Poor quality of merino leather....

[ColdList]

The OP mentions cleaning a lot. I have the feeling he is exposing the seats to chemicals A LOT...perhaps too much.

[mainly]

i didnt think merino leather was available on a non ///M, 5 series???

ive never seen merino on a non ///M. unless it was a 7 series or maybe a 6 series.

still doesnt explian why it looks so terrible. ive never seen leather that looked that horrible on any car ever.

[Peiper]

I cleaned the leather only with leatherique cleaner and twice a year with rejuvenation oil. Because it's a light color I had to cleaned it once or twice a month. Last month started to grain and that's it.

For some of you sounds funny but believe me i treated this car like my baby. I am planning to change the leather on the warranty. In my opinion the quality is poor because its stains easily and you have to clean it so often...

[Peiper]

The car was bought from UK. It's a 535d

[Peiper]

The bolsters on the driver seat have worn badly due to every day. As M54ccibo said if you clean it often sooner or later the paint will start to go away. It will be my last car with a light interior.

[wrsbmw]

Originally Posted by Peiper

It will be my last car with a light interior.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I got full black Merino in my Amazonite silver M5. It's better than what you are showing in your picture. I think you have Napa and not Merino. As far as I have seen, that is the best leather you can get in 5xx cars.

[turbolag]

You can get Merino in 5er with Individual.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Peiper

I cleaned the leather only with leatherique cleaner and twice a year with rejuvenation oil. Because it's a light color I had to cleaned it once or twice a month. Last month started to grain and that's it.

For some of you sounds funny but believe me i treated this car like my baby. I am planning to change the leather on the warranty. In my opinion the quality is poor because its stains easily and you have to clean it so often...

If you had a synthetic leather or a protected leather (encased in polyurethane) then you wouldn't have this issue.

This is a natural leather which is technically considered higher quality. Same kind of leather you get in exotic cars. But since it doesn't have a polyurethane coating it is more susceptible to damage.

I suspect you were using a cleaning product designed for a protected leather and not a Natural leather. Cleaning products for protected leathers are more aggressive because those leathers have a non porous surface.

[JOHNBMWM5]

A "Wet wipe" once a week should be more than enough for the cleaning, if my seats were that bad BMW would be replacing them no question.

[scottiekay]

Honestly that is horrible. We had a sofa at my house that did the same thing. almost like the Dye they used was wearing off. and it looked exactly like what was happening to your seats. I will say the chemicals you use to clean them can do this also.... What are you using to clean the seats???? In all my years of owning cars with leather seats I will say nothing has ever looked that bad.

[singularity]

Feel sorry for you man, seeing how well you were taking care of the car. Maybe it's factory defect of leather or damage caused by some cleaning product.

[Peiper]

I was using leatherique cleaning products when the leather was dirty. What cleaning products are you using guys?

[Spinny02]

I use leatherique on my cars it works great. I guess I won't be using it on my M5 when it arrives.

[darkrabbit]

Damn... this makes me think about the Silverstone interior I ordered...

Hope this is the exception rather than the rule...

[04S]

I have silverstone leather, clean it every 6 months with Leatherque, and it looks as good as new. Can't explain what has happened to your leather OP if it has not been mistreated.

[greentrbo95gst]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

LOL...at first it was awkward. Down to a science now, don't hit the steering wheel or the bolster

I don't know, but the SO sure shows jean marks easily. I don't wear super dark jeans either.

I tried your technique today and even though I am short I smacked my head pretty hard on the door trim.

[M54ccibo]

Originally Posted by greentrbo95gst

I tried your technique today and even though I am short I smacked my head pretty hard on the door trim.

That sucks...

[Peiper]

how do you clean the stitches?

[singularity]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

LOL...at first it was awkward. Down to a science now, don't hit the steering wheel or the bolster

I don't know, but the SO sure shows jean marks easily. I don't wear super dark jeans either.

Maybe you don't know but you were sold chinese replicas? Although I also have to do the mantis-like dance when entering and exiting the car to avoid touching side bolsters.

[M54ccibo]

Originally Posted by singularity

Maybe you don't know but you were sold chinese replicas? Although I also have to do the mantis-like dance when entering and exiting the car to avoid touching side bolsters.

LOL!!! If those jeans were replicas I am going to have a field day with my Nordstrom guy

[Jamese93]

That's terrible. I have standard oyster leather in my 5, and that is wearing fine. Yes, it needs cleaning but it comes up ok and does not look anything anywhere near like that.

I'm with some of the others on here, it looks to me like a) it's been exposed to some extremely harsh products and b) it may even have been painted aka reconditioned before you got the car. That is totally not normal....

Good luck with BMW though, if the car is only a year and a half old that's a cast iron warranty claim unless they can prove its been messed about with.

How about buying a new leather interior non merino or Napa off fleabay? May be an easy fix...

[TrevorM3]

I have silverstone for a month for for on the m5, kicking my ass... does bmw make some kind of seat cover or coating... anything??