Split/cracking driver seat - another photo

[kgeddes]

[Marrow]

Mines going on the top of the seat but is a little older and done more miles but nothing like yours - rich wood for the miles mine is good!

I would go back to the dealer was it BMW auc ?

[kgeddes]

Thanks for the reply Marrow.

This is supposed to be an Approved Used Car from a well established BMW Dealership! It still has 7 months warranty to go.

I believe the vehicle was not properly inspected/prepared prior to sale. The Service Manager is expressing his opinion when he states 'wear and tear consistent with age and mileage'....probably to try to save face!

I want to disprove him so it would be really helpful if members of this forum could sent me similar photos of their driver seats stating year and mileage of their X5 E70s.

PLEASE HELP, THANKS.

[mark hamster 28]

i spent over 20 years in upholstery trade, so learned a little. Trouble with leather is it stretches and shrinks when hot and cold. What i do is, always treat my leather at end of summer/beginning of winter and then again end of winter/beginning of summer and also do it lightly a couple off times a year when giving car a good clean. I've been using wonder wheels leather cleaner last 3 years as auto car did a test and it come out good and i have to agree with them. Probably something better now but still got a few bottles as i stocked up at halfords when they do there buy 3 for price off 2. Also do the leather sofa's at home the same, in fact ive been off this week and did sofa's in week.

[CondorX5]

Where exactly is the split?  Backrest or seat pad or side bolsters? Never seen this deterioration in leather and have had 3 X5s, one is now 12 years old, the E70 is still under AUC warranty - no such splits and cracks.

[kgeddes]

The splits/cracks are at the side of the driver seat near the seat adjustment buttons. Hope that makes sense!

[Horizon]

I would take it to another dealer, leather should last for years, and is generally left untreated by customers in all that time.
It's the same with the polished alloys that suffer a bit if whiteworm near the centre caps, some dealers change them under warranty, no questions asked, some reject the claim.
Have you contacted BMW UK ?

[kgeddes]

I'm starting to wonder if this part of the seat is made of leather? I agree, this should not happen if it is leather! Anybody know if this part is definitely leather?

I'm going to see another BMW dealer today for a second opinion.

I have contscted BMW UK (email with photos) but so far the deafening sound of silence!  >:(

[concept]

Happens on Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport seats in exactly the same place.

I think it's pleather, that just goes over time where the seat gets compressed when you're getting in and out.

It's not pretty, but I'd say it is wear and tear.

[Ducklakeview]

[quote="kgeddes"]

[/quote]

That's poor considering the miles - As mentioned, could the "sides" be something other than real leather, due to BMW penny pinching?

The seat on my 04 XC90 which has covered almost 240,000 miles still looks great (ignore the cracked trim, common failure)



I certainly would be kicking up a stink regarding "merchantable quality" especially if you either have finance on the car, or paid ANY of the purchase price on a credit card..

Mike

[kgeddes]

Went to see a few X5s today to check driver seats...as I suspected all were in excellent condition with no wear and tear whatsoever...I looked at a 2010 with 116,000 miles, a 2008 with 81,000 miles and a 2012 with 85,500 miles all seats perfect. I have sent the photos to the dealer I bought the X5 from....awaiting their response.

Here's the 2010 seat that's covered 116,000 miles...perfect!

[Graeme]

My E70 was registered in April 2008 and has done 136,000 miles to date.  It looks just like kgeddes photograph  above,  No signs of cracking.

You may have recourse under the Sale of Goods Act, as amended, 1979 because it looks like the material is not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. 

Here is a link amongst many that may help:
http://whatconsumer.co.uk/how-long-shou ... LwJfIXXJaQ

If you get no satisfaction a visit to your local trading standards and citizens advice bureau may be in order!

Graeme

[kgeddes]

Many thanks for the information Graeme. I have now looked at/enquired about 20 X5s of varying ages and mileage and none of them has any cracking whatsoever to the driver seat.

As I suspected, the Service Manager has made a statement (in print) that he won't be able to defend! The dealer Head of Business has promised me a decision by tomorrow. I will update this thread when I have his decision.

Thanks everybody for your input, greatly appreciated.

[CondorX5]

My E70 is an almost identical vintage and mileage to yours- bought as an AUC in August 2016. My front seat is perfect in that area, the dealer is having you on.  Its very disappointing when they behave like that. I have been (mostly) fortunate with my X5 AUCs, although the dealership I use are pretty hopeless and shoddy just as they all are, I think.  You have to stay on top of everything or they just take the quick and easy route.

After years of me and my X5s, I think they now try to just get it sorted but they still ocassionally try and spin stupid yarns (which never work).

When my E70 needed a new transfer box, they tried to fob me off with the old trick of "we can't replicate the fault you described, and it was a Head Technician who tested it" so I insisted that they call him there and then and I would replicate it instantly, over and over, while he sat in the passenger seat and I drove...........transfer box was replaced within 24 hours -the idiot couldn't argue when I demo'ed the slow judder on sharp turns, over and over and over.........

Stick to yur guns, even cheap and nasty cars I have had in the past haven't shown that sort of "wear and tear" let alone a car which must have cost the best part of £30k when you bought it a few months ago!

[kgeddes]

Thanks for your reply CondorX5. I will keep on at them as they are clearly in the wrong!

I have taken the matter to director level within the dealership and to BMW UK so hopefully a bit of pressure will be coming from these channels.

I bought the X5 on 1/10/16 and so far it had had the following done under warranty:

1. After four visits to the dealer a complete set of brake discs and pads were fitted to resolve a screeching brakes issue...yes, FOUR visits!

2. Water ingress issue, n/s rear door ...... dealer couldn't diagnose/replicate but cleared channels/drain holes etc.

3. EGR valve replaced ..... vehicle had to be recovered by BMW Emergency Services as dangerous to drive (almost stalled during right turn onto busy carriageway with two babies onboard!), hired car for 5 days, X5 returned to me on back of recovery truck...must have cost them a fortune for all this!

4. Rear inner led light on o/s tailgate has failed....going in next weekend to be repaired.

5. Ongoing cracked driver seat issue.......


I'm a bit concerned you needed and new transfer box!  Is this a common fault on the E70 I have to look forward to?