Baggy leather in brand new M5C. Normal or not?

CanuckinVancouver · 11-01-2018, 04:20 PM

Hi all

Just picked up my new M5C. However, I am not sure I'm loving what the leather seats look like. I phoned my Sales guy, who ran it up the flag to the Manager and was told that this is "normal for higher end BMWs" as the slack in the leather prevents cracking. I have never heard of this, and the stuff I have found online is all over the place. What do you guys think? The car is literally 1 day old fresh from the Factory in Germany. For what it is worth several other new cars in the showroom, including another M5, have the same baggy look to their seats as well.
I have come from an Audi RS7, which is about as high end as the M5C, and which most definitely did NOT have baggy leather seats.
Otherwise, love this car....

Ever34 · 11-01-2018, 04:36 PM

I have zero slack in my seats front or back. So I would say it's not a « feature »

GUNGASLOW · 11-01-2018, 04:42 PM

If it sits in the sun for a few days that should go away

CanuckinVancouver · 11-01-2018, 04:50 PM

I don't expect much sun for a few months.....we're officially in the rainy season in Vancouver now.
Should I start ranting and raving? Looks like the "official" take on this from the dealer is that this look is not only normal but actually "preferred". Again, that may be the case but it would be the first I've ever heard of this, and not something that I think would be a feature of a car that stickers north of $120K......

AGS · 11-01-2018, 05:08 PM

My M5Comp seats are tight.

GUNGASLOW · 11-01-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

I don't expect much sun for a few months.....we're officially in the rainy season in Vancouver now.
Should I start ranting and raving? Looks like the "official" take on this from the dealer is that this look is not only normal but actually "preferred". Again, that may be the case but it would be the first I've ever heard of this, and not something that I think would be a feature of a car that stickers north of $120K......

All they need to do is give them some heat with heat gun or upholstery steamer. an upholstery guy at the dealership should be able to take care of that in 10 minutes.. I would ask your dealer to take care of it.. it’s not anything that’s difficult or costly for them

CanuckinVancouver · 11-01-2018, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW

All they need to do is give them some heat with heat gun or upholstery steamer. an upholstery guy at the dealership should be able to take care of that in 10 minutes.. I would ask your dealer to take care of it.. it’s not anything that’s difficult or costly for them

I did read that somewhere.
So, it sounds like my dealer is essentially full of crap then when they say this look is normal.....

bluem2 · 11-01-2018, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

I did read that somewhere.
So, it sounds like my dealer is essentially full of crap then when they say this look is normal.....

it isn't just your dealer, basically almost all of them are full of crap
mine doesn't have that issue though

tcw495 · 11-01-2018, 08:45 PM

Yeah mine are tight as well, even after 4500 miles on my clock (even driver seat still tight).

josec70 · 11-01-2018, 09:37 PM

No sagging at all on mine.

Phatcat · 11-01-2018, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluem2

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

I did read that somewhere.
So, it sounds like my dealer is essentially full of crap then when they say this look is normal.....

it isn't just your dealer, basically almost all of them are full of crap
mine doesn't have that issue though

I wouldn't say full of crap because I have seen them brand new both baggy and tight, but certainly not a feature.

I am sure in the end BMW will just tell you it's natural leather so there will be variations.

2001S15 · 11-02-2018, 09:25 AM

My new X3 has this effect on its leather. I think it's due to the broad stitching/soft padding. Past Audi S6 had "tight" leather (though lots of stitching as the seats were diamond quilted - tended to keep things pulled tight). My 911 has tight leather - probably because the seats are firmer/leather is just stretched more. The BMW seats feel superficially softer. I saw plenty of other BMWs on the lot that had leather that looks like this though.

tcw495 · 11-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Hopefully this gets straightened out to your comfort level with the seats. Because that's one of the best looking cars on this board so I hope to see it out on the road.

MWcoupe · 11-08-2018, 07:17 PM

I'm looking at a demo that's pretty bad too, I really hope it can be resolved by steam or sunlight. Maybe no tints for me

ItsGary · 11-09-2018, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

I did read that somewhere.
So, it sounds like my dealer is essentially full of crap then when they say this look is normal.....

The BMW Store has always been ass in my opinion. Go to Brian Jessel or Langley.

Stav · 11-09-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

I don't expect much sun for a few months.....we're officially in the rainy season in Vancouver now.
Should I start ranting and raving? Looks like the "official" take on this from the dealer is that this look is not only normal but actually "preferred". Again, that may be the case but it would be the first I've ever heard of this, and not something that I think would be a feature of a car that stickers north of $120K......

I had the same issue with an M4 I picked up a few years ago with European delivery at the Welt. Even there, pretty much at the headquarters, the manager told me this is normal and it is because all leather is different.

desertfox73 · 11-09-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWcoupe

I'm looking at a demo that's pretty bad too, I really hope it can be resolved by steam or sunlight. Maybe no tints for me

That's terrible. How does that pass PDI?

CanuckinVancouver · 11-09-2018, 12:14 PM

Quick followup. Service manager said that he could push this up the food chain and submit a claim to BMW Canada to get it reupholstered if I wanted to but it could potentially look "worse" as he had reupholstered an X6 with similar issues and it didn't turn out very well. He was very nice about it and said that we could look at this again at the 2K service check.

Happily the wrinkles appear to have settled in the week that I've had the car. Not perfect but good enough that its no longer the hill that I will choose to die on for now. But I did tell my sales person that her manager was full of crap for telling her that slack seats were a good thing...

dardeca · 04-26-2019, 03:34 PM

So has anyone had success just using a heat gun to tighten up the leather?

Patelv5 · 04-27-2019, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

Hi all

Just picked up my new M5C. However, I am not sure I'm loving what the leather seats look like. I phoned my Sales guy, who ran it up the flag to the Manager and was told that this is "normal for higher end BMWs" as the slack in the leather prevents cracking. I have never heard of this, and the stuff I have found online is all over the place. What do you guys think? The car is literally 1 day old fresh from the Factory in Germany. For what it is worth several other new cars in the showroom, including another M5, have the same baggy look to their seats as well.
I have come from an Audi RS7, which is about as high end as the M5C, and which most definitely did NOT have baggy leather seats.
Otherwise, love this car....

What colour is the car, it looks awesome!

A Need For Speed · 04-27-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckinVancouver

Hi all

Just picked up my new M5C. However, I am not sure I'm loving what the leather seats look like. I phoned my Sales guy, who ran it up the flag to the Manager and was told that this is "normal for higher end BMWs" as the slack in the leather prevents cracking. I have never heard of this, and the stuff I have found online is all over the place. What do you guys think? The car is literally 1 day old fresh from the Factory in Germany. For what it is worth several other new cars in the showroom, including another M5, have the same baggy look to their seats as well.
I have come from an Audi RS7, which is about as high end as the M5C, and which most definitely did NOT have baggy leather seats.
Otherwise, love this car....

Holy crap! Obviously that car needs to work out more. Step on it!

dardeca · 04-27-2019, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patelv5

What colour is the car, it looks awesome!

Frozen Dark Grey

11-01-2018, 04:20 PM	#1
CanuckinVancouver Enlisted Member 17 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2019 Z3K F90 M5 Competition Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Baggy leather in brand new M5C. Normal or not? Hi all Just picked up my new M5C. However, I am not sure I'm loving what the leather seats look like. I phoned my Sales guy, who ran it up the flag to the Manager and was told that this is "normal for higher end BMWs" as the slack in the leather prevents cracking. I have never heard of this, and the stuff I have found online is all over the place. What do you guys think? The car is literally 1 day old fresh from the Factory in Germany. For what it is worth several other new cars in the showroom, including another M5, have the same baggy look to their seats as well. I have come from an Audi RS7, which is about as high end as the M5C, and which most definitely did NOT have baggy leather seats. Otherwise, love this car.... Attached Images Last edited by CanuckinVancouver; 11-01-2018 at 04:30 PM..
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11-01-2018, 04:36 PM	#2
Ever34 Lieutenant 325 Rep 519 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	I have zero slack in my seats front or back. So I would say it's not a « feature »
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11-01-2018, 04:42 PM	#3
GUNGASLOW Banned 192 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Salem MA iTrader: (0)	If it sits in the sun for a few days that should go away
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11-01-2018, 04:50 PM	#4
CanuckinVancouver Enlisted Member 17 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2019 Z3K F90 M5 Competition Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I don't expect much sun for a few months.....we're officially in the rainy season in Vancouver now. Should I start ranting and raving? Looks like the "official" take on this from the dealer is that this look is not only normal but actually "preferred". Again, that may be the case but it would be the first I've ever heard of this, and not something that I think would be a feature of a car that stickers north of $120K......
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11-01-2018, 05:08 PM	#5
AGS Major 501 Rep 1,399 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Competition Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	My M5Comp seats are tight. Attached Images __________________ Current: 2022 Donnington Grey M5 Competition, 2014 Anvil WW Jeep Wrangler Previous: 2019 Donnington Grey M5 Competition, 2016 Silverstone M5 CP, 2013 Monte Carlo Blue M5 CP (ED on 9/1/12), 2009 Carbon Black M5, 2006 Silverstone M5, 2003 Sterling Grey M5, 2000 Anthracite 540i6, 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9Ltd, 1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD, 1978 Mazda RX-7
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11-01-2018, 08:45 PM	#9
tcw495 Captain 272 Rep 668 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (0)	Yeah mine are tight as well, even after 4500 miles on my clock (even driver seat still tight).
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11-01-2018, 09:37 PM	#10
josec70 Major General 4074 Rep 5,233 Posts Drives: 22' Individual Chalk M5C Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (2)	No sagging at all on mine. __________________ CURRENT: 22' INDIVIDUAL M5\| CHALK \| TARTUFO \| CCB \| MPE \| H&R \| IND GONE: 19' M5C\| SINGAPORE GREY\| ARAGON\|VELOS VLS-06\|H&R\|iPE\|IND\|XPEL\|CF\|RADENSO GONE: 15' F10 M5\|BSM\|BLACK\|VELOS VSS-S2\|KW\|AKRA\|IND\|CF \|ESCORT 360\|VELOS PIGGY GONE: 13' F10 M5\|SG\|BLACK\|AKRA\|KW\|IND LONG GONE: 09' E60 M5\|02' E39 M5
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11-02-2018, 09:25 AM	#12
2001S15 Private First Class 227 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 17 911 Targa / 24 X7 / 08 S2K Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	My new X3 has this effect on its leather. I think it's due to the broad stitching/soft padding. Past Audi S6 had "tight" leather (though lots of stitching as the seats were diamond quilted - tended to keep things pulled tight). My 911 has tight leather - probably because the seats are firmer/leather is just stretched more. The BMW seats feel superficially softer. I saw plenty of other BMWs on the lot that had leather that looks like this though.
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11-02-2018, 10:18 AM	#13
tcw495 Captain 272 Rep 668 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (0)	Hopefully this gets straightened out to your comfort level with the seats. Because that's one of the best looking cars on this board so I hope to see it out on the road.
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11-08-2018, 07:17 PM	#14
MWcoupe 24k GOLD 148 Rep 1,453 Posts Drives: Mineral White M4 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BROOKLYN NY iTrader: (0)	I'm looking at a demo that's pretty bad too, I really hope it can be resolved by steam or sunlight. Maybe no tints for me Attached Images
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11-09-2018, 12:14 PM	#18
CanuckinVancouver Enlisted Member 17 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2019 Z3K F90 M5 Competition Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Quick followup. Service manager said that he could push this up the food chain and submit a claim to BMW Canada to get it reupholstered if I wanted to but it could potentially look "worse" as he had reupholstered an X6 with similar issues and it didn't turn out very well. He was very nice about it and said that we could look at this again at the 2K service check. Happily the wrinkles appear to have settled in the week that I've had the car. Not perfect but good enough that its no longer the hill that I will choose to die on for now. But I did tell my sales person that her manager was full of crap for telling her that slack seats were a good thing...
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04-26-2019, 03:34 PM	#19
dardeca Major 500 Rep 1,313 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (2)	So has anyone had success just using a heat gun to tighten up the leather? __________________ E92 M3 Supplemental manual p.38: "The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with DSC."
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