Quote:
Originally Posted by suitedcboy
When I was looking (and found) an X5 recently the majority had the vinyl panel on the outside cracked on driver's side with several having the same on passenger side. Some I looked at with what looked to be the same leather with same stitching patterns had what I know to be leather in that panel. I have not figured out if: 1. the replacement covers have that panel in leather, 2. the seat cover was repaired with leather, or 3. the option I saw on VINDecoder on some cars that listed "extended leather" is a option that does take the seats from "leather trimmed sets" to "leather seats".
It is rare for automotive seats to be leather all around. That happened 30+ years back and there were class action suits with some owners getting the $5.11 settlement checks (I don't know what the real amount was but I remember it was not a lot). The car I bought has the cracking on seats that otherwise are in great condition. I will likely pull the covers off one day and have the upholstery shop I've used many times do that section in black leather or whatever he suggests. The seat wearing and cracking on the switch panel, when it extends higher, happens easily and some makes use a carpet-like panel, probably a ballistic canvas, to keep it from happening.
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If you have a good upholstery shop, TBH, they can probably recover the bottom of both the front seats to be better than OEM.
Here is a close up of mine, which is a late 2018 model and you can see the line where it could tear on the side. Looks like the quality might have improved since mine is showing no signs of tearing. The seat overall looks nice for a 4 1/2 year DD. You can get. Replacement cover I believe from BMW and it would likely be what is on mine. However, it is probably cheaper to get it done by an upholstery guy…