Occasionally, when driving a car I really like, the distinction between "wear" and "patina" isn't so clear. Such is the case with our M3. This car is old and used in many ways that our fleet of new machinery isn't. But most of us don't care. In fact, I find some of the M3's worn bits somewhat endearing. Like a tired pair of jeans or, in my case, a nasty old ball cap, some of this stuff is cool. And some of it, well, isn't.
The driver's side seat bottom bolster, which has been abraded by every manner of denim and polyester for six years, still looks stunning.
Here's how the once blue and red steering wheel stitching looks now:
Here's the center console just in front of the emergency brake handle where every driver's thumb scrapes after releasing the brake:
And the key, which I'm assuming once included an arrow and a trunk-release icon on its buttons:
So, wear or patina?
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 64,120 miles
allenychung says:
02:53 PM, 11/17/08
The seat doesn't look too bad, but the last 3 closeup shots look horrible, can't imagine what it smells like.
ahightower says:
03:30 PM, 11/17/08
Really good leather gets a "patina". Like a great leather jacket. I don't mind a little shine and those natural creases, as long as the leather feels soft (frequent conditioning), and the foam/seat itself is still supportive, and the color is good. The R8 is just worn out. Our GMC is borderline. I take very good care of it, but when you look close, there are several very light scratches that have scraped away the light tan color and show black underneath, almost as if the leather is painted rather than truly tanned. My next car will either have good quality cloth, or black leather.
You could probably clean the steering wheel stitching. All the other little scratches are inevitable. Not fun to notice them, but ah well, it's just a car. If it's reliable, that stuff is easy to overlook. When the car is a maintenance nightmare ($10K and counting...), that stuff is harder to ignore. Unless of course it's a Ferrari. Yes, there's a double standard.
estreka says:
05:53 PM, 11/17/08
Let's call it what it really is: character.
That being said, I doubt even folks that buy $100 jeans with holes in them would want to buy use M3 seats with 'patina.'
altimadude00 says:
06:11 PM, 11/17/08
This is a car in which you do long smokey burn-outs and carve canyon walls with. It is not a museum piece. Any car that is dealt that kind of use will show signs of wear, like any other car that is used as it is intended for.
vvk says:
07:05 PM, 11/17/08
It's not wear, it's neglect. I hope you know you have to apply leather conditioner to those seats every 6 weeks.
My BMW leather seats look absolutely like new. No wear, no creases. Almost as good as leatherette :)
dougtheeng says:
06:01 AM, 11/18/08
The scratches for the handbrake release would annoy me, but the key wear is inevitable. The 'disk key' in my R56 Cooper is only 8 months old and already its paint is worn off from where it touches the console. The wheel stitching still looks good, imo.
joefrompa says:
07:11 AM, 11/18/08
I think the seat looks pretty decent for 6 years, california sun/heat, and probably questionable levels of leather care in the current owners hands. Some leatherique would make it look even better....and that leather looks fantastically broken in.
The steering wheel looks fine. My 06 Civic SI leather steering wheel was, literally, flaking in my hands and started to get discolored. A couple of thorough treatments with Zaino Leather Conditioner seemed to rehabilitate it....but it's become very smooth instead of grippy (like the M3 steering wheel).
The key looks fine....the area near the brake handle looks a little rough. Driver's fingernails did that? Jeez people. Clip!
Did anyone else notice the plastic flashing on the seems above the keyhole?
Joe
cjasis says:
08:49 AM, 11/18/08
The seats show patina and to be honest, some neglect. Invest in some good leather cleaner and conditioner (I have had very good experience with Leatherique after using Lexol for years and years) and the seats will be fine.
The other areas are wear. Nothing you can do.
I've seen several M3's of this vintage with horrendous scratch marks on the "aluminum" trim on the doors too. Ugly.
sgude says:
09:31 AM, 11/18/08
I have noticed when different people drive the same car -- more than two people, that is -- the car will show a lot more wear than if there is just one driver. The seats and steering wheel are patina; the rest is wear. My keys have never faded like yours have.
joefrompa says:
11:45 AM, 11/18/08
I just recently test drove a 2001 BMW 540i 6-speed....the key looked the same, and it was a one-owner car.
brian60 says:
11:18 PM, 11/18/08
My key and leather look about the same as yours, same year but 20k less miles. The trim under the ebrake can be easily replaced for about $60 if you are the OCD type. I am, and replaced my dinged up cupholders ($35) to match the rest of my very well cared-for interior. Took all of 30 seconds.
boston12 says:
11:25 PM, 11/19/08
Like the others said, Get some Leatherique. It will do wonders for the seats and steering wheel. The console under the parking brake can be replaced for cheap. The ashtray door can get nicked up too bc the material is soft. Again, easily and cheaply replaced.
stingray454 says:
12:49 PM, 11/24/08
"Did anyone else notice the plastic flashing on the seems above the keyhole?
Joe"
Yes, I did. And I'm surprised nobody commented on it. If it were an American car with such sloppy plastic seam molding, you would never hear the end of it. On a BMW, it goes unmentioned.