Is this acceptable from BMW?
Discussion
The ‘leather’ seems to be peeling off, you can literally scratch it off.
I know it’s wear and tear however the cars done 34k miles and my left elbow isn’t made of rock, how is this acceptable.
I’m thinking of taking it to my local BMW however the people who work there are programmed like robots and it’s usually whatever the computer or the man upstairs says.
I’m just thinking of when I sell the car and what I’m supposed to tell the buyer. I could get it re done with real leather for maybe 100 quid however on a 3 year old BMW, I shouldn’t have to do that, I’ve had 3 E46’s and my brothers had 2, none of them had such an issue on the arm rest. Just to note I have extended warranty taken out so I won’t be turning up empty handed.
The 'leather' is a very thin skin on a vinyl base - BMW's have been like that for a while now.
It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
I think you will get that under warranty.
Before you go look on their website at all cars on site with them over 40k miles and see if any of them are like yours, I doubt it.
If they say no then show them all their own stock in better condition and ask them to justify how it can be??
I think you will be ok.
Before you go look on their website at all cars on site with them over 40k miles and see if any of them are like yours, I doubt it.
If they say no then show them all their own stock in better condition and ask them to justify how it can be??
I think you will be ok.
iSore said:
The 'leather' is a very thin skin on a vinyl base - BMW's have been like that for a while now.
It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
Increasingly average product - well said and couldn't agree more.It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
Of course its unacceptable, but then BMW will fight tooth and claw to get away with it these days because as a customer you are not important to them. The on going comedy of wheels that crack, N54 engines that should all have been recalled and replaced and service centres dubiously insisting that brakes wear out way more often than is reasonable is typical of the way that BMW consider you the paying customer to be of little or no importance to the BMW brand.
timsandford1 said:
Of course its unacceptable, but then BMW will fight tooth and claw to get away with it these days because as a customer you are not important to them. The on going comedy of wheels that crack, N54 engines that should all have been recalled and replaced and service centres dubiously insisting that brakes wear out way more often than is reasonable is typical of the way that BMW consider you the paying customer to be of little or no importance to the BMW brand.
You’re right, though most of the major manufacturers have similar issues for similar reasons. Which does mean that, contrary to purported brand image, BMW are no better than anything else.
REALIST123 said:
You’re right, though most of the major manufacturers have similar issues for similar reasons.
Which does mean that, contrary to purported brand image, BMW are no better than anything else.
Agree.Which does mean that, contrary to purported brand image, BMW are no better than anything else.
I've found Audi terrible in recent years, they have argued every warranty claim.
Skoda have been brilliant, maybe it's just my local dealer though?
I wont buy late BMW anymore, seen far too many expensive repair bills, and oil leaks, on cars 3/4 years old.
As said above, not what they used to be.
Read the thread on the X1 and the major traumas that's had. This would never have happened 20 years ago because a) the cars were better built and b) BMW had an interest in retaining you as a customer. Remember the Nikasil issues? BMW were replacing engines FOC on lots of cars and giving very good goodwill on others.
A different company back then when BMW was genuinely prestige.
A different company back then when BMW was genuinely prestige.
Wills2 said:
This was the condition of my m3 after 80,000 miles, I think some people are pretty tough on their cars interior.
Don’t M cars come with Merino leather as standard? It must have something to do with it. Edited by Wills2 on Friday 21st December 16:43
You do have a point though, you could be tough on a cars interior. If I was a painter and decorator for example, or if I worked in a mining tunnel...the seats could end up in bad shape but I fail to see how the armrest could end up in that shape!
I’m going to call in tomorrow and ask them to have a look, see if I can get it replaced via warranty.
With regards to BMW going down hill quality wise, I completely agree, but at the same time, Mercedes are as well, not sure about Audi as I haven’t been in a new one in ages.
Manufacturers aren’t what they used to be and I can imagine they started cutting costs when they truly became established with a strong customer base and began competing with everything out there, 2 series active tourer for example.
My brothers E39 makes my BMW feel very cheap, but then again, what else could I go for that drives like it, I’m sure I’ll find the same problems with Audi and Mercedes. If Lexus made a 5 second 30+ MPG IS with a proper gearbox and not CVT, I would have went for one of those instead.
With regards to BMW going down hill quality wise, I completely agree, but at the same time, Mercedes are as well, not sure about Audi as I haven’t been in a new one in ages.
Manufacturers aren’t what they used to be and I can imagine they started cutting costs when they truly became established with a strong customer base and began competing with everything out there, 2 series active tourer for example.
My brothers E39 makes my BMW feel very cheap, but then again, what else could I go for that drives like it, I’m sure I’ll find the same problems with Audi and Mercedes. If Lexus made a 5 second 30+ MPG IS with a proper gearbox and not CVT, I would have went for one of those instead.
Chestrockwell said:
Wills2 said:
This was the condition of my m3 after 80,000 miles, I think some people are pretty tough on their cars interior.
Don’t M cars come with Merino leather as standard? It must have something to do with it. Edited by Wills2 on Friday 21st December 16:43
You do have a point though, you could be tough on a cars interior. If I was a painter and decorator for example, or if I worked in a mining tunnel...the seats could end up in bad shape but I fail to see how the armrest could end up in that shape!
Dirt and grease etc....get ground into the surface and start to rip it up otherwise.
cerb4.5lee said:
When I sold my E90 330i at 11 years old it didn't have any wear on the armrest. Dakota leather is usually tough as old boots, it looks crap but the trade off is that it usually wears well. When I've had Nappa leather you could sneeze on it and it would be ruined! 
You've just got to take care Lee! 
iSore said:
The 'leather' is a very thin skin on a vinyl base - BMW's have been like that for a while now.
It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
Nonsense, BMW leather is very hard wearing becuase it is almost plastic! It was good enough in the showroom for the first owner, but it's typical smoke and mirrors veneer of quality on an increasing average product. The warranty may cover it but don't hold your breath.
t most people have, the nappa and individual merino stuff is lovely. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff