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Hi,

Sorry if this topic has been discussed before but has anyone found the is-f front seats not very durable? I've found the bit where you sit on looking 'saggy' instead of that tight look. Can we claim it under warranty? Btw, I'm not particularly of heavy build if you know what I mean so think its more of a design flaw than anything else!

Will

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Hi,

Sorry if this topic has been discussed before but has anyone found the is-f front seats not very durable? I've found the bit where you sit on looking 'saggy' instead of that tight look. Can we claim it under warranty? Btw, I'm not particularly of heavy build if you know what I mean so think its more of a design flaw than anything else!

Will

How saggy? My office chair looks like this after 38,000 miles. It's leather so expect it to stretch a bit. As you can see in the pic, the back panel has stretched very slightly too and shows a slight ridge where my spine usually is.

pic0191f.jpg

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I think he's referring to the base cushion, and I can see from your photo it's a bit stretched out. If it's only to that extent I doubt they'd replace that under warranty, it's wear and tear and quite normal for aniline leather to behave that way.

I'm sure I've heard that using a hairdryer can shrink leather to tighten it back up again but can't remember the details.

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I think he's referring to the base cushion, and I can see from your photo it's a bit stretched out. If it's only to that extent I doubt they'd replace that under warranty, it's wear and tear and quite normal for aniline leather to behave that way.

I'm sure I've heard that using a hairdryer can shrink leather to tighten it back up again but can't remember the details.

Aniline only refers to the dye process where the hides are soaked to ensure the dye goes right through so minor scratches do not show as a different colour. I think the Lexus seats are 'protected' aniline which has a further topcoat to provide a consistent texture and colour which a straight aniline dye will not.

A hair dryer will shrink the sagging area but you need to ensure it gets hot enough but not too hot. Normally you'd use a "chill bar" behind the area, but you are basically looking for a heat sink to pull heat out of the leather).

Need to heat the area that is compressed- NOT focussing in just one area- working around. The leather should not get to a temperature that would be uncomforable to your hand, if it gets that way use a metal tray or similar take out the heat- then start again. you will see the identation gradually lessening- quite often it will appear to go away only to return in a lesser stage a little later, so just repeat the heating proceedure again.

I'll try it on mine and compare the before and after pics.

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Hi,

Thanks for the advice so far. My seats looks like yours only after 17000 miles! Should I just accept this 'sagging' or is it the cushion below and worth persuing under warranty?

I'll give the hairdryer treatment a go and let you know.

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  • 8 months later...

Tried the hairdryer treatment, it works but only lasted two seatings then reverted back to its original saggy look. Took it to Lexus and a big thankyou as they refitted the entire seat under warranty without any quibbles. They simply took a picture, sent it to Lexus headquarters, once approved the seat was redone and looking like new within a few days. They said that the stitching on the sides (deep within the seat) had come loose. I recommend you all do it before the 3 years warranty expires! :)

Seat before it was done...

post-6565-0-42524700-1323621507.jpg

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  • 4 months later...

I do not fancy torching my leather to remove all the natural oils and moisture...a sure way to get dry and cracked leather that will look old!

Fantastic result from Lexus to refit the seat! This firm never cease to amaze me...

Did they do both front seats...you'll want a matching pair after all!

Thanks for the tip...I will diarise seat re-covering after 35 months!

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It's not just these cars, pretty much the entire Lexus range suffers from this same problem, I know our RX shows exactly the same.

To be fair though my SLK which had much harder leather had a ripple effect after the years, it's just the leather slightly stretching over the years I think.

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They only did the driver seat as the passenger seat was still in good shape but had no problem in doing both had they been the same.

My drivers seat is still quite taut after the hairdryer treatment, but to be fair it had only stretched a little, as opposed to the bagginess caused by your stitching coming undone. To add to tonysharp comments, 'torching' is a bit of an exaggeration and I also feed/condition the leather after cleaning anyway. If you're that worried about drying out the leather then I'd advise not using the heated seat function :shifty:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Miffed!

My Drivers Seat's right-hand Bolster cover has suddenly developed a large crease that you can easily pinch as though the leather has stretched or the Bolster itself as semi-collapsed after 4000 miles!

Have had 7 Lexus since 1999,covered 200000 miles to date & have never had a seat issue until now!

Dealer is contacting GB ----will let you know the outcome.

Tel

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  • 1 month later...

Car goes into Derby next week for a new cushion & cover to be fitted by a Recaro Seat Specialist. GB/Derby excel once more.

Tel

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