Leather Seat Cracking...what to do?

[FatalBert]

Hey OP I thought that was my pic until I saw the date! Nearly exactly the same as mine! (I used no cleaners prior to this pic)




I used griots leather upholstery cleaner and it looked much better:


but it came right back after about a week or so

[Madbusy168]

Damn, you guys with the 2013 are letting the Audi Dealer push you around like that? Theres no real excuse for this nonsense, unless you have over 50k on your 2013. You guys are way too soft, spending over $50k on a brand new car and the leather cracks within the first year and you let them tell you its wear and tear? I see 20 years old Mercedes at the junkyard with seats that are basically still perfect with the exception of a few wrinkles.. CMON the damn car is only 1 year old. I would bitch like a mofo if my 2013 seats are like that and they wont warranty it.. Shit, Post it on their Facebook Acct. "Look, my 2013 $50k+ car with 15,000 miles on it has cracked leather in it already and AUDI says sorry, not covered under warranty, its normal WEAR and TEAR... See what they gonna say.. Betcha you will get it covered in NO TIME...

[Madbusy168]

Hey OP I thought that was my pic until I saw the date! Nearly exactly the same as mine! (I used no cleaners prior to this pic)




I used griots leather upholstery cleaner and it looked much better:


but it came right back after about a week or so

Flat black spray paint, quick spray and wipe off immediately with a towel, the paint will fill in the cracks.

[theKB]

the leather they use in these cars is just complete garbage, it is probably one of the lowest grades available.

Even looking at a GLK which is a fairly low end mercedes the leather seemed as though it was tougher and more designed for the long term than any of the leather I have found in the VAG products we own.

[adbender]

It came on for me year 3...leather is not wearing, just the finish. Will probably get it touched up.

[Akatsuki...]

2012 w 22xxxkm ... Same issue.. Not as bad. Started using black fire leather conditioner. A little better but not a whole lot. The leater audi uses now is definitely a lot worse quality...

[Akatsuki...]

2012 w 22xxxkm ... Same issue.. Not as bad. Started using black fire leather conditioner. A little better but not a whole lot. The leater audi uses now is definitely a lot worse quality...

I am 5'7 160 lbs.. I find pushing the seat back to get in and out reduces pushing on the bolsters

[riegeraudi]

the leather they use in these cars is just complete garbage, it is probably one of the lowest grades available.

Even looking at a GLK which is a fairly low end mercedes the leather seemed as though it was tougher and more designed for the long term than any of the leather I have found in the VAG products we own.

Tougher the leather the cheaper it is. I have had many MB's and the leather wears better but it isn't of high quality and does the same even in the E-class and S-class just not as fast. The GLK you were in was most likely the ARTICO leather which is man made leather.
Try some black shoe polish on it and then buff it out and make sure the polish is removed. I think it will fix your problem if Audi doesn't want to fix it.

[220013047]

I used zaino leather in a bottle to soften the leather and pushed it back so it does not stick and chip. my 5 cents