X5 Leather Dash Peeling

[AmalfiCoast718]

Hello,

I have a 2016 X5 with 52,000 miles and have just found that the leather dash is peeling away near the windshield. Please see the attached pictures. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, what have you done about it? I believe this occurs from the sun causing the leather to shrink and pull away from the backing material. I will be using a sunshade in the windshield to hopefully prevent it from getting worse.

Has anyone here taken out their dash for repair or replacement?

Thanks.

[crystalworks]

Have the same problem on our 2nd hand F15. As you surmised, this happens when owners park the car in direct sun, without a sunshade, and without venting the roof and/or windows. Shrinks the dash leather.

A sunshade has 100% stopped any additional shrinkage or damage on ours. And we live in South Texas with usually many 100+ degree days during summer. Also, we condition the leather to keep it moist, probably also helps.

As far as fixing it, only removing the dash and having it recovered is likely to do the job. An upholsterer might be able to restretch and then glue the leather... but I'm not sure. It would be a time consuming job for you to take it out to bring to them, and cost prohibitive to have them take it out and do the work.

[AmalfiCoast718]

Thanks for your reply. So I take it you have learned to live with the issue on yours? May I ask what type of leather conditioner you use? Thanks.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by AmalfiCoast718

Thanks for your reply. So I take it you have learned to live with the issue on yours? May I ask what type of leather conditioner you use? Thanks.

Yes, we are living with it for at least the near future (12 months at least). May look into finding a used leather dash and swapping, or take it to the upholstery shop I use and get their thoughts on a repair.

We use the BMW leather conditioner with UV (specifically get the one with UV) protectant. Kinda pricey but it seems every time we're out of it, it's easiest to go to the dealer because we need it. I've heard that it's the same stuff as the Sonax just rebranded as BMW but have no confirmation of that.

[lonestar22]

Living in Texas is the sole reason I didn't get the leather dash. Even the regular dash can barely manage Texas heat.

[SpeedN8]

This has happened to mine as well. I love my X5 so much but can't unsee this after I first noticed it. I have always kept a shade on mine but noticed water on the inside of the glass after my X5 sat for a few months outdoors without being used. Not sure if it was from that or just the insane heat inside the vehicle when just sitting. I've started driving it more now and would love to have this fixed as it's getting worse. Has anyone actually paid to have this repaired/replaced?

[AmalfiCoast718]

Sorry to hear about your issue. I contemplated selling the car after seeing this lol. I may try placing a black vinyl strip from Joanne Fabrics. Not sure it could look much worse than it does now.

[SpeedN8]

Originally Posted by AmalfiCoast718

Sorry to hear about your issue. I contemplated selling the car after seeing this lol. I may try placing a black vinyl strip from Joanne Fabrics. Not sure it could look much worse than it does now.

I've also been thinking about something to make it black so it's not as noticeable. At least you don't have HUD. Mine is travelling around it, now. If you come up with something, please share a pic. You're right though... can't look much worse. I still love the car and want to keep it. Just needs some botox.

[crystalworks]

We're still living with it and no change on ours. It looks slightly better than what you posted OP. Fortunately had not spread to our HUD area.

There are only 3 options unfortunately. Remove the glass and have an upholsterer try to stretch/tuck the current leather along with injecting new adhesive through the windshield opening. Remove the dash from the X5 and take it to a shop for fixing or rewrapping. Buy a new dash/used dash that doesn't have the issue and fit that. All of the possible options are extremely costly (or time consuming) obviously with the most affordable being removing the dash yourself and installing a good used one (usually runs about $750 on Ebay).

That said... I'd never buy an X5 without the extended leather dash. Our E70 X5 has it too (but without any damage) and just makes any vehicle feel like it's punching in a higher luxury class.

[ricerboi]

I also have a 2016 X5 (about 120k miles). Same issue. Replaced my windshield last month and while the windshield was out, I just covered it up with some black electrical tape. Mine was only about 1/2" at the widest part so that worked. Yours looks a bit wider so...honestly if you can find a cheap fix and you can live with it... I'm ok with mine, I don't really notice it at all anymore.

[cobrachop]

I have the leather lifting in some places not cracking. I think its due to heat in summer, not sure how to remove the dash to glue it down

[Hembrey]

Same problem on my '17. Its aggravating. May just take it to the stealer to replace

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Hembrey

Same problem on my '17. Its aggravating. May just take it to the stealer to replace

Please let me know what they quote. I'm expecting 5-figure range.


This is what I'd do:
E30 convertibles have a similar issue on the top of the rear seat, the leather shrinks and seam splits. Here's what I'd do (and what I've done on the e30): Use a fine brush or dauber to flow a deep black dye into the opening that's uncovered.. You'll reduce the appearance by 90%+ for less than 1% the cost of any other option. I'd be super wary of replacing the dash in the F15, regardless of who does the work. Seems like a good way to get a bunch of rattles.

[Plus1]

Did anyone ever fully repair this? Just bought a 16 x5 with this problem. Can just the top piece of dash be removed by chance?

[P1]

It's for this exact reason I didn't opt for a leather dash on my G05. My F15 had it, and although it looked nice, extreme temperatures and leather dashes just don't work.

[kangfu84]

I've had mine retimmed by an auto upholsterer successfully, was about $2.5K AUD from memory. Took a few days to do as they need to remove the whole dash which is a decent job.

[Plus1]

Originally Posted by P1

It's for this exact reason I didn't opt for a leather dash on my G05. My F15 had it, and although it looked nice, extreme temperatures and leather dashes just don't work.

I feel ya. This will be garaged from now on but years of Georgia heat have already done the damage.

Originally Posted by kangfu84

I've had mine retimmed by an auto upholsterer successfully, was about $2.5K AUD from memory. Took a few days to do as they need to remove the whole dash which is a decent job.

Guess I'll go on the search for a good place. I got a good deal on the car from my brother as is so I can invest a little to get it back perfect.

Ty for response.

[kangfu84]

Originally Posted by Plus1

Guess I'll go on the search for a good place. I got a good deal on the car from my brother as is so I can invest a little to get it back perfect.

Ty for response.

When you do find someone, ensure they take care with the ambient lighting as my place stuffed it up first time around due to it being the area where they remove the dash. Had to take it back for them to fix it up.

[menohuman]

time to tint your windshield

[Plus1]

Did a DIY cheap fix on mine recently. I could see the white reflecting off of the windshield while driving was driving me nuts.

Ordered this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095XZQ56B...roduct_details




I cut a piece off of the roll and used a trim tool to mark the outline






I'll eventually try and stretch the leather back out and glue it down to make it smooth again around the edges but this satisfies me for now. Took me a couple hours, was a real pain in the butt and had to walk away a couple times.

[aschmidt]

Need sunshade always if it's in direct sunlight.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by aschmidt

Need sunshade always if it's in direct sunlight.

Yep, and some good window tint. Got 70% Crystalline on my windshield. Love it.