This is where our faulty seats + rusty seat bases are made by Lear in Germany! - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

F30AM · 12-29-2012, 09:57 AM

Germany

Seats made:
Bremen (S)
Eisenach (S)
Quakenbrueck (S)
Rietberg (S)
Wackersdorf (S)

Adminstrative/Technical:
Allershausen-Leonhardsbuch (A/T)
Besigheim (E,A/T)
Ginsheim-Gustavsburg (A/T)
Kranzberg (A/T)
Munich (A/T)
Remscheid (E,A/T)
Sindelfingen (A/T)
Wolfsburg (A/T)

207 global locations

Global Website:
http://www.lear.com/en/contact/locations.aspx

Just imagine millions of seats in cars, planes, trains etc all rusting away!

shivaswrath · 12-29-2012, 12:10 PM

Burn them down!

dd1981 · 12-29-2012, 12:27 PM

I read up on this a few weeks ago, about that guy destroying his car in front of a BMW dealer.

I noticed small rust specks on my seats, nothing like what was in the pics on the forum, I wonder if I should try to push for new seats.

xit2050 · 12-29-2012, 02:19 PM

Made in Germany.... but US company.

F30AM · 12-29-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xit2050

Made in Germany.... but US company.

But still made by Germans with US quality control who are cutting corners to maximise profits. Both Lear and BMW are culpable in equal measure for the rusty seat bases and bad leather workmanship. Shocking and shameful.

shivaswrath · 12-29-2012, 04:05 PM

And leather workmanship?

F30AM · 12-29-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

And leather workmanship?

Baggy leather on seat bases. Not stretched equally on both sides of the central seam.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784559

Mine when new:

Mine after 25 miles. Getting worse.

Ron Scott · 12-29-2012, 07:22 PM

Good rule of thumb: Don't buy BMW leather.

If you think the pics of the new car above are bad wait a couple of years. The vinyl is more substantial and supple for sure.

Shame they didn't upgrade their leather when they rethought the overall interior quality for the F30...

clarence · 12-30-2012, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

Shame they didn't upgrade their leather when they rethought the overall interior quality for the F30...

It's the same standard leather they used on a F01/02.

DarkTrigger · 12-30-2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30AM

Baggy leather on seat bases. Not stretched equally on both sides of the central seam.

Gotta love those factory direct butt imprints.

shivaswrath · 12-30-2012, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

And leather workmanship?

Baggy leather on seat bases. Not stretched equally on both sides of the central seam.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784559

Mine when new:

Mine after 25 miles. Getting worse.

Have them check your seat "clip"...mine were missing/loose, looked like yours, they tightened some clip and the looseness was gone....it's like the leather wasn't stretched over the cushion right.

F30AM · 12-30-2012, 04:16 AM

Car's been booked for 3rd Jnuary. They are going to investigate the problem, try to fix it and if this is not possible they will either order a new leather facing or replace the whole seat base. But fix it, they will. So says the service manager.

Was rather impressed with the Service Department. Massive in size with its own showroom. It was like a 5* hotel. Beautifully appointed + wonderful coffee. Was treated with utter respect, thoughtfulness and I felt very valued. Very efficient and professional. The whole experience was first class. They even have a dedicated bodyshop which was as clean as a top notch hospital. Most surprised and impressed. Best dealership I have ever visited.

F30AM · 12-30-2012, 01:38 PM

Anyway, today, I had a good chance of checking the tension/stretch of the leather on all the seats. They are all a bit baggy but nowhere near as bad as the driver's front seat which is, to say the least, really very bad and getting worse with use. It now looks completly wrecked!

I really feel that I've got a bit of a lemon as far as seat quality is concerned. I've checked 4 new F30 320d M Sports with Coral Red Leather at the BMW dealer and all of them were far, far superior to mine. I would say they were perfect.

I will mention this to the Warranty Manager. The car is booked for the 3rd January for them to assess, investigate and eventually instigate a fix.

godfather87 · 12-30-2012, 04:37 PM

I used to work in that company as a summer student... Seems like yesterday but it was 7 years ago...

BMWrules7 · 12-31-2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

And leather workmanship?

Baggy leather on seat bases. Not stretched equally on both sides of the central seam.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784559

Mine when new:

Mine after 25 miles. Getting worse.

Dude, time to hit the salad bowl.

I can hear it now, "uh, Mr. Customer, that's normal since leather is natural.".

F30AM · 12-31-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Dude, time to hit the salad bowl.

I can hear it now, "uh, Mr. Customer, that's normal since leather is natural.".

Wrong! BMW have agreed the seat is faulty.

ES_TRADER · 12-31-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

And leather workmanship?

Hows this for workmanship....this was on mine

right side was the same way

F30AM · 12-31-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

Hows this for workmanship....this was on mine

right side was the same way

Pretty awful. Did they fix it?
So much for BMW QC or lack of it.

ES_TRADER · 12-31-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ES_TRADER

Hows this for workmanship....this was on mine

right side was the same way

Pretty awful. Did they fix it?
So much for BMW QC or lack of it.

Still dealer took 2 visits to fix. First time they said it was normal. After I said I couldn't accept that answer because none of my other bimmers are that way, they scheduled another appt for me to come in and they restapled the leather onto the bottom cushion.

F30AM · 01-01-2013, 08:08 AM

Some say we are making a big deal out of this. It is a big deal to have rust inside an expensive new car due to inadequate QC. It is so ridiculous that in this day and age a modern expensive car should have a rust issue. It is shameful and shocking that BMW have allowed such a situation to develop. It has now become a global issue and BMW should come clean and provide all affected owners with a seamless solution. In fact, they should instigate an official re-call.

Removing and re-installing seats especially with the replacement of seat bases, can lead to damage of other trim panels. The seats, particularly leather ones, are never the same afterwards. In fact, brand new complete seats should be provided for the affected cars. BMW needs to provide this goodwill gesture for all the incovenience and stress the situation is causing. At present, they have too much wriggle room by doing just the bare minimum by replacing or rust coating the rusty seat bases.

Lastly, I bet BMW knew there was a rust problem and they hoped against hope that no one would notice or take issue. Now how bad and callous is that?

And then to add insult to injury: shoddy leather workmanship.

Vector Pilot · 01-01-2013, 01:46 PM

Are the leatherette seats wearing down too?

F30AM · 01-01-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector Pilot

Are the leatherette seats wearing down too?

12-29-2012, 09:57 AM	#1
F30AM Major Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,373 iTrader: (0)	This is where our faulty seats + rusty seat bases are made by Lear in Germany! Germany Seats made: Bremen (S) Eisenach (S) Quakenbrueck (S) Rietberg (S) Wackersdorf (S) Adminstrative/Technical: Allershausen-Leonhardsbuch (A/T) Besigheim (E,A/T) Ginsheim-Gustavsburg (A/T) Kranzberg (A/T) Munich (A/T) Remscheid (E,A/T) Sindelfingen (A/T) Wolfsburg (A/T) 207 global locations Global Website: http://www.lear.com/en/contact/locations.aspx Just imagine millions of seats in cars, planes, trains etc all rusting away! __________________ F30 EBII 330d M-Sport/Red Hippo Hide Heated Chairs/18"/Aluminium Hex+Black Trim/Smart Door Mirrors/Cunning Xenons/Clever Suspenders/Electric Back Help/DAB/HK/New Pro Media/Extra Coded Immobiliser/Ciggy Pack/Booty Net/Memory Cushion for Bony Posterior!/5 Year Service Pack A TRULY WONDERFUL CAR. Had Baggy Red Hippo Hide Chairs. Fixed at my expense. Mean BMW refused to help
	Tweet

12-29-2012, 12:10 PM	#2
shivaswrath Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norwalk CT Posts: 1,982 iTrader: (2)	Burn them down! __________________ 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Whore: PPK\|Exhaust\|Brakes\|Performance Suspension Struts & Springs\|Black Kidney Grilles\|CF Spoiler and Mirror Caps\|M Sport 400M\|BMWF30.com 335i brakes FS!

12-29-2012, 12:27 PM	#3
dd1981 Kapetan Svog Života Drives: 2012 335i sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,105 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [4.50] 1999 Ford Ranger [0.00] 2001 Alfa Romeo 156 [0.00]	I read up on this a few weeks ago, about that guy destroying his car in front of a BMW dealer. I noticed small rust specks on my seats, nothing like what was in the pics on the forum, I wonder if I should try to push for new seats. __________________ ///M Performance Exhaust, Black Gloss Grills, 20% Tint

12-29-2012, 04:05 PM	#6
shivaswrath Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norwalk CT Posts: 1,982 iTrader: (2)	And leather workmanship? __________________ 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Whore: PPK\|Exhaust\|Brakes\|Performance Suspension Struts & Springs\|Black Kidney Grilles\|CF Spoiler and Mirror Caps\|M Sport 400M\|BMWF30.com 335i brakes FS!

12-30-2012, 04:16 AM	#12
F30AM Major Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,373 iTrader: (0)	Car's been booked for 3rd Jnuary. They are going to investigate the problem, try to fix it and if this is not possible they will either order a new leather facing or replace the whole seat base. But fix it, they will. So says the service manager. Was rather impressed with the Service Department. Massive in size with its own showroom. It was like a 5* hotel. Beautifully appointed + wonderful coffee. Was treated with utter respect, thoughtfulness and I felt very valued. Very efficient and professional. The whole experience was first class. They even have a dedicated bodyshop which was as clean as a top notch hospital. Most surprised and impressed. Best dealership I have ever visited. __________________ F30 EBII 330d M-Sport/Red Hippo Hide Heated Chairs/18"/Aluminium Hex+Black Trim/Smart Door Mirrors/Cunning Xenons/Clever Suspenders/Electric Back Help/DAB/HK/New Pro Media/Extra Coded Immobiliser/Ciggy Pack/Booty Net/Memory Cushion for Bony Posterior!/5 Year Service Pack A TRULY WONDERFUL CAR. Had Baggy Red Hippo Hide Chairs. Fixed at my expense. Mean BMW refused to help

12-29-2012, 02:19 PM	#4
xit2050 Private First Class Drives: e90 318i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 112 iTrader: (0)	Made in Germany.... but US company.

12-29-2012, 07:22 PM	#8
Ron Scott Captain Drives: 2013 335 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	Good rule of thumb: Don't buy BMW leather. If you think the pics of the new car above are bad wait a couple of years. The vinyl is more substantial and supple for sure. Shame they didn't upgrade their leather when they rethought the overall interior quality for the F30...

12-30-2012, 01:38 PM	#13
F30AM Major Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,373 iTrader: (0)	Anyway, today, I had a good chance of checking the tension/stretch of the leather on all the seats. They are all a bit baggy but nowhere near as bad as the driver's front seat which is, to say the least, really very bad and getting worse with use. It now looks completly wrecked! I really feel that I've got a bit of a lemon as far as seat quality is concerned. I've checked 4 new F30 320d M Sports with Coral Red Leather at the BMW dealer and all of them were far, far superior to mine. I would say they were perfect. I will mention this to the Warranty Manager. The car is booked for the 3rd January for them to assess, investigate and eventually instigate a fix. __________________ F30 EBII 330d M-Sport/Red Hippo Hide Heated Chairs/18"/Aluminium Hex+Black Trim/Smart Door Mirrors/Cunning Xenons/Clever Suspenders/Electric Back Help/DAB/HK/New Pro Media/Extra Coded Immobiliser/Ciggy Pack/Booty Net/Memory Cushion for Bony Posterior!/5 Year Service Pack A TRULY WONDERFUL CAR. Had Baggy Red Hippo Hide Chairs. Fixed at my expense. Mean BMW refused to help

12-30-2012, 04:37 PM	#14
godfather87 Private Drives: 2013 335ix Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada, Kitchener Posts: 79 iTrader: (0)	I used to work in that company as a summer student... Seems like yesterday but it was 7 years ago...

01-01-2013, 08:08 AM	#20
F30AM Major Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,373 iTrader: (0)	Some say we are making a big deal out of this. It is a big deal to have rust inside an expensive new car due to inadequate QC. It is so ridiculous that in this day and age a modern expensive car should have a rust issue. It is shameful and shocking that BMW have allowed such a situation to develop. It has now become a global issue and BMW should come clean and provide all affected owners with a seamless solution. In fact, they should instigate an official re-call. Removing and re-installing seats especially with the replacement of seat bases, can lead to damage of other trim panels. The seats, particularly leather ones, are never the same afterwards. In fact, brand new complete seats should be provided for the affected cars. BMW needs to provide this goodwill gesture for all the incovenience and stress the situation is causing. At present, they have too much wriggle room by doing just the bare minimum by replacing or rust coating the rusty seat bases. Lastly, I bet BMW knew there was a rust problem and they hoped against hope that no one would notice or take issue. Now how bad and callous is that? And then to add insult to injury: shoddy leather workmanship. __________________ F30 EBII 330d M-Sport/Red Hippo Hide Heated Chairs/18"/Aluminium Hex+Black Trim/Smart Door Mirrors/Cunning Xenons/Clever Suspenders/Electric Back Help/DAB/HK/New Pro Media/Extra Coded Immobiliser/Ciggy Pack/Booty Net/Memory Cushion for Bony Posterior!/5 Year Service Pack A TRULY WONDERFUL CAR. Had Baggy Red Hippo Hide Chairs. Fixed at my expense. Mean BMW refused to help

01-01-2013, 01:46 PM	#21
Vector Pilot First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 E92 335xi + 2011 Z4 35i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago Metro Posts: 347 iTrader: (0)	Are the leatherette seats wearing down too? __________________ 2011 E92 335i + 2011 E89 35i

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