[jailonacs99]

I remember it took my F82 several years before the steering wheel leather started cracking. By then it was also a glossy sheen.

By 1500 miles (have about 2600 now) there are several spots where the leather is in that early cracking phase. I've already conditioned it twice. I think the parallel cracks may be scratches from somebody at my local dealership when I had the car in for the 1200 mile service. But they've also sort of spiderwebbed in between.

Anyone else already experiencing this? My purchasing dealer is a couple of states over so raising build quality issues won't be easy.

[antiterra]

Those look a lot like fingernail scrapes, the leather on the steering wheel will wrinkle and crack when scratched. My f30 wheel was accidentally gouged by both the dealer and a third-party mechanic. Both of them paid a leather repair guy that could drive out to the car and paint on some stuff to make it smooth again. It’s not perfect and there were even some splatter spots on the wheel from the repair, but it smoothed it out and made it look significantly better. Now that the wheel has worn more over time it’s significantly less obvious.

[dwlc83]

Mine did this on the bottom of the wheel that would rub my jeans when getting in and out (had to squeeze through tight space in small garage to get in). Leather cleaner and conditioner made it 95% better.

[Bch53211]

Originally Posted by antiterra

Those look a lot like fingernail scrapes, the leather on the steering wheel will wrinkle and crack when scratched. My f30 wheel was accidentally gouged by both the dealer and a third-party mechanic. Both of them paid a leather repair guy that could drive out to the car and paint on some stuff to make it smooth again. It’s not perfect and there were even some splatter spots on the wheel from the repair, but it smoothed it out and made it look significantly better. Now that the wheel has worn more over time it’s significantly less obvious.

The first two pics look like scratches - on the third it looks like the material has constricted a bit , I wouldn’t be surprised if it was delivered like that. Is the car in the heat or sun often?

[MTM3]

Trim your finger nails

[Grumpy514]

Those are abrasions from you, the driver. Not the steering wheel leather falling apart. I carry a knife in my front right pocket & have to either pocket it completely or be very mindful or things like this will happen easily.

[fl1by]

Mine is cracking on the bottom left, when I get into the car I am guessing.... I am checking with the dealer tomorrow for their take on it.

I have probably only entered the car 100 times at most... so I am wondering if it is really that fragile.

[iviegatron]

You need one of these...

[BIGW0RM]

Wedding ring damage?

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by Grumpy514

Those are abrasions from you, the driver. Not the steering wheel leather falling apart. I carry a knife in my front right pocket & have to either pocket it completely or be very mindful or things like this will happen easily.

The parallel scratches are definitely abrasions, that's why I think they happened during service. The others are the leather starting to crack. They're not in places I typically have my hands anyway, but even if they were, it's a bit ridiculous for a track-focused car to have the leather on the steering wheel start to give after a thousand miles. I also remember the debacle with the alcantara wheels on the old M3s though and how quickly those got pilly.

In any case, I'm conditioning it more frequently. If they start to peel and split like they did on my F82, I may try the leather repair route another poster mentioned.

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by fl1by

Mine is cracking on the bottom left, when I get into the car I am guessing.... I am checking with the dealer tomorrow for their take on it.

I have probably only entered the car 100 times at most... so I am wondering if it is really that fragile.

Interested to hear what your dealer says. It certainly would not be cheap to replace the steering wheel, but if this is also typical it would happen on any wheels regardless.

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

Wedding ring damage?

That settles it; "irreconcilable differences"

[freshxdough]

That's damage to the wheel. Not cracking.

[BMWRacer523]

this is why i never wear my wedding ring :P

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

That's damage to the wheel. Not cracking.

The first picture is obviously damage. As I mentioned, I noticed it after I took my car in for my 1200 mile service. Somebody at the dealer was careless (car had about 20 extra miles on it when I picked it up).

Reminds me of a visit years ago in my F82 when I got in after service and my DCT knob was covered in scratches with fresh plastic shavings. Someone was wearing a ring or something and hard shifted it right before I picked it up. That time the dealer accepted responsibility and I had to wait for a whole new DCT assembly for them to fix it.

This time I was already on my way before I felt it. It was literally during Hurricane Ida so getting home was the priority.

The two slightly more fuzzy pics I think are leather separation / premature wear. There is no abrasion point. The leather is pulling apart, and I don't wear jewelry/rings, so my (lizard person?) hands touching the steering wheel are the only potential "cause" besides sun or gremlins. In any case, I'm just going to keep treating it with conditioner for now. If anybody else is experiencing anything similar, I'd be interested to know if it's widespread.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by jailonacs99

The first picture is obviously damage. As I mentioned, I noticed it after I took my car in for my 1200 mile service. Somebody at the dealer was careless (car had about 20 extra miles on it when I picked it up).

Reminds me of a visit years ago in my F82 when I got in after service and my DCT knob was covered in scratches with fresh plastic shavings. Someone was wearing a ring or something and hard shifted it right before I picked it up. That time the dealer accepted responsibility and I had to wait for a whole new DCT assembly for them to fix it.

This time I was already on my way before I felt it. It was literally during Hurricane Ida so getting home was the priority.

The two slightly more fuzzy pics I think are leather separation / premature wear. There is no abrasion point. The leather is pulling apart, and I don't wear jewelry/rings, so my (lizard person?) hands touching the steering wheel are the only potential "cause" besides sun or gremlins. In any case, I'm just going to keep treating it with conditioner for now. If anybody else is experiencing anything similar, I'd be interested to know if it's widespread.

Getting in and out of these cars especially the G80 can get your belt or hip to rub the steering wheel fairly easily. It doesn't take much to rub the wheel. They both look like abrasion to me. Leather isn't just going to separate or crack especially on a new car.

[G80_GuyGuy]

I just noticed today my steering wheel on my g80 M3C looks exactly like yours in the pic and I never wear any rings or anything and have no idea how I would have scratched it so bad. Wonder if something is wrong with the quality of these steering wheels as I am so careful with this car.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by G80_GuyGuy

I just noticed today my steering wheel on my g80 M3C looks exactly like yours in the pic and I never wear any rings or anything and have no idea how I would have scratched it so bad. Wonder if something is wrong with the quality of these steering wheels as I am so careful with this car.

Looks to be quality related. I have 2 BMWs and I wear a wedding ring. I don't have a single scratch for last 3 years.

[jailonacs99]

Originally Posted by G80_GuyGuy

I just noticed today my steering wheel on my g80 M3C looks exactly like yours in the pic and I never wear any rings or anything and have no idea how I would have scratched it so bad. Wonder if something is wrong with the quality of these steering wheels as I am so careful with this car.

That makes at least three of us. Unfortunately I'll bet more owners will start to notice this in short order. I've taken to conditioning my wheel at least once a month now, as I'm worried it'll keep getting worse. It definitely feels like the leather is separating. Like dry skin being pulled too tight and cracking.

[Limegrntaln]

It's under bumper to bumper. Tell them you want it replaced. Most people don't ask for these things. I've had steering wheels and seats replaced under warranty, by 2/3 different car brands. So, it's not just a certain brand or a certain dealer. I hope the seat bolsters crack while cars are still under bumper to bumper. They've always replaced them for me.

[MachinesWithSouls]

You can make fun of me, but I wear driving gloves for even moderate distances. They prevent the oil on your skin from breaking down the leather.

It's pretty easy to rub against the wheel when getting in and out, so be mindful of that as well.

[jailonacs99]

That's not crazy; I make a point of getting in and out very carefully to avoid excess wear on the side bolsters.

I suppose the balance is what is necessary to keep a museum piece in pristine condition vs. a car designed to be tracked and driven daily. If our cars need to be treated like the former just to avoid them splitting apart, then it probably is a build issue. I'm either case, the leather shouldn't start splitting at a 1000 miles on the ODO. That's literally just a few passes of the hand or a week in the sun.