General Splitting seat trim

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General Splitting seat trim

James The Butler

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Noticed today that the right hand side drivers seat cushion trim has started to split, most annoying. I don't ever carry any sharp things in my right pocket such as keys:mad: This is a 64 plate TA 4x4
 

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Identical to my drivers seat side bolster. Cheap rubbish 'faux leather' that I need to get fixed. Suspect the only solution is a specialist leather interior trim repair shop who could replace the panel with closely matching leather. Or a breaker on eBay.....
 
Yep, same on my 4x4 TA '63 plate.

From my professional background it's symptomatic of some chemical ageing of the plastic based material combined with fatigue (suggested by it only being the drivers side). All the same material will be in the same aged state but the cracking only occurs with repeated loading (driver getting in and out).

I guess we have to "suck it up" as they say!
 
My 2013 climbing is suffering the same problem, like others I don’t keep keys or money in my pockets.
 
Thanks, that is precisely what my local trimmers said today, cheap and nasty they have a very good match real leather replacement to fit next week.
 
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Noticed today that the right hand side drivers seat cushion trim has started to split, most annoying. I don't ever carry any sharp things in my right pocket such as keys:mad: This is a 64 plate TA 4x4

Mine did the same and after less time - shortly after I'd had it 3 years.
Same place on driver's seat. I bought a replacemement seat cover from Fiat £148 at the time. And have taken extra are getting in and out since. That wasn't including fitting.

There was another thread on this ages ago I think the title had 'premature wear' in if you're searching for it.

Interesting that all three instances (yours, mine and the one on the other thread) have been with the the cream colour of faux leather.
 
Mine did the same and after less time - shortly after I'd had it 3 years.
Same place on driver's seat. I bought a replacemement seat cover from Fiat £148 at the time. And have taken extra are getting in and out since. That wasn't including fitting.

There was another thread on this ages ago I think the title had 'premature wear' in if you're searching for it.

Interesting that all three instances (yours, mine and the one on the other thread) have been with the the cream colour of faux leather.

Thanks, that's interesting, my local trimmers are doing the work on Weds, with more or less the same colour leather replacement section, it's bit lighter than the standard fit but should weather down nicely, I'll post a photo when the job has been done.
 
Noticed today that the right hand side drivers seat cushion trim has started to split, most annoying. I don't ever carry any sharp things in my right pocket such as keys:mad: This is a 64 plate TA 4x4

Checked all my orange faux leather seat trim in my 2014 Panda 4x4 Antarctica, no cracking or splitting yet. I use baby wipes to clean those parts, not sure if that makes a difference but a car detailer once gave me that tip, it stops leather from drying out and cracking.
 
Thanks, that's interesting, my local trimmers are doing the work on Weds, with more or less the same colour leather replacement section, it's bit lighter than the standard fit but should weather down nicely, I'll post a photo when the job has been done.

Very interested to hear how you get on please Butler James (y)

I fitted 500 Abarth seats to my last 4x4 (169 model) and if they did those in matching green I'd have another pair at the drop of a hat :) - this might have been just the excuse I needed....
 
Checked all my orange faux leather seat trim in my 2014 Panda 4x4 Antarctica, no cracking or splitting yet. I use baby wipes to clean those parts, not sure if that makes a difference but a car detailer once gave me that tip, it stops leather from drying out and cracking.

Im guessing it is 'Alcantara'.. been around for 20+years with a fair reputation..

Maybe its a cheaper version..

My lounge spec doesnt have these padded inserts..

But years of experience reminds me that
'Bolsters' always wear badly

Cinq sporting drivers :eek:
 
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Sorry Chris for delayed reply, car booked in then lockdown so come back later, the quote was £165.
 
Mine did the same and after less time - shortly after I'd had it 3 years.
Same place on driver's seat. I bought a replacemement seat cover from Fiat £148 at the time. And have taken extra are getting in and out since. That wasn't including fitting.

There was another thread on this ages ago I think the title had 'premature wear' in if you're searching for it.

Interesting that all three instances (yours, mine and the one on the other thread) have been with the the cream colour of faux leather.
Yes, my 2013 4x4 did this - also with the cream colour 'eco leather' trim.


It became very clear once it had split that there is no leather of any sort in there -- it is quite simply vinyl (plastic!) on a cloth backing. (There is a suggestion somewhere that there may be 'leather dust' mixed in, but basically its plastic)
 
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Yes, my 2013 4x4 did this - also with the cream colour 'eco leather' trim.


It became very clear once it had split that there is no leather of any sort in there -- it is quite simply vinyl (plastic!) on a cloth backing. (There is a suggestion somewhere that there may be 'leather dust' mixed in, but basically its plastic)

You won't find real leather on anything under 30k
And even the ammout of real leather will be minimal
 
My Cross has the brown stuff. No sign of wear at 5 years old, but it's the least convincing "faux leather" I've ever come across. Looks cheap 'n nasty, feels cheap 'n nasty.
 
Im guessing it is 'Alcantara'.. been around for 20+years with a fair reputation..

Maybe its a cheaper version..

My lounge spec doesnt have these padded inserts..

But years of experience reminds me that
'Bolsters' always wear badly

Cinq sporting drivers :eek:

Not sure its as posh as Alcantara? I think it's just the same 'faux leather' as the other 4x4 models, just in that garish bright orange colour! I'm always careful getting in and out not to 'drag' over the drivers bolster, which takes the hardest wear, I don't keep anything sharp in my pockets and none of my jeans have those metal rivet/stud things that may cause extra wear.
 
Not sure its as posh as Alcantara? I think it's just the same 'faux leather' as the other 4x4 models, just in that garish bright orange colour! I'm always careful getting in and out not to 'drag' over the drivers bolster, which takes the hardest wear, I don't keep anything sharp in my pockets and none of my jeans have those metal rivet/stud things that may cause extra wear.
See post 14 in this thread - no leather of any sort... https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/479460-splitting-seat-trim.html?p=4526330
 
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