Wavy Line in Door Panel Leather

[madeyong]

I purchased a low mileage 2020 CPO TTS last month. I have never before loved a car this much, quirks and all. However, although I looked over the car and thought it was in perfect shape, I recently noticed that the driver’s side door panel has a wavy line in the leather just under the stitching. It’s hard to describe and to be honest I’m not sure if it’s a stain or if it’s something under the leather. It feels slightly raised to the touch and, depending on the light, sometimes it is barely noticeable but other times it is pretty clearly visible. See below picture, which is about the worst it ever looks. Has anybody experienced this or have any advice on what I can do to try and make this look better? It’s not a huge deal, but now of course I notice it all the time so it’s bugging me… Let me know what you think. Thanks.

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[Filback]

Looks like water damage.

 

[iamfrozt]

I agree. Looks to me like water damage from the window being down during rain and someone not caring enough to wipe it clean in a timely fashion.

 

[iamfrozt]

I purchased a low mileage 2020 CPO TTS last month. I have never before loved a car this much, ...

If you have a good leather/upholstery shop near you, it's likely they can clean/fix/dye that back to normal. That damage doesn't look too bad when looking at it up close in pics. That's likely something that can be fixed without any significant replacement of anything. That's my .02

 

[madeyong]

If you have a good leather/upholstery shop near you, it's likely they can clean/fix/dye that back to normal. That damage doesn't look too bad when looking at it up close in pics. That's likely something that can be fixed without any significant replacement of anything. That's my .02

Thanks! There is a nice high end car detailer near me. I’ll see what they say.

 

[iamfrozt]

Thanks! There is a nice high end car detailer near me. I’ll see what they say.

That's a visual issue only right? If you run your hand over it there's no physical feel like a ripple or change in the texture of the leather there? If the answer to that is yes, it's only visual, I think you're in good shape for a relatively simple fix.

 

[madeyong]

That's a visual issue only right? If you run your hand over it there's no physical feel like a ripple or change in the texture of the leather there? If the answer to that is yes, it's only visual, I think you're in good shape for a relatively simple fix.

Unfortunately I do feel a slight ripple. I’ll see what the car detail place says and also sent the picture to my Porsche dealer I bought the car from to see if they have any advice.

 

[XLR82XS]

HI-TECH extra foamy interior cleaner. If that doesn't work - then maybe leather cleaner.

 

[Fedex77]

Would this be covered under warranty? Seems like beyond normal wear and tear

 

[XLR82XS]

Would this be covered under warranty? Seems like beyond normal wear and tear

No. Not a manufacturer defect. If it was, it would never pass QC at the plant.

 

[madeyong]

No. Not a manufacturer defect. If it was, it would never pass QC at the plant.

Update: I just took it to my local Porsche dealer. They are ordering a new door panel under warranty and will replace the whole thing. They said it has to come from Germany and so I should give it at least a month but they will replace. Very happy with them so far!

 

[madeyong]

Update: I just took it to my local Porsche dealer. They are ordering a new door panel under warranty and will replace the whole thing. They said it has to come from Germany and so I should give it at least a month but they will replace. Very happy with them so far!

Further update: after a month and a half waiting my dealer said the door panel came in from Germany. I dropped it off today and apparently they cannot get the panel fully off without breaking the window buttons. They said they weren’t aware they also needed to order new window switches (as this is the first Taycan door panel they are replacing) so I’ll have another month+ wait for those to come from Germany. Not a big deal but just a public service announcement for anybody in a similar situation — if your dealer needs to order a new leather door panel make sure they also order the window switches!

 

[ciaranob]

Further update: after a month and a half waiting my dealer said the door panel came in from Germany. I dropped it off today and apparently they cannot get the panel fully off without breaking the window buttons. They said they weren’t aware they also needed to order new window switches (as this is the first Taycan door panel they are replacing) so I’ll have another month+ wait for those to come from Germany. Not a big deal but just a public service announcement for anybody in a similar situation — if your dealer needs to order a new leather door panel make sure they also order the window switches!

How bizarre a design is that! Most peculiar but awesome job re getting the whole thing covered under warranty as I too would have suggested this might have been a prior user issue leaving a window open in the rain etc. - good result despite the wait

 

[madeyong]

How bizarre a design is that! Most peculiar but awesome job re getting the whole thing covered under warranty as I too would have suggested this might have been a prior user issue leaving a window open in the rain etc. - good result despite the wait

The service tech said the design was due to the car being electric and so quiet that Porsche made the switches extra tight and basically molded to the door panel to avoid any rattling sound that could be heard in the cabin. Sounded convincing at least…

 

[ciaranob]

The service tech said the design was due to the car being electric and so quiet that Porsche made the switches extra tight and basically molded to the door panel to avoid any rattling sound that could be heard in the cabin. Sounded convincing at least…

I want to believe it - actually could well be - suspect there is a huge amount of design in the car addressing this aspect.

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