Well, I don't recall the texture of the leather being like this when I got my car. Quite honestly, I don't think my original seats changed that much over the past few years. I think they're just using slightly different material or manufacturing process.

But then again, I could be wrong...yet again hahaha.

 

That is normal. I thought this was something serious. -___-.

 

It's top coated with a clear vinyl sealant. This is a very thin protective layer, not the vinyl found in 1980s Fords. Natural (aniline) leather will darken if you get water on it. The leather in the Ford King Ranch trucks is aniline. If water sits on your leather without penetrating it, then it is coated leather like 95% of car leather.

Mink oil is fine on uncoated "work" leather, and will darken it and help waterproof it. I remember using the stuff on my baseball glove when I was a kid. It's typically made of liquified pig fat and silicone (unless you get the real deal from France), and it's greasy. The stuff is made for waterproofing work boots, not car leather (especially coated). If it works for you, fine, but realize that the cleaning regimen is probably what's helping rather than the mink oil.

I've done quite a bit of research on this, as I'm a car-care fanatic and had a car with semi-aniline (lightly coated) leather and wanted to care for it correctly.

 

I've seen other threads on this forum describing replacement leather for the driver's seat as softer, which tells me Infiniti is using a better or more durable grade of leather to avoid additional complaints about unusual wear and creasing/cracking.

Of course, this means they are playing the odds that most owners won't complain about the wear on the OEM seats, and so they are making more money by using an inferior product in the first place.

 

The seats in my 2010 definitely seem softer and more durable than the ones in my old 08. I really do think the color is a couple of shades lighter as well. More a charcoal grey than black....

 

You're not alone.

I had this done on my '09 and went ballistic when I *thought* they had installed the wrong cover. Crucified the Service Mgr. via email and voice mail. He emailed me pictures from the brochure and cars on the lot.

I had driven the thing for over a year and never noticed the difference....Maybe because it doesn't make a lot of sense that it is designed that way.

And yes the leather is much softer and fits somewhat looser. Color matched perfectly....

Almost a year later and the problem has not returned. But then, I don't sit on my wallet anymore....

 

I don't sit on my wallet in this car. After 4 months it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. The way the seats are make its more uncomfortable for me anyway.

It's actually better for your legs to avoid sitting on the wallet. In the car and the office. Anywhere you'll be down for a while on a firm surface. My neighbor was a cop for 25 years and has some problems with his right leg due to all those years sitting on his wallet.

 

Hahaha, believe it or not, the only reason I don't use my wallet in my back pocket anymore is because my chiropractor told me it's not good for you. I was also told my right leg is very slightly shorter than my left, and I'm sure the wallet over the years hasn't helped my cause.

Anyway, I don't think the color will ever truly match my other seat, but I'm getting to the point where I don't care anymore.

 

Get some Recaros, problem fixed


Have heard the same thing about the wallet. That' why I always take it out when I get into my car, more comfortable too.
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Wallet has nothing to do with anything. The seats in the '08s are crap. I am currently driving on seat #3. For me, the bubbles formed on the right side. My wallet is in my left pocket. It's the hardware beneath the seat that is causing the problem.
And the driver's seat is supposed to be slightly different from the passenger seat. Yours look ok. Armour All both of them and the color will look the same.

 

got my drivers side seat bubble replaced but i do belive they only change the seat cover and not the whole seat. anyways long story shot the dreaded right side bubble is coming back and its only been a few months and i try my best to barely drive the thing cuz of bad weather, long highway trips or/and the SEAT BUBBLING! looks horrible for a 70k car. the material on the drivers side seat was totally different. it was softer and more bland looking in the way it shined compared to the passanger seat. that is kinda crappy, but like i said even worse, the bubbling is coming back!gonna get it looked at on the next service hopefully i get another new one that wont bubble. i also still have a problem with small amounts of water coming into my interior of my car via the roof seals on both sides of the car, only when i wash my car.. every car wash, automatic touchless or coin operated self serve wand washes. my mom makes fun of me and says ur 70 k car has water intrusions and my 3 old honda's never had that problem. hoping for a t.s.b on the window seal water situation.

 

70k, get a few extra options?

 

My new 09 vert is different also. Never noticed till this thread.

 

My 08 seats are great. Now we bought it a year old (lease) so who knows if the original owner had issues or not.

 

no options just 3m on the front and extebded warranty till 160k or 7 years. got taken for quite the ride on my vert. was a compulsive purchase for sure. was actually looking to buy a coupe.. paid just over 71 all in. oh they gave me 3m for free... and no special intrest rates even during the recession.