Saving vinyl?
 

The last two owners of my '88 740 GLE didn't take very good care of it, so the vinyl is hard, and in some places cracked (mostly driver's seat; driver's seat is pretty bad, period). Can the vinyl be "saved" with any certain products? (already tried one application of Amor-All, didn't seem to have any effect). Dash is cracked, too, but I'm thinking that may be a lost cause.:confused:

That "vinyl" should be leather, unless aftermarket replacement. As far as saving it, depends on how bad it is damaged/worn, but usually, no... Getting a seat from a wrecking yard is cheap though the driver's usually are bad after 20 years... I adopt the cushions/covers from the passenger seats to the drivers-not hard.

The drivers seat has torn enough that I can see a cloth backing - a sure sign of vinyl from my experience with other cars... but maybe I should try a leather product just for giggles.

Should be leather. I don't know of any vinyl in those cars. As for abused leather, not much you can do other than stop the process. A good leather conditioner like Lexol can stop the process but it's probably a loss.

You may be able to get a leather shop to replace the leather. Especially if you remove the seat cousion and take it to them.