Need advice: broken leather on driver's seat.

[DR1er]

I bought a second hand X5 a year ago. It has the black Nevada leather Sport Seats. When I bought it I noticed the driver's seat had some kind of repair it the right side of the bottom part, which is looking much worse now even though I have been careful and taking care of the interior during this year; but unfortunately this week it got broken. Does anybody have any experience with this kind of issues or could anyone give some advice: repair or replace? I have been looking on Ebay and the classified adds on the forums with no luck and BMW will want more than a couple grands for a new seat!

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[mrmomo313]

Is it a rip in the leather? I accidentally ripped a spot on the backseat of my range rover and the dealer was able to repair the leather. Ask if your dealership can do that or look for someone that offers that service

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by mrmomo313

Is it a rip in the leather? I accidentally ripped a spot on the backseat of my range rover and the dealer was able to repair the leather. Ask if your dealership can do that or look for someone that offers that service

Yes, it's a rip. I haven't thought too much about repairing because it seems it was repaired in that same area earlier; but I guess I won't lose anything having the dealer look at it. I would definitely prefer to replace the seat, but don't want to throw several Ks on it.

How did you like the seat in your Range Rover after the repair?

Thanks

[mrmomo313]

Yeah i'd definitely get it checked out before buying a new seat. The seat looked basically like nothing happened after they repaired it, if you looked really closely at it you could see some sign of the repair but to anyone else they wouldnt know it was repaired

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by mrmomo313

Yeah i'd definitely get it checked out before buying a new seat. The seat looked basically like nothing happened after they repaired it, if you looked really closely at it you could see some sign of the repair but to anyone else they wouldnt know it was repaired

thanks a lot mrmomo313. I'll take it to the dealer tomorrow...let's see what they say.

[StephansonTieu]

There are stores outside which do repair leather too. Worth a try to look around before buying another costly seat.

[finnbmw]

Our local independent repair shop charges $125-$150 to repair a rip in the seat leather.

Ask a couple of your local car dealers what/who they would recommend to do the job. I bet even the BMW dealers outsource this job to somebody local.

No need to buy a new seat...

[335i_4D]

They'll usually replace the complete part where the rip occured, and stitch back on the same place it was before, so if the guy has a nice "leather sample" collection, you won't notice it unless you look very close, where you may see some difference in the leather shade.

Had ths done before on my previous BMW (335i), and on this one, couldn't see the mismatch, very nice job !

My SA recommended me a place, when he noticed I wasn't going to give them credit$$$$$ for the outsourced job...

[DR1er]

Thanks guys for your comments. I called the dealership and they said they can only replace the seat cover and not fix the actual rip. They need to see the damage in order to give me an estimate $$$

I'll have a look tomorrow and try to get some recommendation from them about and independent shop.

[335i_4D]

You should go either to a collision repair center, or an auto-glass repair center.
If they don't do it themselves, they will surely have contacts.

[ndabunka]

Originally Posted by DR1er

Yes, it's a rip. I haven't thought too much about repairing because it seems it was repaired in that same area earlier; but I guess I won't lose anything having the dealer look at it. I would definitely prefer to replace the seat, but don't want to throw several Ks on it....

Isn't that what junk yards are for? probably cost you $200.00 to get a perfectly good seat out of a wreck.

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by ndabunka

Isn't that what junk yards are for? probably cost you $200.00 to get a perfectly good seat out of a wreck.

I have called to all the junk yards around here and they just have older models. Haven't been able to check with BMW yet. My SA was out last week... yes there are other SA's but most of them are not very helpful if any!

will update later what I find out.

[DBB888]

Originally Posted by DR1er

I have called to all the junk yards around here and they just have older models. Haven't been able to check with BMW yet. My SA was out last week... yes there are other SA's but most of them are not very helpful if any!

will update later what I find out.

Whats the last 7 of your VIN - I can look up at work -if I can order you a seat bottom cover only as a replacement ( I work for a Dealership )

Mike

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by DBB888

Whats the last 7 of your VIN - I can look up at work -if I can order you a seat bottom cover only as a replacement ( I work for a Dealership )

Mike

Thanks a lot Mike, I just sent you a PM.

Br.

[DR1er]

Hi all, just an update on this one: I found the whole bottom cushion with the leather cover on Ebay. I just received yesterday and will install it soon. BMW dealer wanted close to $700 just for the leather cover + labor .

Thanks everybody for your help and advise.