Cloth Interior

[bimmernotbeamer]

Has anyone tried to order cloth interior as a special option? Has anyone asked if ordering it is even remotely possible?

[toosteeley]

I'd like to know as well.

Having said that, any special options will cost you.

I for one, have no intentions of paying for a base European option.

[john970]

Originally Posted by toosteeley

I'd like to know as well.

Having said that, any special options will cost you.

I for one, have no intentions of paying for a base European option.

Keep in mind they pay more for their cars to begin with, and I think you can only change so much of a car before having to test again for north american crash standards... thought i guess the seat material wouldn't be one of these

my 2 cents.

[imported_Ryan]

I'd be interested too - the leatherette feels kind of sticky, and the 323 sedan at the auto show smelled sort of funky inside. I have wonderful cloth in my e36, still looks great after many years. Warm in winter, cool in summer!

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I'd be interested too - the leatherette feels kind of sticky, and the 323 sedan at the auto show smelled sort of funky inside. I have wonderful cloth in my e36, still looks great after many years. Warm in winter, cool in summer!

+1. I love the cloth in my e36 as well. Like you said, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and it looks good too. Leather is a scam, and leatherette just sucks.

[0002s]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Has anyone tried to order cloth interior as a special option? Has anyone asked if ordering it is even remotely possible?

Yes, it's a north Ukrainian options P58. It's part of the "not so comfort" package which includes roll up windows, manual door locks, no AC and AM radio w/cassette.

[m3bs]

Originally Posted by 0002s

Yes, it's a north Ukrainian options P58. It's part of the "not so comfort" package which includes roll up windows, manual door locks, no AC and AM radio w/cassette.

Hey, a 135 LTW! Wish we could get one here.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by 0002s

Yes, it's a north Ukrainian options P58. It's part of the "not so comfort" package which includes roll up windows, manual door locks, no AC and AM radio w/cassette.

[atr_hugo]

Roll up windows that have the 'broomstick' option installed. The guy cuts off a length of broomstick and puts that between the bottom of the door and the bottom of the window so they won't roll down. Don't ask me how I know that. ; -)

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by 0002s

Yes, it's a north Ukrainian options P58. It's part of the "not so comfort" package which includes roll up windows, manual door locks, no AC and AM radio w/cassette.

Lol. BMW offers cloth in every other market in the world except for North America. And frankly, I disagree with your assessment that cloth is on par with manual windows and cassette decks. Cloth is more durable and a lot more comfortable than leather and leatherette. Cloth is actually better unless you're just a poser that wants leather because it's just leather.

[koala]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Lol. BMW offers cloth in every other market in the world except for North America. And frankly, I disagree with your assessment that cloth is on par with manual windows and cassette decks. Cloth is more durable and a lot more comfortable than leather and leatherette. Cloth is actually better unless you're just a poser that wants leather because it's just leather.

I like the look of leather. I also hate getting shocked every time I climb in and out of a cloth seat.

BMW knows that in our market, very few people would actually *want* cloth.

Granted, I like alcantara in particular for a track car, but that stuff doesn't wear very well.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by koala

I like the look of leather. I also hate getting shocked every time I climb in and out of a cloth seat.

BMW knows that in our market, very few people would actually *want* cloth.

Granted, I like alcantara in particular for a track car, but that stuff doesn't wear very well.

I think that somewhat depends on the product.....
IDK about the OE Alcantara, but I reupholstered a previous car in Alcantara (name brand) & it still looked like new after 50K.
I have seen knock of material that did wear poorly though.

I absolutely loved my Alcantara & wouldn't hesitated getting it again.
In fact my plan would be to get the 'ette on the 1er & get them redone.

[0002s]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Lol. BMW offers cloth in every other market in the world except for North America. And frankly, I disagree with your assessment that cloth is on par with manual windows and cassette decks. Cloth is more durable and a lot more comfortable than leather and leatherette. Cloth is actually better unless you're just a poser that wants leather because it's just leather.

[joke]you didn't get it[/joke]

Leather isn't for "posers". Leather is for people who like the feel of leather. I happen to be one of those people. As far as cloth goes, I wouldn't get it. Not because I care what people think as much as I care what my ass feels like on it....:wink:

[BMW Dreamer]

I think cloth should be standard and leather as an option. I thought Vinyl was for $10k economy cars???????

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by 0002s

[joke]you didn't get it[/joke]

Leather isn't for "posers". Leather is for people who like the feel of leather. I happen to be one of those people. As far as cloth goes, I wouldn't get it. Not because I care what people think as much as I care what my ass feels like on it....:wink:

Lol. Yes, I did in fact get your attempt at sarcasm. That doesn't change the fact that you think cloth is not a worthwhile option in a BMW. As for leather feeling better on your ass, good for you. If you like having something colder in the winter, and hotter in the summer touch your ass, than that's your business. But that's why I like cloth, because it's the opposite, and it is more durable. The leather used in most mainstream automobiles is sh!t, and not worth the money. IMO, leather is for poseurs.

[0002s]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Lol. Yes, I did in fact get your attempt at sarcasm. That doesn't change the fact that you think cloth is not a worthwhile option in a BMW. As for leather feeling better on your ass, good for you. If you like having something colder in the winter, and hotter in the summer touch your ass, than that's your business. But that's why I like cloth, because it's the opposite, and it is more durable. The leather used in most mainstream automobiles is sh!t, and not worth the money. IMO, leather is for poseurs.

Dave:

1. I'm in the textile business and leather will wear longer than synthetic fibers.

2. Leather heat and cools to your body temp.

3. I give two shits what people think of me and my leather seats as I bought them because of #2.

4. Good day

[looking]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I think that somewhat depends on the product.....
IDK about the OE Alcantara, but I reupholstered a previous car in Alcantara (name brand) & it still looked like new after 50K.
I have seen knock of material that did wear poorly though.

I absolutely loved my Alcantara & wouldn't hesitated getting it again.
In fact my plan would be to get the 'ette on the 1er & get them redone.

Can't agree with you more about the Alcantara, hand it in my STi and it was great.

I think the only advantage to me about having cloth over leather is that cloth grips better.... But like most things, everyone has a different preference

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by 0002s

Dave:

1. I'm in the textile business and leather will wear longer than synthetic fibers.

2. Leather heat and cools to your body temp.

3. I give two shits what people think of me and my leather seats as I bought them because of #2.

4. Good day

In real world automotive applications I have seen the exact opposite. Numerous driver seat leather side bolsters have been worn to he!! after a couple of years of driving. Show me cloth bolsters that wear that badly. Now if we are comparing vinyl to cloth, then it's a wash. But leather, no way. In terms of temperature, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I have cars with both, and the cloth is infinitely better in Winter/Summer extremes.

JMO.

[cracka]

The driver's side cloth bolster in my 2003 350Z got really frayed after about a year. That's the only sport seat I've ever owned that was cloth, but it didn't fare too well in my opinion.

[looking]

^^^

I think it's tough to be accurate about what last longer for a car application. So many factors come into play. Choose what you like and for your application and enjoy.

[spudw]

Originally Posted by excel

^^^

I think it's tough to be accurate about what last longer for a car application. So many factors come into play. Choose what you like and for your application and enjoy.

Exactly, like the size of one's a$$ and the amount of weight it supports. I've seen leather so worn it looked like a baby elephant had been using the car to deliver newspapers...

Personally, I like leatherette. I prefer the look of leather to cloth, but, from experience, I have more confidence in the value-for-$$ and wearability of leatherette.

As for cloth, I appreciate the practicality of it, but not so much the looks. But Alcantara is the exception. I would have that lining the seats of my car anyday.

[looking]

^^^

There's pictures on here of a euro spec 1 that has a great interior...I just can't find it...