[AudiConvert]

The armrest on driver side door seems to be drying out and begin cracking while only have 2500 miles on the odometer, that can’t be normal wear and tear right?

[Raimo5]

A bit too little information to give good evaluation. In general, a car with 2500 miles on it is considered new, but there are also specimen out there that are 50 year old with 2500 miles on it. Other factors like environmental exposure and excessively sweaty elbows play a role, but I assume that this is not the case here and wear is premature.

A picture and basic car data would help a lot.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

A bit too little information to give good evaluation. In general, a car with 2500 miles on it is considered new, but there are also specimen out there that are 50 year old with 2500 miles on it. Other factors like environmental exposure and excessively sweaty elbows play a role, but I assume that this is not the case here and wear is premature.

A picture and basic car data would help a lot.

IIRC, BMW started shipping the G82 in early 2021 so at most the car is 2 years old. I don't believe it is normal that cracking like this on the armrest this should be happening to such a new build. That being said, let's wait for the OP to post some details.

[AudiConvert]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

A bit too little information to give good evaluation. In general, a car with 2500 miles on it is considered new, but there are also specimen out there that are 50 year old with 2500 miles on it. Other factors like environmental exposure and excessively sweaty elbows play a role, but I assume that this is not the case here and wear is premature.

A picture and basic car data would help a lot.

The car is 5 months old and always kept in a garage with pretty consistent temperature.

[AudiConvert]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

IIRC, BMW started shipping the G82 in early 2021 so at most the car is 2 years old. I don't believe it is normal that cracking like this on the armrest this should be happening to such a new build. That being said, let's wait for the OP to post some details.

Thank you for the response, please see my reply to the other comment.

[AudiConvert]

Sorry I thought I had a picture attached.

View post on imgur.com

[AudiConvert]

Apologize for the poor picture quality, took it in the garage. But under sunlight, the middle section are some obvious horizontal (vertical?) bumps, even the texture of the leather is different from the rest. I’ll try to take a more representative picture when this nor’easter gets cleaned up.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

looks fine too me? wasn't going to remain perfectly smooth as delivery. or they cheaped out on the leather in typical bmw fashion

[Opie55]

I see zero defects in that. Certainly nothing that could be described as a crack. But unless things have changed, that does not look like merino. Merino I have seen looks like the nappa in my car - very smooth with virtually none of that pebble grain in it.

[Raimo5]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

IIRC, BMW started shipping the G82 in early 2021 so at most the car is 2 years old. I don't believe it is normal that cracking like this on the armrest this should be happening to such a new build. That being said, let's wait for the OP to post some details.

Sorry, I often fail to identify the car when it's not pointed out in the post. Bad habits I guess.

Originally Posted by AudiConvert

Sorry I thought I had a picture attached.

Yeah I think I can see what you are referring to. Just below the button panel where the armrest curves downward, yes?

This can happen if it is the location where you rest your arm forcefully over extended periods which will tug the leather. As the car is very recent and low milage then I dont expect it to be an issue, unless there was some heavy mistreatment. Also the location doesn't really align with typical elbow placement.

From the picture I can barely identify any obvious faults and wouldn't really be seeing anything wrong with it unless I knew where and what to look. You mentioned that the pictures is of poor quality and in good lighting, the effects are more pronounced. If it is bothering you then let the dealer take a look at it. Defects in those locations where leather is stretched over a convex panel can also be a manufacturing fault which would be covered under warranty.

Originally Posted by Opie55

But unless things have changed, that does not look like merino. Merino I have seen looks like the nappa in my car - very smooth with virtually none of that pebble grain in it.

Agreed. I have never seen Merino with such heavy texture, but the texture doesn't look embossed. Then again, photos can often exaggerate texture.

[AudiConvert]

View post on imgur.com

[AudiConvert]

Here is a much clearer picture.
Also big thanks for those of you who replied.

As for the type of leather, I actually have no idea. I know the trim is “Extended Merino” but what is actually used on the armrest is unclear to me.

[aa2033]

Looks totally normal with use. I would consider that more "strained from use" than a "crack"

[DarkishM5C]

OP, I would bring this to the attention of your SA. For 2500 miles, I don't think it should be this worn.

[ian190]

usage . you can put some leather creme

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by AudiConvert

The armrest on driver side door seems to be drying out and begin cracking while only have 2500 miles on the odometer, that can’t be normal wear and tear right?

Use leather lotion/crème without any added cleaning agents. If that doesn’t work for you, use some color lock and blend it back and fourth with leather lotion. That can be a high wear area so keep it treated. You may have to repeat the process a few times.

[AudiConvert]

Again thank you so much for everyone’s help.

Though this is a 6MT car so most of the time my left arm is doing the steering and not resting on the armrest. Even when I occasionally do, this part is not where I put my arm down.

Almost every vehicle I owned before had similar feeling material on the door panel armrest and none of them had any wrinkles like this even with much higher mileage.