Driver side bolster protection?

katit · 06-18-2018, 04:38 PM

I have cloth seats(leather bolsters). With 14k miles I already see some bolster wear on driver seat. Yes, I try to get in/out carefully. But jeans and belt somehow damage it anyway.

I wonder if there anything that I can cover it with to protect?

jailonacs99 · 06-18-2018, 10:53 PM

In all seriousness though, I've only found a couple of solutions for leather bolsters.

1: try to be a bit careful sliding over it and resting on it when sitting in the car. It's a silly solution; why have the car if you have to treat it with kid gloves even sitting down? That being said, when I buy used I look at leather wear and side bolsters as an indication of use and care.

2: Use leather treatment. If you want to put neoprene or a seat cover on and completely ruin the aesthetic and comfort features of your seat, go for it. The good thing about leather though is you can treat it with cleaners and conditioners to keep it supple and from cracking. I'm a fan of Meguiar's; there's also Mother's and a bunch of others too. I've been using wipes more recently but there are also lots of spray bottle based ones. Treat them monthly and clean them with wipes every couple of weeks depending on use and if your car sits in the sun.

MN2///M · 06-19-2018, 11:09 AM

Get in the habit of placing your hand on the bolster as you get in. If you do it this way, then your hand takes the rubbing and not the leather. It feels odd at first, but becomes second nature after a bit.

2000cs · 06-19-2018, 11:17 AM

And don’t wear denim in the car.

Ian1973 · 06-19-2018, 08:28 PM

Or just live your life and worry about things that matter.

MicaCeli · 06-25-2018, 08:02 PM

It gives the leather character, life isn't perfect, your leather should reflect that.

KevinM · 06-28-2018, 02:18 AM

I get both sentiments too well - how can I best protect it/it's just a car and there are so many more important things...

While I try to balance these things, I've had 14 years of experience protecting the bolster of my E39 M5 and 11 years for a Z4M coupe. My F80's bolster looks brand new at 15K miles, partially because of my previous experience and partially because the leather seems more durable (at least in comparison to my E39 M5 - the heritage leather is very supple).

1. As you state, being careful how you enter is #1. At this point by habit, I don't touch the bolster.
2. Good leather care/cleaning, to make sure dirt is not ground into the bolster.
3. Since I bought the F80 M3, I've used Leather Master's Protection Cream in all the cars. Not sure I can fully attest to its effectiveness, but it seems like a good concept and the company has a good reputation. https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Maste.../dp/B004SI1WSO (I buy the combo set with the cleaner).
4. If the leather seems hard, or is > 5 years old, a Leatherique treatment is invaluable, but it is a pain. http://www.leatherique.com

GL!

Wills2 · 07-14-2018, 04:31 PM

There are no treatment creams that are going to stop abrasion, the only way to minimise abrasion is to get into the car without your hips/backside touching the bolster, your hand is your friend in that situation.

I've done 80k miles in my M3 and have little abrasion due to using my hand on the bolster.

06-18-2018, 04:38 PM	#1
katit First Lieutenant 89 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: STL iTrader: (0)	Driver side bolster protection? I have cloth seats(leather bolsters). With 14k miles I already see some bolster wear on driver seat. Yes, I try to get in/out carefully. But jeans and belt somehow damage it anyway. I wonder if there anything that I can cover it with to protect?
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06-18-2018, 10:53 PM	#2
jailonacs99 Captain 487 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2022 M4 xDrive Competition Join Date: May 2014 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW M4 MxDrive ... [0.00]	In all seriousness though, I've only found a couple of solutions for leather bolsters. 1: try to be a bit careful sliding over it and resting on it when sitting in the car. It's a silly solution; why have the car if you have to treat it with kid gloves even sitting down? That being said, when I buy used I look at leather wear and side bolsters as an indication of use and care. 2: Use leather treatment. If you want to put neoprene or a seat cover on and completely ruin the aesthetic and comfort features of your seat, go for it. The good thing about leather though is you can treat it with cleaners and conditioners to keep it supple and from cracking. I'm a fan of Meguiar's; there's also Mother's and a bunch of others too. I've been using wipes more recently but there are also lots of spray bottle based ones. Treat them monthly and clean them with wipes every couple of weeks depending on use and if your car sits in the sun. Attached Images
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06-19-2018, 11:09 AM	#3
MN2///M Captain 521 Rep 865 Posts Drives: very fast! Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Get in the habit of placing your hand on the bolster as you get in. If you do it this way, then your hand takes the rubbing and not the leather. It feels odd at first, but becomes second nature after a bit. __________________ 2003 BMW 330i 2016 BMW M4 - ED May 2016, PCD Aug 2016 2017 X5 xDrive35i - PCD Jan2017
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06-19-2018, 11:17 AM	#4
2000cs Captain 3532 Rep 1,004 Posts Drives: Potato Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	And don’t wear denim in the car.
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06-19-2018, 08:28 PM	#5
Ian1973 Colonel 736 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: 15 M3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Charlton, NY iTrader: (0)	Or just live your life and worry about things that matter.
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06-25-2018, 08:02 PM	#6
MicaCeli First Lieutenant 186 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2000 996 C4 [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00] 2001 B5 S4 Avant [0.00]	It gives the leather character, life isn't perfect, your leather should reflect that.
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06-28-2018, 02:18 AM	#7
KevinM Brigadier General 2937 Rep 3,286 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.38] 2002 E39 M5 [9.00]	I get both sentiments too well - how can I best protect it/it's just a car and there are so many more important things... While I try to balance these things, I've had 14 years of experience protecting the bolster of my E39 M5 and 11 years for a Z4M coupe. My F80's bolster looks brand new at 15K miles, partially because of my previous experience and partially because the leather seems more durable (at least in comparison to my E39 M5 - the heritage leather is very supple). 1. As you state, being careful how you enter is #1. At this point by habit, I don't touch the bolster. 2. Good leather care/cleaning, to make sure dirt is not ground into the bolster. 3. Since I bought the F80 M3, I've used Leather Master's Protection Cream in all the cars. Not sure I can fully attest to its effectiveness, but it seems like a good concept and the company has a good reputation. https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Maste.../dp/B004SI1WSO (I buy the combo set with the cleaner). 4. If the leather seems hard, or is > 5 years old, a Leatherique treatment is invaluable, but it is a pain. http://www.leatherique.com GL! __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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07-14-2018, 04:31 PM	#8
Wills2 Barge driver 8712 Rep 12,451 Posts Drives: 730d Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	There are no treatment creams that are going to stop abrasion, the only way to minimise abrasion is to get into the car without your hips/backside touching the bolster, your hand is your friend in that situation. I've done 80k miles in my M3 and have little abrasion due to using my hand on the bolster. __________________ 730d/Z4C
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