I'm pretty set on buying an S2000, but about 80% of the used cars with 30-40k miles have a lot of interior wear, especially on the bolsters. I drive an 2007 IS350 with 55k miles and, yes, I take very good care of it, but it almost seems like excessive wear... So my question is, is it normal even for all the S owners or just those that constantly sit on the bolsters before exiting the car? How expensive is it to "fix" or re-upholster it? I saw a repair thread but I'm not much of a DIY-er. Thanks =)

 

You can always buy the Clazzio seat covers. Look really nice. Can add some foam in there before putting them on. Or can take the seats apart and add more foam under the seat covers and put them back on.
Pretty normal for there to be side bolster wear. Pretty flimsy foam inside there so one time sitting on it when getting out can rip it.

 

45k and my driver side left bolster is half flat

 

my seat bolters are almost like new after 55k miles. I often wonder how bolster wear is related to the person driving the vehicle, are they most likely to be deformed by shorter drivers who have shorter legs or by drivers with wider hips. Some seats seem to wear out fast while others look like new for a long time.

 

Think it's mostly from how you get in and out of the car.

 

^ This. Both entering and exiting like that will cause such wear.

 

Thanks guys - I'll look into the seat covers but it really seems to be hit or miss with used ones. I guess I'll just get the best I can but expect to replace it =)

 

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Mine too. I might add that I weigh a bit more than 200 lb, and, because of my bad back I have to slide over that bolster quite a bit since I can't lift my butt adequately while entering or leaving. However, the leather seat surface is in fairly good shape. Nothing is badly cracked or about to wear through or rip. For the record, my S2K has been in use for more than nine years and 48,000 miles.

 

I take caution getting in and out of mine as much as I can. I still have wrinkle lines on my 06 driver's bolster though. My Dad is infamous for wearing out bolsters. He's done it to every single one of his cars, most recently on his 2011 GTI. 8000 miles on it, and he's wearing the bolster already. It's the way he gets in and out, as he rubs it and pushes against it. They don't get pushed in, but the fabric wears off fast.

It's definitely how people get in and out of the car. Whenever he gets into my S he does the same thing, and I silently cringe. It's definitely a driver's thing, as my interior on my 01 never wore out at all. 45k miles and the seats were near perfect. I never pushed or rubber against them. Also, the top raised part of the carpet (don't know what it's called) is wearing on my car, so I told my GF to avoid sliding her feet on it, and I have to practice the same thing, as I'm wearing the driver's side as well.

 

Come to think of it, I'm already wearing the bolsters on my 2010 suv. Well it's not WORN but I can tell the pad is being moved inside with around 10k miles. I'm sure the dealer will take care of it for me - but I didn't have the same issue in my IS so thanks for the feedback. Now... to find an s2k I actually can buy lol