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Leather seats

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Tree52
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Leather seats

Post by Tree52 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:37 pm

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Hi Everyone,

I do not yet own a Z4 however I have been shopping around for one or perhaps an m135i, there is something that is preventing me from looking seriously at them and that is how to care for the leather seats.

Almost every site I visit claims a heat gun or steamer is the solution, I am hesitant to buy a Z4 and find that I cannot keep the car in excellent condition, just looking for advice from you all about this, how do you care for your's.

I have uploaded a photo of 2013 Z4 30i driver seat in what I think to be bad condition. Thanks for your time.

warmasice
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Leather seats

Post by warmasice » Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:52 pm

What am I missing? It's a 10 year old car and the seat seems ok?..
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Tree52
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Leather seats

Post by Tree52 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:58 pm

I am aware it is an older car, I was hoping there is a way to bring them back to better condition.

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jock156
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Leather seats

Post by jock156 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:41 pm

Speak to Usel on here, he is somewhat of a Guru :thumbsup:

These are seats he recently restored :thumbsup:
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Tree52
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Leather seats

Post by Tree52 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:58 pm

Great thanks much appreciated just got to find out how to send him a message, no idea how these forums work yet

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Mr Tidy
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Post by Mr Tidy » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:47 pm

Up at the top right of the screen there is a "Private Messages" icon.

Click on that and you'll be able to compose a new PM.
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Post by SV8Predator » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:50 pm

Put leather + conditioner into the search box — you'll find dozens of posts offering advice on how to maintain your leather.
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Tree52
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Post by Tree52 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:55 pm

Thanks for the help

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Usel
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Post by Usel » Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:16 am

That seat in the photo needs paint. Visit the Furniture Clinic website where you can buy BMW colour paint and for the after care you should buy the furniture clinic leather care cream. Apply it every 3 months.

For the sagging leather, heat will sort it. I haven't used a heat gun yet but I have had excellent results with steam. Sort the sagging before painting.

For best results, the only way really imo, is to remove seats from car. Remove the seat back from base. Remove seats plastics. Unclip the leather from the metal seat base all round and then start using heat. This helps to relax the leather and you can overshrink the leather and when you clip the leather back on it will be tight.

I accidentally found out, on the hottest day this year, that the power of the sun is great for removing sagging. I had a seat base that needed building, that I was doing in full sun. Due to the distraction of beer and shade the leather seat base was left in the sun for many hours unclipped. When I eventually put the leather back on all the sagging was gone. It was virgin tight.

So the answer is yes, all the problems with the seat can be fixed. It's not that difficult but just needs time. Compared to the E85, replacment seats are not really that expensive for the E89 either if you just wanted to swap them out :thumbsup:

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enuff_zed
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Post by enuff_zed » Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:21 am

Usel wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:16 am seat base was left in the sun for many hours unclipped. When I eventually put the leather back on all the sagging was gone. It was virgin tight.
Finally! The answer to why all these middle-aged women spend all their holidays sunbathing. :rofl:
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Tree52
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Post by Tree52 » Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:30 pm

OK so the steam and patience is the answer. Thanks again

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Usel
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Post by Usel » Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:46 pm

Tree52 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:30 pm OK so the steam and patience is the answer. Thanks again
:thumbsup:

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Post by Zedebee » Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:46 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:21 am
Usel wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:16 am seat base was left in the sun for many hours unclipped. When I eventually put the leather back on all the sagging was gone. It was virgin tight.
Finally! The answer to why all these middle-aged women spend all their holidays sunbathing. :rofl:
. . . And end up all leathery ☹️
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Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe

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enuff_zed
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Post by enuff_zed » Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:05 pm

Zedebee wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:46 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:21 am
Usel wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:16 am seat base was left in the sun for many hours unclipped. When I eventually put the leather back on all the sagging was gone. It was virgin tight.
Finally! The answer to why all these middle-aged women spend all their holidays sunbathing. :rofl:
. . . And end up all leathery ☹️
Then Usel comes along and rubs leather cream into them. :?
HQ of 'Norfolk Zed Rescue'.
Always happy to help if I can.

If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way! :thumbsup:
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Usel
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Post by Usel » Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:13 pm

enuff_zed wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:05 pm
Zedebee wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 12:46 pm
enuff_zed wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:21 am Finally! The answer to why all these middle-aged women spend all their holidays sunbathing. :rofl:
. . . And end up all leathery ☹️
Then Usel comes along and rubs leather cream into them. :?
:rofl:

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