Leather -- Excessive Wear

[bob shiftright]

I've noticed some wear on the driver's seat side bolster. Wear and tear, to be sure, but I'm wondering if this isn't excessive wear and tear.

The reason I think it might be a defect is that my 1986 Porsche has exactly the same wear pattern on the side bolster, but it's taken it eighteen (18) more years to get to this point. So I think it's probably either horrible quality Honda leather, or environmentally-friendly dye.

Has anyone had this problem? And has anyone had any success at getting this fixed under warranty?

[Doc]

I believe that this is a common thing on the TSX and that somewhere it has been discussed on this forum.

I can't remember exactly but I think a member here has had success on getting the leather fixed for the same reason under warranty.

Use the search function and research this topic, I am sure some threads will pop up giving you at least some of the info you need.

My opinion is that it is just cheap leather, mine is doing the same thing, I am not that worried about it though, I just chalk it up to the money I saved buying this car over some of its more expensive competitors.

However, another theory is that the TSX is leather "trimmed" meaning that only the perforated parts of the seats are actual leather, and the rest of the seat material is vinyl. Do a search and you'll find this argument.

[MemphisRheins]

yep, mine is really bad at this point... I hate to say it but the TSX has quite a few "Cheap" Parts...

[bob shiftright]

Use the search function and research this topic, I am sure some threads will pop up giving you at least some of the info you need.

However, another theory is that the TSX is leather "trimmed" meaning that only the perforated parts of the seats are actual leather, and the rest of the seat material is vinyl. Do a search and you'll find this argument.

Yes #1 thing I always try is the search function, and I came up with a couple of guys here or on that other board who were asking exactly the same question.

.....Without any answers.

I remember the leather-pleather discussion, and no, just looking at the wear on the seat I am pretty sure that the solid leather covering the bolster was once on the outside of a Japanese cow holding it's insides in. This ain't vinyl. The seat base and back are pleather or just plain plastic to be sure, but the seating surfaces, both the solid and the perforated parts, are very definitely (cheap) bio-leather.

If I were trying to sell the car, I'd just call "my" upholstery repair guy and he'd spot dye the wear area.

But I'm asking if anyone got Acura to replace the seat cover under warranty or if I'd just be wasting my time.

There are no TSBs covering the upholstery as far as I can tell.

[jerome736]

I've had my TSX for about two months and I've already noticed excessive wear on the left side of my driver seat.

[narci]

Just a thought, anyway to fit the TL seats in the TSX?

[Doc]

During your search did you happen to come across that guy that got his seats done under warranty?

I can seem to remember somebody that got it done, I may be wrong though.

[afici0nad0]

During your search did you happen to come across that guy that got his seats done under warranty?

I can seem to remember somebody that got it done, I may be wrong though.

i think you're right, but that somebody may be from the "other" tsx forum.

i have creases on the drivers seat left-side bolster. for me, i consider it normal wear and tear, unless the material or padding ends up looking really fukced up...

[CZ-75]

Any particular color leather wear worse?

[larchmont]

Mine's fine. :donno:

I still think my TSX has got to be a mutant. :D

[afici0nad0]

Any particular color leather wear worse?

from what i've read, the stitching on the parchment leather may bleed a navy blue color onto the leather.

don't quote me though...

in terms of excessive wear and tear, i don't know if color is a factor...

[SIM]

Here is the link to the thread about my "stained" seat cover experience- including some pics.

http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59268

[fanbanlo]

sigh... I talked to Richmond Acura (Richmond BC, Canada), and they just took a photo and they said they'd send to Acura Canada for the claim, and so far, no reply yet... damn it!

- one upset TSX-er.

[Warthog]

[Warthog]

Sorry about the blank posting - hit a key by mistake. My 2006 TSX had scuff marks on the leather after a few months. When I showed the dealer, we went out to check another customer's 2006 TSX and they had similar scuff marks. The dealership just replaced both front seat bottoms and it sure seems like a better quality leather than the original seats!

[SPoon_TSX]

Okay... well... I not try to start a flame but too bad the TSX we got is not come with Real Leather Seat where you can find from Lexus. It is a Leathette... which is in the other words - Soft Plastic. It will crack from time to time and there is nothing you can do about it.

[TSXDude]

I agree. The leather seat in our Acura cannot be compared to the ones in Lexus, period.

[C.B.]

i have the same problem! :mad:

[MemphisRheins]

Once again Zaino Works well... I just ordered the Goits Garage stuff online, ill tell you all how it works out sometime soon

[dina]

I polish my "leather" like crazy and so far no wear. how often do u guys do it?

[SPoon_TSX]

Never, I just clean it using semi-wet cloth. To be honest... you can just treat your seat like treating a leather like plastic... since it is NOT a REAL Leather.

[EX ITR]

Wow!! I didn't know it's not real leather. No wonder the IS300s' leather felt much softer and expensive. My driver seat don't look so good and feels hard and stiff compares to Lexus. (Both are tan in colour.)

[devore]

Hang on - can anyone definitively point to something saying it's not real leather? I think this is important because it would determine which kinds of cleaning/maintenance prouducts you'd use on it.

My seats are showing some wear and tear - wrinkles. I thought this was normal. I haven't used any products on it yet (about 4K miles.)

For what it's worth, Acura says "it's leather" on their brochure site. Now I know maybe there is some wiggle room in terms of what "leather" means but I would think it would be hard for them to have the following on their site if it's not "real" leather:

Acura's Brochure Site about Leather (http://www.acura.com/index.aspx?initPath=TSX_Learn_FeaturesOptions_Luxu ryComfort_InteriorMaterials_Leather)

Can anyone point to a definitive answer?

[SPoon_TSX]

It says "Leather wrap steeling wheels" but not "Leather Seat". If they are using real leather to wrap our seat, they will definately mention it on their website or brochure.

For more information: Check this link out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherette

However, they can still market our seat as Leather seat because the center part is leather... that's why you guys have cracking on the side but not in the middle. Got it?

[SPoon_TSX]

And the honest Acura Dealer will told that:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/index.jsp?dealership_view_name=www.specialsatacura ofseattle.com&car_id=205356080&dealer_id=71394

[SSMCruiser]

I thought the (2004) brochure said "perforated leather trimmed seats." So I thought the centre of the seats (perforated parts) were leather and the sides and backs, etc were vinyl. But I don't have the old brochure anymore and the current Canadian website says: "perforated leather trimmed interior." So to me this could mean just the door panels; it is considerably softer than the seats.

[aaron33]

The side bolsters are made of simulated leather I think. What you should do then is apply 303 protectant every month to keep it soft and supple like real leather. Otherwise the vinyl will crack very quickly.

[kosta]

there are many types of leather out there

i had leatherette on my bmw. it looks like leather but its tougher and it doesnt wear easily...so i dont think the acura has leatherette

then there's nappa leather which is soft and smooth ( i now have these in my bmw) but the leather wears very easily within a few months you get marks and cracks. Nothing you can do about it, just treat it and after a while either repair it or replace it

then there is montana leather which is also soft but its not perfectly smooth, it has a grainy finish it wears better than nappa

not sure which our cars have but i believe its real leather

[SPoon_TSX]

there are many types of leather out there

i had leatherette on my bmw. it looks like leather but its tougher and it doesnt wear easily...so i dont think the acura has leatherette

then there's nappa leather which is soft and smooth ( i now have these in my bmw) but the leather wears very easily within a few months you get marks and cracks. Nothing you can do about it, just treat it and after a while either repair it or replace it

then there is montana leather which is also soft but its not perfectly smooth, it has a grainy finish it wears better than nappa

not sure which our cars have but i believe its real leather

No no no, our TSX doesn't comes with Real Leather - Period. Wanna see what real leather like? Try test drive a Lexus or Benz you can tell what is real leather feel like. I am not try to start a flame war just don't want anyone wasting their money on something which is not what they think they are. :fro:

[kyotousa]

No no no, our TSX doesn't comes with Real Leather - Period. Wanna see what real leather like? Try test drive a Lexus or Benz you can tell what is real leather feel like. I am not try to start a flame war just don't want anyone wasting their money on something which is not what they think they are. :fro:

It's been said that the spot we set on it's real leather...
the back or side is not.....

I had a GS300 before TSX.....and my dad own a MB
GS300's leather is def. not better than TSX...

[EX ITR]

It's been said that the spot we set on it's real leather...
the back or side is not.....

I had a GS300 before TSX.....and my dad own a MB
GS300's leather is def. not better than TSX...
Had an IS300 SportCross, it's leather seats were way better than TSX's "leather" seats.

[kyotousa]

IS300? you didn't choose suede and perfed leather?
if you chose that......i think they feel pretty much the same......
I don't know what other one feel like.....I only test drove the suede and perfed leather one...since that's what i wanted to buy.

as for GS...it's soft and tight at first....then the leather seem to get "loose" after a yr...the only better part is maybe they don't get wrinkle as easy as TSX

I apply Lexol conditioner every month....so my TSX still looks good after 1 yr.....so I def. think it's better

and what is with the "Leather" quote?
are you saying it's not leather?
why should we believe you instead of Acura headquater that says all the seated surface are leather...??

[SPoon_TSX]

IS300? you didn't choose suede and perfed leather?
if you chose that......i think they feel pretty much the same......
I don't know what other one feel like.....I only test drove the suede and perfed leather one...since that's what i wanted to buy.

as for GS...it's soft and tight at first....then the leather seem to get "loose" after a yr...the only better part is maybe they don't get wrinkle as easy as TSX

I apply Lexol conditioner every month....so my TSX still looks good after 1 yr.....so I def. think it's better

and what is with the "Leather" quote?
are you saying it's not leather?
why should we believe you instead of Acura headquater that says all the seated surface are leather...??

Hey dude, you can believe what you believe but just remember one thing, with the price you get for your TSX it is very hard to believe Honda give you the real true leather. But still, if you think you can take their marketing gimmick, that's all up to you but by the end of the day... we still don't have the true leather as other luxury car got. Hope this will make you feel a bit better.

Regarding your question on the "Leather" quote... it will be the same debate such as Mobil #1 vs Castol Syn. oil, Clear coating vs Diamond coating etc....

It is ALL ABOUT MARKETING GIMMICK.. Good Luck my friend! :o

[devore]

Marketing-speak is one thing, false advertising is another. On Acura's site they say definitively that there is leather used on these seats. They say it repeatedly:

"TSX features soft, durable leather", "seats [are] upholstered in hand-selected leather", "As standard since the TSX's inception, soft, perforated leather upholstery graces all five seats". And from the specs: "sport seats with perforated leather trim interior", as well as the "leather-wrapped steering wheel."

So I have a hard time believing that Acura is lying about this repeatedly on their website. I think it's leather. I also think real leather is in use only in SOME places. The majority of the surfaces are most likely not leather, but I think some parts (specifically the perforated seat bottom) are leather.

I do think the leather in the TSX is certainly of much lower quality than in other luxury cars.

[SPoon_TSX]

Marketing-speak is one thing, false advertising is another. On Acura's site they say definitively that there is leather used on these seats. They say it repeatedly:

"TSX features soft, durable leather", "seats [are] upholstered in hand-selected leather", "As standard since the TSX's inception, soft, perforated leather upholstery graces all five seats". And from the specs: "sport seats with perforated leather trim interior", as well as the "leather-wrapped steering wheel."

So I have a hard time believing that Acura is lying about this repeatedly on their website. I think it's leather. I also think real leather is in use only in SOME places. The majority of the surfaces are most likely not leather, but I think some parts (specifically the perforated seat bottom) are leather.

I do think the leather in the TSX is certainly of much lower quality than in other luxury cars.

You are 100% correct. We do have PART OF our seat use REAL LEATHER but not the others think we have FULL LEATHER SEAT. Therefore, Acura DIDN'T LIE, they just not make their words CLEAR. Just like the law suit couple years ago the Mobil suit Castol that Castol market their engine oil as a FULL SYNC. while they only put 80% of addictive in their oil. Out come is, Castol can still market their product as FULL SYNC. since the law only required the product provide centain level of the addictive to consider it is a FULL SYNC. oil.

[kyotousa]

You are 100% correct. We do have PART OF our seat use REAL LEATHER but not the others think we have FULL LEATHER SEAT. Therefore, Acura DIDN'T LIE, they just not make their words CLEAR.

you know that's exactly what I said.....part of the seat....
The part that we sit on...is the only part that's real leather.
did I miss something?....

[EX ITR]

No suede, just leather. But way better leather than "hand selected soft, durable leather".

[afici0nad0]

is 303 protectant the consensus here for reducing the wrinkles found on the side bolsters?

any other brands that come to mind?

[ians]

there are many types of leather out there

i had leatherette on my bmw. it looks like leather but its tougher and it doesnt wear easily...so i dont think the acura has leatherette

then there's nappa leather which is soft and smooth ( i now have these in my bmw) but the leather wears very easily within a few months you get marks and cracks. Nothing you can do about it, just treat it and after a while either repair it or replace it

then there is montana leather which is also soft but its not perfectly smooth, it has a grainy finish it wears better than nappa

not sure which our cars have but i believe its real leather

I am with you. My nappa leather on my bimmer cracks more worst than on my TSX. And the leatherette will never crack or mark but it will make your ass sweat like hell in summer. So I believe the blooster area on TSX is real leather.