A passenger pointed out that the leather around the far-right air vent is wrinkled/bubbled. I never really noticed it but upon taking a closer look it's clearly not smooth.

The interior never got wet and the car is parked in a garage at all times. Brand new 2020 E63.

Has anybody ever seen something like this? Going to talk to my leather guy to see if there is an easy fix - I'm definitely not replacing the entire dash for this.

 

Looks like a warranty repair to me.

 

yeah defo go back to mercedes

 

That is gonna sux.... my guess leather was not installed properly and since glued down... what are they gonna do?

New dash - and then come all sorts of squeaks and rattles

 

exactly my thoughts too. This kind of issue is one Id tread lightly on trying to fix. The fix maybe worse than the problem itself. Maybe have them try to tighten it somehow but def avoid replacing dash.

 

Agreed. No way I'm letting them replace the dash. It's not really bothering me but it is annoying on a brand new car. They had to replace the A/C evaporator on my old X6M and the car was never the same after the repair.

 

A good automotive interior shop might be able to steam that back into shape..... I would be wary of the dealer trying to repair the leather...

 

I would agree that good leather shop is a better choice.

Before doing anything, question for GermanMIA: if you press with finger does it feel like a bubble, or there is something hard under the leather?

 

It doesn't feel like there is anything hard under the leather, it feels soft. It's also kind of difficult to see unless the wrinkles are casting shadows which makes them more visible.

 

Had the same problem on my 19 sedan .
After couple weeks outside in the sun problem self healed .
Just my 2c

Sorry , I don’t have a better picture

 

cool....
the best solution in my opinion
Why fix it if it ain’t broken

 

Very interesting. I will definitely give this a try before doing anything. Was your issue similar to the picture that I posted?

 

Absolutely identical.
It is , I am looking at my car , sorry ex car .

 

Thanks much for the insight. Moving the car into the sun now. I will report back.

 

I hope it helps .

 

Well, it's most definitely working! I parked the car in the sun all day and the bubbles are almost gone. A few more days and it should be back to smooth.
Thank you so much for the suggestion.

 

A good word and honest opinion cost nothing .
I am so happy I could help.

 

One of those situations where the resolution may be worse than the issue. It's a tough call but I suspect it will be an uphill battle with the warranty department then a slop-job if and when it is approved.

 

Wow- I see you have a 2020. My family has been in the autobody business (not me-other than working for my dad as a teen) for 60 years and this happens on a lot of cars with a leather dash, as well as happening to leather door panels consoles etc. It typically results from the leather drying with age and the adhesive used to apply it to the underlying surface (usually some type of plastic subsurface) degrading with age. Areas that are exposed to the sun are particularly at risk. I have a very severe case of this rippling on the dash of my Porsche Turbo which is now over 10 years old -- that coupled with the fact that it has been living in my driveway out in the sun for the past 3 years has resulted in a pretty severe case of this rippling. I haven't noticed anything like this on my 2019 E63s or my 2018 GLC63 but will look more closely. This should not happen on a car this new. I might be inclined to leave it as is if it doesn't bother you and wait to see if it deteriorates further Deal with it when and if it gets worse but obviously no later than the warranty expiring. Good mechanics can reassemble a dash so that it doesn't squeak but who knows who will be doing the work at the dealer. I have had mixed results re quality at all dealerships so it is a risk. Good luck!

 

Dashboard issues remind me of when I had a 2004 Lexus RX330. It was the first year that body style came out and was littered with issues. One of the most annoying issue was a rattling dashboard when the temperature drops. A TSB was issued by Lexus that the clips that hold the dashboard was causing rattles and the fix was to take apart the entire dashboard to replace those clips. After all said and done, the dashboard made more noises and was way worst off than before. Lexus tried to fix it again but it was never the same. Got rid of it when the warranty expired.
Then, just last week, I had the local Mercedes dealer fix a non-working right rear window because a local PDR place took the door panel apart and messed up. Mercedes fixed the window issue but the door was making all sorts of noises. Turns out the door panel was misaligned and rubbing every where. A second attempt was done with better success but it was never the same.
Thus, I've learned that once something has been taken apart, you take the risk that it may never be the same again does't matter who did it...even a good mechanic.

 

Quick update on this: While the suggestion of keeping it in the sun initially improved the look, I think ultimately it didn't solve the issue and I feel like the wrinkles are getting worse and spreading in other locations of the dashboard.

I spoke to two local high-end automotive upholstery places but I'm getting mixed messaging. The first very high-end place told me the dashboard has to be replaced. The second shop suggested steaming and conditioning the leather which should be able to clean it up.

I'm taking my car in on Monday for service and will point it out to the dealer and see what their suggestion is ...
Not really sure what to do. Now that I have seen it I can't unsee it and it's bothering me every time I get into the car but at the same time, I'm really reluctant to have the dealer take apart my interior.

 

The best solution would be replacing the dashboard. However, here is another alternative:
This looks like air bubble trapped under the leather and if so, how about punching a tiny hole with the needle and squeezing the air out?

 

Dealer is telling me because it's leather and it's a natural product this behavior is normal and to be expected. He did suggest that the car baking in the sun will resolve it over time.

Oh well, I guess I will just have to live with it. Maybe I'll use a hairdryer to accelerate the sunbaking.

 

I have the same problem! Did parking it in the sun work long term for you?

 

I’ve got the same problem. Anyone have a solution that does not include removing the windshield and ripping out the entire dash?