stilover

Beat me to it.

I once had a warranty claim with Peugeot regading the baffles going on my 106 GTI's exhaust after 7000 miles.

Dealer didn't want to know, and Peugeot themselves didn't want to know. After much arguing they said they pay 25% towards a new exhaust. Told them to get fcuked, and we'll see what Watchdog thinks about it. Walked away and went home.

Within 1 hour (dealer contacted Peugeot and told them what I was going to do) I got a phone call offering me a brand new free exhaust.

fitzscoob

Its not that easy to see from the picture but it looks like they are using cheap leather. From what you can see coming through the crust hasnt been dyed through. Its a good way to keep your materials cost down. What you also get with that is any holes or scuffs developing show a different colour through the surface.

Most decent leathers now are made to specifications, crib 5 or marine level etc. Some of my suppliers have leather specified for air travel which is the highest specification you can get. Saying that, most of the difference in their specifications come down to their burning temperature and chemicals used.

Also there are loads of different types of leathers, some more robust than others.

From looking at your pic the only thing you can tell is its been scuffed and rubbed, which has caused what you see. The difficult part is how you decide how much scuffing and rubbing should the leather accomodate before it gets to that stage.

TurboAndy

iTrader: (1)

This thread makes interesting reading.

I hope you get this sorted but I have to ask, If you get the seat changed under warranty you will only get the same seat again so the same problem will only happen again.

Must say Im very disapointed in the quality of subarus now.

scooby L

If (and it's a big if) they replace the seat I'd get the same yes... they are a fantastic seat and hold you very well... I'd probably get some felt and protect the leather with it 2nd time around...and be much more careful getting in and out the car.

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

I'd be very happy with those seats again personally. They have got to be the most comfy seats I have ever sat in that are a std (ish) fit to subaru.

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like Fitzscoob would be an ideal expert witness to inspect the leather and decide if it is "fit for purpose".

Spec D models have leather seats and mine has done 44k miles (3 yrs) without any damage like that at all. I have studs on trousers and don't care how I get in and out of the car. The main flat panel has stretched a little, but that's all.
Perhaps some other Spec D owners can give you some pictures vs mileage as a comparison?

Our old MG ZT leather lasted longer than that picture and that wasn't the best quality.

Nick

milney

am i the only one that spots that those seats are made from cheap sprayed leather not high quality dyed leather like the price tag of those seats carry.
My M3 and alfa didnt look like that after 7 years each.
End of day why they made the side bolster with such leather if it cant withstand much wear.

The rookie

iTrader: (1)

My 1998 Foz S-turbo (admittedly much smaller Bolsters) has done nearly 120K miles and that leather is only just starting to wear through the surface, nowhere near as bad as that, if you want some pics for 'evidence' of what could be considered normal PM me.

I remember Rover shelling out a lot for just such 'damage' on the Recaro leather seats in 620ti's and Vitesse sports......

Simon

scooby L

Cheers everyone for your comments.

I'm composing a letter to Managing Director today, but this thread has given me a few ideas on angles etc.

Thanks again.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

No you are not the only one to spot that. Thing is Recaro make them for Subaru at a price. So either Subaru aren't preapred to pay the price for proper leather or Recaro are being naughty and using poor quality leather.

Given the way Subaru are these days I know which my money is on.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Scooby L,

Have been thinking about this and given the quality of the leather I would go after Subaru/IM on a not fit for purpose claim, but get them to pay for both seats to be re-trimmed by an upholsterer in quality leather.

To be honest that will still be less than the cost of a new seat and you get seats that will actually last and look even better.

Sorry if this has already been suggested, haven't read the whole thread since yesterday.

deanb1980

looks like typical recaros they used to get worn by the seat belts on the astra and cavalier gsi's trading standards need a call me thinks

scooby L

I agree, the "not fit for purpose" angle is the best, as they've not accepted the "faulty goods angle" when I spoke to the warranty guy yesterday.

Cheers dean, I've read though the trading standards website, seam I'm doing the right thing by following up my phonecall with a formal letter (recorded delivery) and give them 14 days to respond... we will see.

SC008Y_MAD

iTrader: (5)

That is shocking to see a good seat manufacturer build quality is no better than a seat found in a 5000 pound korean super mini.

I think if you want very good build quality that will last, it might be an idea to buy a car that is built this way, something like Volvo, Saab, Audi. My S60R drivers leather seat (Gobi - cream) has done 96k miles and looks very good for its age.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Frankly, it doesn't surprise me.

"Recaro seats not as good as the price tag?" Surely not

Another one like Momo, then, trading on the name.

superstar1

Just a cost cutting exercise at the end of the day, look at what's happened at Toyota, once upon a time quality was how they made their name!

Apostle

SCOOBY L my seats have done 15,000 miles but they spend 80% of their time under decent seat covers (visiting sites every day) BUT they still show wear due to the crappy leather.

I would send you a piccie to compare / paste up but my car is 'on holiday' in Plymouth @ Enginetuner having a forged rebuild (due to a piston disentegrating - have a great photo).

Also PLEASE would you send me contact details of who you spoke to at IM re warranty and the MD details - I would really appreciate that mate.

I am going to chase them to pay for a repair (at my garage of choice) as I didnt want the same 'sub-standard' hyperneuticrap pistons used in a rebuild.

A

urban

iTrader: (1)

Can you not get some sort of leather seat treatment to prevent cracks etc?
Hope you get a positive outcome

scooby L

It's not "cracks" Shaun, the actual wearing surface of the leather has worn off.

MrBos

You will find that you will get this with all high bolstered seats, all my Alfas had the same problem and the zips on the rear pockets of my jeans really scuffed the bolster up. Not a warranty issue imo, its going to rub as you get in and out, as they are so high. Try covering it up with some shoe polish it will make it less noticable.

scixer6r

Another blow for the hatch(sure f1 will agree)seriously though that is very poor for age of car,someone said that is what you would probably get on a korean car,but im sure they wear better than that.7 year warranty on them these days,time subaru stepped up to the mark.

scooby L

Seams that Subaru isn't the only marque suffering from Recaro's cost cutting.

Shame, because the seats themselves are superb... perfect balance between comfort and support... reason I went for them.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Not that its helping the guy with the problem
But my wife has a Hyundai Coupe SIII or something like that
Its got full leather interior, and the seats are hardly marked after nearly 2 years
The side bolsters(side and bottom) are not even half the size of these recaro's though.

Mog

When I had the 330s I thought the quality of the leather was very poor ie stiff and cardboard like. I now have a Focus RS which has very high bolstered Recaros but the leather is alot more supple although I am very aware of rubbing the bolster when getting in and out.

Mog

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

Good luck, i had a car overheating issue during the warranty. My subaru garage thought its was a gauge issue. Warranty ran out with very little use of the car RCM serviced the car and diagnosed a failed head gasket. Subaru refused to cover the cost, in the end we split the cost but it far from being easy and its made me rethink buying another Subaru from a uk dealer. its a joke of a Warranty

All the best

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Up untill 5 years ago Subaru warranty was second to none IMHO

But I was warned about 2.5ltr head 7 Piston issues and so went to a 2.0ltr JDM.

There may be a few good un's out there, BUT I wouldn't touch a 2,5ltr with a VERY long stick IMHO bar a Cosy

Back on topic

I have to agree the seat for that amount of use is @@@@@@@@ sh1te

Tony

fitzscoob

As mentioned its not cracking due to drying out, its been scuffed away. But, in answer to your question, if you are worried about your leather drying up, just give it a wipe over with a baby wipe. Dont go spending out on fancy "leather moisturiser" as its pretty much just a baby wipe at 5 times the price.

scoobyboy

is yours a uk spec car then?

walsh128

I have the same car as you and noticed it started to show signs of use after about 5000miles, so i started sliding the seat right back before i got out the car. Its done 10k now and hasnt got any worse. If you dont slide the seat back its much harder to get in the car without rubbing. It does look like cr4p leather.

djandyg

iTrader: (2)

Coming from someone who works in a main dealership (not subaru) id be quite surprised if you managed to get warranty claim for that - as it looks like the sort of thing that would be quite easy for them to make their excuses and dodge out of. Im not sure where i work if they would allow something like that to be replaced under warranty, probs not tbh. However we have replaced a lot of cars gear ***** under warranty due to the paint wearing off them?!

Another thing with warranty claims, is that i think a lot of dealerships accross the board have been making dodgy warranty claims on parts when they havent had enough work in due to the current financial climate - and we'v been in the recession for long enough now for that to start becoming obvious - therefore the big bosses have cottoned on and toughening up on warranty claims.

By the way other cars i can think of using recaro's are:

Evo's
focus RS
focus ST
Corsa VXRs