Steering wheel leather blistering

[dmholmes]

Anybody else had this problem? Over the past couple of weeks the leather on my steering wheel has started to blister on the left hand side. Getting quite annoying at this point since a couple of the areas are right under my fingertips. Not sure if the dealer will fix it under warranty or not, suppose I'll find out. Have to re-schedule the car for service since the V36 update has changed my stalling problem from ocassionally to consistently. That should be as good a time as any to ask about the steering wheel. Here's also hoping they manage to get the squeaky driver's seat fixed finally (third or fourth attempt, I'm starting to lose track).

[buckmeister]

Have just picked my car up and have had the wheel replaced (amongst other things).

My car is a Nov 02 MC and the new wheel feels like its made of much better leather than the one that came on the car. The leather used on the MINI is pretty poor, I've had the hand brake cover replaced twice, and the steering wheel and the gear lever surround.

All have been covered under warrenty.

[ncdave]

This is a known issue and should be covered under warranty. Mine was replaced as well last month for the exact same problem (left side of wheel). I have a January 2003 build.

[tm75tm]

And mine (MCS OCT 03). In Australia that is

[dmholmes]

Thanks for all the replies folks. Good to know I'm not alone with this problem. Odd that others are having it on the same side of the wheel. I wonder what the common denominator is.

[buckmeister]

My guess is that it's the combination of crap leather, sweat and hair gel or hand cream type products that really don't get on with one another. There were a number of patches on the wheel where the leather was showing wear before it finally went through.