davyjordi

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I was wondering what the condition of the leather is in your cars. I know that the newer models and/or those with very few miles will likely have no problems, although this poll and thread is aimed more at those who have had your car a few years or longer and/or have significant miles on the clock.

I'm curious because my leather (ecru coloured) in the back is completely fine (as no one sits back there), the passenger's seat is mildly worn on the bottom and side bolsters in which areas of the dye have worn off due to use, and the driver's seat has mild/moderate wear on the side and bottom bolsters from getting in and out of the car. Out of the three areas I've listed - driver's seat, passenger seat, rear bench - the driver's seat has the most wear where one is able to see, albeit only if scrutinising, areas where the top coat and the dye/paint has worn off slightly.

Important to note, I try to get out of the car as carefully as possible - entering and exiting the car looking like a ridiculous monkey trying to avoid the already worn areas. Also important, my car has 49,500 miles and is a 2008 with ecru interior.

I think I'll take it to a leather specialist once it starts to bug me too much but not before the seats are too far gone. At this point the seats - particularly the driver and passenger seats - are showing their age, but i don't drive the car much so I'd hate to see what they'd look like if i had, say, over 100,000 miles on the clock. I'm also 140lbs, so it's not like I'm placing a terrible amount of weight on the seats. Also, the leather has been cleaned and conditioned with Lexol products since new and I'm the original owner.

Thoughts and contributions on the condition of your seats?

darkdream

My 07 IS350 (only owner) has 33k miles and only the driver's left side bolster is mildly worn. There are creases, but they are not deep and the dye is not worn off . I not so disappointed about this, I would be if the leather started stretching out like I have seen in other luxury cars. My leather has been conditioned with Lexol too. My weight has fluctuated from 120 lbs to 160 lb (from bulking up).

It shouldn't cost too much to repair just the bolster on the seats.

davyjordi

Thanks for the input - and I thought I had low miles! I don't think it should cost much to repair the bolsters either with the wear my car has. And I, too, have seen some major leather problems with other luxury car marques! I'm satisfied that my leather, despite its problems, isn't falling apart!

kumquatism

iTrader: (10)

I have an '06 with 91k and I have little to no wear on the leather

tex2670

'07 with 54K. Some gathers on driver's seat. Small crack on pass. seat; but otherwise good.

jleeIS

08 w/ 58k miles and very minor wear on the leather, drivers side only from entering the car.

Manny408

I have a 06 is250 with 85k miles and the leather is slightly cracked but not to noticable

davyjordi

from what i've gathered via the written responses, you guys have leather similar to mine. although from the poll results thus far, 60% of the small number who have voted have severe wear!

anyhow, i think i'll take my own advice and the advice of the poster above by taking it in to have it spot repaired - i'm guessing the repairer blends/redyes sections that are noticeably faded/worn.

diverchris

I have an '09, I'm much larger than most. I baby my leather with Leatherique. I'm not having any issues with my leather
Chris

EXL124

07 50k miles - Hardly any wear on any seat.

davyjordi

omg - what am i doing wrong?!?!

i've always babied with lexol! i can't handle it.

510to808

10 is250, 1 previous owner 37k, leather looks brand new except for a couple wear and tear on drivers seat bottom,

diverchris

Two major things I can think of; Lexol is a petroleum-based product and can cause the pores of the leather to get plugged up.
The second issue I see is your location- very, very hot. The leather is drying out not because of lack of care rather environmental issues.
My suggestion is to change products. Try leatherique, yes it's more expensive, on a hot bazing CA day park your car in the sun. Pour about an ounce of leatherique into each seat and rub it in with out hands. Get two bath-sized towel and get them wet, but not dripping. Place these towels underneath the driver's and passenger's seat. Close the car doors let the sun do the work for you. Come back to your car in 24 to 48 hours and look at your leather. It will look horrible. There will be a crusty film on the seats. Clean this off with a towel and Pristine clean. The seats will feel better, softer, and so on.
Repeat this process again, if you have the time.
I used to use Lexol but changed and will never look back.
Good luck

davyjordi

thank you very much for the input - i'll definitely switch to leatherique (and follow your application advice) after i have the slight wear repaired so the seats look new again!