaged it- like a box or tool.

On a microscopic level, does it look like maybe defective tanning and the cracks represent the hide failing at a natural weak spot?

I'd want a leather expert (NOT A BMW TECH) to look at this, understand what was ON the seat covers () and opine as to the cause. If THEY say the hide was defective, pin BMW down with that. But if the expert says 'hide looks good, I'd say this might have been dog claws causing too much pressure and tearing the hide through the cover', well then you have your answer.

I will also point out that you would expect to see failures where the tension is maximized- edges, seams, where the leather is being pulled down.... mid panel is kind of unusual.

Again, seats ARE warranted...it is damage due to wear, tear and abuse that is excluded. The trick in this case is 'can the physical evidence speak to an underlying defect and thereby rule out wear tear &abuse?'

Originally Posted by ard

Actually based on the photo- which seemed to show light cracking or crazing within the pattern of the pores/features and not a pattern one might expect if something damaged it- like a box or tool.

On a microscopic level, does it look like maybe defective tanning and the cracks represent the hide failing at a natural weak spot?

I'd want a leather expert (NOT A BMW TECH) to look at this, understand what was ON the seat covers () and opine as to the cause. If THEY say the hide was defective, pin BMW down with that. But if the expert says 'hide looks good, I'd say this might have been dog claws causing too much pressure and tearing the hide through the cover', well then you have your answer.

I will also point out that you would expect to see failures where the tension is maximized- edges, seams, where the leather is being pulled down.... mid panel is kind of unusual.

Again, seats ARE warranted...it is damage due to wear, tear and abuse that is excluded. The trick in this case is 'can the physical evidence speak to an underlying defect and thereby rule out wear tear &abuse?'

I hear what your cooking but one would have to (somehow) convince the BMW service writer to agree with your observations. Not always an easy task especially if the subject matter is very subjective as is the case here. I wish the OP luck so we will simply watch and see what updates he can provide as this develops further.