09 Boxster - steering wheel leather cracking - options?

[daveknott5]

Not sure if my car's interior has been exposed to lots of direct sunlight, or if the leather just isn't that durable, but it's starting to crack on my steering wheel.

My car is a 2009 Gen 2, has done 36000 miles, and the rest of the interior looks like new, but the steering wheel leather and gear knob are showing very definite signs of wear (will try and get some pics later). I'm the car's 2nd owner so can't confirm how the leather was treated during the 1st owner's tenure..

Is this a common problem? I guess my options are some sort of re-trim or replace the wheel/gearknob with another from a breakers/ebay.....

Disappointing on a premuim product and annoying!

[Helicopter123]

I would suggest that's a likely warranty replacement?

[FrankCayman]

My mates Dad is a mechanic who doesn't clean his hands particularly well. He biodegrades leather steering wheels and gear knobs!!

My gen 2 Cayman was sold with 80K with them looking like new....

[daveknott5]

Hmmm, shame it's out of warranty as the Porsche warranty only lasts 2 years....

Perhaps they'd replace under goodwill?

[Captain James T]

This happened to Mrs. James-T's old Boxster and after some investigation it turned out that it was her hand cream causing the leather surface to degrade. Every time she got in the car she got her hand cream out of the glovebox, applied some and off she went. OPC said that it wasn't the first time they'd seen it and same cause every time!

[daveknott5]

so did they replace the wheel or not?

[Far Cough]

This fella has a good rep - worth a shot : http://www.jd-trimming.co.uk/CustomorClassic_/Clas...

[Captain James T]

No, it was an external influence as the cream softens up the leather. It's something blindingly obvious when you think about it.

[m33ufo]

Wouldn't have thought that sunlight would have caused the effect you have, especially as it's on the gear shift and steering wheel. More likely the applying a cleaning product perhaps - something has dried out the leather.

[rigster2]

Fuel residue on hands cannot be good for steering wheels etc.

Maybe the first owner did not use gloves while refuelling?

Does not help you now, although i'd just go with the re-trim option.

[Porkster]

FrankCayman said:

My mates Dad is a mechanic who doesn't clean his hands particularly well. He biodegrades leather steering wheels and gear knobs!!

My gen 2 Cayman was sold with 80K with them looking like new....

Yep, and they still look mint.

[Porkster]

FrankCayman said:

My mates Dad is a mechanic who doesn't clean his hands particularly well. He biodegrades leather steering wheels and gear knobs!!

My gen 2 Cayman was sold with 80K with them looking like new....

Yep, and they still look mint.

[FrankCayman]

Porkster said:

Yep, and they still look mint.

In good hands!!! Clean hands too!!!

[daveknott5]

Right, I promised some pics, so here they are:

1. at first glance, everything looks fine:


2. But look closer:


3.


4. Worn Gearknob


Thoughts? I'm going to contact my local OPC to see if they would consider a goodwill warranty replacement of these parts......

Edited by daveknott5 on Tuesday 18th December 11:16

[anonymous-user]

Ring damage? Who was the first owner?

[Porkster]

I'd agree with possible ring damage on the steering wheel, the gear knob could be the result of a sweaty hand constanly placed on the top of it.

Good luck with getting them replaced, I can guess the outcome though.

[daveknott5]

Right, in the end, I went for a re-trim as OPC Chiswick didn't even respond to my enquiries. I'm really happy with the results. Jack at Royal Steering Wheels did a top job, thanks!

[mini turbo]

Looks nice mate